How Much Does It Cost For Safety Systems Recalibration After Windshield Replacement

Replacing a windshield has never been easy or cheap, but new safety systems make the task even more challenging. New vehicles have forward-facing optical sensors that watch the road ahead. When your windshield is replaced, these can be disturbed, and a recalibration may be needed. Here’s how to manage this situation.

We know you want to know the cost of this service, so we will tell you that based on our research, this part of a windshield replacement can cost between $200 and $700, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Related Story: How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Windshield

What Are Advanced Driver Assistance Sensors, and Why Do I Need To Have Mine Calibrated?

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are now ubiquitous in new vehicles. These are systems that help your vehicle maintain its lane centering, alert you when you stray out of your lane or across a center strip, and help you maintain a safe distance from another vehicle when using cruise control. Their most important function is to enable your vehicle to auto-brake in the event of a pending accident.

The sensors related to these systems are located in various parts of your vehicle. Most automakers mount some of these sensors behind the center top section of your windshield, just behind your rearview mirror. When your windshield needs to be replaced, the sensors may need adjustment or calibration if they are disturbed or because the new glass differs slightly from the old glass.

Windshield Replacement Basics - What Is Performed?

When your windshield breaks or cracks and needs to be replaced, a technician will first remove the rear-view mirror and any important stickers, such as state safety inspection stickers or emissions stickers. These are set aside. Any heating elements are disconnected. The technician will then remove any outer rubber trim pieces around the windshield. She will then use special tools to cut away the elastomer adhesive that surrounds the glass and holds it in place. Next, the old glass is carefully lifted from its spot in the frame and set aside for recycling or disposal. The nesting spot surrounding the windshield is cleaned up and prepared for new adhesive, which is dispensed with a special caulking gun. The new glass is laid carefully in place, the trim is replaced, heating elements reconnected, and then anything taken off the old windshield is put back using an overlay of clear tape. We are abbreviating the process, but these are the basics. The last step is to ensure that any sensors that need adjustment or calibration get what they need.

The auto glass experts who perform this work come with a specialized tool van. They can almost always complete the job in under two hours in your driveway or workplace parking lot. If the weather is poor, they may suggest that you bring the vehicle to their local facility. Your vehicle will be drivable within an hour or two of the work’s completion.

Who Can Calibrate My ADAS Sensors When My Windshield Is Replaced?

Autoglass technicians are capable of adjusting and calibrating ADAS sensors. Sometimes, they can do this work onsite, but sometimes, they require the vehicle to be in their garage to do this work. This makes the job a bit more of a hassle for the vehicle owner since the owner will need to bring the vehicle to the local shop and either wait for the job to be done or come back later.

There are some models that require a dealer’s technicians to do the ADAS calibration. Car Talk ran an informal poll in a popular Mazda Facebook club, and we asked the members who had windshields replaced how the calibration for the ADAS sensors was completed. Some said it was done in their driveway. Others said that the glass company required the vehicle to be taken to their shop, and some owners said the glass company directed the owner to have the dealer do that work. As you can see, even with one specific model, the way the sensors get adjusted can vary.

How Much Does ADAS Calibration After a Windshield Replacement Cost?

A local Mazda dealer for the ADAS replacement on a CX-5 quoted Car Talk $300. This cost was also the same if the glass company performed the work. What you pay will depend primarily on the make and model of your vehicle. We have found examples of prices ranging from $250 to $700.

Does Insurance Cover ADAS Calibration?

Car Talk is based in Massachusetts. In this state, the default insurance policies approved by the state have no-cost glass replacement, and ADAS calibration is included. The cost is paid directly by the insurer to the glass company or to the dealer. If the policyholder opts out, the cost is paid by the vehicle owner. Always check with your insurer before paying for auto glass.

Can I Skip ADAS Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?

After a windshield replacement, your vehicle will be drivable without calibration, but we do not suggest this. The driver assistance systems may not operate properly, so it is important to have them recalibrated.

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