Do I really need to recalibrate after glass repair?
If you’ve ever replaced a windshield and wondered whether calibration was actually necessary, you’re not alone. In a busy shop, it’s easy to prioritize speed over precision, especially when it comes to something that appears to be fairly simple, like glass repair.
However, glass repair isn’t what it used to be. Many of today’s vehicles rely on forward-facing sensors and cameras mounted to the windshield. That means even a basic glass replacement can throw advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) out of alignment. And if those systems aren’t recalibrated properly, the risks go far beyond return visits.
Let’s walk through what’s really at stake and why recalibration matters more than you might think.
ADAS and glass: what’s changed?
Modern ADAS features like lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition all rely on clear input from windshield-mounted cameras. If those cameras are even slightly off-center, the system may not function as intended by the OEM.
The issue can’t always be identified with a visual inspection, or even a dashboard light. For example, after replacing a windshield, everything may look aligned, but the software won’t know that something has changed. Without recalibration, the vehicle assumes the camera is still in the exact same position—and even being a degree or two off can lead to incorrect inputs, warnings, or unsafe vehicle behavior on the road.
So, what happens if you skip it?
A camera that’s just a few degrees off can misinterpret road lines or react too late to stopped vehicles. That puts drivers, and your shop, at risk.
Improper or skipped calibrations can result in:
- Lane keep assist pulling off-center
- Collision warning systems activating too early or too late
- Adaptive cruise behaving unpredictably
- Customers losing trust in your work
Unfortunately, these aren’t just hypothetical scenarios. This happens every day in shops across the world that assume calibration is optional when it simply isn’t.
Calibration by the numbers
Fact: More than 70% of glass-related ADAS repairs are either skipped or performed incorrectly.
That’s more than a major liability. It’s a missed opportunity to build long-term customer trust. (Source: Industry calibration audit, 2023)
What OEMs actually require
Most manufacturers mandate recalibration after any windshield replacement, regardless of how minor the prior damage may have been. Why? Because accuracy matters more than appearance.
Neither a visual inspection nor a dashboard warning light can confirm that ADAS systems are functioning correctly. Proper recalibration is the only way to verify that sensors are operating as designed, and to prove it with insurance-grade documentation.
From the shop floor
“We know that when we get the vehicle back [from Sentric ADAS] and give it to the customer, we’re putting them back in a vehicle that is safe, reliable, and functioning the way it should be.” – Jason Weisenbach, Collision Center Manager, Hare Estes Collision of Carmel
The Sentric approach
At Sentric, calibration isn’t a checkbox, it’s a controlled process we’ve built from the ground up that replicates OEM standards and minimizes uncertainty. Every static calibration happens in a controlled, purpose-built environment. Our team uses OE-approved tools, documentation, and processes to ensure everything is done right the first time. No guesswork, and certainly no shortcuts.
And because we complete the static calibration at our lab, there’s no interruption to your shop’s workflow or cycle time.
Why collision shops choose Sentric
- Lab-based environment eliminates variables
- Sentric mobile technicians can come to you for dynamic calibrations
- OE-level precision for every calibration
- Full documentation for insurers and customers
- No added pressure on shop space or staff
Do what you do best. We’ll handle the calibration.
Curious how our lab process works? View the process
Ready to let us handle calibration? Talk to our team