What Is ADAS Calibration?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems — the collection of cameras and sensors that power features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. On most vehicles built since 2015, a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror is the heart of these systems. When that windshield is replaced, the camera is removed and reinstalled. Even a fraction of a degree of misalignment can change what the camera sees — and therefore how your safety features respond. Calibration is the process of realigning that camera and its related sensors back to the manufacturer's exact specifications. There are two types. Static calibration is performed in a controlled environment using calibrated target boards placed at precise distances from the vehicle. Dynamic calibration adds a road test at a specific speed, letting the system relearn while you drive. Many vehicles require both. Skipping calibration isn't worth the risk. A miscalibrated system may brake too late, alert you for no reason, or fail to warn you at all. After any windshield replacement that involves a camera or sensor, ask for calibration — and ask for proof it was completed.