The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa is advising car owners with advanced driver assistance systems (Adas) to exercise caution when replacing their windscreens. Adas are safety and convenience technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning, designed to warn drivers of potential dangers and intervene when necessary. According to the AA, many owners are unaware that Adas cameras require recalibration after windscreen replacement to function correctly.
Adas systems rely on precise camera alignment, and failure to recalibrate the camera can lead to incorrect functionality, loss of functionality, or reduced accuracy of Adas features. This can result in false alarms or a lack of warnings, causing unpredictable system behavior and increasing the risk of accidents. The AA emphasizes that skipping recalibration can have severe consequences, including legal and insurance implications, as some insurers require proof of recalibration after windscreen replacement.
A one-degree misalignment of the Adas camera can cause an error of about 2.4m over a distance of 30m, which is critical at highway speeds. Eddie Irving of Belron, the parent company of PG Glass in South Africa, notes that workshop diagnostic scans may not identify a missing or incorrect recalibration. A diagnostic scan may reveal existing vehicle fault codes but will not necessarily indicate recalibration is required or confirm it has been completed.
Irving advises owners of vehicles fitted with Adas to inform original equipment manufacturer dealerships or independent glass fitters that recalibration is required whenever a windscreen is replaced. This ensures that the Adas system functions correctly and maintains peak performance. Incorrect calibration could explain why some drivers experience Adas malfunctions, potentially affecting critical safety features such as lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking.
Tests have shown that miscalibrated cameras can cause vehicles to fail to stop in time when autonomous emergency braking is activated, resulting in collisions, or to deviate from their lanes when lane-keep assist malfunctions. The AA encourages owners to insist on certified recalibration as mandatory with every windscreen replacement undertaken. This measure can significantly enhance road safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
A Dutch insurance body study involving one million cars between 2019 and 2021 showed up to 50% fewer accidents in vehicles with functional forward collision warning systems. AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede emphasizes that ensuring Adas systems work at peak performance is crucial, especially considering the significant reduction in accidents associated with functional Adas systems.
The AA's warning highlights the importance of proper Adas camera calibration after windscreen replacement. Car owners are urged to take necessary precautions to maintain the integrity of their Adas systems and ensure road safety. By prioritizing recalibration, owners can enjoy the benefits of Adas while minimizing the risk of accidents and associated consequences.
Key points
- The Automobile Association advises car owners to recalibrate Adas cameras after windscreen replacement.
- Incorrect Adas camera calibration can lead to increased risk of collisions and accidents.
- A Dutch study found up to 50% fewer accidents in vehicles with functional forward collision warning systems.
