Most cars sold in the last several years have a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror, looking out through the windshield. It powers features like lane departure warning, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking and some adaptive cruise systems. Together these are called ADAS, or advanced driver assistance systems.
That camera depends on clear, undistorted glass. So the location of your crack matters more than its size.
How do I know if my car has a windshield camera?
Look at the windshield from outside the car, just above the rearview mirror. If you see a black box or a cutout in the black dotted band with a lens behind it, you have a forward camera.
Other signs: your car warns you when you drift out of your lane, brakes on its own for a stopped car, or reads speed limit signs. If you're not sure, text us your VIN and we'll check.
Can a crack in front of the camera affect lane assist?
Yes. The camera reads lane lines, cars and pedestrians through a small patch of glass. A chip, crack or star break in that patch can:
- Blur or split the image the camera sees
- Make the system turn itself off with a warning on the dash
- Cause lane keeping to drop out or react late
- Trigger false alerts or, in rare cases, unexpected braking
The system may still work, but it may not work the way it should. Don't trust it to catch something you would miss.
What about damage elsewhere on the windshield?
A chip low on the passenger side is usually outside the camera's view. It won't affect ADAS, but it can still spread across the glass. A crack that grows up into the camera area becomes an ADAS problem. That's one more reason to get chips repaired early.
Chip repair in the camera's field of view is a judgment call. Even a good repair can leave a faint mark, and the camera may not tolerate it. In that zone, replacement is often the safer answer. Our repair or replace guide explains the limits.
When does my car need calibration?
Almost always after a windshield replacement on a car with a forward camera. Most automakers require the camera to be re-aimed after new glass goes in, because a small change in glass position or the camera bracket shifts where the camera points.
Calibration may also be needed after:
- A wheel alignment or suspension work
- A collision, even a minor one near the front of the car
- Removing and reinstalling the camera for any reason
- A dashboard warning about the camera or lane assist
The requirement comes from the automaker, not state law. We check it by VIN before any job.
What's the difference between static and dynamic calibration?
Static calibration is done with the car parked in a level, well-lit space with targets set at measured distances. Dynamic calibration is done by driving at set speeds on roads with clear lane markings while a scan tool watches the camera learn. Some cars need both.
Static calibration can take one to three hours. Dynamic usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and road markings. See static vs. dynamic calibration.
How will I know calibration was done?
You should get a written result. We do calibration in-house and give you the printed report. Starting January 1, 2027, California's Motor Vehicle Glass Act, according to the law as signed, requires glass shops to tell you before the work whether your car has ADAS and whether calibration is called for, and to give written notice of the result afterward. We break that down in what's changing for California glass claims in 2027.
What does a windshield with calibration cost?
Our windshield replacement with camera calibration starts at $549, and calibration on its own starts at $199. Industry guides put calibration alone at $150 to $400, and AAA's 2023 study found an average of about $1,440 for a windshield plus calibration. Details are on our ADAS calibration page.
If your windshield is cracked near the mirror, text a photo and your VIN to (951) 364-2300. We'll tell you whether it can be repaired and whether calibration is needed.