High-tech cars and cracked windshields don’t mix

You might think that your windshield has only one job, which is to keep the elements out of the car. It’s not exactly high-tech, and repairing so many decades was a lot like replacing the glass in any other broken window. However, today’s latest technology has turned windshields into so much more – and yesterday’s rules for windshield repair are no longer. Here’s what you need to know when getting a windshield replaced today.

The first is the integration of cameras or other sensors in the windshield, watching the road with you. “They are becoming very common on a wide range of vehicles,” says Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the professional group of collision repair technicians. “What were once very simple operations now require complex diagnostic and calibration work.”

This process is not trivial during a windshield repair, lest the driver get a false sense of security when picking up their car. Scroll through this Honda overview to get a feel for the number of systems and calibration processes involved. In some cases, automakers advise against reusing a windshield every time it has been removed. And it extends to other parts of the car: Ford recently advised replacing the bumpers on its cars with advanced driver assistance systems whenever they need more than a job. paint.

The windshield of a modern car can also have a special display area for a head-up projector and technology related to automatic wipers or auto-dimming high beams. As cars have gotten more complex, repair shops often turn to good quality aftermarket parts to keep costs down, but Ford, Honda, and FCA all advise against the use of aftermarket windshields. BMW goes so far as to request that special electromagnetic compatibility screws be used in repairs so as not to interfere with ADAS functionality.

Sufficient insurance should cover such procedures, but that doesn’t mean your insurance company likes it. “Many of these technologies have been piloted by (…) the insurance industry, seeking to reduce the frequency of accidents”, explains Schulenburg. “Unfortunately, this can also be a challenge as insurance companies are behind in understanding and underwriting these repair processes.” Yesterday’s $ 500 windshield replacement can cost thousands of dollars today.

Not that it’s not worth it. A recent Reuters analysis on the adoption of various forms of ADAS technology shows how much it can reduce accident rates and how much it therefore spreads across makes and models of cars. Just prepare for a more complex repair that can no longer be completed in 45 minutes without leaving your driveway.