Automotive technology continues to evolve and so do the cars and trucks being manufactured by the big auto makers.
Computer integration, electric engines, and high-tech safety features like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane centering assistance, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot warning are redefining today’s makes and models. Even simple components like automotive glass have evolved, as today’s windshields are far different than the thick heavy glass found in older models from the 1960s and 1970s.
To remain on the cutting edge of automotive repair services, proactive repair shops often have to invest in equipment required to maintain today’s new vehicles. A great example of that is now found at Acres Auto Glass in Orillia, where owners Shelley and Stephen Kraan have invested in equipment designed to realign and reprogram the ADAS sensors installed in the windshield of many new vehicles.
“With the windshields of today, the newer the car the more safety features there are,” said Shelley. “People that go buy brand new cars often don’t realize there could be Lane Departure Warning (LDW), “Forward Collision Warning (FCW), or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) included as part of the safety system. These systems reduce accidents, but it becomes quite an expense because the bracket for these safety features adheres to the windshield.”
What that means is that it becomes increasingly important to bring your vehicle into Acres Auto Glass for repair at the first sign of a cracked or chipped windshield. If you wait too long and the integrity of the windshield is compromised, repair costs could escalate should a full windshield replacement be necessary.
In such cases, windshield recalibration is necessary because ADAS sensors are typically mounted on or near the windshield. When the windshield is replaced, even the slightest shift or misalignment can cause the sensors to lose accuracy, leading to incorrect readings and potential malfunctions of the ADAS systems. Recalibration ensures that the sensors are precisely aligned, guaranteeing that the ADAS features function as intended, and providing accurate information to assist the driver.
People who rack up a lot of kilometres each year – especially on highways – are at a greater risk of getting a crack or chip in their windshield given the debris found on the roads. While today’s automotive glass is built to higher standards the fact is it is thinner than in previous decades. Even a small chip can grow into a big problem, but Shelley said these chips can be fixed if addressed early.
“To fix a chip it has to be smaller than a loonie,” she said. “Once dirt and debris get into the chip it becomes harder to fill. If it’s brought in immediately we can drill it out and fill it with resin. We have great success rates getting that done”
In the event you do need a full replacement, Acres Auto Glass offers the option of using either original equipment (OE) or original equipment equivalent (OEE).
“The original equipment we can order through a dealer. The glass will be stamped by the company like Ford or Toyota. The original equipment equivalent is basically after market glass. It’s still made to the same standards as the original but it’s just missing the stamp. In our business 85 to 90 percent is after market glass. If a customer requests OE we’re more than happy to order it. If your vehicle is within three years of being new a lot of insurance companies will cover the cost of OE windshields.”
Besides the safety aspect of having your cracked windshield fixed immediately, there are legal ramifications if you happened to be spotted by police.
“It doesn’t happen a lot, but the OPP can pull your over and fine you if there’s a crack in the driver’s side window,” said Shelley. “The driver’s view has to be 100 percent unblocked and it can be at the discretion of the officer to issue the fine.
If you have an issue with your automotive glass or are in need of recalibration service, visit Acres Auto Glass at 3 Royce Ave Unit 19 Orillia. Call (705) 329-2371.
This article was sponsored by Acres Auto Glass Ltd, a 2023 OrilliaMatters Reader Favourite.