ADAS camera calibration in Concord, NC after a new windshield

This page explains what the camera does, when it needs calibrating, the two ways it is done, how long it takes, and what to watch for afterwards. Impex has no shop in Concord: the work is mobile, and the nearest Impex shop is in Charlotte.

What the camera behind the glass does

ADAS stands for advanced driver assistance systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says front crash prevention uses sensors such as cameras, radar or lidar to detect a vehicle ahead, and that these systems warn the driver, precharge the brakes and, in most cases, brake automatically if the driver does not respond. Lane departure warning systems use cameras to track the car’s position in its lane.

The IIHS has found that forward collision warning with automatic braking cuts rear-end crashes in half, and that warning alone reduces them by 27%. It also reports that 20 automakers, covering 99% of U.S. light vehicle sales, committed to make front crash prevention standard, and that a federal rule finalized in 2024 requires it on nearly all new light vehicles by September 2029. More cars on Concord roads will have a camera behind the windshield every year.

ADAS camera calibration: when it is needed

I-CAR, the collision repair training body, says the forward facing camera controls lane departure warning, collision braking and adaptive cruise control, and that removing the windshield, removing the rearview mirror or removing the camera itself are events that may require the camera to be aimed. Requirements vary by year, make and model, and I-CAR keeps a search tool because of it.

One example from that tool: the 2019 Subaru Forester’s EyeSight stereo camera lists calibration if the windshield is removed or replaced, and also if a wheel alignment is performed. Impex’s own list is similar: a car with lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking likely needs calibration after windshield replacement, accident repair or even suspension work.

• A new windshield on a car with a forward camera.
• The rearview mirror or the camera bracket removed.
• The camera itself replaced.
• Wheel alignment or suspension work, on cars whose maker calls for it.
• Front-end crash repair.

If you are not sure whether your car has a forward camera, look at the top of the windshield behind the rearview mirror: a black housing with a lens, often with a dotted band of black ceramic around it, is the sign.

Static and dynamic calibration

	Static	Dynamic
How it works	Targets are set at measured points in front of the parked car and a scan tool starts an aiming procedure	The car is driven at or below a set speed for a set time or distance, sometimes with a scan tool connected
What it needs	A level floor, space and the right targets	Roads clear of snow or rain, without heavy traffic or many curves
Where	In a bay, or a suitable level space	On the road

Some cameras need static, some dynamic, and some need both. I-CAR describes both methods, and the car maker’s procedure decides which applies. Impex says its technicians complete both static and dynamic calibrations in one visit, and that most calibrations take between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the make, model and type of system.

Calibration on site in Concord

Impex says it performs ADAS calibration on site immediately after windshield replacement, so the car is calibrated before it is handed back rather than sent to a dealer afterwards. For a mobile job the question is the space and the roads: a static calibration needs a level area with room for the targets, and a dynamic calibration needs a stretch of dry road without heavy traffic. If your car’s procedure needs a bay, Impex will say so when you book, and the nearest shop is in Charlotte. Read mobile auto glass in Concord for how the visit works.

Why the glass matters to the camera

The camera looks through a small area of the windshield, and the glass there has to be clear and set at the right angle. Impex points out that OEM glass matches the original glass in clarity, thickness, curvature and sensor mounting supports, while aftermarket glass may differ slightly and could affect sensor alignment, and that for cars with ADAS, glass that meets the manufacturer’s specification is especially important. Impex checks the part against the VIN so the camera bracket and the glass match the car. See windshield replacement in Concord, NC.

If the camera is not calibrated

Impex says incorrect calibration can make safety systems give false warnings or fail to detect obstacles. A lane system that is aimed a little off may warn you when you are centred, or stay quiet when you drift; a braking system may react late. That is why calibration is part of the windshield job and not an extra to skip.

After calibration: what to watch

• Keep the tyres at the right pressure and the car’s load normal: Impex notes that changes in ride height or angle can affect sensor alignment.
• Keep the windshield clear in front of the camera: no stickers, tags or dash cameras in that area.
• If a warning light appears, or the lane or braking system behaves oddly, call Impex to have the calibration checked.
• Tell whoever does a later wheel alignment or suspension job that the car has a forward camera.

Paying for calibration

Impex says that when calibration is required after a glass replacement, it is in most cases covered by comprehensive insurance, and its homepage advises confirming with your insurer that both the glass work and the calibration are included under your policy. North Carolina’s rules on glass claims, your deductible and your right to choose the shop are on the insurance page.

Radar is a separate job

Not every sensor is behind the windshield. Front radar sits in or behind the bumper or grille and feeds adaptive cruise control, collision braking and collision warning. It is calibrated after the radar is replaced and may need it after bumper or grille removal or front structural repair, but a windshield job does not by itself mean radar work. See radar calibration.

What Impex customers say on Google

Impex Auto Glass, Greensboro: 4.9 on Google from 425 reviews (October 2026). Read the reviews on Google. The rating belongs to Impex’s Greensboro shop; Impex has no shop in Concord.

“Service was speedy and friendly. Highly recommend!” Sarah, Google review, October 2025

“I went in for a chip repair. The staff, from the front desk to the repair men, were welcoming, upbeat, friendly and could answer all of my questions. Would highly recommend!” Taylor, Google review, September 2025

Questions people ask