I recently have heard reports that some third-party administrators (TPAs) are refusing to pay for the re-calibration of lane departure systems (LDS) built into the vehicles after a windshield is replaced. If true, it is up to the glass replacement company to communicate the importance of re-calibration to their customers and urge them to have the re-calibration completed by their vehicle dealership. It could be a matter of life or death.
First of all, there are several ways to mount the LDS sensing device. Some are mounted to the roof’s header and view through the windshield (Volvo); some are mounted to the outside rearview mirrors (BMW); others are mounted in the front grill of the vehicle; and still others are mounted to a glass bracket on the inside surface of the windshield.
Any vehicle that mounts the LDS camera to the glass requires that the camera be re-calibrated to assure proper operation. The vehicle brands that have voiced the most concern are Mercedes and Honda, but I am sure that other vehicles that have introduced this safety device will voice the same directive depending on where they decide to mount the camera. The camera shoots the center line to the left of the vehicle and vibrates the steering wheel to warn the driver when needed. Some will even begin the braking system. If the camera/sensor is misaligned, the sensor will not pick up the warning signal thus allowing the car to veer into the other lane. This is an important issue, and it must be communicated to the customer and their insurers.
What do you do if the TPA refuses to pay for re-calibration? To assure that you are talking intelligently about the issue, I would suggest that you:
—Make sure that the vehicle has a glass mounted LDS and not one of the roof or grill mounted units that will not require re-calibration.
—Talk to the vehicle dealer and get a quote for calibrating the system. In our area it costs $75.00
—Get pre-authorization for the re-calibration from the TPA involved.
—If the TPA refuses to pay for the re-calibration, ask for a written refusal letter to show your current and future customers.
—Explain the importance to the customer and charge them for the re-calibration.
—If everyone refuses to pay for the re-calibration, it will be the responsibility of the glass professional to make the final decision of refusing or accepting the job.
Remember that deviating from the vehicle manufacturers’ recommendations for safety means accepting the liability. You are the responsible party and you make the final decisions. Please let me know if you have had TPAs refuse to pay for re-calibration of lane departure systems.
Bob… thanks for explaining this simple, yet not very obvious issue that is in fact, an issue with some TPA’s/insurers. Usually, some straight-forward communication is required to “re-calibrate” the thinking of the debtee (TPA or insurer).
Thank you for the advice on re-calibration for some lane departure systems, as this is a subject on which the public isn’t very well informed. I appreciate as well the list you made to specify the necessary attention to take to make sure the process is done well. Thanks for the article, and have a great day! Durandana
i changed the oem glass from safelight and they said we are not the person to do the racalibration on camera on winshield. they changed that and they did n t informed me before they change the winshield what should we do now go to dealer and pay them.
I would recommend you contact your local dealer (AGRR magazine). Bob might have some further advice.
Bob we just ran into a Subaru dealership that is refusing to recalibrate the lane departure warning system do the installation of non OEM glass. This is the first time I have run into this issue with Subaru. I have requested them to send me documentation from Subaru stating that it is against the manufactures policy not to do the recalibration on non OEM glass. Any impute would be appreciated.
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I replaced the windshield with a OEM original in a 2015 Dodge Durango with auto dimming headlights and forward collision braking. The auto dimming does not work until the oncoming car is 50′ from the windshield and the auto braking automatically brakes when a car is in front of you and the lane on the left side of the car . The dealer does not know how to adjust or fix the problem. I have talked to Dodge and they want to know when it is in the dealer so they can help with fixing the problem.
Would an aftermarket glass cause a problem with the LDWS? My customer took her 2014 Honda Odyssey to the dealership to be recalibrated. They told her the glass was defective and could not be recalibrated. Can an aftermarket glass cause a problem? Her LDWS is not working and we thought it had to be recalibrated. Has anyone found that it could be a glass issue?
The glass can be distorted
What brand did they use on your windshield
How much should it cost to recalibrate? I had to replace my windshield after the company (SAFELITE) that was supposed to fix the tiny chip managed to break the windshield…When I called Toyota Service Center in Louisville KY I was quoted $480! That is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. I honestly don’t even use this feature and have it turned off so paying almost $500 to have it calibrated is more than a waste IMO.
After reading this post and seeing $75 cost I could get down with that but almost $500?!? I was floored when I was told that. Not anywhere near what I was expecting.
$480.00 from the dealership is about right. It takes 3hrs to recalibrate and their labor rates over 100.00 per hour. Not all car charging the same. P
I AM TOLD THAT NO CAR MANUFACTURER MAKES THIER OWN GLASS THAT IT IS MADE BY THE AFTERMARKET CO WITH THIER OE LOGO ADDED. IS THAT TRUE? IF SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
There are three types of glass that make from the glass company.
1- O.E.M glass
Original equipment manufacturers
This types of glass had meet 100% requirements from car manufacturers, every single piece of glass have to pass the quality control department. Anytime we order O.E.M part most likely it come from the country that your vehicle been made for example if your vehicle build in Japan ” J ” the first letter of the vin# your windshield is coming from Japan, if it starts with the number first O.E.M part made in USA.
2- Factory manuafactor glass
This types of glass being made by the same company that make glass for car manufacturers but they don’t have to follow the requirements from car manufacturers, it only meet the standards requirements from the federal automobile safety bureau. This types of glass being made in China and other countries so they can cut down the cost and quality improve 100% quantity . In my opinions it only have 75 to 85% quality.
3- Aftermarket glass
This types of glass being made by the glass company that not qualify by any car manufacturers even though they meet the requirements from the automobile safety bureau. Their quality very poor.
After all it up to us quality or quantity. Also don’t forget the installation that would be the most important too. What would happen if you have an original part but poor installation?
Always look for best quality ,services and lifetime warranty .
First off I have no idea what Thai Ngo is trying to say with his 1,2,3 explanation.
Thai go look at a VW Tiguan that is a few years old and tell me what (bug) stamp is on each of the windows.
Starting with the driver door glass working back, under each one of the VW logos you will see a manufacturer logo.
The driver door says Saint Gobain and yes is made from Germany. The door glass behind that is going to say the same thing, ok great you think everything is made from Germany.
Take a look at the small window in the rear door, what does that say? It says AGC which is a North America Co.
Now look at the cargo window, what does that say? It says Fuyo which is a Chinese brand.
So bottom line is all car manufacturers use different glass manufactures to be the “OEM” glass for there vehicle and you will see the names change every time the vehicle body style changes.
Why is this? MONEY!!
Also forgot to mention all the new GM vehicles are now using Fuyo and when i order Fuyo glass for an American vehicle it says made in USA. But when I order the glass for lets say a Toyota or Nissan or VW it will say made in China. Were do I get the glass you ask? from the same boat being shipped from China… Go figure
I have recently put a aftermarket glass in a 2016 Honda Pilot with the LDWS and Foward Collision alert. Windshield FW4239. I have read your article and I advised my customer to go get a recalibrate done . The Honda dealership told him that he would have to have OE glass installed. If this is a serious issue like you have explained, how could they even produce a product that could cause such a issue? I am trying to stand behind my work and products. I want to know if aftermarket will put my customer in danger. And why would FMVSS not stop the production or sales of such a product. Thanks Bob for your service to the Autoglass world.
I would like to here the answer also.
Tim Johnston – This is not an unusual occurrence. The question is, Is the OE part required or is it the “policy” of the dealership/car maker? Did they even try to recalibrate or did they notice the absence of the OE logo and not attempt? We have heard that some dealerships can and others cannot recalibrate a vehicle with a replaced aftermarket windshield. So what is true and what is “policy” or CYA? That is why the AGSC Standards Committee established a subcommittee to study ADAS the truth in ADAS recalibration. The best practice for the ADAS vehicles is to follow the vehicle manufacturers’ instructions. We know that the profit margins are not as good but neither is replacing two windshields. All I can say is inform the customer and negotiate your best price at the dealership.