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Why does a windshield need to be calibrated?

Auto glass calibration

A car’s windshield is one of its most vulnerable target parts. If you’ve ever gotten a pebble or an errant bit of grit in your car’s windshield or wipers, you know how annoying that can be. The windshield calibration is the car’s primary defense against road debris, so it makes sense that it would be especially susceptible to damage. A car’s windshield needs to be calibrated to ensure that it’s working properly, which means checking and adjusting its angle, pitch, and roll. Once in a while, your car’s windshield needs to be calibrated. A car’s windshield needs to be calibrated so that it can rest at the right angle. If your windshield isn’t calibrated, it will not be resting at the ideal angle. This will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your windshield and wipers.

What Is Calibration?

The most important thing to remember when calibrating your windshield is that the adjustment must be done with the car at a complete stop. You don’t want your car to be in motion when adjusting your windshield repair service because this can cause dangerous results.

Here are the steps for how to properly calibrate a windshield:

  • 1. The first step is to adjust your car's pitch or angle. This is done by checking and adjusting the windshield's angle so that it will rest at a 45-degree angle with the ground.
  • 2. Next, you'll need to check and adjust the windshield's roll. To do this, you'll need to check whether or not it's leaning. If it is, you'll need to tighten any mounting bolts that may have loosened up during the driving time.
  • 3. Finally, you'll need to make sure your wipers are functioning well and wiping without issue. Wipers should be cleaned with water before and after use each time they're used, which will remove any debris that might have gotten on them while driving.

Why Does a Car's Windshield Need to Be Calibrated?

A car’s windshield needs to be calibrated so that it can rest at the right angle. Properly resting, your windshield will not be damaged as easily and will last longer. If your windshield is not properly calibrated, it can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your windshield and wipers. This means you’ll have to replace them more often than you should.

Fortunately, it’s easy to calibrate your car’s windshield. You can ask a professional or do it yourself with a few simple tools and some patience. You only need a couple of things:

  • Tape measure
  • Ruler or yardstick
  • Pencil 
  • Protractor 
  • Straight edge (optional)

How to Calibrate a Car's Windshield?

To calibrate a car’s windshield, you need to ensure the following:

  • The car needs to be parked on a flat surface
  • The wipers need to be turned off
  • The car’s headlights should be turned on
  • The gear shift should be in neutral and the parking brake should be set
  • Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side until your tires are rotated as far as they will go in that direction. If your tires don’t rotate that much, turn the steering wheel as far as it will go in both directions.
  • Using a white or light color towel or piece of paper, hold it up against the top of your windshield and check where the edge touches. You want this line to touch at least 2 inches from the top of your windshield. If it doesn’t, adjust your steering wheel accordingly.

Why Does Windshield Calibration Need to Be Done Regularly?

A car’s windshield needs to be calibrated so that it can rest at the right angle. If your windshield isn’t calibrated, it will not be resting at the ideal angle. This will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your windshield and wipers. You may notice that your wipers are constantly leaving streaks on the glass or you may even see tiny cracks in your windshield. Windshields aren’t invincible, so calibration is important for their protection for windshield calibration.

The Pros and Cons of Windshield Calibration

Windshield calibration is important for the protection of your car, but it can also be expensive. If your windshield hasn’t been calibrated in a while and you don’t notice any obvious cracks, you might want to get it checked just to make sure everything is running smoothly. If your windshield has a crack or small chips, then the sooner you get the windshield fixed, the better. You don’t want these problems to get worse over time.

However, not all insurance companies will cover this type of damage and some people might not have enough money to pay for a new windshield right away. Windshields can be expensive and repairing them takes time.  So if you’re only noticing minor damage on your windshield and you’re on a budget, waiting until there’s more significant damage before getting it repaired could save you money in the long run.

Should You Calibrate Your Car's Windshield?

If you have never had your car’s windshield calibrated before, it is worth the time and investment to do so. A car’s windshield can protect the other parts of a car from damage. Without proper calibration, your windshield will not be at the correct angle. This faulty angle will cause your windshield wipers to wear out quicker than they should and may even cause damage to your wiper blades themselves. If you want to ensure that your car’s windshield is providing the protection it should be, investing in regular maintenance is a smart idea. With regular care, you can avoid problems with your wipers and keep them functioning properly for years to come.

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