ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system) is designed to assist drivers in their lanes and prevent collision with other vehicles or obstructions. It uses several sensors attached to the windshield.

Mike Ash has been driving a 2016 Acura MDX equipped with ADAS for the past few years. When Speedy Glass serviced his car for windshield replacement, Ash was perplexed by the effects it had on the camera. He was nearly steered into traffic zone and barely made it out in time.

What he did not know is that the camera should be recalibrated precisely by a millimeter or two by specialized technicians in various environmental settings to make it safely functional again and avoid collisions.

Initially, Ash was also not instructed by the mechanics of Speedy Glass on how to readjust the camera, nor was he given any hazard warnings.

On checking the disclaimer on the invoice, he found a disclaimer that was discreetly available and contacted the Transport Canada whose spokesperson assured that the windshield would be replaced but not by the manufacturers.

There are many incidents where vehicles with ADAS owners miss the blueprint of the manual and the guide. While the owners’ guide and manual differ sometimes, the disclaimer for readjusting the camera after replacing the original windshield is always available, but not very apparent which sometimes puts the safety of the drivers at risk.

Honda spokesperson, Alen Sadeh, suggest that customers consult the company’s authorized dealers for genuine parts to avert such incidents.

Different servicing centers have different policies and clients should check if they have technicians to recalibrate the camera and if they provide the correct products for the specific vehicle.

On the other hand, vehicle manufacturers and third-party companies should also be more apparent about safety disclaimers as it is the primary component of the whole system. The warnings need to be clear and explicit so that customers do not go risking their lives by trusting the reliability of a safety system.