Windshield replacement & camera "re-calibration"...

[crenca]

Need to replace my windshield as I have star right in my line of sight newly formed last week. Visited a couple of shops this morning, both insist on camera recalibration for about $200.

Thing is I had the windshield replaced once by a guy doing work "on the side" once already with no re calibration.

I have a base (Big Bend) 24 SAS MT (so no adaptive cruise, lane keep, parking sensors, etc.) and I drive with "Collision Avoidance" disabled 100% of the time (because it sucks - too many false positives).

I'm thinking I am going to refuse this $service$ and find a shop or individual that will not insist on it.

What are the real consequences of having your camera misalighed given my use case?

Also, what if I just leave the damn thing unplugged (or remove it), will I get CEL or other continuous nags (DTC codes showing up in Forscan I can live with)?

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[Windshield Defense]

Need to replace my windshield as I have star right in my line of sight newly formed last week. Visited a couple of shops this morning, both insist on camera recalibration for about $200.

Thing is I had the windshield replaced once by a guy doing work "on the side" once already with no re calibration.

I have a base (Big Bend) 24 SAS MT (so no adaptive cruise, lane keep, parking sensors, etc.) and I drive with "Collision Avoidance" disabled 100% of the time (because it sucks - too many false positives).

I'm thinking I am going to refuse this $service$ and find a shop or individual that will not insist on it.

What are the real consequences of having your camera misalighed given my use case?

Also, what if I just leave the damn thing unplugged (or remove it), will I get CEL or other continuous nags (DTC codes showing up in Forscan I can live with)?

Replacing the windshield can slightly change the camera’s position or viewing angle, which is why shops recommend recalibration.

We’d be hesitant to recommend skipping it or unplugging the camera. Your best bet is to check Ford’s procedure for your exact Bronco configuration to see if calibration is actually required.

 

[Rydfree]

My badlands windshield has been replaced twice with no re-cal each time. It's been fine.

 

[Ducati1098]

If you’re not using the camera for things it’s designed for, I would just simply not worry about the recalibration.
In most cases it really doesn’t need to be done anyway.
Unplugging it will cause fault lights/warnings.

 

[crenca]

Thanks for the replies guys. I assumed the process of re-calibration involved a board with a pattern put in-front of the vehicle, but it apparently it involves an ODB interface tool (Forscan has it) and a 10 minute drive:

https://www.stiversfordsouth.com/blog/how-to-calibrate-ford-lane-keeping/





It apparently is mostly about lane keep assist, which I don't even have, so if I feel the need I will do this myself.

I'm restraining myself, I soooo want to go on a rant about modern cars, tech, and $ for plugging in a freaking computer and letting it do all the work. Safelite wanted $1k for the windshield, install, and re-calibration....what a f$%^ing joke.

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