Why New Technology Makes Car Windshield Repair More Difficult
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Windshields are much more than just glass these days. Thanks to technology, the windshield offers the driver various assistance functions. However, its repair in case of damage has become much more expensive.
. Not anymore, although we still think of a windshield as a piece of glass. Gone are the days when this item was replaced like any other window glass, folks. Technology is changing things and changing them fast.
What new technologies have been integrated into the windshield?
The first is the integration of cameras or other sensors on the windshield that look at the road with you. "They're becoming very common on a wide variety of vehicles," says Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society for Collision Repairers, a trade group for collision repair technicians. “What used to be very simple now requires complex diagnostics and calibration.”
This process is not trivial in windshield repair, so the driver does not have a false sense of security when they receive their car. In some cases, automakers do not recommend reusing a windshield each time it is removed. And that extends to other parts of the car: Ford recently recommended replacing bumper covers on its vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems whenever they need more than just a paint job.
Car companies struggle with windshield replacement
The windshield of a modern car may also have a dedicated viewing area for a head-up projector and technology related to automatic wipers or auto-dimming high beams. As cars have become more sophisticated, repair shops often turn to good quality replacement parts to keep costs down, but Ford, Honda and FCA frown on the use of aftermarket windshields. BMW even goes so far as to require that special EMC screws are used in repairs so as not to interfere with ADAS functions.
Car insurance may not cover smart windshield repairs
Sufficient insurance should cover such procedures, but that doesn't mean your insurance company likes it. “Many of these technologies have been created by … the insurance industry, which is looking to reduce the frequency of accidents,” says Schulenburg. “Unfortunately, it can also be difficult because insurance companies are lagging behind in understanding and insuring these repair processes.” A $500 windshield replacement yesterday can cost thousands of dollars today.
It's not that it's not worth it. The recent introduction of various forms of ADAS technology shows how much it can reduce crashes and how widely it spreads across makes and models of vehicles as a result. Just prepare for more complex repairs that can no longer be completed in 45 minutes.
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