Tesla Service UK / Guides / Windscreen Calibration
Windscreen replacement & camera calibration
Why this is more involved — and more important — than replacing glass on an older car.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Why it matters
Why does a windscreen replacement need calibration at all?
Tesla's driver-assistance and Autopilot features rely on cameras mounted behind the windscreen, precisely aligned to interpret the road correctly. Replacing the glass — even with a correct OEM-spec part — can shift that alignment by a fraction of a degree, which is enough to affect how accurately the car reads lane markings, other vehicles and pedestrians. Recalibration resets that alignment; skipping it risks degraded or inconsistent driver-assistance performance without any obvious visual sign that something's wrong.
What's involved
What does calibration actually involve?
Typically a combination of a static calibration (using specific targets positioned at exact distances in a controlled space) and a dynamic calibration (a supervised drive under specific conditions letting the car's software confirm the cameras are reading correctly). Not every independent garage has this equipment or the specific procedure — this is one area worth explicitly asking about before booking.
What to check
What to check before and after the job
Before booking, and after collection:
- Ask specifically whether the garage performs camera calibration in-house or subcontracts it — either can be fine, but you should know which.
- Confirm the glass being fitted is the correct specification for a car with driver-assistance cameras, not a generic aftermarket windscreen.
- After collection, test Autopilot or lane-assist features in a safe, familiar area before relying on them for a longer trip.
- Keep the calibration certificate or confirmation, particularly relevant if you sell the car later.