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What is a Heads-Up Display (HUD)?

Speed and directions floating on the windscreen.

68MPH700.4 miMill St⚠ LANEProjector under the dash bounces speed, navigation and alerts onto the windscreen — eyes stay on the road

Simplified animation — not to scale.

In plain English

A projector in the dashboard that beams key driving info — speed, sat-nav arrows, speed limit, lane warnings — onto the windscreen (or a small clear panel), right in your eye-line.

A simple analogy

"It's the same trick fighter pilots use — important numbers floating where the road already is, so you never look away."

How it works

A small LCD projector under the dash shines an image upward. The windscreen has a special reflective coating, or a dedicated pop-up screen catches the image, so the info appears to float a couple of metres in front of the car. Your eyes don't need to refocus from road to dashboard.

Signs of trouble

  • ⚠Image is dim, blurry or off-centre
  • ⚠HUD won't calibrate after a windscreen replacement
  • ⚠Flickers or disappears in sunlight
  • ⚠Pop-up screen won't retract
Rough UK cost

£550–£1,600 fitted

Parts: £400–£1,200 (factory) or £80–£200 (aftermarket OBD HUD)
Labour: £150–£400

Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.

Heads up: Carautonomy is for general guidance only. If your car is showing warning lights or behaving oddly, get it looked at by a qualified mechanic.

Keep exploring

Alternator
The on-board power station that keeps your battery topped up.
EGR Valve
A small valve that recycles exhaust gas to reduce emissions.
Starter Motor
The muscle that turns your engine over when you twist the key.

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A friendly note

Information here is general guidance, not a diagnosis. Always speak to a qualified mechanic before parting with cash.

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