preventing stone windshield rock chips

[WinterDeere]

I think the crap has messed with emergency brake cable on my 2004 f350. Hard to set brake now.

If you live in the northeast, you learn to use your parking brake daily, or forget about ever using it again.

 

[aircommuter]

Last windshield replacement I asked the 2 installers about needing calibration... they laughed. "Cameras are not mounted on the glass." They said it's Marketing to get you back to the dealer. "They'll charge you for 'recalibration' too!"

They are mounted to the glass on many vehicles. I have two which are. I carry $100. comprehensive, so do you think insurance companies would be paying for calibration if it wasn’t necessary? Those installers you talked to haven’t worked on the right cars yet. Do a search about calibration of windshield cameras and see if watch how it’s done and make your decision.

 

[dadohead]

I contacted my Toyota dealer regarding the last windshield change. They would take the car, an auto-glass sub-contracted to replace, dealer would recalibrate: $1200 estimate.

The large auto-glass company I used is local. They changed the glass in my driveway and we chatted. The lead guy had been doing this for 15 years (I'm pretty sure he's seen it all... lol). He did comment that my windshield has a heating element under the wipers that requires a harness connection. NO RECALIBRATION would be necessary (wife's car has 360deg camera view feature with lots of cameras too). We talked about this. They assured me it would not require additional work... and it didn't. $750.

I DO find it telling that the square body Chevy truck (I bought new in '78) had the radio antenna laminated into the windshield. Later trucks I had put the antenna back on the fender. Dealer told me "insurance companies drove the change because it raised the cost of windshield replacements." But now they'll tolerate a camera mounted to it requiring recalibration??? IDK

I tend to believe the pro that successfully changed my windshield. Twice.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

2019 Ranger, and I have a front bug guard, it can't even keep bugs off...

 

[JRH02]

2019 Ranger, and I have a front bug guard, it can't even keep bugs off...

Yup. I can't relate to a little screen. Maybe it works as good as a little lawn mower but in different ways.

 

[Wagtail]

2019 Ranger, and I have a front bug guard, it can't even keep bugs off...

True.

 

[WinterDeere]

2019 Ranger, and I have a front bug guard, it can't even keep bugs off...

Same. I bought a 1995 Chevy K1500 off lease back in my 20's, and the prior owner had installed one of those stupid bug shields on the leading edge of the hood. I never understood the purpose, as I'm pretty sure I got just as many bugs on that windshield as any other vehicle I ever owned.

 

[Gord Baker]

Might be worth shopping for car insurance that fixes rock chips for free. If you don't fix the chips they have a tendency to develop into cracks.

Doug in SW IA

My Insurance covers that. They put some epoxy on the chip BEFORE there is a crack and cure it with IR light. Virtually invisible and does not chew up wiper blade. I have the clear plastic wrap across the front of the hood, front painted areas and backs of rear view mirrors. I also have the plastic shield from WeatherTech at the front of the hood. Stops the tiny stone chips but those that come at you in an arc do damage.

 

[TMGT]

Same here, guess the insurance company is smart enough to realize prevention is cheaper then replacment.

Sent from my SM-S921U using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a small crack in the windshield of my company truck which has been there for over a year.
I don't know if it helps or not but have kept a piece of duct tape on it to help deflect heat from the defroster on wet days like today.