Is it true that having your car windshield replaced makes it unsafe?

I bought a car that has a chip with spider cracks on the windshield right in my line of vision. So I called up a windshield place and asked about getting it replaced and they said they prefer to do repairs because replacing the windshield makes it unsafe to drive. They said in case of an accident the replaced windshield will pop out and cause the roof of the car to fall in or send the passengers out the window because only the original factory seal prevents this. Please advise if this is indeed the case. I want to make the right decision and get this taken care of immediately.

My windshield is cracked.Is there a difference in getting a genuine Honda windshield or any other used/new one

Yes and no. No car manufacturer makes their own glass. They contract with glass manufacturers to make glass to OE (original equipment) specifications with GM, Ford, Honda or whatever car name on the glass. There are some brands of glass that are not approved by ANY car manufacturer in the world for original equipment. You definitely want to avoid those brands mainly because they reverse engineer their windshields and use substandard molds, unlike the OE glass factory. Two of the largest original equipment manufacturers in the world are PPG and Pilkington (formerly known as LOF). These two companies make many of the original glasses for auto manufacturers worldwide. Any windshield sold in the USA must meet minimum requirements for safety, not for fit. All windshields are made out of what is called AS1 laminated safety glass. It is basically 2 pieces of regular glass with .030 thick PVB plastic/vinyl sandwiched in between it. The windshield manufacturers all start with the same flat laminated glass and then they cut it to shape and bake it in a mold inside an autoclave. This is where the difference in windshields is. The OE manufacturers use OE specific molds to shape their glass and they replace them after several thousands of cycles because they may be warped or mis-shaped. Aftermarket(non OE)manufacturers sometimes buy discarded molds that are out of OE specs and use them to make windshields. You can be assured of getting a good windshield if you use a major brand like PPG or Pilkington. Just ask a few questions before you buy.

2002 Cavalier with a passenger side floor leak?

My Cavalier has been leaking water on the floor on the passenger side. I've checked twice after rain to see water on the floor; it's not a lot, but enough to cause damage if left alone. I bought the car two weeks ago, and the previous dealership had just installed a new windshield, complete with new lining.

There's no water on the upholstery or anywhere else, but it looks like a trail leads from the carpet down to the actual floor. Has anyone else seen this, any advice?

How much is a brand new windshield?

For a Mitsubishi Lancer evo 8.

How do you re-attach a rear view mirror to the windshield?

My rear view mirror for some reason fell off in my Jeep Wrangler. What is the best way to re-attach it.

An improperly or poorly installed windshield or other vehicle glass is not a bargain, regardless of the cost. Your vehicle’s windshield is a key component in accident safety. When it needs to be replaced, be aware that an improperly installed replacement can contribute to passenger airbag failure, and increases the chance of roof collapse in a roll-over.

A professionally installed modern windshield protects occupants in more ways than many people realize, it is MUCH more than a barrier against the weather. These days, a windshield is a key component in the structural integrity and safety of the passenger compartment, not just a wind screen. An unsafe windshield, one that is not installed properly or has been damaged by debris, can certainly cause unnecessary personal injury or even death. If the windshield separates from the vehicle in an accident, the lives of those inside are immediately at far greater risk of injury.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports over 40,000 Americans are killed and over 5 million injured every year in highway accidents. Over 30 percent of the fatalities occur when vehicle occupants are either ejected from the vehicle, or injured during rollovers. Windshields are intended to keep occupants inside the vehicle. The windshield also supports the roof thereby preserving the structural integrity of the passenger compartment and keeping it from collapsing and crushing driver and passengers.

The danger here is that insurance companies are always looking to cut costs. You may ask, how does that affect me? Windshields, safety belts, airbags and other safety feature should never fall victim to cutting cost at the expense of quality, but in some cases that is what happens. Some consumers will rely on their agent to locate a professional auto glass installer, but that could be a problem because occasionally they will direct you to a place that will get the work done for cheap, but this also might be a flag that corners are being cut.

Visibility and protection from the weather are both important functions of a windshield, but although these aspects are what mostly concern drivers, the role of the windshield in the vehicle’s SRS (Safety Restraint System) is its primary function. The decision between a cheap installation with cheap parts and a professional installation with quality parts can mean the difference between surviving or perishing in a collision or roll-over.

Bruce DeDona is the owner of DeDona Tint and Sound, and co-owner of DeDona Auto Glass, providing the Piedmont with expert auto glass repair, as well as premier custom audio installations, window tinting, mobile video, security systems and much more.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._DeDona

When an individual get into an automobile and begins to drive, he or she rarely pays attention to the work the windshield is doing. In addition to shielding the individual from the wind, the windshield protects the individual from the elements, insects, and road debris.

Unfortunately, a defective installation may limit a windshield’s ability to perform these basic functions. As such, individuals inside of the automobile may be at risk for injury.

In general, a defectively installed windshield will present a number of signs that point to problems with the way it is mounted. These signs often include:

· A whistling noise at high speeds or during high wind

· Water leaking into the automobile when it is wet outside

· Air conditioners and heaters failing to cool or heat a vehicle

When a windshield shows these signs, it may mean that it is incorrectly installed. Incorrect installations may present dangers to drivers and their passengers, as windshield may be more prone to shattering.

Additionally, since windshields act as structural supports for automobiles’ roofs, incorrectly installed windshields may pop out of a vehicle in the event of a rollover, causing the automobile’s roof to collapse. This may crush or trap the individuals inside of the vehicle, putting their lives in further danger.

Individuals who suffer injuries because their windshields are improperly installed may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. Determining who is at fault may be a difficult task though, as the at-fault party may be the automobile’s manufacturer or a glass repairer if the windshield has been replaced.

For more information about product liability, contact the Lake Geneva auto defect attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_S_Caldwell

2004 lexus rx330 windshield washer reservoir installation?

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Need car windshield replaced?

I need to get my windshield replaced in my 2005 chevy cobalt. Does anyone know somewhere cheap in md or pa?

If I have an air leak in my new windshield installation? Help!?

Just had a new windshield installed in my car yesterday and there is an obvious air leak when I drive. I can feel the air rushing in through the bottom with my hand and can hear outside engine noise more than before. The people who fixed it gave me a 1 year warranty so I will take it back to them. When I take it back how will they fix it? Do they need to remove and replace the whole windshield or is it common practice to just re-seal it on the bottom. Just want to know what I should expect as far as quality and safety for my car.