Windshield replacement / Glass quality

Lake Superior · 11-08-2006, 09:58 PM

Hi, folks:
After one winter of highway driving, I debated replacing a badly scoured windshield.
However, that question was resolved recently when a gravel truck threw up a rock from its tires and nailed me right behind the rear-view mirror. The four-inch crack has migrated up to the top edge and a service tech said that damage could affect the performance of the air bags.
So, I have called around to several glass shops for a price that includes installation and was shocked with the wide range: $265 to $771 and everywhere in between. All assured me that the replacement windshield included the so-called "third visor" shading behind the mirror. The dealer price for Toyota glass was about $575.
Is there a difference in glass quality, or is glass just glass. Why the huge variation in prices? Apple Auto Glass in Canada was the cheapest. The highest was Go Glass. Both are chains.
Any advice?
All the best,
John

Charles Suitt · 11-09-2006, 11:10 AM

Hi, John

When I had a similar problem (truck - stone - crack), I was confronted with the choice of 'after-market' or OEM glass. I chose the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to retain the 'Toyota' brand name on the windshield to complement the overall car. The other choice I had was PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass) which reportedly had the same 'shading' along the edges. Either would have been acceptable to me from the standpoint of quality.

In Texas, comprehensive auto insurance includes glass replacement, so the difference in costs was not a material consideration. The invoice to my Insurance Company was about $645. If you're paying 'out of pocket,' you may want to go with an 'after market' brand just to save the $$$.

The shop which replaced my windshield completed the job in less than 45 minutes. They cautioned me to leave about 1" openings at the top of the windows and avoid slamming the doors for one day. I've had no rattles or leaks. Another good surprise, they were able to preserve the license and inspection stickers from the damaged windshield.

tumbleweed · 11-09-2006, 12:02 PM

I live in an area where they use rocks on the road in winter, actually sand but it includes the rocks free of charge. As a result I have had several windshields replaced in a variety of vehicles over the years, not the Prius yet fortunately. I have never had a problem with after-market windshields, for me they have performed as good as the originals. Just try and make sure you get a good reputable place to install it so there won't be any leaks.

Lake Superior · 11-09-2006, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the tips, guys.
I do not carry glass insurance and have saved more than $100 a year for the last couple of decades without having to replace a windshield. So, I guess I shouldn't complain.
I'll probably go with the after-market glass, given that highway winter driving conditions up here (November through April) will scour it badly even if a rock doesn't nail the windshield.
Come to think of it, our mosquitoes and blackflies can almost wreck a windshield, too!!
I was just concerned that maybe the cheaper places were using glass that might be optically distorted or something. Such a wide range of prices....
Thanks,
J

ceric · 11-09-2006, 01:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lake Superior @ Nov 9 2006, 01:36 PM) [snapback]346370[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

service tech said that damage could affect the performance of the air bags
[/b]

I am confused. How would a crack in the windshield affect air bags?! Please explain to me if anyone has a clue.

Charles Suitt · 11-09-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote Lake Superior: "...winter driving conditions up here (November through April) will scour it badly..."

Is this due to chemicals or salt treatments due to ice and snow? The only time I've had a 'scoured' windshield is from old, hardened wiper blades. We don't get much frozen precipitation in Texas in the winter.

tumbleweed · 11-09-2006, 02:31 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Nov 9 2006, 10:57 AM) [snapback]346390[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am confused. How would a crack in the windshield affect air bags?! Please explain to me if anyone has a clue.

[/b]

OK I'll take a wild guess. If the windshield were badly cracked and you had a wreck with the windows all rolled up the increase in pressure inside the car from the airbags exploding might cause the windshield to break completely and blow out. But that doesn't even sound like a good theory to me and I made it up. Also if the wreck were that bad the windshield would most likely break anyway. I guess I don't have a clue either but I would like to know too.

silentak1 · 11-09-2006, 03:38 PM

Out of all the aftermarkets offered, try to go for PPG. It's by far the best glass as far as quality and optical clarity.

Lake Superior · 11-09-2006, 08:08 PM

Charles: Our winter highway crews plow the snow and then add sand and salt for traction and to melt the ice. That slurry is then sprayed up by cars and semis, coating the car in white salt stains and scouring the windshield with sand and salt as the wipers work to keep the mess clear. C'mon up to the north country some winter and give it a try! ha, ha.

Tumbleweed: Service tech says that the windshield is an integral part of the air bag safety system. Air bag impacts the windshield (as well as your face) and if the windshield is not structurally sound because of cracks, the air bag will not be as effective.....

Will look for PPG glass.

Thanks for all of the input.

John

Leo · 11-09-2006, 08:17 PM

I received a rock thrown from a passing pickup truck about four weeks ago, causing a foot-long crack in the front windshield. I contacted my Insurance, here in Ottawa Canada, and was told I had a $300 (Cdn) deductible, and that a claim would not affect my premiums. I took the car to a local Apple Auto Glass shop, who told me the cost would be in the order of "slightly more than $600" (Cdn), because the only supplier of a Prius replacement windshield was Toyota. Apparently the majority of Apple Auto Glass's replacement glass comes from generic suppliers.
The job was well done.

11-09-2006, 11:10 AM	#2
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, John When I had a similar problem (truck - stone - crack), I was confronted with the choice of 'after-market' or OEM glass. I chose the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to retain the 'Toyota' brand name on the windshield to complement the overall car. The other choice I had was PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass) which reportedly had the same 'shading' along the edges. Either would have been acceptable to me from the standpoint of quality. In Texas, comprehensive auto insurance includes glass replacement, so the difference in costs was not a material consideration. The invoice to my Insurance Company was about $645. If you're paying 'out of pocket,' you may want to go with an 'after market' brand just to save the $$$. The shop which replaced my windshield completed the job in less than 45 minutes. They cautioned me to leave about 1" openings at the top of the windows and avoid slamming the doors for one day. I've had no rattles or leaks. Another good surprise, they were able to preserve the license and inspection stickers from the damaged windshield. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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11-08-2006, 09:58 PM	#1
Lake Superior Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, folks: After one winter of highway driving, I debated replacing a badly scoured windshield. However, that question was resolved recently when a gravel truck threw up a rock from its tires and nailed me right behind the rear-view mirror. The four-inch crack has migrated up to the top edge and a service tech said that damage could affect the performance of the air bags. So, I have called around to several glass shops for a price that includes installation and was shocked with the wide range: $265 to $771 and everywhere in between. All assured me that the replacement windshield included the so-called "third visor" shading behind the mirror. The dealer price for Toyota glass was about $575. Is there a difference in glass quality, or is glass just glass. Why the huge variation in prices? Apple Auto Glass in Canada was the cheapest. The highest was Go Glass. Both are chains. Any advice? All the best, John

11-09-2006, 12:02 PM	#3
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,005 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I live in an area where they use rocks on the road in winter, actually sand but it includes the rocks free of charge. As a result I have had several windshields replaced in a variety of vehicles over the years, not the Prius yet fortunately. I have never had a problem with after-market windshields, for me they have performed as good as the originals. Just try and make sure you get a good reputable place to install it so there won't be any leaks.

11-09-2006, 01:36 PM	#4
Lake Superior Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the tips, guys. I do not carry glass insurance and have saved more than $100 a year for the last couple of decades without having to replace a windshield. So, I guess I shouldn't complain. I'll probably go with the after-market glass, given that highway winter driving conditions up here (November through April) will scour it badly even if a rock doesn't nail the windshield. Come to think of it, our mosquitoes and blackflies can almost wreck a windshield, too!! I was just concerned that maybe the cheaper places were using glass that might be optically distorted or something. Such a wide range of prices.... Thanks, J

11-09-2006, 02:12 PM	#6
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Quote Lake Superior: "...winter driving conditions up here (November through April) will scour it badly..." Is this due to chemicals or salt treatments due to ice and snow? The only time I've had a 'scoured' windshield is from old, hardened wiper blades. We don't get much frozen precipitation in Texas in the winter.

11-09-2006, 03:38 PM	#8
silentak1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 546 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Out of all the aftermarkets offered, try to go for PPG. It's by far the best glass as far as quality and optical clarity.

11-09-2006, 08:08 PM	#9
Lake Superior Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Charles: Our winter highway crews plow the snow and then add sand and salt for traction and to melt the ice. That slurry is then sprayed up by cars and semis, coating the car in white salt stains and scouring the windshield with sand and salt as the wipers work to keep the mess clear. C'mon up to the north country some winter and give it a try! ha, ha. Tumbleweed: Service tech says that the windshield is an integral part of the air bag safety system. Air bag impacts the windshield (as well as your face) and if the windshield is not structurally sound because of cracks, the air bag will not be as effective..... Will look for PPG glass. Thanks for all of the input. John

11-09-2006, 08:17 PM	#10
Leo Leo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 55 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I received a rock thrown from a passing pickup truck about four weeks ago, causing a foot-long crack in the front windshield. I contacted my Insurance, here in Ottawa Canada, and was told I had a $300 (Cdn) deductible, and that a claim would not affect my premiums. I took the car to a local Apple Auto Glass shop, who told me the cost would be in the order of "slightly more than $600" (Cdn), because the only supplier of a Prius replacement windshield was Toyota. Apparently the majority of Apple Auto Glass's replacement glass comes from generic suppliers. The job was well done.