Shattered rear glass

David Beale · 09-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Auto glass is tempered. That puts incredible strain in it. The purpose is to make it stronger and to ensure that if it is broken, it will end up in tiny pieces as seen above that won't kill you.

Now, if you put a small scratch on a tempered glass sheet the forces will concentrate there, probably eventually getting strong enough to cause the sheet to fail (shatter). Hatch glass is sometimes installed poorly, such that it touches the steel body. This point will rub and that will cause the tempering forces to concentrate there, eventually shattering the piece. This includes the little piece below the spoiler.

There is usually -no way- to tell what broke the glass if it falls apart. If it shatters and stays together you -may- be able to tell where the failure started.

A side window break such as that just posted is -usually- caused by an external force. Rock, BB, bullet, but usually a rock if on the highway. Most BB guns or pellet guns can't break auto glass unless at very close range. Even a 22 cal bullet has a hard time unless it hits almost perpendicular.

Windshields are even stronger, as they are made of two sheets of tempered glass with a plastic sheet in between. The law requiring this was passed years ago after people were horrified by the blood and gore involved when humans try to fly through ordinary glass. It almost sounds funny, but I'm glad they didn't have colour film then.

statultra · 09-17-2009, 09:21 PM

it most likely was an external force which caused the side window to shatter.

but also its possible if the chassis flexed a tiny bit and bent the door frame.

sketchstudios · 09-20-2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks for the replies, Anyway, what ended up happening was I took it to the Toyota dealership and they were extremely cool enough to put it under my warranty. It didn't cost me a dime to repair my rear passenger window. It was even done within the next day! I cannot be more pleased with Toyota right now. Just wanted to follow up with info incase other people were wondering.

Patrick Wong · 09-22-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sketchstudios

...I took it to the Toyota dealership and they were extremely cool enough to put it under my warranty.

Sweet!

patsparks · 09-22-2009, 08:00 AM

That is great!!

09-16-2009, 11:48 AM	#21
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,346 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 4 Thanked 139 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Shattered rear glass Auto glass is tempered. That puts incredible strain in it. The purpose is to make it stronger and to ensure that if it is broken, it will end up in tiny pieces as seen above that won't kill you. Now, if you put a small scratch on a tempered glass sheet the forces will concentrate there, probably eventually getting strong enough to cause the sheet to fail (shatter). Hatch glass is sometimes installed poorly, such that it touches the steel body. This point will rub and that will cause the tempering forces to concentrate there, eventually shattering the piece. This includes the little piece below the spoiler. There is usually -no way- to tell what broke the glass if it falls apart. If it shatters and stays together you -may- be able to tell where the failure started. A side window break such as that just posted is -usually- caused by an external force. Rock, BB, bullet, but usually a rock if on the highway. Most BB guns or pellet guns can't break auto glass unless at very close range. Even a 22 cal bullet has a hard time unless it hits almost perpendicular. Windshields are even stronger, as they are made of two sheets of tempered glass with a plastic sheet in between. The law requiring this was passed years ago after people were horrified by the blood and gore involved when humans try to fly through ordinary glass. It almost sounds funny, but I'm glad they didn't have colour film then. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

09-17-2009, 09:21 PM	#22
statultra uber-Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cape coral, FL Posts: 714 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Shattered rear glass it most likely was an external force which caused the side window to shatter. but also its possible if the chassis flexed a tiny bit and bent the door frame.

09-20-2009, 09:25 PM	#23
sketchstudios Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Shattered rear glass Thanks for the replies, Anyway, what ended up happening was I took it to the Toyota dealership and they were extremely cool enough to put it under my warranty. It didn't cost me a dime to repair my rear passenger window. It was even done within the next day! I cannot be more pleased with Toyota right now. Just wanted to follow up with info incase other people were wondering.

09-22-2009, 08:00 AM	#25
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,973 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 206 Thanked 273 Times in 212 Posts Friends: 36	Re: Shattered rear glass That is great!!

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