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Windshield replacement, special order needed?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by CaliforniaPrius, Feb 28, 2017.

  1. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    Just had a big crack on the windshield. Need to replace the glass. Does the car need a special windshield, direct order from Toyota or OEM part works just as well? Does a glass shop know how to assemble the radar assembly? (I have the advanced version.)
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Radar Assembly...I'm just not familiar with this. Is it part of the windshield? That may change the whole equation....

    But I just very recently had the windshield in my Honda Fit replaced. Same thing...big crack...Winter Storm Street Gravel.

    I did a lot of research.
    Oddly, my Honda Dealers actually told me they do NOT replace windshields it's such a specialized job. They simply would not do it.

    My understanding is OEM...is in your case Toyota....it stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
    OEE is the other alternative and it stands for Original Equipment Equivalent.

    I was really nervous about NOT replacing with OEM. For fear of a lesser quality being installed. But nearly every windshield place I contacted used an OEE glass. I literally couldn't find one that used OEM...Honda.
    So I ended up getting an OEE windshield.

    VERY early review.
    But actually?
    I have to say, so far, I actually like it better.
    For whatever reason the clarity seems clearer.

    Now only time will reveal how it holds up, or if I experience any abnormal problems. But initial impression? I'm happy with my OEE glass.

    My advice specifically?
    Tons and tons of information available about windshield replacement...and countless places that do the work. You can read as much as you want, and find opinions and information across the board.

    For me? After spending a lot of time doing a lot of research, and reading a lot of reviews. I ended up going to the most obvious, un-creative- first choice.
    I went to Safelite. Big national chain.
    Actually far from being the best reviewed operation. But my logic came down to choosing the McDonalds of Windshield replacement, at least gave me an operation that has experience. I kind of defaulted to one of the biggest had to have a baseline of quality...
    I don't know if this is a fair or logical assumption.

    A lot of smaller or privately run operations...actually had better reviews, but when I actually read those reviews, many of them were based on impressions that had nothing to do with the work or quality of the work but more on...."Bob is a great guy...he gave me free coffee and a Donut".

    So anyway, I went with Safelite...and OEE glass. So far? I have no complaints.

    But I might update this in a year or so.

    Also from what I read, of course the key really is the training and time the technician installing your glass has and applies.
    So quality glass....well trained technician...and you should be good.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ouch! didn't you recently lather your hatch door?
    talk to your dealer, then emphasize all the important points with your insurance company.
    all the best!(y)
     
  4. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Ugh... sorry to hear that.

    My understanding is that the radar is mounted behind the front Toyota emblem, and thus not at all close to the windshield. However, the forward-looking camera is behind the windshield.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
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  5. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    also the sensor for windshield rain sensing
     
  6. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    I had the windshield replaced in my 2012 on December 29th, hours before I traded it in and picked up my Prime. I had taken three golf ball size rocks tossed out of a truck just west of Pittsburg just a few days earlier. I had Safelite do it. They used Toyota glass as their system said there were no other options. There was a Toyota trim piece that was also used as part of the job. The replacement looked perfect for the hour or two that I still had the car.

    I'd call the shop you intend to use and discuss it with them. I was impressed with the shop that did the work on my car. All they do is auto glass, so they have a lot of practice. I did check with the Toyota dealer's body shop, they could have done it at a higher price and a longer wait to get to it. My insurance agent steered me to Safelite.
     
  7. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    Update: looks like the windshield needs to be specially ordered from Toyota. Filed a claim on Geico website and the glass shop needs VIN number to order the windshield. Could take a while. At the same time, I just put some glue at the end of the crack to prevent it from growing even longer. Now it is ~1.5 feet.

    Geico said because I have comprehensive + "Mechanical Breakdown Insurance" so the deductible is $50 instead of $500.
     
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  8. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    Update: Toyota has new windshield stocked at local dealer's. Geico's claim process is quite straightforward. Call Geico to submit a glass claim. Tell Geico the glass shop you want. The glass shop needs VIN to order the windshield.

    You need the dealer to calibrate lane departure warning sensor and front collision sensor.
     
  9. Michael Nielsen

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    Thanks. Just had a rock or something hit my windshield crossing the Mississippi River on I-40 bridge in Memphis. Small crack started. Need to get back to Delaware to start the claim / repair process.
     
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  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Any relationship to Joe Btfsplk? You've certainly had a rough trip and my sympathies.

    Bob Wilson
     
  11. Michael Nielsen

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    Yes, like no other. Ready for my own food, my own bed, and a plugged in nightly Prime.

    Was that part covered by your insurance, too?
     
    #11 Michael Nielsen, Mar 7, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 29, 2017
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  12. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    So in a case where an OEE is installed as replacement for an Advanced trim, will a non-OEM windshield play well with the color heads up display?
     
  13. Michael Nielsen

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    When I made my call to the Safelite dealer, they asked me first if I have the heads up display (I don't) and they told me that the part would come from Toyota.
     
  14. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    Update: dealer recalibrated the sensors, $477. Paid by credit card. Back home and submitted a glass claim reimbursement.

    Today got the reimbursement issued by Geico. Such an ordeal.
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    modern electronics are a double edged sword i guess. pray that nothing happens to the rear glass.
     
  16. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Did that green lizard bring it?
     
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  17. Michael Nielsen

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    Thanks for the update. I haven't done the sensor recalibration yet. I have LDW engaged and it seems to be functioning normally. I wonder if it is truly necessary? I guess I will do it since my insurance covered the whole glass replacement with no deductible.
     
  18. Michael Nielsen

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    My upshot from Delaware. Windshield replaced. Contacted my local Toyota dealer service department to get the LDW system recalibratrated. The head service guy told me that there was no need. He said some cars like GM need this but that Toyotas don't. Apparently, the insurance companies don't discriminate between models that do or don't need it. The LDW actually has been working as usual since the windshield replacement.
     
  19. zappafan

    zappafan The Blizzard

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    That's not a bad price. I live in the LA area and two dealers are quoting $650 for the calibration on my 2017 Prime Plus!

     
  20. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I am going to get my windshield replaced on my less than month old PRIME tomorrow. It will be replaced at a Toyota dealer and recalibration is a part of repair. I hope all goes well.