Windshield Damage -Dealership or Auto-glass shop?

I'm sure the dealer will tell you to just take it to a glass shop, most dealers don't even do they're own cars

 

I can't speak to the "Maintanence" screen, as my 05 doesn't have this. I'd bet that resetting the maintenance light will solve the problem. To reset the maint req. light: In park cycle throught the odometers to the master odometer. Power off. Power on while holding down the odometer button. The mileage display will "Count down" until it displays all dashes, let go of the odo button and the light will be out. If you're "Maintenance Screen" still shows orange icons after that, you may want to take it to a competent mechanic.

 

I had a rock break my windshield when the car was almost new. From what I remember, the Toyota glass is most expensive of all, but it's *exactly* like the original, right down to the 'Toyota' imprints.

That was actually a big deal for me, since the car had like 500 miles on it.

A step down from that is branded glass like PPG; that won't say Toyota on it but the part is cheaper and for all intents and purposes, it's the same.

Further down are off brands, which may or may not have the same optical qualities/tinting/etc. as the others, but are cheapest of all. I do believe that someone told me they'd had problems with one of these; there was lots more visible distortion than they'd noticed previously.

I think what's as important is the quality of the install; it's possible to end up with leaks and rust around the windshield (so I've been told, especially if you live in areas with more extreme climates).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stairman @ Jul 11 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]477132[/snapback]</div>

The NAV maintenance screens have separate resets from the Maintenance Required dashboard warning light. Just hit on the highlighted icon and follow the reset prompts.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Jul 11 2007, 08:13 PM) [snapback]477303[/snapback]</div>

I would get recommendations for a glass shop, I went with a cheaper shop because the offered to pay $175 of my deductable, and they didn't do it right the first time. On the redo, the scratched my paint, and would not take responsibility for it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OwenKealy @ Jul 11 2007, 02:27 PM) [snapback]477114[/snapback]</div>

Call Safelite...or go to their website and get a quote. I did about two months ago...I was two weeks from turning my leler and they came to my house to replace the windshildased Audi in, and I got a crack in my windshiled from a flying rock. It was about $200 less than the dealer and they came to my house to replace the windshield.

 

A lot of times dealers will ask you to drop of the car and they will take it to the glass shop, or have the mobile glass service come by and do the work.

 

my insurance company uses safelite.... i've had many windshields replaced or repaird by them over the years and have never had an issue! (i think socal or maybe it's just the socal desert.... is the flying rock capital of the world! lol!)

i have always just let them put whatever brand on the cars i've had them replaced on.... however hubby had issues with his windshield and got it re-replaced with toyota (it was his tacoma).... it was the same deductible for us....

i'm curious though.... do they make a windshield to fit the prius that has the tinted strip at the top? if i every have to have it replaced... i want the strip!

 

One thing to consider with glass repair - if the impact damage is not too significant, it may be better to repair the impact. My personal experience is that whenever the windshield was cut out of the car, the repair was never fully sealed up. Worse yet, when the windshield is cut out of the car, there is a chance for the metal channel to get abraded/cut, which is an open invitation for rust.

Conversely, my Volvo XC90 recently suffered a windshield chip from a rock that was kicked up by a car in front of it. After the repair was done, I could not identify where the impact had occurred and the windshield did not have to be cut out of the car. I was initially skeptical about the concept of repairing the impact damage, but I am now a believer.

Something to consider.

 

<div align="left"> </div>After about 27 years of driving with only one windshield repair, I went 0 for 2 on our two cars this past year. Amazingly, finally got full glass coverage after 20 years of being told too hard to get in NJ so at least my timing was better than my windshields. First windshield replacement was from Diamond Glass and went uneventfully once they finally showed up, two appointments later. Second one was through Safelite who showed up just fine but there was a noisy air leak afterwards. Had them come back. The guy tried to seal things better but to no avail. On the last trip, the guy noticed the windshield was moving when pushed on from inside. Duh. Now it's fine but all this left a bad taste in my mouth in terms of windshields and since I suspect the dealer just has someone who does windshields come in and do it, you won't gain much there either. The whole replacing windshields thing is something to be avoided I guess but bottom line: cross your fingers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OwenKealy @ Jul 11 2007, 05:10 PM) [snapback]477197[/snapback]</div>

I had mine replaced a few months ago. I asked the dealer for the name of the shop that they use, and went there. The shop had to order the windshield thru the dealer and it took a few weeks to get here from Japan. (They told me that there are no third party windshields yet for the 2004-2007 Prius.) The insurance company balked a bit at the price, but the shop did a very nice job.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kbertsche @ Aug 21 2007, 11:06 PM) [snapback]500109[/snapback]</div>

There are three basic things to pay attention to when you are having your windshield replaced: (1) glass fit. I always insist that they use OE (Original Equipment) glass. That doesn't necessarily have to come from a dealer -- all or virtually all car manufacturers contract glass out to a third party. The OE replacement glass can be branded with the car manufacturer or the glass manufacturer but you want glass that is made with the car manufacturer's specs, not reverse engineered. (2) adhesive quality. Make sure that the replacement company uses an adhesive that allows for curing prior to the time you need to drive your car. Between roof crush prevention (the windshields are now a significant component in maintaining the roof in a rollover) and passenger side airbag deployment (the windshield is the backboard for the passenger side airbag when it fires out of the dashboard), the windshield is now an integral part of the car's safety system. If the adhesive fails in an accident because it did not properly cure, the windshield will not stay put and there can be all sorts of problems leading to worsened injuries or death. Accordingly, just because they are done installing the glass does not mean that it is safe to drive. The urethane adhesive must properly cure first. Different adhesives have different cure times depending on weather conditions -- temperature and relative humidity. Thus, it is important that the repair company use the right adhesive. (3) Installation standards. Make sure the company uses the AGRSS (Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards) protocol for the replacement. This is an ANSI approved standard that was developed through collaboration by an facets of the industry that represents the standard of care in the glass replacement industry.

The windshield is far too important to simply leave to whoever your insurance company recommends (who may simply offer the lowest price available) without asking questions and doing some investigation. The recommended company may be just fine but check out what you're going to get and how it's going to get done: OE glass, adhesive cure times, AGRSS installation procedure.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(noelty @ Jul 12 2007, 12:18 AM) [snapback]477326[/snapback]</div>

lol, no offence, but....did you write that while you were drunk?
:lol: :lol: