Had to replace a windshield on a late model car. Car has these stupid cameras that do stupid shit like scream at me when I'm changing lanes.

It was covered by insurance but I was flabbergasted at the cost - almost $2000! I remember when windshield replacements were more like several hundred dollars.

It'll be a future decision but keeping comprehensive coverage if only for windshields may be good to have.

Questions:
1) windshield seems much more fragile now than before. My 2000 car has withstood many stones, some making startling loud noises, without damage. The late model car suffered multiple damages from the smallest of hits (based on sound level), including the final crack across the width. Are windshields more fragile now?

2) what happens if I don't do the camera calibration? How far off will it be? Does it actually need to be calibrated or is it mostly just a check that nothing changed?

3) is there an aftermarket windshield maker that will exceed OEM requirements (ie - more durable and chip/crack resistant)?

#3: Definatly NOT Safelite.

On the Kenworth Trucks in our fleet that I work on.

It also has a Lane Departure Camera on it.
The Factory Glass has the indexing lines to mount the camera to the windshield and costs a fortune over $1200.00 if I recall correctly.

The aftermarket glass does not have these marks and are about $400.00 installed.

We got the measurements from Kenworth and measure and mount the camera ourselves in-house.

We tell the glass installing shop to bring aftermarket glass.

Thanks. I've only had PPG which seems decent, at least for my older car. I'll put Safelite on the do not use list.

I don't want to think about it, I have cameras and a heated windshield. I'm sure it will cost a fortune if ever needed.

ETA my also has sound deadening glass, whatever that is.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skins2881,

1) Todays windshields are made thinner to reduce vehicle weight to help improve overall fuel economy. Toyota's windshields are known to be especially fragile and crack easily from stone hits.

2) Camera calibrations are very important. The camera reads the lines on the roadway and is normally tied into the cruise control radar system as well as the active brake assist system and the electric steering rack as the Lane Keep Assist will gently steer the vehicle back into your lane if the camera reads that you are crossing the line of your lane. There is no way to put the camera back in the exact same place once the windshield has been removed or replaced if the camera is mounted to the windshield, therefore the camera needs to be calibrated so that it knows precisely where to be looking in relation to your vehicle. Most reputable shops will refuse to do the work if the customer won't pay for the calibration due to liability as the above mentioned systems are considered vehicle safety systems.

3) Most vehicle manufacturers won't cover any repairs to systems tied to the windshield if it was replaced by an aftermarket glass and will push the repair costs onto the customer because they cannot guarantee that the aftermarket windshield was made properly for the safety system to work as they designed it to.

^^ Not all Toyota’s have thin windshields. The Prius’ do though to save weight.

All of todays vehicles have thinner glass than they used to, that was the point being made.

We had to replace one in my wife's 2016 Outback. I took it to an aftermarket place. They claimed to do all the dealers windshields. They said try it without calibration first, said it usually isnt needed. I didnt do it. That was 2-3 yrs ago and everything works as it should, i.e. adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, etc

Subaru's Eyesight cameras are not mounted to the windshield, they are mounted to the header panel of the roof, so that is why you could get away with that. Most manufacturers mount the camera(s) directly to the windshield

I won’t buy a vehicle with ADAS. So far I have gotten away with it but I fear it will soon be standard on every vehicle fucking made.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Had to replace a windshield on a late model car. Car has these stupid cameras that do stupid shit like scream at me when I'm changing lanes.

It was covered by insurance but I was flabbergasted at the cost - almost $2000! I remember when windshield replacements were more like several hundred dollars.

It'll be a future decision but keeping comprehensive coverage if only for windshields may be good to have.

Questions:
1) windshield seems much more fragile now than before. My 2000 car has withstood many stones, some making startling loud noises, without damage. The late model car suffered multiple damages from the smallest of hits (based on sound level), including the final crack across the width. Are windshields more fragile now?

2) what happens if I don't do the camera calibration? How far off will it be? Does it actually need to be calibrated or is it mostly just a check that nothing changed?

3) is there an aftermarket windshield maker that will exceed OEM requirements (ie - more durable and chip/crack resistant)?

1) probably, weight savings

2) you can crash if your aid systems don't work. Too much liability trying to skip it.

3) no and even if there was you couldn't use it because the safety systems are built around the oem's specific thickness.

The Son is going through windshield replacement on a 2020 Mazda 3. Just ordered the windshield, $800 or so.

The shop said he tries to do it so the sensors are still aligned, what I gather anyway.

If something is amiss when complete, back to the dealer. This all started with a rock chip in the corner, soon to be full crack end to end.

My Guardian brand windshield has been far more durable than the soft OEM Subaru windshield it replaced. Winters and roads here heavily pitted and eventually broke the factory one.

Thanks, Oz, for the tip. Eventually the truck will want new glass.

I just replaced a 12-year old Impreza windshield via Safelite for $212. I was very impressed with the service. And WOW, the wipers sure work better over new glass than they did over the old roadtrip-scarred surface.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:

3) no and even if there was you couldn't use it because the safety systems are built around the oem's specific thickness.

Dealer mentioned something like that. I didn't understand the relationship between windshield and the safety systems like lane departure (which I generally disable). Why is the camera affected by windshield - shouldn't the windshield be basically 'transparent' to the cameras? I understand there is some physical tolerance on the inside of the windshield where the glass meets the camera. But assume that's fixed by the framing anyway. If thickness increases, it would grow on the outer side of the windshield....?

I can see how that might change some flush fit aspects but I'd accommodate that over the countless chips and cracks.

After the replacement, just in one day, I think a new (small) chip is on the glass already. Geez...

It's like we need screen protectors for windshields now.