Is it the Pilkington Glass or is it just my (un)luck?

[Rick Hunter]

Damn... I'm a little cheesed off today.

I was driving along the highway this morning when I received what seemed to be a very benign pebble flying toward the windshield. Of course, I had no time to react so the car took it like a champ. Well the champ obviously lost, since the pebble carved a nice little crack in the glass. So I thought, "Fine... sooner or later I'd have to deal with this." Before you know it, the crack started to radiate outwards! S#!T. I measured it after I got home and it looks to be a 6" split.

Since this is my first ever windshield split from a rock chip, I am naturally feeling quite traumatized. It also got me thinking, "Was it just my unlucky day or is this windshield actually weaker than normal?" The impact didn't seem nor sound like it hit at high velocity. And the fact that it radiated out so quickly made me feel helpless. It definitely puts a damper on my driving experience, although I'm sure I'm just overreacting.

Any opinions on this matter? And does anybody have any good experience(s) with a reputable autoglass repair shop?

[donjuan45i]

i got a cracked windshield too but my windshield isnt as new. man that would make me mad. sad part is its only going to get worse in the winter

*edit well depends on your winters lol here in iowa that crack would become the grand canyon

[AkaSigFreak]

I don't have a cracked windshield but I do have small chips. I have never seen a windshield chip so easily.

[c3nthusiast]

I chipped mine the first week I brought her home. I think the glass is garbage. I had it repaired but the repair spot is dead center in my field of view. I have a $100 deductable but would still have to $500 extra for factory glass. My OCD prevents me from going aftermarket and losing the white sticker.

[Bokx_350]

I also have a chip on my windshield. Its on the bottom left corner near the stickers so I dont really mind. But I agree that the glass seems more fragile than my previous cars.

[jstaneff]

Rick, if this is your first chip/crack in a windshield here in Seattle, consider yourself very lucky.

I carry some of those round stickers from Novus to cover the chips as soon as they happen. Even in the rain, I sometimes pull off, dry the spot and apply a sticker. There's one on the C300 now. Eventually I'll get it fixed.

On my last car, before I had the windshield replaced (it finally cracked from a chip I didn't notice until far too late) it had about 9 of these round stickers on it.

Driving on the roads around Seattle is an exercise in locating rock chips before they crack the windshield. Its also the reason I have a clear bra. If you're looking for someone to blame, consider all those tandem dump trucks carrying dirt everywhere, and those open-gate landscape trucks that never seem to keep from spraying debris all over. This is a terrible place for rocks on the road.

And, worse for those who don't realize this, we don't salt our roads if/when there's ice or snow, we cover them with sand. Sand comes in a variety of sizes and some of it can easily chip a windshield. Your choice, live here and get peppered with small rock, or live in Cleveland and learn to do body work to replace your rusted out sheet metal

I don't think the glass is the problem.

[Rick Hunter]

I used to drive up and down the I-405 to work, and got peppered quite frequently with those damn pebbles. I agree... Seattle's pretty bad for that. I was just surprised to see that particular tiny star crack radiate outwards so quickly. It's that strange feeling of awe + helplessness watching it from my seat. Oh well... I'll live.

I'll have to look into those stickers you were mentioning. Thanks for that.

[Ron Jr]

A pebble, I once had a brick dropped onto my windshield from a highway overpass by some kids. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control when my winshield spidered. Very glad I have glass insurance.

[RLE]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Damn... <<<<BIG SNIP>>> And does anybody have any good experience(s) with a reputable autoglass repair shop?

if you live in Seattle, I recommend without reservation Professional Auto Glass on Aurora Ave N. They do Phil Smart MB's glass work and they have replaced windshields for me many times without damage to the car. They direct bill insurance after you pay them your deductible, if any.

I would not use one of those come-to-your-house glass replacers.

[Rick Hunter]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll use them when the time comes.

In the meantime, I went to a couple of auto glass places today (Speedy & Safelite) just to see if the windshield could be repaired, but both concluded that it has to be replaced. Unfortunately, the crack has extended out to 7 inches as of today, AND, has reached one of the edges. All I need to do now is wait until it travels over to the other side to tease with my OCD. Then I'll replace it.

[RLE]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Thanks for the heads up. I'll use them when the time comes.

In the meantime, I went to a couple of auto glass places today (Speedy & Safelite) just to see if the windshield could be repaired, but both concluded that it has to be replaced. Unfortunately, the crack has extended out to 7 inches as of today, AND, has reached one of the edges. All I need to do now is wait until it travels over to the other side to tease with my OCD. Then I'll replace it.

If your windshield is as cracked as it sounds, I think it is now illegal. I'm pretty sure there is a Washington traffic law making it so. Do you not have comprehensive coverage?

[Rick Hunter]

Hmmm... let me rephrase that...

The chip on the glass is no> than 1/16", and the crack emanating from the chip is currently at 7" long and not anywhere near a sightline. The repair shops said they cannot repair a crack like that once it is >6" in length and recommended that I just wait until it travels over to the other side. Only the outer layer of the windshield is affected, inner layer is intact.

[RLE]

Originally Posted by RLE

If your windshield is as cracked as it sounds, I think it is now illegal. I'm pretty sure there is a Washington traffic law making it so. Do you not have comprehensive coverage?

I neglected to mention that for nearly twenty years, MB considers the windshield to be a structural part of the body which means that when the glass is replaced, the car must not be driven for 24 hours.

My practice has been to leave the car in the late morning and pick it up the next day. They always keep it inside during the night.