Auto Glass

Auto Glass Replacement Information Warning

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Auto glass replacement is high on the repair list in accidents and auto theft. Even sudden stops cause unbelted passengers and objects to fly forward and damage windshields.

Improper Windshield Replacement is hazardous to your health.

According to the "I-CAR Reference Manual for Senior Executives," unibody vehicles are engineered to protect passengers during crashes."

I.E. Passenger safety is the key element in automobile design.

Therefore, vehicle manufacturers intentionally build autos in the following manner.

Front and rear structural parts are designed to absorb collision energy by collapsing at pre-determined points called "crush zones."
Crush zones are built into the front and rear of the vehicle as a series of holes, dimples or convolutions.
Hoods are designed to buckle in order to avoid penetrating the windshield.
The vehicle structure is designed to route impact forces and damage around the passenger compartment.

This is why vehicles appear to fold up like a soda can in a crash.

Examples of Dangerous Repairs

The 3 issues to remember are: Safety Safety Safety.

Your windshield acts as a security and transmission device to move the force of an impact from the font of the vehicle, up through the windshield to the roof and to the back of the vehicle.

If the windshield is NOT installed correctly, the safety of the passengers is compromised.

Urethanes, epoxy, silicone, plastic, rubber, metal, glue, etc. are all used to secure windshields to the structure of vehicles. In most cases, the adhesive manufacturers require the vehicle to NOT be moved or driven until the adhesive has cured which in some cases are as long as a day or more.

Convenience can be dangerous.

If your insurance company or its Agent insists that you go to their drive-in glass repair facility to have your windshield replaced and drive away the same day, you need to understand what you are doing.

Unfortunately for consumers, the replacements of windshields are one of the most technical and least understood functions in the auto repair industry.

Adhesives must be used perfectly and have sufficient time to cure. Failure to cure before the vehicle is driven can cause shifting and the adhesive to malfunction. If the windshield has been installed poorly, serious injuries can occur. The question is.

Do you want a cheap, fast job and risk being injured? If the answer is NO then make it your business to take any repair company to task before you allow them to work on your vehicle.

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To guarantee you are getting a safe and quality repair this is what you must know and insist be done when your windshield is replaced

Your life may depend on it.....

1. Shop must provide a LIFETIME warranty for the vehicle which is transferable to a new owner.

2. Windshield must be installed by two technicians. One person cannot install any windshield correctly.

3. Windshield must be installed according to the recommended procedure of I-CAR's manual "Stationary Glass Replacement" and the adhesive manufacturers instructions.

4. Vehicle must NOT be moved or driven until the full elapsed cure time has passed.

5. Shop must use the exact parts and supplies that the manufacturer uses in making the vehicle. (no substitutions allow under any circumstances)

6. Must give you the empty containers used to install your brand name (OEM) windshield. Used or substitutions not permitted.

7. Must comply in all aspects with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard #205, 208, 212, 216, 219 auto glass methods.

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Examples of Dangerous Repairs