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Car windshields are pretty amazing tech for how simple it it
Posted on 6/6/25 at 10:59 am
Posted on 6/6/25 at 10:59 am
Going down interstate the other day at 80 and I can see the rock coming (obviously kicked up from the road surface as there was no gravel hauler to be found), probably the size of a small egg, and it nails the upper driver's corner of my windshield. Loud "whack" and double starred out immediately with at least a half-dollar diameter for both.
Checked out the surface when I got home and there's a nice gouge in the glass, but I could only imagine what it was like before modern windshields. Likely would have busted it and I would have been showered with broken glass at 80 MPH, if not being hit by the projectile itself.
Checked out the surface when I got home and there's a nice gouge in the glass, but I could only imagine what it was like before modern windshields. Likely would have busted it and I would have been showered with broken glass at 80 MPH, if not being hit by the projectile itself.
This post was edited on 6/6/25 at 11:01 am
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:01 am to udtiger
Think of how many rocks and things get thrown on the highway.
Then think about being impaled by shards of glass
Then think about being impaled by shards of glass
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:08 am to udtiger
If you have sensors in your windshield you might prefer the shards of glass once you check your bill
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:10 am to udtiger
Might want to get it sealed.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:11 am to ThatBaw
And more vehicles every year are putting sensors in their windshields 

Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:11 am to udtiger
They can make windshields that will not break at all for just a small price increase, but they don’t want to. Gotta keep those glass/windshield companies in business.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:35 am to ThatBaw
Safelite quoted me $300 for the windshield…reasonable. Then followed up with $500 for the system recalibration. I think they got offended when I told them to pound sand.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:38 am to udtiger
What is the ideal angle for windshield to best avoid/deflect impacts. I’ve have 4Runners and suburbans and tahoes and those windshields were always getting impacts on highways. Had an Accord for 8 years and don’t ever remember an impact requiring repair. There is some science and shite to this someone need to figure out.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:40 am to TD422
quote:fwiw - The 3rd time I replaced the windshield on my wife's car I found a dude that would replace the glass w/o calibration. He said if they don't need calibration, if you don't unplug or move the sensor. I let him do it, and it works just fine. Paying $800-900 for a window gets old fast.
Safelite quoted me $300 for the windshield…reasonable. Then followed up with $500 for the system recalibration. I think they got offended when I told them to pound sand.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:47 am to TD422
quote:
Then followed up with $500
That's why you spend $130 to get it sealed the day you get the crack, so you don't have to replace the windshield.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:57 am to Crow Pie
quote:
I found a dude that would replace the glass w/o calibration.
where? contact info?
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:01 pm to udtiger
Laminated glass has been in cars for 100 years
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:04 pm to LemmyLives
Funny…I DID have Safelite “repair” the star…it spread anyway. They were willing to credit the repair cost to the new windshield, but I was so pissed at the recalibration cost….
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:19 pm to ThatBaw
quote:
If you have sensors in your windshield you might prefer the shards of glass once you check your bill
Cost to replace the windshield in a 2012 BMW was $900. I’m sure it’s increased.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:20 pm to udtiger
I seem to have to buy one every few years due to chips. I Just got hit by a huge rock and have a deep gash with 3" cracks coming from it on passenger side. Still ill let it rock until i need a new brake tag.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:36 pm to fr33manator
quote:
Then think about being impaled by shards of glass
Amazing to think that they are also a structural part of the car.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:36 pm to Napoleon
I didn’t get a new tag for 5 years bc of cracks and runs on the windshield - traded the vehicle in and got a new one rather than change the windshield. frick those windshield prices (vehicle needed to go anyway).
Posted on 6/6/25 at 12:58 pm to udtiger
The tech behind your windshield is not simple at all and is in fact a very concrete example of American greatness.
Try manufacturing ANYTHING to the exact dimensions and curves of a windshield. It’s difficult. Then get the glass formula just right for the maximum resistance to scratches. The glass itself has a softer core than the exterior which is achieved through a very specific timed heating process.
Try manufacturing ANYTHING to the exact dimensions and curves of a windshield. It’s difficult. Then get the glass formula just right for the maximum resistance to scratches. The glass itself has a softer core than the exterior which is achieved through a very specific timed heating process.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 1:16 pm to TD422
I'd do them myself with the RainX kit if it's small enough. If they spread after that then replace but it'll do for like $15
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