2 Cracked Windshields in 6 months of ownership!

[UNSAFE]

"Bad" luck, NOT "dumb" luck. That's the ticket. Tranquility in life is all in the adjectives.

Definitely a better and seemingly less risky adjective! Thank you!

Sponsored

 

[UNSAFE]

Take this with a grain of salt as this is purely anecdotal, but it's my firm belief that they don't make windshields like they used to. I've had multiple 80's and 90's cars that have taken golf ball sized rocks straight to the windshield and left no more than a small nick the size of a pinhead, never filled the chips and they never cracked after the fact. Heck even the glass headlights on my 92 Honda Prelude took a couple BIG ONES and had at most a pinhole or two glass was just thick and beefy back then. New vehicles if you look at them the wrong way they chip, then if you drive 5 miles with that chip left unfilled it will crack over to the other side of the car.

That being said I'd trust newer glass over the stuff made back then to not kill me in a serious impact event, even if it is more prone to spidering cracks from small impacts.

I concur on points.

 

[steveo1960]

Mine cracked just adjusting the rear view mirror. No excessive force was used and next thing I know I am holding the mirror, mount and all still attached to a piece of glass from the windshield.
My wife's 24 VW Atlas is well known for cracked windshields so I agree with the others that maybe things aren't made as strong as they used to be.

 

[Hasler74]

I live in New Mexico, so many rocks here, I replaced the windshield on my 09 five times, my 07 1500 is on number 3 and the 22 2500 is windshield 2.

I really miss living back east.

 

[EdMan63]

It's just unfortunate. I agree the roads are just more debris filled. As highways crumble, rocks get strewn everywhere. We replace a lot of windshields here in Michigan with our roads. They are getting better but still, lots of potholes and crap to get flung.

 

[Radiant]

No way am I going to suggest to her that it was caused by tailgating! Not happening! Nope!

Try telling her to be more of an aggressive driver

No seriously, you want the Mustang at the front of traffic lights, in front of the line of traffic, et cetera. You never want something taller than you in front of you. Compared to 30 years ago, far more people are driving trucks and crossovers. It means if you're in a comparatively low car, like a Mustang, you're going to take debris to the windshield.

 

[UNSAFE]

Try telling her to be more of an aggressive driver

No seriously, you want the Mustang at the front of traffic lights, in front of the line of traffic, et cetera. You never want something taller than you in front of you. Compared to 30 years ago, far more people are driving trucks and crossovers. It means if you're in a comparatively low car, like a Mustang, you're going to take debris to the windshield.

Good point! However, when I drive like that she uses a Christmas Vacation quote on me with my name instead: "Clark , stop it, I don't want to spend the holiday's dead!"

 

[roadpilot]

Big assumption of facts there as it relates to @UNSAFE

Yet an often accurate assumption.

 

[Billycar11]

I'm hoping get this asap it's the xpel windshield protection film like ppf for your windshield but should have less distortion.

It's not out yet but the guy who did my ppf said he thinks he's getting it in October.

https://www.xpel.com/newsroom/xpel-unveils-first-ever-windshield-film-and-new-care-products

 

[DemonWorks]

cracked windshield here as well, happened in the first few days of ownership. Not a tailgating deal like one person seemed to jump to earlier ....

 

[UNSAFE]

Yet an often accurate assumption.

Absolutely

cracked windshield here as well, happened in the first few days of ownership. Not a tailgating deal like one person seemed to jump to earlier ....

Wasn’t in our case either.

 

[smurfslayer]

First off, tailgating is a bad driving practice, period. You lessen your reaction time margin, and dramatically increase the chance you wi collide with the vehicle in front of you in a sudden stop condition

in all 4 of my windshield hits, we were well back from the vehicle in front.

y’all may think it’s a safe assumption and that’s fine. I have a different op and life experience.

 

[Hasler74]

Well fuck yesterday got my first small rock chip after two whole weeks of ownership. Damn truck one lane over from decided to hit the shoulder. I watched the rock arch up like a fly ball to my windshield. Fortunately very small rock chip, barely noticeable if you are looking for it, but again screw New Mexico and dumb asses who can’t maintain a lane.

 

[UNSAFE]

Ours is getting replaced (again) today. Found the below link while doing some research. Interesting take on the bonding process of attaching windshields to modern vehicles. IIRC, in older vehicles windshields were installed with a gasket and "popped" into place. Maybe the new installation methods are affecting the seemingly increased incidents of windshields cracking at the slightest hit by a mere pebble. Hmm?

 

[POHLHAMMER]

Ok , what I should have stated is;
"If it is happening over and over again , it would be worth examining the following distances being used. Often times following too close can lead to excessive rock hits. Other reasons it could happen repeatedly would be traveling near quarry's and or road construction. "

There is ALWAYS the chance a rock can come from across lanes or from wherever. In fact, me just talking about this will almost guarantee murphy's law and karma kick in , and I will have a crack by the end of this week.

I apologize to anyone who was offended by me saying tailgating can be a cause of repetitive cracks. I was not trying to imply anyone/everyone who has had a rock chip, must tailgate.

I do witness much tailgating (like 95% of population). Every used truck I have bought has had rock chips in the hood. My 2016 RAM I bought new , 8 years later not one rock chip. I have never had a rock chip in a windshield in 28 years and 100's of thousands of miles driving. I never tailgate. I do however , get tailgated EVERY single day (I always drive 7 mph over speed limit).
Anecdotal ? yuup 100% !

I Probably should have stayed quiet , but no offence was intended towards OP. He said his wife , so I tossed an idea out there. He must be a smart man , because he said he wasn't going to ask the wife that question. After 18 years of marriage myself , I concur with that approach.

Hopefully the glass in these cars is up to snuff , and accidents just happen is/was sorta my point.

Sponsored