Windshield Replacement: What You Need to Know

If you have windshield damage that cannot be remedied with a simple repair, then you likely need windshield replacement. If you have never had a vehicle windshield replaced, then you may have many questions about windshield replacements, such as how your new windshield is chosen and what you should do after the replacement is performed to encourage a great final result.

Read on to learn what every automobile owner should know about windshield replacements.

Windshield Designs can Differ

Before your auto glass expert can replace your windshield, they will likely have to order a new windshield that was made specifically for your automobile make and model. While standard windshield sizes are available, few windshields today conform to these specifications. In fact, not only do the heights and widths of vehicle windshields vary greatly by automobile make and model, but windshield thicknesses and curvature also vary.

Replacing your current windshield with a new one that matches it in size and shape precisely is important. The right windshield provides your vehicle the structural support it needs to keep you safe during a collision and helps keep the outdoor weather elements out of your vehicle properly.

Windshield Options Are Available

There are two main replacement windshield types: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and original equipment equivalent (OEE), or aftermarket, windshields. Your auto glass repair expert may allow you to choose between these two types of auto glass.

While both windshield types are designed specifically with your vehicle's original windshield glass specifications in mind, the vehicle manufacturer provides OEM auto glass makers these specifications, while OEE auto glass makers determine what these specifications are by reverse-engineering the original windshields.

Most vehicle experts agree that typically, the only difference between the two windshields is that OEM windshields have the original automakers name and log printed on them while OEE windshields do not, some consumers and auto experts have preferences for one type of auto glass or the other. OEM windshields tend to cost slightly more than OEE windshields.

Moldings can Be Replaced

Most automobiles have moldings, or weather stripping, surrounding the windshield that helps keep outdoor air, rain, and other elements from entering a vehicle around the window frame.

Depending on your windshield design and the type of damage it has suffered, your windshield moldings may or may not need to be replaced along with your auto glass. If your moldings are still in great condition, then your auto glass repair expert may be able to leave them in place and just replace the glass.

However, if your moldings are also damaged, or your windshield is designed and sold only with attached moldings, then these moldings may also have to be replaced along with your windshield glass.

Windshield Sensors Also Require Replacement

Many newer vehicles on the road today have special sensors embedded in their windshields. If your auto windshield is equipped with any of these sensors, then they will likely have to be replaced when your windshield is replaced.

Just a few sensors often embedded in windshields include rain sensors that automatically activate your windshield wipers when they sense rain, automatic headlight sensors, and sensors that help detect a potential forward collision. If your vehicle is equipped with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), then your windshield may also have sensors that control many of the system's safety features, such as adaptive cruise control.

After these sensors are replaced along with the windshield, they need careful recalibration to ensure they work properly after you leave the auto glass repair shop. While some sensors can be recalibrated with the use of special equipment right in the shop, others require dynamic calibration that can only be performed while the vehicle is being driven.

Since recalibration of these sensors requires additional time after the windshield is replaced, be prepared for your windshield replacement service to take longer if your auto glass is equipped with these sensors.

Windshield Aftercare Ensures Great Results

After you drive your vehicle away from the auto glass replacement shop, there are several steps you can take to encourage a great final windshield replacement result.

First, do not drive your vehicle for at least one hour after windshield replacement to allow the glass adhesive plenty of time to set before being subjected to driving conditions. Driving too soon could cause the adhesive to fail.

Also, since the adhesive often takes time to fully harden, keep at least one window cracked about an inch for a couple of days after windshield replacement. This small crack prevents air pressure fluctuations in the vehicle that can place excess stress on the windshield and adhesive. Also, avoid running your car through an automatic car wash during this time period.

Finally, if your auto glass repair expert placed retention tape on new window moldings, then leave this tape in place for one to two days to protect the moldings from the weather elements as their adhesive sets.

If your windshield has extensive damage that cannot be fixed with a simple repair, then now you know more about windshield replacement. Get in touch with the team at MS Glass Outlet for all of your auto glass replacement needs.