Replacing Your Vehicle’s Windshield? Here is Your Windshield Replacement Survival Guide.

Safety First

A vehicles windshield provides the occupants a barrier from road debris and the outside elements. But most people don’t know a windshield is designed for structural safety in case of an accident, especially a rollover. A windshield is a vehicles third most important safety feature behind the seat belts, and air bags.

Windshields are like basketball backboards for air bags. So if you have a damaged windshield your air bag may not function correctly. It actually may inflate out the windshield cavity, rather than towards you. Or it won’t adsorb any pressure because your windshield simply pushes out.

Most consumers are not aware that when technicians replace your windshield, there is significant scratching to the “pinchweld” where the glass bonds to the car. These scratches must be prepped using paint and rust prevention steps. They should not simply leave exposed scratches where moisture from the exterior side can cause rust to develop.

Here are some questions you should ask your auto glass company:

• Is the new glass OEM?
• Did they remove the brand label on the windshield?
• Does the new glass have a shade band that matches your old glass?
• Is the new windshield the same color glass? (glass is actually colored, not clear)
• Does your windshield have a rain sensor?
• Is your windshield heated? (companies will install non-heated and charge for heated)
• Does the windshield have the right bracket for your rear view mirror?
• Does the

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