Chipped Front Window within 27 days (& insurance)

The Prius windows crack easier than any windshield I've ever had. Of those who reported chips or cracks in a recent poll here, over 50% were cracks. (Amazingly 2/3 reported no chips and no cracks...but I've been surveying Prius' and have yet to find one that doesn't have some sort of chip--including a very low mileage 2009 loaner I've had for a few days while my Tundra was in the shop.)

Based on my experience with the Toyota AGC OEM glass I'm going to try PPG instead. PPG made the OEM glass for my Tundra and despite quite a few similar small chips since 2002 (several along the edge) the glass has not cracked. AGC glass is made in Thailand according to the DOT--not that I have anything against the Thais.

 

Our 2004 has 40k miles and no chips...

I personally have never had an aftermarket windshield that didnt make me seasick with wavyness. So if I had to replace, it would be OEM.

 

depends on the insurance company. if you can live with a chip repair it might be free
, meaning the insurance company will pick up the tab. you do not have to open a claim
the window people will do all your paperwork for you.

total windshield replacement might be between $0 deductible and $100

 

had only 4000 miles on mine before some rocks/stones cracked my windshield also had a ton of paint damage to my baby, thank goodness my insurance is paying all but my deductible of $100 for it.

 

I've had 3 now, going back to early 2002, none have had chips/cracks. Wait, hang on.

...

OK, wood sufficiently knocked. My 02 got pitted pretty bad over the years, but it never ended up developing into a chip or crack.

 

Define "pitted." I suspect that is where the difference is. By what some seem to be defining as a pit vs. a chip my cracked Prius windshield is not even chipped, just cracked with a tiny surface pit. Of the four other Prius I've checked so far, all have what I define as chips similar to that on my Tundra and Prius.

Sand pitting would be different as to my recollection it doesn't leave that small whitened indentation like what I refer to as a chip.

 

The definitions I would give would be:

Pit: Damage to the glass that doesn't actually remove anything from the glass. Imagine taking a ice pick and poking the glass a bit. Bright sunlight will reflect off the pits, but otherwise is not normally visible.

Chip: Small surface damage to the glass, that actually takes a (small) chunk out of the glass. But if it cracking doesn't expand out from the indentation on the glass, it's still just a chip.

Crack: A break that begins in one part of the glass and moves in a direction.

Sounds like what my 02 had is what you said was sand pitting. It really wasn't a problem, except at sunset. As for my 07, it didn't have any problems with it, but I didn't keep it around long enough to see (only about 16 months). The 09's windshield has been perfectly fine for the 4 days I've had it.

 

PPG Glass Shops are first rate operations, excellent choice!


Neddleton

 

Note that PPG has an option with a sunshade (blue shaded area near the top of the windshield). Just had my cracked windshield replaced with this and it's a nice change from the OEM glass. Costs a bit more than the standard clear PPG glass. Still will be about $600 less than Toyota glass.

 

Any wavyness or distortion in the glass?

Thats my issue with aftermarket windshields I've had...including PPG...

 

No waviness with the PPG I have. Definitely something to look out for though, as with the extreme rake on the windshield, it'll show any imperfection.

However, the shop I went to is extremely well-regarded (for example, if you're unwilling to leave your car with them for long enough for the glue to set properly, you're politely informed that perhaps another shop would better serve your needs) and would have rejected anything that didn't look right, so I suppose it can somewhat depend on the installer.

 

I have about 65K miles on mine.. I only remember about 3 rocks that caused very tiny cracks, but the other day while driving with the evening sun in my eyes, I was able to count about 15 very tiny cracks... about the size of 2 - 3mm or so.

Whats up with this ultra thin glass?

 

I assume they did it to save weight.

 

I suspect it was more about saving money!

Thats not enough weight to count for anything... I"m glad they didn't do that with the tires!