Auto Glass Repair and Windshield Replacement

I read on a daily basis a lot of news and information about automobiles, problems recalls etc.  I personally always try to stay up on what consumers are saying about their cars, etc.  The other day while reading a message board about a gentleman that had a water leak that he perceived that it was the fault of the auto glass installer.  However what the customer did not know is that his particular car has a know defect (by glass people), that causes water to pour into the passenger side of the floor board of the vehicle.

Now what caused this massive amount of water on the customer’s vehicle was not a poor installation by an auto glass replacement installer 3 years prior, it was a faulty poor design by GM on their vehicles whereby a black weather strip is approximately 18 inches in length is place onto metal above the fresh air return on the vehicle.  The weather stripping is supposed to act as a diversion to water so that the water does not go into the fresh air intake of the vehicle.  However after a few years and many rains the strip for no apparent reason will fall off the vehicle causing the diverting of the water to fail, and the water will go directly into the fresh air intake.  This will cause water to go directly into your vehicle and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Most vehicles are designed to where the fresh air intake is not where mass amounts of water can be taken into your vehicle, and on the odd chance water would come in on most vehicles, the heater box has a small rain that allows any water or condensation to be passed out of the vehicle by a small drain in the heater box.

Some of the vehicles mentioned are 1997 – 2004 Buick Regal, 1998 – 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997 – 2005 Buick Century.  So if you own one of these vehicles and you are experiencing a problem, before you point a finger at your windshield replacement company you might want to consider checking into this before calling your insurance company that paid for the replacement service.

If your one of the hundreds of thousands of people driving around with a small chip or crack on your windshield, and you are putting it off, because it is just not that big or “it’s not spread out yet”.  Well your delay could cost you money that you never even knew that could be possible.  See, that small windshield chip or crack has an impact point, and that impact point is sort of like a pot hole in the road, and it can do a lot more damage than you could ever imagine.  I know you think this is a pitch for windshield repair, however think about the facts your windshield wiper is made to pull water and etc away from your windshield, now imagine that surface interrupted by a “pot hole” in your windshield, then your windshield is not getting properly cleaned.  However it is just not causing your windshield to have a streak in it, it is causing your wiper to become damaged by the constant drag across the “pot hole” in your windshield.

Do you know that on some cars a decent set of windshield wipers can cost upwards of $50?  A windshield repair can prevent this from happening, a trained installer, can fill your rock chip and smooth out the surface.  This will prevent your windshield wiper blades from being damaged by the “pot hole” in the smooth surface of your windshield.

Ok… I know what your thinking. “My windshield wipers only cost $20 for a set at the local supply store”, however, what you are not considering is the fact that a damaged wiper blade, can cause permanent scratches in your windshield. A normal windshield replacement on a common car can run upwards of $200 in most cases.  And if you’re driving a Lexus, BMW, or other European car your windshield could cost thousands of dollars because of all the special features made to your windshield.

Adequate maintenance of your automobile is very important for its smooth working and efficiency. Regular maintenance not only ensures the longevity of the automobile but also leads to less maintenance costs with the age of the automobile. Various automobiles that ply on the roads have different maintenance requirements but some common ones are the same for each type of vehicle. Therefore you must make it a point to regularly check your vehicle and extend its life and utility. Following are the tips that can be useful for the maintenance of your vehicle:

1. Tires: the tires of the vehicle must be periodically checked for inflation pressure. The tires must not be under or over inflated. They should also be checked for dust or gravel in the rubber which would lead to puncturing of the tires.

2. Brakes: these are the most vital safety component of a vehicle hence need special care. Brake fluids and the inner linings of the brakes cylinder must be checked regularly.

3. Battery: the battery posts and terminals should be free of the corrosive stuff as it leads to starting problems. These can be periodically cleaned either by one self or by a mechanic.

4. Oils and lubricants: the engine oils and the various other lubricants required for the smooth working of the engine must be looked at regularly and dirty and old oils must be replaced. This not only increases the engine life but also gives a smooth driving experience.

5. Lights: the headlights, the indicators, the brake lights must always be in good working conditions. Also make it a point to keep spare fuse bulbs in case of emergencies.

6. Hoses, belts and exhaust pipes: regularly check the hoses and exhaust pipe of the vehicle. It should not be clogged but free of grime. Similarly the radiator belts and conveyer belts must be of the right tension so as not to break off.

7. Interiors: the interior of the vehicle must also be kept clean and odor free. Regular vacuuming and cleaning the interiors must be done. The air conditioning must be checked and the required refrigerants must be changed from time to time.

Auto glass repair isn’t the only aspect to staying as safe as possible in your vehicle. Be sure to check back for more tips and suggestions to keep your car running smooth and keeping your passengers safe.

If you have lived in an area that is typically above freezing during the winter, you might be in for a shock when you come out to find frost on your windshield.  Prepare now for the potential coming cold snap, even if your area typically does not get frost , snow , ice.  Go to your local retailer and buy a reasonably priced ice scraper to put in your vehicle just in case your view could become obstructed by frost.  It is illegal to drive with an obstructed view, and police departments have recently begun to crack down on people driving with an obstructed view.  It is not only dangerous for you it is for others also, and you might not be able to see on coming traffic out of your side windows.

States that traditionally get a fair amount of snow in the past have started passing laws that your entire vehicle is to be free of any loose snow before driving anywhere.  The reason behind the changing laws is that while you might be able to see out of your car and drive with no problem, people following you on the highway could be hit with flying debris from your car such as sheets of snow that could potentially lead to a fatality.

Please always remember to clean all your windows in your car for a unobstructed view of the traffic around you, and to clean any loose snow / ice from your vehicle.   By doing this you could potentially be saving yourself from being at the wrong end of a lawsuit, or a fatality.

Auto glass repair is important when your vehicle is under extreme weather conditions. Be sure to keep your windshield’s integrity up to par before travelling.

Tinting your auto glass can have many benefits, such as prolonging the life of the interior of your car, especially in states with high temperatures and long days of bright sunlight like Arizona.  Tinting is a very effective way to reduce sun glare, and keep your vehicle cool in the hot sun.  By keeping the interior of your vehicle cool this helps reduce your carbon foot print, by reducing the amount of strain on your engine when running that air conditioner. Other benefits to tinting your auto glass are to help you protect items in your car that you do not want to be seen from the outside of the vehicle.

Tinting laws vary by State , and you should always check your local state tinting laws to see what percentage of tint is allowed, and where the state allows you to place the tint on your vehicle.  For example in Washington state  the maximum level of sun screening material that can legally be applied to any window, except the windshield, shall have a total reflectance of 35% or less, and a light transmittance of 35% or more resulting in a minimum of 24% light transmission on AS-2 glazing.

Check back for more info about windshield repair frequently.

Guy carrying a clipboard and looking lost ducks his head into my fourth-floor office yesterday afternoon. This isn’t all that uncommon, as we’re relatively new to this six-story office building and our area doesn’t have a reception desk, so even co-workers from other floors can have a hard time finding people.

But our space does have a locked security door that requires a swipe-card to open, so if you’re inside walking around you belong inside, at least in theory. There’s also a clear-as-day “no soliciting” sign.

Mr. Windshield Man — well-groomed, 30ish and polite — clearly didn’t give a hoot about the theory or the sign. Here’s how our encounter went:

Me: “Can I help you find someone?”

Windshield Man: “Yours was the first open office; I’m with a windshield replacement company …”

Me: “You can’t sell stuff in here.”

Windshield Man: “I’m not doing that. It just happens that we’re going to be in the neighborhood …”

To read this blog in its entirety please visit : http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/48515

A special thank you to :

PAUL McNAMARA Online News Editor/Buzzblog author for the permission to reproduce part of his blog.

Buzzblog:www.networkworld.com/community/buzzblog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/buzzblog

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Winter is upon us, and in some parts of world the extreme weather is already taking its toll on drivers.  Some drivers with broken glass use cardboard, bags, duct tape, and all sorts of various items to cover up a broken door glass, or back glass to protect them from the outside elements, what drivers do not realize is that they could be putting themselves and others in harms way by impeding their ability to see clearly.  There is just no substitute for a  piece of glass, you might be keeping the elements out of your car however you could be putting yourself at risk in the event of a accident.  Most consumers do not realize the importance of glass, it is just not  to keep the rain out, it could keep you in the car in the event of an accident where you are not wearing your seat belt.

Just recently in China a freight truck driver was involved in a accident that caused his windshield to be destroyed.  The driver was in such a hurry to get his delivery made, he crafted a windshield out of cardboard and drove over 400 kilometers from Wuhan, Hubei Providence en route to Macao.   If he were to pull over to get his windshield replacement done, this would have never been an issue. Never is it acceptable by law to obstruct your primary view with anything, at any time the vehicle is in motion.  So the next time your door glass gets broken, remember for safety reasons do not use material to seal your car up that will obstruct your view.

Anyone who has ever sent there son or daughter off to college out of town, I am sure has made a check list of all the important things that your college bound students will need.

But I bet there is something you over looked. And it is very easy to do, before sending your son or daughter off to college check their windshield for any cracks. If there is and small chips or cracks repair them now before they become a major headache.

The last thing your son or daughter needs is a ticket for a broken windshield. Many states have laws regarding broken windshields , so if you or your student finds themselves out of town with a broken windshield don’t fret just log on and get a free online windshield repair quote.

Windshield is the primary scope of vision for anyone inside the car. That’s why proper care should be taken while cleaning or washing this important part of your automobile. There are several automobile windshield cleaning fluids available in the market today. These fluids are used to clean the windshield by removing the dust, dirt or any other material that doesn’t come out by running the wipers. Usually there is a reservoir tank under the hood that holds this fluid in any car. This tank is then connected to the cars computing system via an electrical cable that sprays the water out on the windshield only when the car is on. The water is sprinkled out of the reservoir tank through small valves that open on the hood. Your task is to make sure there is enough water in the reservoir tank and that the valve outlets on the hood are dirt free and angled to sprinkle water directly on the windshield with good amount of force. Also, the type of fluid that you put inside the reservoir impacts free flow of water through the valves on to the windshield.

The wiper fluid is very essential for those areas where there are extreme weather conditions. Like for example, if you’re living in snow areas, then you will be using a fluid that will help your windshield wipers keep the windshield snow-free. The fluid used in such condition will not freeze due to added chemicals that always keep the fluid in its liquid state. At times, while driving through rains, storms, you’ll notice a strange type of residue left on the windshield which doesn’t go away by using wipers. The only solution to this would be to stop your car in a safe position and manually clean the windshield using the fluid soaked cloth. And yes, there is one common situation when you’ll find bird’s aftermath on your windshield. Wipers and the fluid content would just be more than enough to clean the windshield by a simple button press.

If you are new to driving a car or just bought a new car, first thing you would want to do after checking the interiors, is to check the mechanics of the car. Find the reservoir tank under the hood and check the electrical button which releases the water on to the windshield. Check on the fluid recommend by the car vendor which should be good for your wipers and windshield. The vendor should give you the fluid along with the new car. Follow the instructions or if possible ask for a demo to understand the how-to’s of car operations. Check on the marks that are on the water tank to understand the water level required in your car before you move on to drive. Add correct amount of fluid with water when the car engine is not turned on to avoid any mishaps. Usually, fluids are blue in color and must be used as per recommended guidelines to keep your windshield crystal clear.

Please visit http://www.fixmywindshield.com/ for more information about auto glass repair.

Have you recently been through an accident that has broken your car’s windshield in half? Is your wind shield cracked but hanging on somehow? What do you think would be the cost of replacing the windshield for your car? Of course, different cars would have different sizes of windshield that would be ranging somewhere between $500 to $2000 approximately. That’s a lot of money to spend on a windshield but then that’s what you eventually have to do if you dont take care of that crack well in its initial development stage.

Do you know? Even a small rock chip can break your windshield or at least develop a much larger crack which could have been avoided should proper measures have been taken in first place itself. Thus, we at www.fixmywindshield.com provide you with the valuable information along with better options so you can have your windshield repaired instead of having it replaced.

In this article, we are going to talk about the options of having your windshield repaired over replacement. People love to get their windshield repaired as it saves them time, money and energy.

1. Cost effective – A new windshield would cost you somewhere around $500-$2000 as compared to a windshield repair.  A rock chip repair is the cheapest of all available options that would only cost you like $30 a pop. This is a great saving over a complete replacement.

2. Time effective – You don’t have to move around with your broken windshield in search of a workshop to get it repaired. Our professional are always on move and we are one call away. Call us at 1.866.925.6378 and we will be at your door step within minutes. This saves you a lot of time and for us it’s a 30 minutes of professional work.

3. Factory Seal – When we come and fix your windshield, you still are good to move with the factory seal windshield which protects from any air and water leakage. We don’t remove the original seal for just a repair or to mine more money from you. Our services are strictly professional and we follow predefined guidelines while at work which has got us the reputation in the market.

4. Green – Repairing a windshield is an eco-friendly choice for the simple reason that these windshields can’t be recycled and replacement is not a suggested option unless it’s very much required.

5. Few Extras – there are few more advantages of auto glass repair which offers better visibility, saves any wiper wear & tear, holds the windshield tight and doesn’t allow it to move which intern’s increases passenger safety.

There are many cases where reports have indicated poor auto glass repair done by either the car owner himself or at the workshop leading to broken windshield within a month of “so-called” repair. Poor quality of repair kits being used which have helped that minor crack to develop at large, which could have been an easy job should Fix My Windshield been engaged in first place itself.