Over time, a windshield will develop cracks. Left unchecked, those spider webs in glass can lead to shattering. The safety implications of this are obvious, particularly in a collision, as an airbag won’t protect you from flying glass. Driving without a windshield won’t work, as it too is unsafe and will earn you a ticket. For these reasons, knowing a thing or two about auto glass repair is essential for maintaining your roadway safety.
Auto glass repair – know the standards
The factory might not be right, you know, and auto glass repair is something that should not be taken lightly. Automotive Troubleshooting Secrets advises everybody to consider a full, professional job instead of a quick fix. You’ll want to ensure that your safety glass is installed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)-certified technicians. The urethane adhesive they use should also be certified by the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS). That adhesive could have an expiration date, as will any adhesive used in auto glass repair. If it is expired by quite possibly a day, don’t use that adhesive. Oh, and make certain the adhesive passes your automaker’s factory standard (check the owner’s manual) and is airbag-rated if your vehicle has that safety feature. Priming materials should also meet AGRSS standards and not have reached expiration.
What should certified installers be doing?
If you are using a tech to fix the glass, make certain they’re National Glass Association-documented so that these questions will all check out:
- Is the windshield perfectly centered?
- Is the windshield flush to the frame?
- Chekc the windshield wiper motor is still in working condition
FMVSS certification is non-negotiable
Many auto glass repair shops want your business, but not all of them will offer the FMVSS mark of certification. When they do a job, the official FMVSS sticker is attached to the new windshield. It’s a necessary badge of quality that you want on your vehicle’s windshield. Accepting cheap glasswork as an alternative is simply a bad idea.
Further reading
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