Windshield Replacement Safety Tips
Before you get behind the wheel, remember car maintenance isn’t just under the hood.A cracked windshield is a safety risk. It can impair the driver’s vision and put passengers at risk. Not to mention, most automotive safety experts rank the windshield as the third most important safety component in today’s vehicles, behind seat-belts and airbags. Laws require seat-belt use and prevent tampering with airbags, but there are no laws about windshield replacements.
Consumers should ask these four questions before a replacement windshield installation:
1. Will the old adhesive be removed from the vehicle frame? If the adhesive isn’t removed down to the adhesive manufacturer’s recommended level, the fit may not be tight and the new adhesive won’t bond correctly.
2. Will the technician wear gloves to keep from contaminating the glass? If oil and dirt get on the edges, the new adhesive (called urethane) may not bond correctly.
3. Will the new urethane adhesive stand up to the high deployment pressure of airbags? The best available manufacturer equivalent urethane adhesive should be used, not butyl tape. Ask for adhesive made by Dow, Sika or the original car maker’s adhesive supplier.
4. How long does the urethane adhesive need to set until the vehicle can be driven? Every urethane has a “safe drive-away time.”
The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC), formerly AGRSS®, promotes safe auto glass industry standards, which an auto glass technician should follow. Glass Doctor voluntarily supports the standard glass replacement procedures approved by AGSC, and Glass Doctor shops offer original equipment manufactured (OEM) windshields. Only OEM glass can provide the quality necessary to ensure a proper fit, which greatly reduces the safety risks.
For more information, visit www.glassrepairnorthvancouver.com
This month, and every month, be car care aware and stay safe. For more information on how you can be Car Care Aware, visit www.carcare.org.
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