heater cracked windsheild

noLimits

noLimits

New member
Ok, I've read some threads on here about chipped windsheilds or cracks that have developed b/c of chips but tonight I was driving home and had the defrost on full blast with snow outside. I kept on hearing a loud smack, twice. Just thinking that it was a twig or something hitting the windsheild I kept driving until my wife pointed out a crack that was all the way across the bottom of the windsheild. No exageration, it was ALL the way across. needless to say i'm pissed. I've never had this happen to any other car i've owned. are these windsheilds worthless? I have an extended warranty on this luckily but do you think they'll let me get an 06 windsheild instead of a 03 and will they fit?
 
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wow, i've never seen that happen before. there wasn't a small chip there before that could have started the crack? i can understand glass cracking due to a change in temperature, but most of the time, i think it has to start from a small chip..
 
noLimits said:
Ok, I've read some threads on here about chipped windsheilds or cracks that have developed b/c of chips but tonight I was driving home and had the defrost on full blast with snow outside. I kept on hearing a loud smack, twice. Just thinking that it was a twig or something hitting the windsheild I kept driving until my wife pointed out a crack that was all the way across the bottom of the windsheild. No exageration, it was ALL the way across. needless to say i'm pissed. I've never had this happen to any other car i've owned. are these windsheilds worthless? I have an extended warranty on this luckily but do you think they'll let me get an 06 windsheild instead of a 03 and will they fit?
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I don't know about warranty, but winshields are covered under most insurance policies with a $0 deductible.

I'd be pissed too. :mad:
 
Wow it can really happen. A guy at work said the same happened to him. It was cold outside and he had the defroster blasting and it cracked his windshield. He isn't the type to be believed so I discounted his story...

And yes, a lot of times your insuarance will cover the cost with a zero deductible. I have statefarm and they paid to replace the windshield with Toyota OEM factory glass. About $450 was the bill they paid to Safelite.
 
I have an extended warranty so no worries here, it's just a pain in the neck and i'm worried about the quality once they install it. the seal will never be as good as original. I'm just hoping they'll let me pay the difference for a 06 windsheild. I'm still shocked that using the defrost could cause so much destruction especialy with no chips or anything.
 
Runnning the defrost on high can create a significant temperature difference between the inside and outside "layers" causing a crack.

It is common to see it happen when sm1 starts a vehicle without clearing the shield of snow, and sets the defrost on high. The outside is constantly kept cold from the snow and the inside is blasted with heat. As we all know, heat causes expansion and if the glass cannot expand because it is covered by a cold layer thus, it will crack.

Perhaps some snow had packed under the wipers while you were driving, creating a similar situation.
 
There was some snow and I'm sure that is what happened but I also have a Tacoma that I've done that to a hundred times and nothing. Is this something that happens to thinner windsheilds? have any of the 2006 guys had this happen yet?
 
A small rock hit resulted in a small crack. Defroster on resulted in crack across entire windshield, aligning with defroster vents. Windshield was an OEM, not Toyota, and it happened within weeks of replacement of the original :eek: Mine is a 2004
 
Also look into getting PPG glass since all brands aren't created equal. I had three PPG windshields on my Eclipse through 8 years and none ever had a crack,I just replaced them due to pitting over a few winters.
 
Obviously there was an induced stress from a previous rock hit or something. Anyone can turn the defrosters on full blast at zero degrees outside and with snow on the windshield, without any consequences. So I believe the induced stress was made worse by the defroster and temp difference. But there is nothing one can do about that.

You also do not have to see a chip. If something like a rock strikes the windshield without leaving a small hole, the damage or stress can still be there.
 
greasefingers said:
Obviously there was an induced stress from a previous rock hit or something. Anyone can turn the defrosters on full blast at zero degrees outside and with snow on the windshield, without any consequences. So I believe the induced stress was made worse by the defroster and temp difference. But there is nothing one can do about that.

You also do not have to see a chip. If something like a rock strikes the windshield without leaving a small hole, the damage or stress can still be there.
Click to expand...
:iagree:
You do not have to see the crack or flaw for this to happen. I lived in Michigan for over 15 years, 11 of those driving, sometimes going through a windshield every winter for 2-3 years in a row. Cracking due to the defroster is a common problem in the northern states but a previously unseen chip usually causes it.

Since your 4Runner is a 2003 it is very possible a rock has hit it a few times in 3 years time. Take a good look at the rest of the windshield you will find other small pits and chips after 3 years of driving. Look at the headlamp lenses too. They get sand blasted over time also.

I really doubt the warranty will cover the windshield. If falls under the comprehesive coverage with your auto insurance policy.

I had a new windshield put in almost a year ago. I have no idea what brand, but I notice no difference in wind noise and have no problems with water leaks. I think some people are just to sensitive to wind noise. How often does someone drive thier car in silence. That is the only time I can hear any wind noise and that is almost never.

Sorry to hear about your windshield but it falls under "Sh!t Happens" Column. ;):
 
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Exact same thing happened to me. There was only the slightest nick in the glass from where a rock, or something had struck my windshield. OEM glass & it was about 4 years old. The nick was nothing worth having repaired at all & it was not even noticeable. Well, one of those rare winter storms hit Atlanta and I hit the defroster. While at a red light I watched the windshield crack right before my eyes. It started in the center at the nick & ran all the way to the outer edges in about 5 seconds.

Has nothing to do with the glass. Just bad luck.
 
What is the big deal about the 2006 Windshield????? I guess I have missed something.

If I wanted to know if they were interchangeable I would call a large reputable glass shop/chain. Chances are better they have done one or have the data on weather they are interchangeable. You have to have a new one anyway, so make a few phone calls and post back with your results. You may be able to provide us all with some good info.
 
ok, big headaches when trying to get the 2006 windhsheild. so I'm going with a 2003. The glass place is adement on me getting a generic one but I told them that I wanted the OEM. The lady said that the generic one is the same as the OEM because toyota contracts out to glass manufactures for their windsheilds. is she totally BSing me? also does the OEM glass come with the hydrophobic coating? the glass place said that they coat it at the dealership. All of this sounds totally wrong but just wanted to verify.
 
When mine was replaced I asked for OEM glass and it was replaced with OEM glass (Still has the Toyota Stamp and it had a "Made in Japan" stick on it that I removed). I still has the water repelling coating from what I can tell.
 
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