Toyotas: a magnet for windshield cracks

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There *must* be something about the windshields

I had my 11 T4R LE for a week or two when bing, a little rock struck the windshield and left a "star". A few weeks later I was turning into a driveway with a steep incline, and CRACK, about halfway up the windshield (due to flex in the vehicle I guess) right through the star.

I do not drive the 4R any different than any of the other cars I have now or have had, in fact, I almost certainly drive it slower than my souped up 98 BMW M Roadster, my factory racing Porsche 944 Turbo Cup car or (ahem) my Ford Focus. Because of tickets, I had to get rid of my M5, and because of maintenance headaches I had to get rid of my X5. I had the 02 M5 for 4 years, the X5 3-4 years, I've owned the M roadster since new (15 years), the Porsche for 4 years, and so on and so on.

****** I have NEVER had a crack in any windshield. The Porsche had a big star in it when I bought it, and it still does, and I've even driven it on the track at 150MPH+ several times. The roadster just got a big start within the last year, and no crack. *******

I can't believe I just got unlucky this time, but it is certainly possible. I really think the glass is just not as tough as what I'm used to.

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Just sayin.

 

[CraigRoberts]

Would something like the hood bug deflector help protect against windshield chips?

 

[Narkhelek]

Would something like the hood bug deflector help protect against windshield chips?

Hasn't helped me. I've had about 5-6 chips repaired so far.

 

[Jeremy556]

I had my 11 T4R LE for a week or two when bing, a little rock struck the windshield and left a "star". A few weeks later I was turning into a driveway with a steep incline, and CRACK, about halfway up the windshield (due to flex in the vehicle I guess) right through the star.

I do not drive the 4R any different than any of the other cars I have now or have had, in fact, I almost certainly drive it slower than my souped up 98 BMW M Roadster, my factory racing Porsche 944 Turbo Cup car or (ahem) my Ford Focus. Because of tickets, I had to get rid of my M5, and because of maintenance headaches I had to get rid of my X5. I had the 02 M5 for 4 years, the X5 3-4 years, I've owned the M roadster since new (15 years), the Porsche for 4 years, and so on and so on.

****** I have NEVER had a crack in any windshield. The Porsche had a big star in it when I bought it, and it still does, and I've even driven it on the track at 150MPH+ several times. The roadster just got a big start within the last year, and no crack. *******

I can't believe I just got unlucky this time, but it is certainly possible. I really think the glass is just not as tough as what I'm used to.

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Just sayin.

Compare the angle of the windshield to your other vehicles. I'm sure 1engineer will be along shortly with the formulas to calculate PSI based on debris mass, relative speed, and windshield angle.

 

[rebelbowtie]

I went to swat at a fly and hit the windshield and put a crack in it with my wedding ring. Windshields in these things suck ass.

 

[Jeremy556]

Would something like the hood bug deflector help protect against windshield chips?

No. Anything with enough mass to cause a windshield chip will have a hearty laugh and only gain confidence based on the pathetic aerodynamics of a bug disorienter.

 

[Jeremy556]

I went to swat at a fly and hit the windshield and put a crack in it with my wedding ring. Windshields in these things suck ass deductibles.

:wink2:

 

[rebelbowtie]

:wink2:

Why did you edit my post?

 

[harper7]

I went to swat at a fly and hit the windshield and put a crack in it with my wedding ring. Windshields in these things suck ass.

You have a 4th Gen......completely different windshield and raked back alot more so they aren't as bad as 5th Gens .
Now , FJ's and their almost straight vertical windshields when they aren't lifted are the really bad ones.

 

[Jeremy556]

Why did you edit my post?

Just trying to add humor, sarcasm, and fun to the thread

 

[rebelbowtie]

You have a 4th Gen......completely different windshield and raked back alot more so they aren't as bad as 5th Gens .
Now , FJ's and their almost straight vertical windshields when they aren't lifted are the really bad ones.

True, but the fact that it chipped with my wedding ring hitting the windshield is kinda sad.

 

[doberman_baby]

bump.

2 cracked replacement windshields on the 2010 over an 11 month period. My previous 3rd gen had no issues w/ rocks hitting the windshield.
The 5th gen must be a rock magnet.:mmph:

 

[rick.deckard]

On my FJs I had two cracked windshields in less than a year. No problems so far with the 4Runners.

 

[WCVanHorne]

Glad for this support group thread!

I can attest that the 5th generation styling not only leads to the aerodynamics of a brick (the posted highway numbers are a joke and I actually often get better mileage in town than on the highway) but also leads to the windshield being a rock magnet. For some reason I have a cluster of 5 just below, and to the driver's side, of the rear view mirror. The hood deflector does nothing for rocks (might protect the hood lip a bit) and seems to be useless for bugs too; pretty though.