Windshield replacement question

[CynicCE]

So a big ol' rock kicked up and threw a nice spiderweb crack in the windshield. I'm feeling like I should be pretty insistent on oem glass considering the camera and sensors involved. Anyone else have experience with other windshields or have a strong opinion one way or another? 15k on the car and i'm not super excited about having to replace the glass already but what do ya do?

Sponsored

 

[tbrumleve]

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/windshield-replacement.29988/

 

[CynicCE]

Thank you! I tried searching and it wasnt giving me great results.

 

[Teslaeata]

I’ve had a non OE screen for c85,000 miles with no issues whatsoever.

 

[Gratefulone420]

I insisted on OEM when my insurance and safelife said after market. After a few phone calls I got them to go with OEM

 

[Meisey]

I had mine replaced a few years ago at Safelite. They did a phenomenal job and did all of the electronic hook ups and tests.

 

[Red Hawk]

So a big ol' rock kicked up and threw a nice spiderweb crack in the windshield. I'm feeling like I should be pretty insistent on oem glass considering the camera and sensors involved. Anyone else have experience with other windshields or have a strong opinion one way or another? 15k on the car and i'm not super excited about having to replace the glass already but what do ya do?

So sorry that happened! I got an insurance claim. My insurer wanted me to use Safelight and their tech came out in a very reasonable window (ha!) of time. He used a third-party windshield. The tech kept me updated by text every step in the process. He did a quick drive to calibrate the camera settings. I've had no troubles.

Also, I asked about using the OEM windshield and my insurance was dragging their feet on approval. Insurance also tried to have me pay for the difference between the two. So I just said do the third-party.

 

[auiotour]

Had mine replaced a few months ago, told them I needed OEM due to all the sensors. They replaced it with OEM .

 

[Tims32Ford]

While not a Mach-e, I just had the windshield in my BMW X3 replaced at Safelite. (The X3 has all the same capability, HUD, rain sensing wipers, etc). The BMW forum was full of horror stories about having the wrong windshield installed. What is important to know, is that OEM does not necessarily mean from Ford…PILKINGTON makes much of the glass for the manufacturers, including the X3 (they are assembled somewhere in Alabama). You can just specify Pilkington OEM…MUCH cheaper than a windshield from Ford…it just won’t say “Ford” on the glass.

 

[CynicCE]

While not a Mach-e, I just had the windshield in my BMW X3 replaced at Safelite. (The X3 has all the same capability, HUD, rain sensing wipers, etc). The BMW forum was full of horror stories about having the wrong windshield installed. What is important to know, is that OEM does not necessarily mean from Ford…PILKINGTON makes much of the glass for the manufacturers, including the X3 (they are assembled somewhere in Alabama). You can just specify Pilkington OEM…MUCH cheaper than a windshield from Ford…it just won’t say “Ford” on the glass.

I just didnt want some cheap pile of a windshield without ir or soundscreen. Good to know about the brand! Thanks!

 

[Vgkfan]

I had mine done by safelite a while back, and if irc had to ask for oem. I believe later I found out it wasn’t necessary. The cable being connected was more important, as they were very touchy the first couple of years. . I’m thinking they probably fixed that in later models.

 

[WR221]

My 2021 MME had similar damage. Safelite quoted a replacement cost over my $1K comprehensive deductible and would not guarantee an OEM windshield. I had the independent shop that previously did the warranty reseal work do the job including calibrations using an OEM windshield for $950. Look around. It is a special windshield that filters half the solar spectrum that would otherwise heat up the car.

 

[B177y]

When our 2023 MME arrived at Carvana for our pickup date, it had a cracked windshield. Carvana paid for a replacement at Safelite. The new windshield is not OEM, but it has the IR and sound insulation labels on it. All of the sensors and cameras are calibrated by Safelite tech before they return the car to you. No problems and plenty of rainy drives since the replacement about 4 months ago.

 

[BatteriesIncluded]

I only want to add this for others, it is possible to repair some cracks (maybe not this one). I believe the rule before was if it is smaller than a dollar bill it can be repairable.

That being said, I had a crack fixed and I don't think the guy did a good job. He was talking to someone of the phone with a hand occupied with his phone a lot of the time. In the end you can still see part of the crack. It looks like he needed a little more glue at one part but I'm not the expert. It was like $75 vs. out of pocket for a replacement glass. I can live with still seeing it a bit. I don't really notice it when driving but it is still noticeable.

 

[rhougey]

When our 2023 MME arrived at Carvana for our pickup date, it had a cracked windshield. Carvana paid for a replacement at Safelite. The new windshield is not OEM, but it has the IR and sound insulation labels on it. All of the sensors and cameras are calibrated by Safelite tech before they return the car to you. No problems and plenty of rainy drives since the replacement about 4 months ago.

If your windshield is labeled SoundScreen, it is two layers of thin glass with an air layer in between. Ford and others might dispute with me on this, but I believe that the outer layer of glass, being thinner, is more fragile than a solid full thickness windshield. If your glass is cracked by a rock it is likely only the outer pane. I don’t know how much sound reduction is achieved this way, but I’ve had mine replaced with OEM once when the car was fairly new, and then it got cracked again not too long after. I glued the new crack myself with a kit, and although I can still see it, it has not traveled, it’s been that way for three years now, and I’m not gonna pay the deductible to get it fixed until it’s worse. And I might get solid glass next time. I think the SoundScreen is too fragile.

Sponsored