Unless things have changed since the 4.4, only Toyota can calibrate the camera IIRC, the glass installer would know.

 

In addition to recalibration issues mentioned, the windshield is now a structural part of the front air bag system. There is speculation that aftermarket glass is not as strong as OEM. I would insist on OEM where every you decide to go and even pay out of pocket costs if need be.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Windshield Glass - What's the Difference?

Explore the benefits and drawbacks of both OEM and aftermarket glass for a windshield replacement. Learn which one is the best suited for your vehicle.

info.glass.com

 

That is what I am thinking. Years ago I had SIX windshields on my 1992 camry and the last one was replaced with crap glass. I am going to insist on OEM and yes pay if I have too. I have 35 months left on this lease and don't want problems down the road. Thanks for the heads up.

 

"Unless things have changed since the 4.4, only Toyota can calibrate the camera IIRC, the glass installer would know."
Thanks for that. I am hoping the recalibration will be covered by the full glass policy and not considered a separate charge.

 

you only pay your insurance policy comprehensive deductible no matter where you take it, I would have Toyota fix it, if there is something special about the glass, but you will have longer wait than it being replaced by safeway

 

I traded my 2018 Camry for my Rav4 but it had a cracked windshield I had to replace. I went to the cheaper replacement cost by Glass America. The installation was done well and the glass looked good. The glass was made by Pilkington. I was not told about the recalibration of the camera. They had no info on their website about recalibrations. When I went to drive my car I had a Pre-collision system failure error. I took it to the dealer for recalibration and it was $220. I still saved a little money but lost that in the time taken for additional trips. This tech was all new to me and I learned something. If a manufacturer defect , by all means, take it back to the dealer. Here is a little info from Safelite site about the recalibration of the camera.

 

Crap, got a rock chip in my windshield while driving on the highway. Drove my past Rav4 for 12 years on countless miles of gravel roads and this never happened before. Is the new glass more susceptible to damage? Do I need to get his fixed? It's a small ding maybe an eighth of an inch.

 

Chips are best fixed soon, otherwise the cracks on the chip can grow, also dirt gets into the "wound" and isn't as easily repaired, most insurance companies would rather pay for a chip repair than an entire windshield replacement. Those I've had done left a tiny spot than was barely noticeable.

Windshield Repair | Cracked Auto Glass & Window Repair | Safelite

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Agree with Quickdtoo. Safelite and other auto glass specialists use an expoxy resin to fill in the windshield chip mark and so prevent the glass from developing cracks, which often happens with windshield chip areas as the glass expands and contracts slightly with temperature changes. We drove one vehicle with such a repair for years without having to replace the windshield. Insurance had paid for the repair.

 

Agree with Quickdtoo. Safelite and other auto glass specialists use an epoxy resin to fill in the windshield chip mark and so prevent the glass from developing cracks, which often happens with windshield chip areas as the glass expands and contracts slightly with temperature changes. We drove one vehicle with such a repair for years without having to replace the windshield. Insurance had paid for the repair.

So my only issue with Safelite and the epoxy resin. I had a Honda Pilot that had gotten 3 chips on a road trip all with in a foot of each other. To apply the epoxy the tech has to apply pressure and it caused a crack to form between 2 of the chips. I was warned before he applied the epoxy and told if it does crack the tech inst liable for it.

 

I had a similar experience with a large rock that almost came thru the drivers side at eye level.

Our insurance company ok'ed the extra expense for the OEM relacement windshield and we had Safelite replace the windshield. ... They obtained the OEM windshield from the Toyota dealer about 1/4 mile away, ... They also had recently invested in the required calibration equipment for the new Toyota vehicles (and other manufactures).

After 6 months & 8,000 more miles, everything works fine with no problems with any of the camera and radar related electronics that were related to the calibration process.

 

About 2 days ago with 50 miles on the dash I got a chip/crack about 3in long. Today it cracked more to about 1foot. Will try to get aftermarket compared to OEM.

 

Had a windshield on one vehicle replaced with aftermarket glass, which was much more prone than OEM to getting weird pitting from even very small bits thrown up by other vehicles. After a couple of years it was almost impossible to see through the aftermarket glass in sunshine.

 

I also agree with Quickdtoo we all should get Safelite to fix the chips immediately so they do not expand like yours and result in a very expensive replacement. Safelite will come right to your home or place of employment and it does not cost a dime if you go through your insurance company. You also should purchase the OEM replacement windshield from safelite or toyota. Most safelites now install the OEM replacement and have the camera calibration instrumentation, but you may have to take it to Safelite.Last resort, pay the dealer to do the calibration.

 

The angle of this windshield must be prone to harder hits...
First week of owning I had a chip filled at Safelite (unsure if it was there before purchase or my own doing). This Friday I received a nasty chip from a car in an adjacent lane of a clean highway. It didn't sound like a big rock, I've heard much worse, but holy it hit deep... Thought about dropping my plans and getting it filled but figured it could wait till Monday. Sunday morning I woke up to a crack spanning half the windshield. Good stuff.

This is just a friendly reminder to get those chips filled as quick as you can.

 

Since 2003 I've had three windshields replaced on three different cars, one being my 08 RAV Limited. I found out there are three different grades of windshields used by aftermarket sellers/installers. The cheapest is what some dealers and used car lots generally use. It's the lowest quality. The midgrade (on my RAV) is a step up and considerably higher quality. OEM is the most expensive and top quality.

The midgrade on my RAV has not suffered any pitting or distortion at all. I went with it due to a $500 deductible for my insurance. It required paying out of pocket but it was still reasonable pricewise. OEM required a lengthy wait for ordering/receiving the product and the cost was beyond my reach. If your insurance will cover OEM with a reasonable deductible then go that way. Especially true with the new(er) cars.

 

Thank you for this insight. Just set my appointment through USAA / the Safelite online claim center and there was a single windshield option. $750 ($510 P/L & $250 calibration). I called to verify and it indeed defaulted to an aftermarket, so I was able to request an OEM by phone instead. They didn't know full price but it was a $1000 deductible for me in either case, so I'll gladly spend $250 more for the long term peace of mind. This is not something I would have caught if I hadn't read this this morning!

 

I went a cheaper route. Had a small local company fill in the 20" crack, cost $100. It's still visible but certainly lesser and won't spread. Time will tell.
Just sharing this information in case anyone is contemplating an expensive full window replace as I was.

 

My fears are not the windshield themself but the installation process or should I say removal process, Having been in the car repair business over 40 years ,I have seen a lot of cars developping rust problems under the windshield caused by the paint being damaged ( read scratched ) while cutting the epoxy holding the windshield in place. This is a long time issue as it might not show up for years

 

My fears are not the windshield themself but the installation process or should I say removal process,

Windshield not properly installed is also prone to leaks. For a new vehicle, best to go with the pros.

 

Could be an issue with some replacements, but our 2010 Honda CR-V had a Safelite windshield replacement done about 2012 and have had no problems with rust or otherwise so far (2020). Only note is that the OEM windshield met Euro standards but the replacement does not (no Euro number on glass).

 

I live in SE Louisiana for past 25 years and have had my windshield replace by Safelite on many of my vehicles and never had a rust issue.

 

I worked in a dealership for 40 yrs, the number of cars that a normal person owns in a lifetime is what I could see in 1hr LOL. I did see quite some cars with rust issue under the windshield and some with the rust so swollen it caused the windshield to crack, But I have to say that I am in Quebec Canada with cold, snow and lots of salt for road deicing.

 

I own a 2002 Jeep and had a 2006 Hyundai Sante Fe up till I got the 2019 RAV4 and bohh had the windshield replaced more times than I can count by Safelie with no rust issues in SE Louisiana. I mention my location since rust issues may depend on location and/or the vehicle.I used to live in Philadelphia where the roads and highways are covered with rock salt in the winter when they were exposed to freezing rain and snow and all my vehicles developed rust. I keep my vehicles till they die and all starting from engine problems more so than rust. 18 year old Jeep and 13 year old Sant Fe each wit about 150,000 miles were longest survivors and with no rust. I am obviously over age 65 and married over 41 years to same woman and owned many vehicles.since I was 18 years old.

 

These windshields are SOFT! I scratched the glass with a razor blade cleaning of heavy sticky bug goo. Was not impressed with that.

Also to me the Pros are the guys that install windshields over and over and over as a daily part of their job. Not once in a while.