Too many systems depend upon the correct windshield here - the rain-sensing wipers and the automatic brake-pedal spiker thingie, which already seems a little too eager...I'd go for the OEM glass, for sure.
Sorry to hear we weren’t able to help you out this time, Mike. Our company culture emphasizes customer service, so unreturned phone calls is not our normal practice. We’ll certainly look into what caused the issue so that it doesn’t happen again. Thanks for being a repeat customer… we’re happy you like the online accounts and hope you’ll come back to us if you have a future need for vehicle glass repair or replacement. - Safelite's PR Manager Melina Metzger
I'm curious. I realize that its a BIG crack, but given the very high replacement price, was there not a way to repair it? Even if its a 5 hour job @ $75 per hour, that's still half the cost of replacing it.
Also, would insurance not cover the cost typically? My parents, in Florida, by law (I believe) have a $0 deductible on all windshields. I've considered calling insurance in the past, but its always been cheaper/smarter to not. Was this not an option?
Rain-sensing wipers don't need special glass, as such, but they need a windshield that has an optical sensor embedded in it or right on it and senses the diffraction within the glass caused by water droplets on the surface of the glass. I don't know why the brake-spiker thingie needs special glass. Maybe it needs glass that is more resistant to breakage from objects that hit it from INSIDE the car, when it slams the brakes on for no good reason.
I've had nothing but a headache with getting my CX-5 GT Tech windshield replaced. Called Safelite, which on attempt #1, didn't show up and told me my appointment must have gotten deleted. Attempt #2, they brought a windshield with only the rain sensor opening. Attempt #3, they brought what appeared to be the correct windshield, only to get it out and find out the Lidar sensor bracket for the city braking was incorrect. The Safelite technician had to swap the bracket over and re-glue it which didn't leave the entire bracket flush to the windshield as it should. We moved along with the install anyway. during the re install, the technician broke the cover to the sensors so I'm left with a rigged cover that isn't flush to the windshield and moves around. Well if that wasn't enough, get this......My wife and I have put 62k miles on this car since bought new and not once has the city braking feature activated. But the day after install, guess what.....the car slams on the brakes with no car in front of us. I was able to get it to activate multiple times pulling up to a traffic light. Needless to say, I'm not happy and wont let my wife drive the car given someone may rear end her as the car likes to randomly slam on the brakes to a stop.
Comments
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-5/2014/long-term-road-test/2014-mazda-cx-5-cracked-windshield-commentspage.html#comments
I guess conveniences like rain sensors have a large cost associated with them.
dont some insurances cover this??