Is a car side mirror expensive?

Before we delve into the finer details, let’s clarify what an OEM windshield implies. OEM, an acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer, indicates that the windshield was produced by the same company responsible for your vehicle’s original windshield.   Significance of OEM Windshields The value of OEM windshields is immense. When you install an OEM windshield in your vehicle, you’re opting for a glass piece specifically tailored for your car’s brand and model. This is identical to the windshield that was initially installed during the vehicle’s production. Here’s why OEM windshields carry such importance: Perfect Compatibility: OEM windshields are created to align exactly with the original windshield’s specifications, assuring a flawless fit and thereby enhancing the vehicle’s structural solidity. Superior Safety: Windshields are integral to a vehicle’s overall safety, particularly during mishaps. OEM windshields are engineered to fragment in a particular manner to minimize passenger injuries and also facilitate the effective deployment and functioning of passenger-side airbags. High Quality and Longevity: OEM windshields undergo stringent testing and meet high-quality criteria. They generally provide better transparency, fewer distortions, and a higher resistance to impacts and severe weather conditions than their aftermarket equivalents. Maintaining Functionality: If your car is equipped with advanced attributes like rain sensors, heads-up displays, or advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), an OEM windshield will guarantee these systems work as designed. Aftermarket windshields may not always be compatible with these cutting-edge features. Value Preservation: Employing OEM components, including windshields, can aid in preserving your vehicle’s resale value. Prospective buyers frequently seek vehicles that retain original parts.   While the initial cost of an OEM windshield might be higher compared to its aftermarket counterpart, it can prevent potential issues in the future. It offers assurance that you have the most suitable windshield for your vehicle, providing optimum safety, performance, and comfort.   Recognizing an OEM Replacement Windshield So, how can you determine if your replacement windshield is OEM? If you’ve just replaced your windshield, you might be pondering how to ascertain if your new windshield is an OEM product. Identifying an OEM windshield can be relatively simple, due to several indicative signs. Here are some ways to verify if your replacement windshield is OEM:   Check Manufacturer’s Marks: OEM windshields commonly feature a unique marking or logo typically etched into a corner. These manufacturer’s marks could include the logo, the brand name, or specific codes. Look for these marks first. If they match your vehicle’s brand, it’s likely an OEM windshield.   Inspect the Windshield Fit: A seamless fit is another trait of an OEM windshield. OEM windshields are crafted to the precise specifications of the car model, assuring a perfect fit without gaps or inconsistencies. If your windshield fits your vehicle perfectly and seamlessly, it could be an OEM product.   Inspect the Glass Quality: The glass quality in OEM windshields typically surpasses that of aftermarket products. Examine the windshield from various angles for distortions. If you don’t see any waviness and the glass clarity is superb, it’s likely an OEM windshield.   Consult the Auto Glass Company: If still uncertain, feel free to ask the company that conducted your windshield replacement. A trustworthy company will readily confirm whether they installed an OEM or aftermarket windshield.   Remember, installing an OEM windshield in your vehicle ensures top-notch safety, perfect fit, and superior quality. Hence, it’s always beneficial to confirm its genuineness.   Ultimately, determining whether your replacement windshield is OEM can offer reassurance and secure your safety. Remember, never compromise on quality when it comes to your vehicle. Auto Glass America excels in providing high-quality OEM windshields, ensuring a perfect fit, superior durability, and optimal safety, all supported by professional installation and outstanding customer service.

Windshield frost is a major issue for drivers in winter. Dealing with it is not just annoying, but driving with a windshield frost cover is genuinely risky. Without a frozen car windshield, you would have a clear view and thus reduce the risks while driving.   With that as a premise, here are some windshield frost prevention tips for you to keep the frost from settling on your car.   Understanding Windshield Frost Frost is simply a layer of condensed ice crystals. Usually, during winter, moisture in the air cools and condenses to form frost on your vehicle’s windshield. This phenomenon is particularly observed when you park your car in the open overnight. The critical factors regarding frost formation are environment, humidity, and temperature.   5 Best Ways to Prevent Windshield Frost 1. Get the Windshield Covered You can cover your windshield with a windshield cover. The cover will act as a barrier between your windshield and moisture. In case, you don’t possess a windshield cover, use a thick blanket or a tarp to do the trick. You can use your car doors to secure the covering over your windshield.   2. Park in a Shed You can park in your garage or locate a shed to park your car. Parking in a shed or garage would save your car from moisture and thus prevent frost formation. On top of that, if your garage is heated, it would negate any possibility of frost formation.   3. Apply Frost Guard Sprays In sync with their name, frost guard sprays can guard against frost formation on your vehicle’s windshield. You can use it in the evening to introduce a micro protective layer on the glass windshield that protects your windshield from frost formation.   4. Use a Water and Vinegar Solution To create the water and vinegar solution, you need to mix water and vinegar in the proportion of 1:3. Then, spray the solution on your vehicle’s windshield in the evening. The vinegar would lower the water’s freezing point, hence decreasing the probability of a frozen car windshield.   5. Use an Alcohol and Water Mixture Another economical homemade solution would be to mix alcohol with water in a ratio of 2:1. You just have to spray this solution on your windshield in the evening. It would lower the freezing point, thus preventing ice formation on the glass.   5 Additional Tips for Dealing with Windshield Frost 1. Properly Defrost Your Windshield To avoid any serious damage, you should defrost the windshield frost properly. You can start by turning on the defrost setting. It would let warm air melt the ice layer on your windshield gradually.   Remember, do not pour hot water directly on the windshield. The sudden spike in temperature may crack the glass.   2. Invest in a Quality Ice Scraper To remove windshield frost, use only a good ice scraper. It will efficiently remove frost. You should look for scrapers with a sturdy blade and a comfortable grip. Besides, you may opt for the ones that come with built-in brushes. This will aid you in cleaning the snow before the frost.   3. Warm the Car Before Driving To ensure the effective working of the defrost system, you should heat your vehicle before driving. This will serve a dual purpose – melt the frost and prepare your vehicle’s engine to combat the cold.   4. Check the Windshield Wipers Check whether your windshield wipers are working properly or not. If not, opt for a windshield replacement service. You would have challenges while wiping frost and ice with worn-out wipers.   Without proper cleaning of the windshield frost cover, you may struggle with visibility. Furthermore, while parking overnight, remember to lift your wipers off the windshield to prevent them from getting stuck due to freezing on the glass.   5. Keep Your Windshield Clean A dirty windshield tends to attract frost. Debris and dirt allow moisture to cling to your car’s windshield and facilitate freezing. Hence, to avoid windshield frost prevention, clean your windshield regularly.   During winter, windshield frost prevention is an additional task in your car maintenance to ensure safety and convenience. Some effective ways to avoid windshield frost covers are to use windshield covers, park in a garage, apply frost guard sprays, and use solutions that would hamper ice formation.   Additionally, using proper defrost techniques and maintaining your windshield wipers will allow you to have a clear view and drive safely. Following these tips can prevent windshield frost cover on your car.   A frozen car windshield, if not taken care of as soon as possible, may lead to a cracked windshield. To get a cracked windshield repaired, you should consult a reputed service provider. In Miami, windshield repair providers can be easily found. One such reliable name is Auto Glass America. In case you need a cracked windshield repair, they can certainly aid you in getting it fixed.  

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you get into your vehicle only to find a cracked windshield? Well, then you are one of the millions of car owners who are perplexed by the sudden appearance of a crack in the windshields.   Can a windshield crack on its own? No. There is always a reason for the cracked windshield even though you might feel that it happened spontaneously.      In this article, we will throw light on the numerous factors that might weaken the windshield’s integrity and result in a cracked windshield.  Understanding these causes is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent windshield damage.    Why do windshields crack? Cracked windshields can be caused due to a variety of reasons- both internal and external. Let us look at the obvious and the lesser-known causes that can result in a cracked windshield.   Quality of Glass If your windshield was manufactured with poor-quality glass, there are higher chances for it to crack, even from minor bumps or tension. Make sure you use only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) glasses for your windshields.   Temperature Fluctuations Intense or fluctuating hot or cold weather conditions are one of the most common causes of a cracked windshield. Alternating exposure to heat and cold weather might cause stress on the glass and eventually cause a cracked windshield.    It is best to avoid such extreme temperatures. Hails can also cause cracked windshields due to their impact. To prevent your car from being exposed to extreme weather, cover your car or park it in the shade when it’s hot.    Windshields can also crack if defrosters and car heaters are used regularly. The rapid changes in temperature lead to uneven expansion and contraction of the glass, resulting in cracks. Warm up the car interior before you use the defroster. You can also use the heater and defroster at low settings to prevent such damages.   Improper Installation Windshields can crack due to improper installation. Loosely fit windshields can get damaged due to vibrations when the vehicle is moving, as the frame is not able to support the weight of the windshield adequately. It is a good idea to inspect your windshield periodically to prevent this kind of damage.   Road Debris and Impact This is a very common cause of a cracked windshield. When you are travelling at high speeds, rocks, small pebbles, debris on the road, and stray objects can cause significant damage to the windshields. Despite the small size of the debris, the impact at which it hits your windshield can cause a cracked windshield.   You can drive slowly to minimize the damage caused by these agents.   Structural Weakness A cracked windshield might be due to structural weakness of the windshield. Minute imperfections in your windshield or uneven distribution of stress can cause cracks. A previous poor-quality repair might also impact the structural integrity of the glass. The edges of the windshields are always the weakest and prone to the most damage.   These cracks become visible after enduring repeated stress over time, so addressing small issues rather than letting them become big cracks is advisable.   Investing in high-quality windshields, proper installation, and regular windshield maintenance will help to prevent such cracks.   Stress from Vehicle Movement A cracked windshield can be a result of sudden changes in air pressure while driving through a mountain, tunnel, or a heavy gust of wind. Keep your car windows open while driving through such conditions to equalize the internal and external pressure.   If you were not aware of the cracked windshield till you discovered it, then it probably was induced by the lesser-known causes. Whatever the type of damage, it is better to fix the windshield crack immediately and prevent it from spreading further.   Fixing Your Windshield Crack A cracked windshield can appear out of nowhere and frustrate you. Car windshields don’t crack on their own. There is always a reason behind a cracked windshield.   Moreover, there is no way that you can predict when it can happen. You can either try to avoid getting your windshield cracked through preventive measures or fix the window crack immediately to prevent it from getting worse.     It is important to repair any cracks or chips in your windshield as soon as possible, as it is unsafe to drive with it, and even illegal in some parts of the country.     If you are in Florida for a cracked windshield repair, then Auto Glass America would be your best bet. Auto Glass America is backed by over a decade of experience in windshield replacement and window crack repair.  Contact Florida’s fastest-growing  windshield repair service and restore your cracked windshield to its lost glory.