The auto glass industry is unregulated.  What does that mean to you? It means ANYONE can cut into your car.  ANYONE.

Protect your second-largest investment and yourself. Know your installer when getting your windshield replaced.  What does this mean for you? Whether the installer has one minute or 20 years of experience, don’t you want to know who is CUTTING INTO YOUR CAR? 

What do you need to know about your 3rd Party Administrator: the voice you think is your insurance company is NOT your insurance company.

You should know that when you call your insurance company, you are not talking to your insurance company.  As a result, you are talking to the largest auto glass business in the world – Safelite.  Safelite works as the third-party administrator for most insurance companies and has now acquired State Farm.  Insurance companies are paying Safelite to administer your claim. Have you ever called and the person you are talking to refers you to Safelite (which is illegal in Arizona, by the way; you have the right to choose who cuts into your car)??  At this instant, the person you are talking to works for Safelite.

We are the only industry that depends on its competitors for payment.  Awesome, huh?  Not really.  This is why you must choose your local shop.  Get to know your shops by visiting, calling, and asking questions.  We live here, we shop here, and we support you and your family. Be that as it may, YOU have the RIGHT to choose.

Get the facts.  Get the education you need.  You don’t need a lot of broken parts and cuts in your vehicle. Our industry is unregulated! Due to the fact that our industry is unregulated, protect yourself and know your installer when getting your windshield replaced.

Read about exploding glass in your car here: https://adventureautoglass.com/2020/09/14/exploding-car-windows/

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1. Recalibration is Essential

• Many ADAS features, such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, rely on cameras and sensors mounted on or near the windshield.
• After replacing the windshield, these cameras and sensors must be recalibrated to ensure proper functioning.
• Failure to recalibrate can result in inaccurate readings, reduced safety, or even system malfunctions.

2. Types of Recalibration

• Static Recalibration: Done in a controlled environment using specific targets and equipment while the vehicle is stationary.
• Dynamic Recalibration: Requires driving the vehicle at specific speeds and conditions to reset the system.
• Some vehicles require both types of recalibration.

3. OEM vs. Aftermarket Glass – Why Recalibration is Essential

• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Glass: Designed to match factory specifications and ensure compatibility with ADAS systems.
• Aftermarket Glass: It may be cheaper but can sometimes cause camera alignment or sensor accuracy issues.
• Some manufacturers require OEM glass for ADAS to function correctly.

4. Choosing a Certified Repair Shop – We recalibrate!

• Not all auto glass shops can perform ADAS recalibration.
• Look for a certified shop with the necessary equipment and expertise.
• Many dealerships or specialty repair shops handle recalibration in-house.

5. Insurance and Cost Considerations

• Many insurance policies cover windshield replacement and recalibration, but it’s best to confirm with your provider.
• ADAS recalibration adds extra cost to the replacement, sometimes hundreds of dollars, so it’s important to budget accordingly.

6. Signs of Improper Calibration 

After a windshield replacement, watch for:

• Dashboard warning lights related to ADAS.
• Lane departure warnings or collision alerts are activating incorrectly.
• Adaptive cruise control is not functioning as expected.
• Any unusual driving behavior related to driver assistance features.

7. Don’t Skip Calibration – Calibration is Essential!

• Even if your ADAS features appear to be working, even a slight misalignment of a few degrees can compromise safety.
• Proper calibration ensures your vehicle operates as intended and keeps you safe.

You can always follow us on facebook for up to date information: https://www.facebook.com/AdventureGlass

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Repair or Replace – which is it and why does it matter?

We get so many questions every day. A big one is what is the difference between repair and replace?  It’s a great question with an equally great answer.

The Windshield Replacement:  When you have a crack that is longer than a dollar bill or in your direct line of vision; this is called a REPLACEMENT Click replacement to learn more about windshield replacement.

The Chip Repair:   When you have a ding in your windshield that is smaller than a quarter (we do not fill cracks) is what our industry considers a REPAIR.  Click Repair to learn more about windshield repairWhy does it matter?

When you call an auto glass shop, you need to know what you are asking for.  Most shops do not “repair” cracks; especially those that are longer than a dollar bill.  If you ask for a repair, the customer service representative will tell you that it isn’t doable which can freak out the customer.  Because, after all, why are you saying you don’t “repair” auto glass when you are an auto glass shop?  Make sense?  If you need a replacement, it is helpful if you tell the CSR that is what you want instead of a repair.

Repair:  Chip smaller than a quarter with no legs

Replacement:  Crack longer than a dollar bill – the whole windshield will be removed and replaced.

If you know what you want, your claim will go smoother and you will be much happier.

To clearer days!

The post Do I Need a Repair or Replacement? appeared first on Adventure Autoglass.

We get so many questions every day. A big one is what is the difference between repair and replace?  It’s a great question with an equally great answer.

The Windshield Replacement:  When you have a crack that is longer than a dollar bill or in your direct line of vision; this is called a REPLACEMENT Click replacement to learn more about windshield replacement.

The Chip Repair:   When you have a ding in your windshield that is smaller than a quarter (we do not fill cracks) is what our industry considers a REPAIR.  Click Repair to learn more about windshield repairs.

Why does it matter?

When you call an auto glass shop, you need to know what you are asking for.  Most shops do not “repair” cracks; especially those that are longer than a dollar bill.  If you ask for a repair, the customer service representative will tell you that it isn’t doable which can freak out the customer.  Because, after all, why are you saying you don’t “repair” auto glass when you are an auto glass shop?  Make sense?  If you need a replacement, it is helpful if you tell the CSR that is what you want instead of a repair.

Repair:  Chip smaller than a quarter with no legs

Replacement:  Crack longer than a dollar bill – the whole windshield will be removed and replaced.

If you know what you want, your claim will go smoother and you will be much happier.

To clearer days!

The post What is the Difference Between Repair and Replace? appeared first on Adventure Autoglass.

Their initial thoughts are usually that someone shot the glass (yes, with a gun) or that some pesky neighbor kid must have broken the glass with a rock

While these scenarios are not impossible, in most cases of glass exploding, no one is at fault. The truth of the matter is your glass did spontaneously explode. Why, you ask? Well, the explanation is rather simple.

Why does it “explode”?

All glass in your vehicle is made of safety glass also known as tempered glass. This means when it breaks, it shatters to avoid having large shards of glass cutting passengers. This also means that the glass is also under a certain level of pressure at the molecular level. However, it is still MUCH stronger than regular glass.

“Enough science, what happened!?”

Okay, okay. Here’s what happens. Your car windows or back glass at some point are nicked with a rock. This most likely happens while driving and yes, rocks can kick up and hit the back of your vehicle.

That small nick or chip creates a weakness in the structure of the glass, making it much more susceptible to temperature changes, and other stresses.

So later that week, month, or year, when the temperature inside and outside your vehicle is drastically different or significant stress is placed on the glass, it shatters.

Why doesn’t it just spread and crack like a windshield?

Again, the windshield and the rest of the glass in your vehicle are made slightly differently. The windshield is made of two pieces of glass laminated together. The rest of the glass in your car is one pane of safety glass. The purpose of safety glass is to shatter so that cracks DON’T form, leading to large glass shards.

Sorry to break (no pun intended) the excitement of the exploding glass mystery. Your glass simply exploded because something hit it before, and the stress of the impact caught up with it later when further stress was added.

Even still, your glass insurance will cover the costs to replace the glass and we are happy to replace any glass in your vehicle, regardless of the cause.

Be safe out there!

Author: B. Delamater

Reminder:

We provide windshield repair and replacement service to most of Yavapai County including the greater Prescott & Prescott Valley area as well as the Verde Valley, Sedona, and much more! More questions? Give us a call, we’re happy to help!

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