Windscreen replacement on a modern car

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 09:00
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - badbusdriver

Reading through the long term test reports in November's Top Gear magazine, i came upon the report for the Jag F-Pace being run by Paul Horrel. It centres round something which i'd never really thought about, that of the sensors/cameras/radars, or whatever, most cars have at the top of the widscreen, and specifically, that they need to be re-aimed or re-calibrated during the replacement of the screen. Not only does there seem to be some difficulty in some cases arranging for the work to be done, with windscreen fitters only able to do certain parts of the job, the rest needing to be done by a dealer, but there also seems to be some debate as to how this should be done!.

The jist seemed to be (certainly regarding the F-Pace), Auto Windscreens would fit the screen, but wouldn't do the re-calibration because it is a franchised dealer job, but franchised dealers don't change the screens. So you need to line up the two appointments.

As for the re-calibration, this seemed to require a technician to drive the car for 20 mins, during which time it must go above 40mph. But some windscreen companies, including Autoglass, say this is not neccessary, simply aim the camera at a static target. Where it gets a bit murky though, is that for this method to work properly, apparently the tyre pressures and wheel alignment need to be spot on, and the car needs to be on a smooth flat and level surface. Could be tricky to do this on your drive then?.

May not be a huge issue to forum members, many of whom seem to regard such systems with scorn and mistrust, but for the type of driver who relies heavily on the tech, not having the re-calibration done properly, could result in accidents.

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 09:25
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Andrew-T

I remain blissfully unaware of these modern developments, but I can imagine how they might serve a useful purpose for HGV drivers and the like. However I guess they may be a vital part of an autonomous car's system, so a replaced screen on one of those might be a disaster?

Recently my elderly 205 had a full repaint, and I asked the guys not to take the screen out (which they had intended to do). So they got the old piece of string round under the rubber seal and painted up to that. The old methods have their advantages ....

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 09:48
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - badbusdriver

I remain blissfully unaware of these modern developments, but I can imagine how they might serve a useful purpose for HGV drivers and the like. However I guess they may be a vital part of an autonomous car's system, so a replaced screen on one of those might be a disaster?

Recently my elderly 205 had a full repaint, and I asked the guys not to take the screen out (which they had intended to do). So they got the old piece of string round under the rubber seal and painted up to that. The old methods have their advantages ....

Had!, I remember removing the windscreen from a Saab 99 to deal with a rust patch. Taking it out required going round the rubber seal on the inside with a large flat screwdriver pushing it over the metal flange, then positioning myself in the car with my feet against the screen, pushing firmly but gently with someone on the outside to catch it if it popped right out!. Then refitting it with the string round the rubber, with someone pushing from the outside. Them was the days!.

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 10:03
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Leif

All these toys are no more than factory-installed faults. Best avoided IMO. There is a reason high end cars are unreliable. My loan car has sensors that trigger a beeping if I go over the lines at the side of the road. Now quite often such as when overtaking cars parked at the side of the road I want to go over the lines, to avoid a door that is opened in my path. This toy is best disabled.

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 13:13
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Ethan Edwards

I'm very aware of this. It's cost me £200ish in November - from my own pocket to get the lane departure camera reset by the dealer. You could try claiming it from your Insurer. Insurer did pay for the screen itself (Autoglass fitted it) ..and it was an OEM one too. 68plate Swift 1litre turbo. Love the car though.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=127211

Since these are going to be fitted to all new cars I don't think you'll be able to avoid them for much longer. As the OP says two appointments and you lose the car for several hours.

Dealer themselves were first class.

Edited by Ethan Edwards on 15/01/2019 at 13:16

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 13:29
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Engineer Andy

This sort of thing sounds like a nice little post-sales earner for dealerships, alongside repairing and replacing pothole-damaged bling wheels and tyres, headlight aiming mechanisms and LED light clusters.

My local wants upwards of £150 to replace the entire FL fog lamp just because the lens is cracked. I could try and buy an 'unofficial' part (just the lens and cover (not the whole lamp fitting), but given so many are cheapo knock-offs (this one only available via Ebay and whoever selling it does have a great command of English) abound that might not fit (no refunds if that is the case, apparently), I might have to bite the bullet, all for something, 20-30+ years ago would cost a few quid for a glass or plastic lens and a couple of screws/bolts that I might be able to affix myself. Now I have to take the bumper off and part of the wheel well.

Modern kit in cars is just a rip-off, like buying cheap computer printers and getting fleeced for replacement ink.

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 17:29
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Andrew-T

My local wants upwards of £150 to replace the entire FL fog lamp just because the lens is cracked. I could try and buy an 'unofficial' part (just the lens and cover ...

I suppose if your car is not absolutely the latest thing, something might be available from a specialist scrappy? Nice little earner for them too.

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 18:34
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Senexdriver
I am aware of the complications of replacing modern windscreens as I drive an Audi, although mine doesn’t have any of the radar dependent tech. What it does have, however, is an acoustic windscreen and I understand from other owners that the windscreen replacement companies don’t all carry them and some fitters have never heard of them so the chances are a replacement would be a vanilla screen. The car is extremely quiet in motion but I have no idea how much of that is due to the windscreen.
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Tue 15 Jan 2019 18:46
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Andrew-T
.... an acoustic windscreen ....

Are you sure there aren't speakers built into it somewhere ?

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 19:05
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - badbusdriver
.... an acoustic windscreen ....

Are you sure there aren't speakers built into it somewhere ?

No, it is an actual thing, scroll down to the bottom of this National Windscreen link on different windscreen types.

www.nationalwindscreens.co.uk/windscreen-features/

Apparently the noise level can be reduced by about 3dB.

Edited by badbusdriver on 15/01/2019 at 19:07

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Tue 15 Jan 2019 20:32
Windscreen replacement on a modern car - Bolt
I am aware of the complications of replacing modern windscreens as I drive an Audi, although mine doesn’t have any of the radar dependent tech. What it does have, however, is an acoustic windscreen and I understand from other owners that the windscreen replacement companies don’t all carry them and some fitters have never heard of them so the chances are a replacement would be a vanilla screen. The car is extremely quiet in motion but I have no idea how much of that is due to the windscreen.

another way is like noise dampening headphones, some cars use a microphone to dampen external noise which I would have thought was cheaper?

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