50s 60s 70s 80s I had few (maybe no) windshield rock breaks, since 90 I have had 4. Are the windshields thinner now?
Are modern windshields thinner?
- Thread starter edwardh1
- Start date
- Status
It's more to do with sharper projectiles on debris-filled highways these days.
j/k.
Q.
j/k.
Q.
Don't know, but in Utah where they use salt, I rarely get a rock hitting the car. In Idaho where they use gravel, I get rocks hitting my car almost every trip.
Also need to consider that back in the days, the speed limit was lower. Then, the cars probably lighter and the tires less grip which make the rock didn't projectile as hard.
ummm, lower? Don't think so, in the 60's/70's I used to drive a LOT faster than now, and so did most everyone else I knew. The glass on the older is thicker. I still have the original windshield on my 70 Lincoln. It has 3 tiny little marks where something hit it.
I think the reason why windhields are breaker faster:
1. They're thinner
2. The aerodynamics/height/slant of the windshields on cars now
3. Amount of traffic (I remember way fewer cars)
4. Manufacturing process of the newer ones
I think the reason why windhields are breaker faster:
1. They're thinner
2. The aerodynamics/height/slant of the windshields on cars now
3. Amount of traffic (I remember way fewer cars)
4. Manufacturing process of the newer ones
That 55MPH national mandatory speed limit was a product of the 70s oil crisis. Prior to that, only two states had maximum Interstate speed limits lower than 65MPH, and many including Virginia had 70MPH or even 75MPH.
Speed limit were HIGHER "back in the days".
Source: http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/sl-attud/chart.html (hasn't been updated since 1997)
Speed limit were HIGHER "back in the days".
Source: http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/sl-attud/chart.html (hasn't been updated since 1997)
JHZR2
Staff member
Softer junk Mexican/Chinese glass.
It would seem that the modern windshield would be less vulnerable to damage because it is less upright for aerodynamic purposes (air flows more smoothly, projectiles are more easily deflected and impart less force- think armored vehicles). Could be a statistically insignificant sample size
Yes they are thinner.
Oh, one other reason:
...
5. Cars rear wheels are closer to the rear of the car, making kicking a rock up easier. The old big boats of the 60's had a LOT of metal, plus a huge wheel well that caught most of the chips. Another thing I notice is that my 70 Mk III hardly gets dirty at all when driving in wet weather - i think because of the size of the wheel wells.
...
5. Cars rear wheels are closer to the rear of the car, making kicking a rock up easier. The old big boats of the 60's had a LOT of metal, plus a huge wheel well that caught most of the chips. Another thing I notice is that my 70 Mk III hardly gets dirty at all when driving in wet weather - i think because of the size of the wheel wells.
I would agree that I too have suffered more glass problems recently than in the distant past, but I'm not sure you can attribute it to the glass. Speeds today are much lower in most states than they were in the past. My grandfather told me about crossing Arizona or Nevada (can't remember which) at 100 mph in one of his Thunderbirds just to say he did it. I wonder if modern cars being more aerodynamic means that instead of pushing a big wall of air in front of the car the air more closely follows the car's shape. That would allow objects to not be deflected by the air mass ahead of the car.
Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
Oh, one other reason:
...
5. Cars rear wheels are closer to the rear of the car, making kicking a rock up easier. The old big boats of the 60's had a LOT of metal, plus a huge wheel well that caught most of the chips. Another thing I notice is that my 70 Mk III hardly gets dirty at all when driving in wet weather - i think because of the size of the wheel wells.
Very interesting observation. I remember when I was young, the rocks would actually hit the bottom of the car. My grandma called them "jumping rocks".
Oh, one other reason:
...
5. Cars rear wheels are closer to the rear of the car, making kicking a rock up easier. The old big boats of the 60's had a LOT of metal, plus a huge wheel well that caught most of the chips. Another thing I notice is that my 70 Mk III hardly gets dirty at all when driving in wet weather - i think because of the size of the wheel wells.
Very interesting observation. I remember when I was young, the rocks would actually hit the bottom of the car. My grandma called them "jumping rocks".
Thickness of the windshield depends on the individual model of car. If you buy a luxury car, it will be thicker than that of a standard car to block out noise.
Also, changes in the chemistry of the glass can have an effect on durability.
Also, changes in the chemistry of the glass can have an effect on durability.
Windshield on the Fit is awfully soft...it is huge to begin with and every little rock hit results in a chip...I see this getting replaced in less than 50K (less than 2 years for me)
Goose
Goose
Well I replaced my windshield 2x and ready for third time in my GMC. Glass angle has to be it! My 23 y.o. Old's windshield has been pounded by debris, rocks & they just bounce off. The angle must be 60*_+. Or they still had thick glass back then.
At least my GMC spidered down, so I'm not gonna replace, since the crack is on the passenger side. Unless a cop say replace it. I bet I'll be hit again. All 3x by a simi throwing a rock or ashfault from weak pavement. I saw the last one, even ducked under the steering wheel, HAHA. That one was loud. Glad I wasn't on my Harley.
At least my GMC spidered down, so I'm not gonna replace, since the crack is on the passenger side. Unless a cop say replace it. I bet I'll be hit again. All 3x by a simi throwing a rock or ashfault from weak pavement. I saw the last one, even ducked under the steering wheel, HAHA. That one was loud. Glad I wasn't on my Harley.
Modern cars "twist" more than the old-school metal hogs; turning a tiny chip into a crack that otherwise may have not. They are also a bit thinner.
I do wonder just how "soft" they can be, as the windshield is a structural part of the car..
I do wonder just how "soft" they can be, as the windshield is a structural part of the car..
I was watching a "How it's Made" on Windshields - the two panes of glass that they used to sandwich the layer of plastic were soooo thin! You can watch the episode on Netflix.
When you get one replaced it sure does make a difference if they put cheap imported glass or good quality glass back in. My sister and brother in law run an auto glass business (Fleet Glass Services) and they get a L O T more issues with the Mexican/Chinese stuff.
- Status
