What quality of glass do you use?

Owning a car can be both a privilege and a responsibility. While the allure of the open road might call to you, ensuring that your vehicle remains in peak condition requires commitment. With regular maintenance, not only can you enhance the performance and safety of your car, but you can also extend its lifespan.   Car Maintenance Tips Here are some car maintenance tips to help keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.   1. Regular Oil Changes: The Lifeline of Your Engine Think of engine oil as the blood of your vehicle – it keeps all the parts running smoothly. Over time, the oil can become dirty and lose its efficacy. Regularly changing your oil and oil filter can prevent this. It’s typically recommended to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but always consult your vehicle’s manual.   2. Check and Replace Air Filters Air filters prevent dirt and other pollutants from entering your engine. A clogged filter can hinder performance, decrease fuel efficiency, and increase engine wear. Replace them at least once a year or more often if you drive in dusty conditions.   3. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can cause uneven tire wear, poor handling, decreased fuel efficiency, and even tire failure. Regularly check the tire pressure (including the spare!) and rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure even wear.   4. Check Fluid Levels Beyond engine oil, several other fluids are crucial for your car’s operation, including coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Check these levels regularly, and top up or replace as required. Clean fluids can make a significant difference in performance and longevity.   5. Inspect Brakes Regularly Your brakes are critical for safety. If you notice squeaking, squealing, or if your car pulls to one side when braking, it might be time to replace your brake pads or rotors. Don’t wait; brake problems can escalate if not addressed.   6. Listen to Your Vehicle Over time, you’ll get to know your car’s typical sounds and quirks. If you suddenly hear unusual noises (knocks, pings, or grinding sounds), it’s a sign that something might be amiss. Address these sounds immediately with a mechanic to prevent more significant issues.   7. Keep it Clean It might sound cosmetic, but regularly washing and waxing your car can prevent damage. Dirt and debris can act like sandpaper, wearing down and scratching the paint. Moreover, in areas where salt is used on roads during winter, cleaning is essential to prevent rust.   8. Maintain Battery Health Your battery is the heart of your car’s electrical system. Corrosion or loose cable connections can affect its performance. Regularly inspect your battery, clean terminal posts, and ensure the connections are secure. If your car struggles to start, the battery might be nearing the end of its life.   9. Stick to a Schedule Most vehicle manufacturers provide a recommended maintenance schedule. It outlines when various components should be checked or replaced. By following this timetable, you ensure that parts are replaced before they fail, potentially preventing more costly repairs.   10.Use Quality Replacement Parts Whenever possible, opt for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts or trusted aftermarket brands.   11. Protect Your Car’s Interior The sun’s UV rays can damage your car’s interior over time. Use sunshades, park in the shade, or consider window tinting to protect the interior from excessive heat and sunlight. Additionally, regular vacuuming and cleaning can prevent wear and tear on the seats and floor mats.   12. Address Warning Lights Immediately Modern vehicles come with a host of warning lights on the dashboard. From the check engine light to tire pressure warnings, don’t ignore these alerts. They are your car’s way of letting you know something needs attention.   13. Drive with Care It might be tempting to push your car to its limits, but aggressive driving can result in premature wear and tear. Avoid rapid acceleration, hard stops, and sharp turns. Not only will this improve your car’s longevity, but it also enhances fuel efficiency.   14. Periodically Check Belts and Hoses Your car’s belts and hoses play a vital role in the functioning of the cooling system, air conditioning, power steering, and the electrical charging system. Over time, these can become brittle, loose, or cracked. Regularly inspect them and replace as necessary.   15. Build a Relationship with a Trusted Mechanic Having a mechanic who knows your vehicle’s history can be invaluable. They can provide insights into potential issues and offer preventative maintenance tips specific to your car.   Takeaway Extending the lifespan and performance of your vehicle isn’t merely about saving money; it’s about ensuring safety, reliability, and enjoying the experience of driving your car. By following these maintenance tips, you’re not just caring for your vehicle; you’re also taking a proactive step towards making every drive a pleasure. The open road awaits, and with a well-maintained car, you’re ready for every journey ahead.

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.

It takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to replace the broken windshield or damaged auto glass. We recommend that the vehicle isn’t driven for at least 1 hour after installation to ensure the urethane (glue) has had enough time to dry.