Rock chip, should I be worried

[talkingevs]

While taking my kids to school this morning I heard something loud pop but didn't see anything. When I got home, I found this chip in the windshield near the edge. It looks bad but the spider marks barely extend into the viewable area.

1) Does this have to repaired or replaced if it doesn't spread at all?

2) What are the costs without insurance (my deductible is high and don't want my monthly amount changing)?

3) This is our third rock chip and most serious we've gotten. Why is the model 3 so prone to rock chips?

4) Can Safelite replace the windshield or does Tesla have to do it? What cost?

 

[lookmanohands]

You can get it rock chip repaired at most auto glass shop for around $50. It will prevent it from further cracking otherwise you will have to replace the whole windshield. You should get it done ASAP.

I got mine done and it’s a very slight dot in the windshield and you can’t really tell that it was chipped.

 

[UncertainTimes]

1. Try to get it repaired. If it can’t it’ll probably need to be replaced at some point.

2&4. Call and ask. Insurance should be through comprehensive so shouldn’t effect your premium.

3. Big windshield and bad luck. Not like the Model 3 has special rock chip and flat tire attractant properties.

 

[AxlxA]

You can fill it with a $10 DIY kit. Or some insurance will pay for such repair free.

I dunno if neveda car insurance is required to have windshield replacement coverage. California does not.

If you do replacement, it's roughly $1000

 

[XLR82XS]

1) If the chip speads/cracks outwards I would repair - yes.
2) Depends on company and state. In FL we get 2 replacements per calendar year - free.
3) Lower quality glass. My Tesla cars have suffered way more chips than my other cars.
4) Depends on local installer.

 

[KenC]

Most definitely have it fixed. It's only $60.

The Model 3 is low, with a low nose, and a huge windshield. It's going to get more hits. More hits means more breakages. The glass is the same as in my BMW. Saint-Gobain Sekurit is probably the biggest supplier of auto glass in the World.

 

[The_Observer]

You should be able to get that fixed, however do it ASAP before the crack becomes too big that it's not fixable.

 

[The_Observer]

A bit off topic, but do tints hinder the glass repair process?

 

[XLR82XS]

A bit off topic, but do tints hinder the glass repair process?

Nope. I have has chips filled with no interruption/damage to the film.

 

[Rockster]

A bit off topic, but do tints hinder the glass repair process?

Yes, but not prohibitively so. My windshield is "tinted" with the virtually clear stuff that blocks UV and IR and when I had a rock chip repaired the guy was about to use a small torch to finish curing the goo that he had forced into the chip. I pointed out the tinting on the inside and suggested that he probably didn't want to apply a torch to the windshield. He sheepishly agreed. He said that the repair would still cure, it would just take longer to do so.

 

[AxlxA]

Yes, but not prohibitively so. My windshield is "tinted" with the virtually clear stuff that blocks UV and IR and when I had a rock chip repaired the guy was about to use a small torch to finish curing the goo that he had forced into the chip. I pointed out the tinting on the inside and suggested that he probably didn't want to apply a torch to the windshield. He sheepishly agreed. He said that the repair would still cure, it would just take longer to do so.

The cure is done by UV... So I have not seen a flame being used

 

[Tron 3]

Check with your insurance carrier, mine fixed a chip for free - because that might save them from having to replace the windshield.

 

[cdswm3]

With those cracks I doubt any repair will last very long. The crack will spread soon.

 

[Rockster]

The cure is done by UV... So I have not seen a flame being used

The company I used definitely used a flame as their final step. I ain't a glass repair-ologist, so I don't know how common one method is over the other.

 

[Huskyfan]

Had one in almost exact same location. It quickly spread. Bumpy roads and/or difference between outside and in car temp seems to have hasten the crack spreading. Most places won’t repair if ding has any spider cracks coming out. i drove with it cracked for months (months long road maintenance/upgrade in our neigbhorhood). My wife’s Kia Niro EV also suffered a cracked windshield.

 

[talkingevs]

Thanks for all the replies. Geico covers repairs with no out of pocket so they are sending Safelite out tomorrow afternoon to take a look. If it needs replaced, will need to cough up $1,000 for the deductible....I'm hoping they can fix it

 

[jeremymc7]

Fix. Not replace. Do it ASAP. I'm done them myself for $10. Insurance may or may not cover. I would just do myself or take to shop. Not worth a replace at this point, especially with the cameras and what not.

 

[Perscitus]

All the answers to the other (not fix vs replace) questions are scatted around in the various glass damage and windshield replacement threads.

The frontal area and aero-dynamic desig of the car, coupled with the low hood line form a clear path to the giant convex piece of glass that forms our windshields (so much of it is hidden under the trim, its at least 20% larger than the section you look through).

Model 3s and sadly even the Model Ys are therefore indeed rock and sand and any/all debris magnets.

Couple some relatively high speed ill-maintained highway driving with environmental factors such as living near oceans or deserts or mountains and pitted, nicked, sand blasted or scratched windshields are just a question of time.

 

[yerEVan]

I’d make the kids pay.

 

[texas_star_TM3]

While taking my kids to school this morning I heard something loud pop but didn't see anything. When I got home, I found this chip in the windshield near the edge. It looks bad but the spider marks barely extend into the viewable area.

1) Does this have to repaired or replaced if it doesn't spread at all?

2) What are the costs without insurance (my deductible is high and don't want my monthly amount changing)?

3) This is our third rock chip and most serious we've gotten. Why is the model 3 so prone to rock chips?

4) Can Safelite replace the windshield or does Tesla have to do it? What cost?

you're lucky... totally fixable and it's in the "black" non visible part of the windshield. I might even do a DIY repair with a $10 repair kit as it wont be visible. better than waiting and driving around with it.