Nassau: 516-816-7788 | Sulfolk: 631-676-7222 | Contact Sterling Toll Free: 800-300-7217
Safety Q&A
FAQ’s to Important Safety Information Regarding Your Auto Glass
· Do They Use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Glass?
· Why is low quality glass a problem?
· Are ALL of their Installers Certified?
· When Can I Safely Drive My Car?
· Do You Provide A Warranty?
Do They Use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Glass?
Many companies use glass that meets only the minimum safety standards.
What should be used?
OEM glass should be used because the windshield protects up to 60% of the structural integrity of the car. Car manufacturers require OEM glass because it is the highest quality glass and fit, and results in your vehicle meeting the highest possible safety standards for their crash tests. If safety is important to you – always demand OEM.
Why is low quality glass even used?
Because glass companies make more money on it! Insurance companies pay the same amount of money to an auto glass company regardless of the type of glass they use. So, when they use cheaper glass, they have a higher profit margin, but it affects your safety.
Why is low quality glass a problem?
This low-quality glass will chip more easily than premium glass and does not fit as well, which may require more frequent replacements. (It will also break more easily, which could result in improper deployment of your air bags, a higher risk of a passenger coming out of the vehicle, and a higher risk of your roof collapsing.)
At Sterling Auto Glass we use OEM glass for all of our windshields replacements!
Are ALL of their Installers Certified?
Many companies use inexperienced low-cost labor for their installations.
Why? Because they make more money. Auto glass installation is a serious business, and installers (who don’t have to be licensed) must perform complicated manual operations. In addition, they must know the specs and required techniques for hundreds of models of cars.
At Sterling Auto Glass our installation professionals are highly trained, certified and experienced.
When Can I Safely Drive My Car?
Due to ignorance or questionable ethics, too many technicians release cars with newly installed windshields before the adhesives have properly cured. If this happens, the glass may slip and never cure correctly which increases the safety risks.
Under the right circumstances (when high quality adhesives and primers are used at the acceptable temperature and humidity) the safe drive away time can be as short as one hour. But with cheaper, lower quality adhesives cure time can be 2 weeks or longer.
At Sterling Auto Glass we install windshields using the highest quality materials and provide specific information on when the car can be driven safely. When necessary we also provide other instructional tips (i.e. avoiding speed bumps, keeping your window open, etc…).
Do You Provide A Warranty?
Many glass companies provide a one-year warranty on the installation of the windshield. This shorter warranty is typical with the lower quality glass installers. However, there are some companies that will provide you with a lifetime warranty for the time you own the car.
At Sterling Auto Glass we provide a lifetime warranty on the windshield installation for as long as you own your car.
lnk