2017 GLC300 Windshield Glass Crack
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
2017 GLC300 Windshield Glass Crack
Owning the 2017 GLC300 for less than a year, and already found a crack in the middle off the windshield one morning. Does anyone have similar experience? My guesses are, perhaps a small rock on the highway hit the glass, temperatures different inside and out side the car considering its summer time here. Questions: (1) Does anyone know if the standard warranty, and/or the extended warranty will cover the windshield glass since the car was only purchase for less than a year? Will dealer be willing to fix that? (2) is the insurance-company-contracted certified glass shop, i.e. SafeLite, a trustworthy place to get the windshield glass replaced? (3) if being to the dealer for replacement, the insurance company could cover up to certain amount, after that, owner need to pay out of pocket, any recommendation or thoughts on keeping the cost down to what insurance cover up to and still able to get dealer-like service? Thank!
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Warranty is not going to cover windshield. You probably got a rock. It should be covered under your comprehensive on your insurance. Dealer can do the repair and insurance will pay cost minus deductible.
#3
Senior Member
All replacement windshields are not created equal! They are a critical part of the overall safety/integrity of your car in case of a rollover or even an impact from the front. You should check with your insurance company about their windshield replacement policy.
I would get an OEM windshield or one that is certified to meet all OEM requirements. Don't let your insurance company make you get an inferior windshield.
I would get an OEM windshield or one that is certified to meet all OEM requirements. Don't let your insurance company make you get an inferior windshield.
#4
I have developed a 5" crack extending down from the top of the windshield slightly to the driver side of the rearview mirror. I don't recall taking a rock hit or similar so I'm not sure what caused it. Googled it and found this thread looking for more info.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Here's the info - call your insurance company and see what your options are for insured replacement - a 5" crack will "spread" faster than you think.
This discussion really boils down to this - unless you have had a cracked windshield before so that you know what your particular insurance policy covers or doesn't cover - you need to call your insurance company and ask
This discussion really boils down to this - unless you have had a cracked windshield before so that you know what your particular insurance policy covers or doesn't cover - you need to call your insurance company and ask
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Had a similar crack. Windscreen replaced and insurance paid the lot.No issues at all apart from having to wait 2 weeks for the replacement glass to arrive. Not a problem as I could drive the car but would be an issue if car was undrivable.
#7
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GLC 43, MITSUBISHI PHEV, BMW Z1
Interesting. My windscreen has just developed a crack which seems to start from the upper edge, driver's side. No obvious indication of a stone starting it but difficult to know. The crack is definitely on the outside layer. I've arranged a replacement next week through my insurance (only a £75 excess). Fortunately the GLC has been around long enough that the screens are in stock and that they have a process at the centre (Autoglass) for re-aligning the sensors (allow 2 hours apparently).
However my suspicion is that this is a manufacturing fault rather than wear/tear but impossible to prove.
However my suspicion is that this is a manufacturing fault rather than wear/tear but impossible to prove.
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#8
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Just had my windscreen replaced yesterday. My advice (to UK owners at least) is make sure that you have windscreen cover on your insurance (£75 cost for me). Don't know how it works elsewhere.
The guy who fitted it (Autoglass - a windscreen specialist) reckoned it was at least a £500 windscreen and I'm pleased to say I got an OEM screen marked as acoustic glass (and with signature).
Whole process took 3 hours including a recalibration of the sensors with a screen set up in front of the car.
On closer investigation the crack was caused by a stone in the top black area but having looked around online, it does seems that these screens are a little more prone to cracking than usual.
The guy who fitted it (Autoglass - a windscreen specialist) reckoned it was at least a £500 windscreen and I'm pleased to say I got an OEM screen marked as acoustic glass (and with signature).
Whole process took 3 hours including a recalibration of the sensors with a screen set up in front of the car.
On closer investigation the crack was caused by a stone in the top black area but having looked around online, it does seems that these screens are a little more prone to cracking than usual.
#9
Member
My windshield took a stone hit requiring replacement. The insurance company sent their designated installer — a large regional outfit — who maintained that a Mercedes OE type windshield was not available and that an identical-spec PPG (now PGW, I think) windshield would be provided. I consented and was pleased with the careful workmanship I observed. The next day under bright light conditions I noticed, much to my surprise, a Fuyao (Chinese, ugh) label indicating an acoustic glass windshield. At this point I’m reluctant to push for a PPG product replacement since the Fuyao glass appears to be fine (?) and is covered by a lifetime labor and materials warranty. Anybody out there familiar with Fuyao?
#10
Member
In Florida, windshields are required to be covered by comprehensive insurance with no deductible. It's such profit center for glass companies that they will pay you to let them replace your windshield if you have insurance.
#11
Super Member
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Fuyao is the largest automobile glass manufacturer on the planet. In 2016 the company bought a closed GM facility located in Moraine, OH. After modifying the building to include installation of state of the art equipment and hiring about 1500 employees, the plant is currently in full production. Additionally, the company bought a PPG plant to supply the Moraine facility with raw glass. The company has a reputation for high quality glass.
In the future, it appears much of North American automobile production will incorporate Fuyao glass. Was looking at a new Chevy Cruse and observed the glass had GM etched and just below also etched, Fuyao
Several weeks back driving past the Fuyao plant noticed a Safelite trailer in a shipping department door. When Safelite installs a windscreen you can bet its a Fuyao. Not necessary a bad thing.
In the future, it appears much of North American automobile production will incorporate Fuyao glass. Was looking at a new Chevy Cruse and observed the glass had GM etched and just below also etched, Fuyao
Several weeks back driving past the Fuyao plant noticed a Safelite trailer in a shipping department door. When Safelite installs a windscreen you can bet its a Fuyao. Not necessary a bad thing.
#12
Member
Thanks, Larry. I see nothing wrong with the windshield. It appears to be identical to the original in all respects. If I encounter any problems, I'll pass along my comments.
#13
Member
In Pennsylvania -- at least with my insurer -- I have a $50 deductible. Lo and behold, the installer gave me a $50 coupon.
#14
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GLC43, GTI, X3, Mazda3
Well, joined the chipped windshield club this week and it really is annoying how awful the newer windshields are on vehicles. Both my Bimmer and now the Benz seem to have extremely "soft" glass.
The pebble, and I mean friggin pebble, that hit my GLC windshield probably wouldn't have even broken skin, even at 65-70mph, but shouldn't windshields take a little more brunt than this? Hell, my 05 Corolla beater has taken more rocks hitting the windshield at 80 on the NJ Turnpike and they just bounce off. I was hoping it was just a little nick out of the ceramic coating, but detailer said it was a chip. Good news is it is pretty small and should be repairable/fill-able. Off to see what insurance will or won't do and confirm windshield coverage overall. And with only 1100 miles on the vehicle and almost no highway driving.
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Bernadôtte (07-08-2018)
#15
Member
As mentioned above, my windshield was recently replaced. Now, if my wiper control is left in the rain sensor position, each time I start the engine I get a single swipe of the wiper. I never experienced this before. Any ideas on what could be done to correct this other than turning off the wiper.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
That is the proper function of Rain Sensor wipers... the German way is to leave the wipers in Off position - then 1st time rain/wet bothers you hit the Washer button briefly which will trigger one sweep.. then choose if you want to tun Auto-On-Low or Auto-On-Med..
#17
Super Member
when i leave rain sensor on auto i do not get the initial wipe each time
#18
Junior Member
After 2 chips, were told the following from the new windscreen installer. 'The relative upright design of the windscreen makes it prone to chipping. Lower angle windscreens allow stones to bounch over the roof, etc. and therefore, less chance for a dead stop and breakage'. Hence, having windscreen replacement insurance cover is probably a good idea.
#19
Member
I didn’t either before the replacement windshield. Owner’s manuals of previous M-B models of mine did recommend that rain-sensor wipers be turned off when not needed due to the potential for scratches from single dry wipes upon start up. The GLC’s manual has no such recommendation presumably because the system design has been changed to eliminate the unintended wipes. Why the replacement windshield alters the rain-sensor operation is the big mystery. The windshield installer is working on a corrective solution, which I will post when and if resolved.
#20
Member
Problem solved. As described above in Post #15, my problem was resolved by "resetting" the rain sensor. Thanks to my windshield installer's willingness to research the procedure for reseting the rain sensor, we were able to reset as follows:
1. With all doors closed and the wiper control turned off (0 position) start the engine.
2. Move the wiper control to position #3; next put the control in the 0 position; then put it in the #1 position (rain sensor).
3. Have someone use a spray bottle to wet the windshield in the area of the sensor to activate a wipe.
4. This should reset the sensor function to work in the sensor position without dry wipes at start-up.
According to my installer not all windshield replacements require a rain sensor reset. Those that sometimes do -- Mazda, VW, for example -- are reset using a procedure somewhat similar to the one described above.
1. With all doors closed and the wiper control turned off (0 position) start the engine.
2. Move the wiper control to position #3; next put the control in the 0 position; then put it in the #1 position (rain sensor).
3. Have someone use a spray bottle to wet the windshield in the area of the sensor to activate a wipe.
4. This should reset the sensor function to work in the sensor position without dry wipes at start-up.
According to my installer not all windshield replacements require a rain sensor reset. Those that sometimes do -- Mazda, VW, for example -- are reset using a procedure somewhat similar to the one described above.
#21
windscreen cracks and stone damage
I have now owned my GLC since October last year, and I have never had to replace a windscreen so many times!!! I am now on my 5th!!! The last two times have been the worst. On the M25 something hit the windscreen and put a 40mm hole right through covering me in tune glass shards. It then took the glass replacement over 4 weeks to arrive “due to a shortage “. During this time I was not able to drive my car as there was a hole in the screen. Finally getting the screen replaced two days ago. Then yesterday when driving on a clear road the same happened again, this time coving my passenger in glass shards which he cut himself on. In all my 25 years if driving I have never experienced this. This must be a design fault in the glass. Has any one else experienced the same?
#22
Banned
The quality of these OEM windshields is highly questionable.
This week I replaced mine, for the third time. Never happened
before, with any other car I owned. Traveling by car in my work
for more than 30 years. The workshop confirmed the decreasing
quality of windshields (not only MB), that causes chips & cracks.
This week I replaced mine, for the third time. Never happened
before, with any other car I owned. Traveling by car in my work
for more than 30 years. The workshop confirmed the decreasing
quality of windshields (not only MB), that causes chips & cracks.
#23
Super Member
Could be you guys are drawing the short straw all the time. @mparnedd@tsp.co, was it replaced with OEM glass or something else?
Was it fitted properly? Has the glorious weather we've been having for the past few weeks affected the install? Hope this is not a sign
of the times...
Was it fitted properly? Has the glorious weather we've been having for the past few weeks affected the install? Hope this is not a sign
of the times...
#24
Member
Two weeks after my new windshield was installed (post #9 above) it took another hit from a tiny piece of gravel that I could barely hear hitting the glass. Sure enough a spall appeared behind the rear view mirror and was repaired for now. Before owning my GLC the last time I replaced a windshield in a Mercedes was in 1992, and I've been driving Benzes ever since. It used to be said that Mercedes had the thickest windshields in the industry. Have my doubts that's true now.
#25
Junior Member
I have had 2 chips and 1 crack in first 20 months of ownership. Had new OEM screen installed in April and within 1 month another chip. All occurred on motorways. Been driving new Audi, BMW and Mercedes for past 25 years. The GLC is the first to have a windscreen replacement. I have been told it is due to the upright design of the windscreen. Who knows why, but not good enough.....