I caught a stray rock off of the back of a semi (an all-to-frequent occurrence here in Colorado) and have a chip in the windshield of my three week old 2G TSX. (It nearly broke my heart as well.) The chip is already starting to spread out, and I would like to get my windshield replaced. My Acura dealership says they don't replace glass, dashing my hopes of getting an exact replacement that has the black dot shading around the rear-view mirror, etc. Assuming that I have to go through a third party, my questions are:

1. Are there any electronics (antenna) embedded in the windshield, especially around the rear-view mirror or sides?

2. Does anyone have any experience with a third party installer that would use a windshield that is as close as possible to the original?

Dammit.

 

tijean.....Hi, well, don't lose all hope. I had the same thing happen to me on a previous car I owned, a 2002 Grand Am GT and this happened a few months after I got it and was able to have a after market place that replaced it and you could not tell any difference, it had that little black dots you were refering to. There is no antenna in the front glass itself so that should not be a problem. The place I got was in Canada and don't think they exist down your way but the bottom line is that they exist. Ask your Acura dealership where they recommend for the best glass replacement service and go and talk to them and ask them to see what they replace the glass with...

Best of luck!!

PS...If this can help make you feel better, two weeks after my replacement glass was put in, you guessed it, another rock did the exact same thing and had to pay for it again and our insurance company are very odd here and I had to pay out of pocket both times!!

 

damn that sucks sorry to hear that!

 

Got a small chip in my passenger side windshield on my 06 with less than a thousand miles on it....cleaned the damaged area real good with rubbing alchohol, let it dry, and filled it with multicoats of clear fingernail polish....goin on 3 years, no spread on chip.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm trying to find the time to call my dealership during work hours, to get a recommendation, but in the meantime I've done some research on the websites of the big auto glass repair shops, and so far I haven't found one that offers a quote on 2009 (as opposed to earlier) TSX models. If I have to drive around for months with this little spider web crack, in order to give the replacement services time to catch up with the new model, I'll be even more p.o.ed.

Oh well, another in a long line of lessons regarding the pros and cons of being an early adopter. . .

 

Not advertising for them but... did you call SafeLite? Most insurance companies use them, at least in the Northeast.

Either that, or give your insurance company a call. You don't have to file a claim - just ask them who they use.

 

Just replaced my CLS windshield for a chip/crack, and it matches exactly to the stock one, with the dot matrix etc. I don't see why you think it will not match. The dealer can order an exact one, only difference is it will say Honda (or Acura) on it and cost 2X as much. My insurance deduct. was $200.

I'd check into patching it if it's not too big.

 

some people are anal about the small details and only using OEM original parts.

 

Just to clarify this point, most dealers (our included) do not perform glass replacement, but we can order the parts and sub it out to a specialized auto glass shop. However as pointed out, most auto glass shops have avenues for less expensive glass.

 

my windshield also caught a rock when I was driving on the freeway and left me with a 10 inch crack. I will never ever order a windshield from the factory knowing is going to cost a arm and a leg. Call around your local windshield specify shop. I only pay 230 bucks for my replace and they were the company that made the orginal.

 

I've replaced my 2004 windshield twice now... first time it was actually cheaper to use OEM glass. Second was cheaper with the off-brand. Each time was just about $500 through Safelite. I plan on keeping the car for a while so it matters not if it says 'Honda' on my Acura car.

 

That sucks.
I hate trucks... I had several windshield chips and cracks on my previous Honda. So with my TSX, I stay far away from any trucks on the freeway.

 

Follow up.

After a few calls, Safelite and two other local glass shops told me that they do not yet have replacement glass for a 2009 TSX, so ordering OEM glass from a dealer is the only option. The OEM glass is more expensive (3x), but if insurance will cover it then I'm just fine with that. I'm sure Safelite will catch up in a few weeks/months with replacement glass, but the chip is driving me nuts (right at eye level on the driver's side) so I don't think I'll wait.