Up to date recommendations for front wind shield replacement.

[Supratachophobia]

I hope the aftermarket windshield has a better quality than OEM, keep us posted please

I've had the car 2 weeks and already at least 2 significant chips in the front windshield. Before delivery, I always figured people were exaggerating on the fragility of the glass, but either the angle is just bad or Rivian has chosen a shite vendor for their glass. Shame on them if it's the latter.

If there is an after market option that's better, I'm glad I won't have to wait long to replace at this rate....

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[Q-ship]

I literally got a crack in my windshield driving my R1T home after picking it up in Denver. Luckily, I drove directly to Safelite and had it filled. Within the next 6 months I got two more small cracks from rocks that were so small they were barely audible. Luckily, both were not on on the driver's side and easily repaired. After looking at discussions on the Rivian Forum regarding how difficult and expensive it is to get the glass replaced, I decided to pay the $500 to get an ExoShield put on top of the glass. Best decision, as I have heard similar pings on my windshield and nary even a mark. I have to admit that it is worth $500 for the peace of mind...as I had started worrying constantly about my windshield.

I have STEK windshield film on my R1S and my two Teslas. Between the three vehicles, I had about 85,000 miles with no cracked windshields. Several hits, many of which I feel would have caused a crack. However, yesterday had a large rock strike on the windshield of my Model X. If I had gotten it repaired right away, it would have been repairable, but can’t do a repair with the overlying film. Within a few hours, it cracked such that it was no longer repairable. After I get the windshield replaced, I am going to try carrying a repair kit and just promptly repairing all chips and see how that goes. The windshield film does have its downsides, including how easily it can scratch and how you have to be careful using the windshield wipers. Also, I got splashed with some substance from a truck in front of me a couple of years ago, which stained the film on my Model Y badly enough that I needed to have it replaced.

 

[RivianOwner2022]

I have STEK windshield film on my R1S and my two Teslas. Between the three vehicles, I had about 85,000 miles with no cracked windshields. Several hits, many of which I feel would have caused a crack. However, yesterday had a large rock strike on the windshield of my Model X. If I had gotten it repaired right away, it would have been repairable, but can’t do a repair with the overlying film. Within a few hours, it cracked such that it was no longer repairable. After I get the windshield replaced, I am going to try carrying a repair kit and just promptly repairing all chips and see how that goes. The windshield film does have its downsides, including how easily it can scratch and how you have to be careful using the windshield wipers. Also, I got splashed with some substance from a truck in front of me a couple of years ago, which stained the film on my Model Y badly enough that I needed to have it replaced.

Sorry to hear that. Isn't the window protective film removeable? I would imagine that the repair shop could just cut a circle around the crack and remove the film just over the crack with a straight razor...and a bit of soapy water. Might cost a little bit more, but they should be able to do it. I have a $500 deductible on my windshield, so if I did get a crack through the film I would just go ahead and replace it. What I was tired of was getting small cracks from tiny pebbles so often, which the Exoshield has been effective at. Had a audible smack on the windshield just last weekend on the freeway and couldn't even see where it hit. I don't seem to have any problems with scratching the film, but I do admit that it is quite a bit harder to clean than regular glass!

 

[BigSkies]

I'm in Denver, and was just able to use Safelite for a windshield replacement.

Safelite did the replacement for about $850 after tax, but they made me sign a bunch of forms acknowledging that they can't re calibrate the sensors, and I shouldn't use any camera based features until Rivian can recalibrate it.

I took it to the Denver service center, and they recalibrated the cameras for $80.

There was some confusion at the outset, as Safelite claimed Rivian was refusing to recalibrate for aftermarket windshields. Rivian confirmed that used to be a policy, but they now will do it for aftermarket windshields.

 

[flush]

I'm in Denver, and was just able to use Safelite for a windshield replacement.

Safelite did the replacement for about $850 after tax, but they made me sign a bunch of forms acknowledging that they can't re calibrate the sensors, and I shouldn't use any camera based features until Rivian can recalibrate it.

I took it to the Denver service center, and they recalibrated the cameras for $80.

There was some confusion at the outset, as Safelite claimed Rivian was refusing to recalibrate for aftermarket windshields. Rivian confirmed that used to be a policy, but they now will do it for aftermarket windshields.

is the safelite glass the same as OEM glass? with the heating elements at the bottom for the windshield wiper? and the cutout for VIN display?

 

[BigSkies]

is the safelite glass the same as OEM glass? with the heating elements at the bottom for the windshield wiper? and the cutout for VIN display?

Good question. The VIN cutout and the camera cutouts look OEM. I didn’t think about heating elements. Are those visible on the originals?

I took this picture of the new windshield. I think it’s the same manufacturer as the original?

 

[flush]

Good question. The VIN cutout and the camera cutouts look OEM. I didn’t think about heating elements. Are those visible on the originals?

I took this picture of the new windshield. I think it’s the same manufacturer as the original?

same manufacturer i think, fuyao

the wiper heating elements are visible amber lines (at least 3) along the wiper blades, in the black part of the windshield

oem glass has the same FY logo but not the same

 

[adam12]

is the safelite glass the same as OEM glass? with the heating elements at the bottom for the windshield wiper? and the cutout for VIN display?

will check and let u know re: heating elements. In my experience The safelite experience was fair/poor . went 3X back and forth for a suboptimal fitting. also not calibrated for windshield. IMHO if you can pencil in a Rivian replacement do it.....

 

[jemkewl]

Another victim here. Seems like the SC is the route to go?

 

[adam12]

Another victim here. Seems like the SC is the route to go?

based on my experience yes I would recommend the SC route. Only apparent issue as others posted- Rivian won't handle insurance clam.

 

[jemkewl]

based on my experience yes I would recommend the SC route. Only apparent issue as others posted- Rivian won't handle insurance clam.

Thanks.
My SC is still 2+ hours away and has been a nightmare out of Brooklyn. Assuming these can't be done mobile... The joy continues

 

[adam12]

Thanks.
My SC is still 2+ hours away and has been a nightmare out of Brooklyn. Assuming these can't be done mobile... The joy continues

mine was 6 hours away. That is why I chose safe-light. Was not possible to do a mobile repair. Main issue was the plastic wind fairing at the bottom of the windshield was not well installed. also the replacement (for whatever reason) involves changing out the windshield wiper sensor this has to be calibrated by SC.....

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