On 4th windshield!

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Some of you, with your luck, should probably own stock in Fuyao? Kidding, sort of. Glass is glass. If anything, strength of one application to another is dependent on thickness, angle of windshield and strike. Are ones for the R1 thinner than the industry average? Who has proof?

If you are experiencing strikes often, seriously consider getting protection film. But, do some cost analysis of your own. Film manufactures and installers don’t talk about it, but these films are consumables. If parked outside, expect film to last no more than 1-2 years. Some, even less. I have tried ExoShield and XPEL. The latter I cannot recommend at all. And their much touted warranty is looking more like hot air—with their corporate office in Germany, US office in AZ and my installer playing hot potato. The ExoShield fared better than 3 months. By the 15th month it accumulated enough fine scratches (from wipers) that glare was an issue at sunset. Both installs cost over 700 each. Not having experienced any strikes in 18+ months, to me it feels like a waste of $ since both installs almost add up to cost of a windshield.

There is a new player, TWRAPS. Cost is less than half and could be DIY (if you have help). But, being new, evidence of durability is lacking. All that is available is marketing claims made by TWRAPS. And, since it’s still is just another 8-mil thick film, other than its relatively low cost, I’ve yet to be fully convinced.

I have to say, my stupid cats (I love them, but good grief) walk up and down my windshield and all over my glass roof like it's the greatest thing in the world. And no breaks yet... knock on wood, LOL. Hopefully your luck with these things improves. Go buy a lottery ticket. Maybe 4th time's a charm?

Unless they’re Maine Coons, or weigh as much as Kim Java, you probably have nothing to worry about.

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[Time2Roll]

My Tundra ate three windshields in a 2 year period once. I thought I was going nuts. Just bad luck on my part.

Yes I had a time of four flat tires in the period of maybe 18 months. Now it has been a decade at least.

 

[lefkonj]

My Gen1 I was driving along maybe 60 days after delivery. A rock kicked up and it the black molding right above the windshield so annoying.

 

[Schroederhc]

I have had my window protection for 18+ months. I've taken multiple hits successfully still on the original windshield. I do a ton of driving through Mountain passes in the PNW.

 

[emoore]

My windshield has also broken 3 times. All 3 happened on an interstate in good weather with cruise control enabled and set to the maximum following distance.

I agree that maximum distance is uncomfortably close (does anyone use the close setting and so you risk getting a ticket for tailgating when you do?) but there is not a user accessbe setting to push it out further. If the maximum following distance setting is too close to avoid window breakage that is just as much Rivian's fault as their decision to use paper thin glass.

I use the closest setting and still think that's too far away. Get cut off many times if I'm that far away and there is no way that I'd get a tailgating ticket on the closest setting.

 

[PeterSK]

I got my R1S two years ago and had chips turn into cracks a year later and again last month. First one turned into a crack overnight. This time the chip was in May, Safelite filled it but wouldn’t guarantee anything, and two months later on a hot day it started cracking. Both times were rocks on the interstate in Vermont, not particularly gravel heavy and I tend to have longer follow distance set. Just bad luck and a steep, possibly thinner windshield? Had a Model X for 7.5 years before the R1S and fortunately never had a chip or crack.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I got my R1S two years ago and had chips turn into cracks a year later and again last month. First one turned into a crack overnight. This time the chip was in May, Safelite filled it but wouldn’t guarantee anything, and two months later on a hot day it started cracking. Both times were rocks on the interstate in Vermont, not particularly gravel heavy and I tend to have longer follow distance set. Just bad luck and a steep, possibly thinner windshield? Had a Model X for 7.5 years before the R1S and fortunately never had a chip or crack.

Rake and size of the glass.

 

[zymolysis]

Number 3 only lasted 90 days!

Were any of these cracks small enough to repair?

 

[zymolysis]

Did that on #1!

Did you use the Twraps (or a different PPF) on the windshield?

 

[iansriv]

Yes I had a time of four flat tires in the period of maybe 18 months. Now it has been a decade at least.

I got what looked like shrapnel two weeks into ownership and then a nail a week after replacing the tyre. I bought the Rivian spare kit as well as warranty. Nothing in almost two years!

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