OK, 2nd new windshield, got the first at 500 miles, courtesy of a dump truck without a cover on its load. Picked up a rock, about 2 inches up from bottom of glass, approximately dead center (left to right). Next morning little dimple has grown (like the mighty oak from an acorn) and now have cracking going upwards to the left, upwards to the right, down to the right and down to the left, with a branch going almost vertical. Call insurance company, they're quick and arrange a replacement right away - OEM, made by PPG for Lexus. The installers were great, drove in and one hour and 5 minutes later drove out - so all is now well - yeah right...

Up close to buildings etc. glass looks great - out on the open road, severe optical distortion - there are horizontal waves spaced about 2 inches apart from top to bottom. Made it home (about 20 miles) without making use of the barf bag. Parked the poor RX and it sat all weekend. Called the installers today and they have new glass and sensors tape/glue coming, will be here tomorrow and Thursday will get it installed.

Moral of the story - if you have your windshield replaced, take a little time before you go off driving down the highway - check to make sure you have good clear glass. I would suggest sitting there and moving your head up and down (change your focal points too distant, close and mid), check peripheral vision, and make sure you have a good view. I'm not prone to motion sickness (have done hang gliding, bungee jumping, flown small aircraft ect.), but this was seriously bad.

 

Was the shop a recommended Lexus vendor?

 

Insurance approved, and Lexus "blessed". Glass was OEM and PPG provides to Lexus in Canada for the Canuck built RX's. No question that it was OEM, saw the invoices and installer worked through our Lexus dealership to make sure they had the right part number, and to make sure they had the right parts for the auto wipers. Just spoke to very nice lady at the installers and she had new glass expedited. She was told that the distortion happens, but not usual, in severe cases, which are very rare (?), the distortion can cause nausea - ya don’t say!

 

Wow. Great advice, and all the best with the new glass.

My wife went through an interesting saga getting a new windshield in her ES. She had over 500 miles when a gift from a gravel truck hit the car, but not by much. OEM only on the glass, and it took three days to get to the dealer. Then their vendor screwed up on the installation...with unfortunately no QA on behalf of the dealer. She picked up the car on a Tuesday and I brought it back in the next day. All said and done she was in a loaner for nine days...for a windshield. The dealer was great and I know they exhausted every bit of profit in the glass and installation labor. But, they won in the long-run as a week in an RX led me to purchase one for myself.

 

Vroom, Vroom, sounds like a great dealership! I know how that all works especially on the loaners - note my sig -how do you think we wound up with an IS (also know as the ticket magnet)!!

I just wanted all on this “grate forum” to be aware how important windshields are and until you’ve experience it, you cannot imagine what optical distortion can do to your senses - it certainly induced some amount of vertigo in me, and I thought I was pretty immune to it from my past and current activities (and yes I did jump out of perfectly good airplanes when I was younger and a lot dumber).

 

Great reminder for myself. I'm on my second windshield as well for my 96 ES300. The first time it was because of a gravel chip. This time it is unknown. I have another gravel chip but it didn't originate from there. It started right where the mirror is a day after I washed the car. I came home one day and it magically appeared, a 2 inch crack

Hopefully this one new one wont have any problems...

 

Let us know how your 2nd windshield turns out.

 

Just got back from the installer and 2nd glass is great! My drive out to the shop was less than stellar, with the distortion, I was feeling quite queasy by the time I had drive the 18+ miles. The drive back was much better! Amazing what a difference some wavy lines in glass can make.

 

I am glad it work out good for you

 

Proves the point that not all windshields are created equally. Obviously, the good ones are less wavier. Good for you!

 

Thanks all. Just glad that my wife wasn't riding with me, she would have used a barf bag, plus the floor and seats..... She tends to be quite sensative to motion sickness and a distorted windsheild would have been somewhat messy.