Auto Glass Replacement & Repair
Rightway Auto Glass

Safety & Installation

Why Replacing your Car Windshield is so Important
A car windshield is one of the most critical components of your car to keeping you and your family safe in the event of a car crash. This is why it is important to have your auto glass replaced or repaired to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle whenever you notice damage to your car windshield.

Prior to the energy crisis of the 1970?s, cars were built with a heavy steel skeleton frame. The heavy steel frame provided support for the roof and sides of the vehicle in the event of a crash. Since then, auto manufacturers have cut their raw material costs by making the vehicles with lighter alloy materials. These vehicles are more fuel-efficient than the old ones. The newly designed vehicles have a lower-profile to them which weakens the roof support system.

In addition, air-bags became commonly used in the 1990's.  In the event of a crash, the air-bag deploys using the car windshield as a "backboard" to bounce-off of to protect you in the crash. If a car windshield is not attached properly, the windshield can be jettisoned out of the vehicle causing the airbags and the passengers to fly out of the space in the window. A firmly attached car windshield is necessary for air-bags to function properly!

To offset this weakened structural support, Engineers have designed the car windshield to make up for these deficiencies. The new design welds the windshield to the frame of the car with urethane. This urethane is an insulating adhesive, and in combination with the windshield, attaches to the frame of the car, providing the structural support necessary to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). 

As you can see, your car's windshield is an essential part of your car's overall structural integrity and safety. This is why you should have your windshield repaired or replaced as soon as you discover any damage. Before it's too late!

Call us at our main number, 763.420.7014, to schedule a convenient appointment for auto glass repair or replacement.

ABC News 20/20 Quote
"A windshield can be as important to auto safety as seat belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes. More than just protection from wind, rain, and debris, auto glass can save lives by preventing the driver and passengers from being thrown out of a vehicle in a collision. And, today more than ever, vehicles depend on the glass to add to its structure and strength as a whole. So, for example, the windshield can be an essential part of an air bag system or prevent the roof from caving in. But installation is key: The difference between a properly affixed windshield and a poor job can be the difference between life and death."
-ABC News, 2/25/00

Federal Standards on Vehicle Safety
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These regulations detail the safety criteria manufacturers must meet in order to conform. The FMVSS Safety Standards #212, #216, and #219 apply to windshield installations. The complete, current regulations may be found here: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Rightway Auto Glass

Minnesota?s Auto Glass and Windshield Repair, Replacement and Restoration Specialists serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Greater Twin Cities Metro Area

Monday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 2:00pm