About Replacement Car Windshields

Car windshields are made up of two pieces of glass that have a film of plastic sandwiched between them, so that, in the event of an accident, they stay together rather than shattering over the occupants and causing harm. Windshields are easily scratched by worn wiper blades or when removing ice. Chipping from rocks or debris on the road is also another factor that can easily ruin a windshield. Once a crack has begun, no matter how small it is, it will continue to grow with the temperature changes.

The Replacement Process

If you have full-coverage insurance on the vehicle, the insurance company will replace the windshield without increasing your payment, as long as the windshield is professionally installed. Professional installers will come out to your home or business to replace a windshield for you. You will be charged for the new windshield and the labor for installation.

Types

Replacement windshields can be purchased with or without a tint across the top. The depth of the tint must be considered in relation to the height of the windshield, so that the tint is not directly in the field of view once the windshield is installed. There are also windshields with a built-in antenna down the center and a connector on the bottom side. If the car did not come with this type of windshield, a hole has to be drilled through the firewall to connect the antenna to the radio.

Considerations

If you want a windshield with a built-in antenna, first check the type of connection to the radio. Radio antennas come in many different sizes, and not all are compatible with your radio.

Ask to see a chart showing the different degrees of tint on the upper portion of the windshield to see which one is desired. Make sure you know the rules regarding tint in your local area. Some states do not allow more than a couple of inches of tint on the windshield. Once the window is installed, you own it, because it will usually not come out without damage.

Alternatives

Many times, it is far less expensive to go to a used-auto-parts store and buy a used windshield, then call one of the windshield companies to send someone over to install it. You will save on the price of the windshield. Also, many stores will install the parts you purchase from them.

Warning

Do not try to remove a windshield yourself if you plan on reusing it (i.e., in cases of car restorations). Even one little hair of glue left on the edge of the windshield will cause it to break. It is better to call one of the mobile windshield companies and have them remove the windshield for you; then, when you are ready to reinstall it, have them come out and do it for you.

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What You Need to Know About Transmission Fluid Changes

The transmission fluid is a very important part of your engine. Without the proper levels of transmission fluid in your car, you will experience all kinds of problems. Additionally, if the transmission fluid is not changed periodically, you will experience problems. Some people have come to believe that transmission fluid is something that never needs to be replaced. While it does not need to be changed as often as oil does, it is still very important to check and maintain clean fluids in your car.

The schedule by which to change your transmission fluid will differ between manual and automatic transmissions. Every 30,000 miles is a very good suggestion for all drivers regardless of whether they own an automatic, or manual. Those who are heavy manual transmission drivers are suggested to get a change every 15,000 miles. Intervals for automatic cars goes up as high as 100,000 miles between changes. There are reasons why you would want to change the transmission fluid more often than that. Because of the long length of this kind of fluid in automatic cars, some believe it never needs to be changed. This is incorrect and can lead to costly repairs.

The problem that you will run into with it is the build-up of metal particles. These particles will float through your engine and build up in different components causing you other kinds of problems. The money you saved on not changing the transmission fluid will seem like a drop in the bucket compared with the price of replacing the entire transmission later on. This can be avoided by simply changing the fluid regularly. Keep in mind, automatic transmissions run hotter than a manual does. For this reason, transmission fluid can actually be broken down over time. This will cause the fluid to not lubricate as well which will lead to mechanical problems.

Those thinking about changing their own transmission fluid may want to reconsider as it is not as simple as an oil change. With regular oil, you can utilize gravity to easily drain the car of any oil it contains. It is much more viscous and requires a transmission flusher to get everything out. It is recommended to bring in your car to get this kind of fluid change in order to make sure all metal shavings in the old fluid will be washed away. Not removing all of the fluid can cause you just as many problems as if you did nothing.

Those looking to check the levels between maintenance visits simply need to know what they are looking for. Keep in mind, most manual engines will not come with a dipstick to help you check the fluid level. Those with an automatic transmission will want to either have their mechanic point out the right dipstick, or check the owners manual. Many will confuse the crankcase dipstick with that of the transmission. Keep in mind, generally the only reason why the fluid level will be low is if there is a leak. If you check your level and it is low, you need to get your mechanic to check out the transmission right away.

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