# Cracked Windshields **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, windshields, frontier\ **Created:** [December 16, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860 "2009-12-16T22:08:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/1 "2009-12-16T22:08:26Z")
I buy a new vehicle every eight to ten years whether I need to or not. Currently I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup. Over the course of the past forty years, I?ve replaced about three windshields due to cracks. Until I got this Nissan. I am about to replace the windshield for the fourth time. Driving conditions have been relatively similar over my tenure on the road. Question: Is there something specific about the architecture of the Nissan; are windshields getting thinner and more fragile; or am I just somehow getting lucky? jaxthedog Rocklin, (no joke) California ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/2 "2009-12-16T22:29:04Z")
No disrespect intended, but would it help to leave more room between you and the vehicle in front of you? ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/3 "2009-12-16T22:33:26Z")
Good point, however, I always attempt to keep three to four seconds between me and the guy in front. Latest crack happened last night when nobody was even close. Might have been due to an on-coming passing car… ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/4 "2009-12-16T22:40:29Z")
3-4 seconds should be enough. Heva you tried one of those leading-edge (hood) wind deflectors? ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/5 "2009-12-16T22:46:15Z")
Excellent idea. Being a “leading edge,” albiet old, kinda guy, I shoulda thought of that. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/6 "2009-12-16T23:26:56Z")
Some vehicles do seem more likely to get cracks. Scion xB’s are famous for it. I don’t know about Frontiers… ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/7 "2009-12-16T23:39:01Z")
I hope it works for you. We old kinda guys need to stick together! Happy motoring. ---
**Author:** ![rockstar07](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@rockstar07](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rockstar07)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/8 "2009-12-17T02:38:36Z")
Might be the truck? My neighbor has a 01 Frontier and has replaced at least two. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/9 "2009-12-17T05:26:40Z")
Your own tires can pick up rocks and throw them at the windshield. I had that happen with no other traffic. If you get a bug shield, some of them make the rock situation worse. Mine used to make rocks kick up and slam onto the windshield. It was a high deflector on an 87 Mazda pickup. It also kept the vent intake from getting air. I had to keep the fan on the highest settings to get any air flow into the truck. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/10 "2009-12-17T14:17:39Z")
Maybe there’s something with vehicle where it’s twisting that’s causing the cracks. The other thing…is who’s doing the replacement. I’ve seen places that have done shoddy window replacement and it caused it to crack just months later. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/11 "2009-12-17T14:38:09Z")
Is the crack starting from the edge or in the middle? Is there a chip from something actually hitting it and starting the crack? If it’s starting at the edge with no chip, I’m just wondering if there could be something wrong with the frame that it sits in that’s putting pressure on the edge. ---
**Author:** ![bernd](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bernd/32/157_2.png) [@bernd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bernd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/12 "2009-12-17T15:56:06Z")
Agreed… if the place that replaces it is not careful, they can damage the edge of the glass, eventually leading to cracks. ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/13 "2009-12-18T22:00:33Z")
The “injuries” are never at the edge of the glass field - always somewhere in the middle. Last one I had filled - but it’s only been three weeks and now I have another crack in a completely different place. My nephew, who has blackened fingernails, says that, in an effort to make cars lighter, windshields are now thinner than they once were. ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/14 "2009-12-18T22:02:18Z")
Thanks for this heads up on the bug protector. ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/15 "2009-12-18T22:03:14Z")
The glass guy(s) are from reputable firms endorsed by AAA. ---
**Author:** ![jaxthedog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jaxthedog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaxthedog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cracked-windshields/40860/16 "2009-12-18T22:04:52Z")
So I guess I’m wondering - has the quality of glass declined over the past several years, much like the quality of my knees and eyesight? Right now, I’m concerned that I may be taking advantage of the good nature of my insurance company.