2009 Ford Flex Limited: Rock Chip

I meant to report that. Thanks for backing me up. That chip was there before I went to Oregon and it has not grown despite all the miles and temperatures changes associated with that trip. And yes, it looks to be outside the no-go zone and should be repairable.

Dan Edmunds

Ooh, try using a self repair kit. This one should be good for a repair. Total cost: $10 for success, $300 if failure

"It's about 1 inch in diameter and not in the driver's direct line of sight, so hopefully we can get it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield."

Only if your luck changes.

:P

Yeah good point GT500, hopefully the Flex doesn't mysteriously disapear!!

I think we shouldn't even spend our company's money to repair it unless it starts spreading/growing. :o)

I think I have at least three cracks/chips on my 2004 WRX's windshield thanks to our Southern California freeways and dumb gravel-carrying trucks using them. I had the first one repaired, but after taking care of that one, I figured the later ones weren't worth bothering with (read: $).

That can be easily repaired with a diy kit. It looks like a needle suction plunger.
I think Dan Edmunds should do it and write it up :)

FYI, it won't be perfect. There will be distortion but no cracks. For a couple dollars, it's a no brainer.

A divot that size and depth I've always been told is unrepairable (I got one the third week I owned one car, then never had another one in 12 years before I traded it) no matter its location. With my insurance company a windshield replacement costs $50, or nothing if you talk them into waiving the deductable. Is it different in CA, or is it the era?--a windshield tripled in cost from ~$200 to ~$600 between 1983 and 1995, and I haven't had cracked glass since then.

SOMEONE FIND THAT ROCK AND THROW A FLEX AT IT. That'll teach it.

That's rather large - I think you're gonna need a new windshield.

Actually this is a large concern for me and I would like to hear more about windshield chips and the Flex. I currently drive a '06 Scion xB and I'm looking to upgrade to a Flex. Obviously I like the boxy style of these cars but unfortunately the vertical windshield tends to lead to rocks smashing rather than bouncing off like they do with cars that have a slanted windshield. After replacing my windshield in my xB, I did some research and it's a pretty common complaint. If windshield chips are a common occurrence with the Flex I might have to take another look at minivans (blech).

I used to spend a lot of time (and money) racing cars in SCCA Showroom Stock competition, and I used to get a lot of cracked windshields as the competitors ahead of me dropped wheels off the edge of the course at corner apexes or ran over rocks thrown onto the track by other spinning cars.

The likelihood of a strike turning into a crack jumper tremendously after a windshield change. The replacement glass never seemed to be as robust as the factory original stuff. For that reason, I'll always attempt a repair unless the crack is too far gone.

Dan Edmunds

@pjmcfatty: We have had our Flex for 35000 miles and have had only one chip repaired (much like Edmunds is proposing). One of the "selling points" or "features" (if you want to call it that) of the Flex is the windshield is thicker than other cars, I'm not sure if this contributes to it being tougher or more resistant to chips, but it's a thought. I would say that since the Flex is a bit higher than the xB (not much I presume just guessing based on what I can visualize) it might lead to fewer rocks reaching the windshield.

I have not noticed significant pitting of the front lip of the hood or bumper (not anymore so than my 2000 Honda Accord at similar miles at least).

Dan:

Question about the Edmunds Flex. Have you ever had a situation when the entire radio/navi unit will not come on when the car is started? My wife has had this happen several times over the past few months. I asked how she started the car and she said, "I get in and turn the key all the way to start the car quickly." I assume she is bypassing the ACC point on the ignition when she does this so quickly, but I don't see why that would have an affect on the radio/navi when the other electronics still work.

Speaking of the starter, is it normal in new cars to spin the starter without having to hold the key forward to activate the starter and start the engine (i.e. like in my Honda)?

Thanks.

Zach