Windshield Warp factor?

[OldGreyMike]

Love my new MZ5T, the only annoyance I can report is a slight but noticeable distortion in the windshield glass that runs from side to side right through my normal line of vision. Gives everything an interesting funhouse effect driving down the road. Anybody else have this, or did I get a "special feature"?

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Love my new MZ5T, the only annoyance I can report is a slight but noticeable distortion in the windshield glass that runs from side to side right through my normal line of vision. Gives everything an interesting funhouse effect driving down the road. Anybody else have this, or did I get a "special feature"?

I have seen the issue with the CX7 on occation..just bring it in for warrenty replacement.

 

[just ang]

Love my new MZ5T, the only annoyance I can report is a slight but noticeable distortion in the windshield glass that runs from side to side right through my normal line of vision. Gives everything an interesting funhouse effect driving down the road. Anybody else have this, or did I get a "special feature"?

HAHA! This cracked me up. Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. Sounds like you need your windshield replaced. Hope it is easy to take care of and they don't give you a hassle.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Yea I would definately be getting a new windshield. That is a safety issue.

 

[OldGreyMike]

Thanks for all the encouragement, will contact the dealer and see what they can do for me, their service dept. is very good in general. My only concern is that the replacement gets checked before it goes in, and that it's done by experienced glass guys that make sure it won't leak. Will post the results here.

I hate warranty stuff.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Thanks for all the encouragement, will contact the dealer and see what they can do for me, their service dept. is very good in general. My only concern is that the replacement gets checked before it goes in, and that it's done by experienced glass guys that make sure it won't leak. Will post the results here.

I hate warranty stuff.

I have seen that same CX7 customer go thru 3 windsheilds until he was happy so don't hold your breath.

PS I have seen same effect in side mirrors also...

 

[OldGreyMike]

I have seen that same CX7 customer go thru 3 windsheilds until he was happy so don't hold your breath.

I know what you mean, but I am not all that fussy. As long as the distortion isn't right at my eye level like it is now I'm OK. I also plan to ask to see the replacement glass and have it checked before it goes in, that way if there is an issue it won't require multiple trips.

 

[OldGreyMike]

UPDATE:

After a visit to the dealer's service department and having them inspect it, they are ordering me new factory glass under warranty. Will update again when it is installed, but absolutely no hassle so far with the warranty claim on this.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

That is good to hear. What dealership is that?

 

[OldGreyMike]

Will withhold the name until it's resolved, just in case...

 

[OldGreyMike]

UPDATE #2 - New factory glass goes in tomorrow, will report results here. I was able to inspect the new glass prior to install thanks to the friendly parts guy, looked good and non-wavy as far as I can tell...

Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[OldGreyMike]

Final chapter (I hope): All set with new factory glass installed, looks like new, not 100% optically perfect (none are) but not nearly as distorted as the old one. Funny, it looks like the black border printed on the glass is a good deal wider on the passenger side than the driver's side, hadn't noticed that on the old one, but then I never looked. Windshield is certainly installed correctly as the little clear spot for the VIN is perfectly lined up and there isn't any wiggle room for the glass itself. I will have to look at another 5 to see if this is something out of the ordinary, but since it doesn't affect anything it's mostly just a curiosity and not a problem. If any of you notice this feature, I would be interested in hearing about it.

Service by Autex Mazda in Keene, NH. They have been fantastic and are very easy to deal with. They run their service department like a very good independent shop, lots of local folks bring other makes of cars (mostly upscale foreign - Audi, Mercedes, etc.) there for service. Glass work subbed out to a local pro glass shop that I have done business with before on other vehicles, they are the best around so no worries there.

 

[coolmazda5]

Good stuff, glad to know you are happy with the result. Changed the title a bit so to make it more accessible/easy to find when searching around...

 

[wmzda5]

Final chapter (I hope): All set with new factory glass installed, looks like new, not 100% optically perfect (none are) but not nearly as distorted as the old one. Funny, it looks like the black border printed on the glass is a good deal wider on the passenger side than the driver's side, hadn't noticed that on the old one, but then I never looked. Windshield is certainly installed correctly as the little clear spot for the VIN is perfectly lined up and there isn't any wiggle room for the glass itself. I will have to look at another 5 to see if this is something out of the ordinary, but since it doesn't affect anything it's mostly just a curiosity and not a problem. If any of you notice this feature, I would be interested in hearing about it.

Service by Autex Mazda in Keene, NH. They have been fantastic and are very easy to deal with. They run their service department like a very good independent shop, lots of local folks bring other makes of cars (mostly upscale foreign - Audi, Mercedes, etc.) there for service. Glass work subbed out to a local pro glass shop that I have done business with before on other vehicles, they are the best around so no worries there.

Yes the black border on the pass side is def wider than driver side for the mz5

 

[OldGreyMike]

Thanks for the report!

 

[x10dude]

Thanks for the report. I wish there were more comments about dealerships. That is something I'm always curious to read about.

 

[fam]

Depending on their inspection guidelines, the glass manufacturer should set each part on a fixture that sits several feet away from a checkerboard (ours is a blue board with white lines) and you stand back a few feet and you will immediately notice if there is any distortion. I see how it could happen since the Mazda windshields are so big and bent, but it still should have been caught and recycled before it ever left the glass plant. Note that not all companies require such checks even though their specifications would consider it a reject\defect.


btw I work at an American automotive glass plant...surprisingly still making money...woo!

 

[OldGreyMike]

it still should have been caught and recycled before it ever left the glass plant.

That's what I thought, interesting post. Also, glad to hear your plant is still in business!

This new factory glass was made in Japan according to the "to be removed by customer" label that was left when they were done. However, the new one also has *some* distortion in it, it's just not nearly as bad nor quite in the same place as the original so it won't bug me so much. I definitely think the extreme tilt is a factor that makes it more noticeable.

I sure ain't asking for another one!

 

[fam]

Its all from japan as far as the glass in concerned in mazda 3's and 5's. They also make it a little on the thin side (legal but thinner than I would want) which attibutes to road noise and easier warpage and breakage.

For example compare the thickness of the driver door glass to any american car, its probably 2mm thinner, keeps weight down but its probably just for cost.