Questions Asked and FYI and More!

Buying a used car---- something to think about

by Merrillville Auto Glass & Trim on 09/05/25

When buying a used car it is important to know what state the vehicle came from ! In New York for instance all vehicle have to pass a safety inspection and environmental. If not they have to either be fixed or sold and that is where Indiana Dealers love! they get them cheap and bring them here to sell to you....Personally I have see some dussies - ALOT OF rotting frames - rust ect.... so do a carfax - know where the car came from and negotiate from their .

New York Vehicle Safety Inspections

Vehicle safety inspections in New York, similar to other states with car inspections , are comprehensive checks of multiple vehicle components to conclude if the vehicle is safe to operate. During a safety inspection, a certified technician will examine the following:

Brakes: The condition of the brake pads, rotors, and other components are checked to help promote effective braking performance.
Steering and Suspension: These systems are inspected for wear and damage to ensure the vehicle handles and drives correctly.
Lights: All exterior lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, are checked for proper operation.
Windshield and Wipers: The windshield is inspected for cracks and chips, and the wipers are checked for effectiveness.
Tires: The tires are examined for tread depth, wear, and proper inflation.
Horn: The horn is tested to verify it functions correctly.
Mirrors: The condition of rearview and side mirrors are checked for visibility.
Seat Belts: All seat belts are inspected to verify they are present and in good working order.
Exhaust System: The exhaust system is checked for leaks and proper operation.

If your vehicle passes the safety inspection, you will receive a Certificate of Inspection, which is valid for one year. This certificate is required to register your vehicle and must be displayed on the windshield.

New York Emissions Testing

In addition to safety inspections, New York requires emissions testing for most vehicles . Emissions testing is designed to verify vehicles are not releasing excessive environmental pollutants. The specific tests conducted depend on the vehicle's age, make/model, and fuel type.

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) Test: For vehicles manufactured in 1996 or later, an OBD-II test is conducted to check the vehicle's emissions control system. A technician connects a diagnostic device to the vehicle's computer to read data from the emissions control system.
Tailpipe Test: For vehicles made before 1996, a technician may conduct a tailpipe test to measure the levels of pollutants emitted from the exhaust.
Visual Inspection: The emissions control components are also visually inspected to ensure that all required components are present and functioning correctly.

Vehicles that fail the emissions test must be repaired and retested to comply with state regulations. Maintaining your vehicle's emissions system is crucial for environmental protection and compliance with state laws.

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Windshield Stress Cracks

by Merrillville Auto Glass & Trim on 03/04/25

Well, I found out today - our suppliers/manufactures do not cover Windshields that stress crack? Which I consider this a manufactures defect - when no obvious impact is seen. Its been along time since we have had one do that... their response was: "That their are companies/installers that truly should not be installing auto glass. If we were to cover stress cracks we would close. There are a lot of installers who are not taking off the cowl to install a windshield. Even more frighting - using silicone to set a windshield..and in that insistence - the customer would have to take the vehicle to the body shop. They would have to remove the windshield- and take the windshield down to bare metal - and repaint. A new windshield would then have to be installed. And we don't know what the customer was doing when it cracked. I have visited places and you would not believe what I have seen . Was it very cold outside and they had the defrost cranked up? , or really cold out and went through a car wash? all that would make a glass crack. " So, now ANY kind of glass breakage is no longer covered... by distributors.

So that being said.. be mindful - your windshield is two pieces of glass with a vinyl in between - when its supper cold outside do not go through a car wash.

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Windshield moldings with a windshield replacement

by Merrillville Auto Glass & Trim on 05/07/24

Some people are totally confused about windshield moldings and windshield replacements-Some don't even know how bad their molding really are to begin with or take in the age - and how weather conditions take there toll on these plastic moldings. I even added information on our website about the different kinds of moldings on vehicles.. these moldings are decorative- they hide the space between the A pillar and the gap between the windshield . Some of these moldings are body moldings and they are reused- and when weathered and old are brittle and can get warped just taking them off a vehicle. These moldings depending on the age of a vehicle might be available from the dealer or could be discontinued (most OEM are being discontinued after 5 years) - we do our best to take these molding of without damaging them but most of the time these are a plastic type molding and sometimes the OEM had two face tape on them which can not be reapplied. Some you can see the damage hard cracking of the rubber and some so brittle they just fall apart.

These are ALL extra expenses not in the original quote. It goes for all glass shops that install glass- not just ours.

What makes it harder is if it is an insurance job - these moldings need approval (since they are not required to be replaced by NAGS National Auto Glass Service) Which could mean and extra week time to wait for approval.

Moldings that are meant to be reused - and then the customer thinks they should be included - they are not - They are decorative -they aesthetic of the body - they have NO influence on the windshield install - they do not stop leaking - they do not "Seal the Windshield" They do not make your vehicle unsafe to drive......... so go to our Auto Glass page and see moldings and you will find out more information on Glass Moldings....

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When looking at used car convertilbles ...

by Merrillville Auto Glass & Trim on 08/21/23

So, right next door to us is a car lot. Discount Auto LLC owned by Walter Woldt. There is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible for sale for $3,500, and as I sit at my desk I see quite a few people looking at the car. ( mostly women with a Male counterpart with them) I see them test drive, walk around the car - look over the interior - kick the tires, look in the trunk - even look at the spacing on body panels...... NOT ONE PERSON - checked the TOP- worked the top ? put their hands on the top - checked out the rear window- and from where I sit it is getting close to its life's end. The cost of a new replacement top on a 2003 - 20011 is est $2,635 if it does not need a new headliner or inner insulation.

I don't know how many times I have heard - we just bought this car and it needs a top - and not knowing that replacements are $1,000 of dollars - sometimes more than you paid for the car. Please feel free to give me a call - if you are thinking about buying a used convertible - at least I can give you an idea of what you will have to spend to get it where it was when it was new. PS if you scroll down on our Facebook Page you will see a recent one we just did.

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Will my Windshield Repair be invisible?

by Merrillville Auto Glass & Trim on 03/09/23

The quick answer is NO.

Windshield repairs are not cosmetic- the cracks fill in and will be less noticeable but when the light hits it right you will see the crack still- that is why it is not recommended to do repairs in sight lines..

That being said- some fill better than others - stars lines you will notice the most ..

If you have a crack or chip in your windshield, you will want to get it repaired quickly. This can preserve the integrity of the windshield and prevent further damage. However, upon seeing the repair, you may be a bit concerned. Most of the time, you can still see the crack, chip or star where the windshield was damaged. This may leave you wondering why you needed a repair when the damage is still visible. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may have about this topic.

Why Can You Still See a Crack or Chip After it Was Repaired?

When a windshield repair is done, a small amount of clear resin is injected into the chip, crack or star. This simply fills up the crack or chip with a material that helps prevent it from cracking further. It does not disguise or hide the damage. There is no product that will do that. This is the reason why you need to replace your windshield if the damage is in your line of vision while driving.

Why Should You Repair the Windshield if the Damage is Still Visible?

Repairing a crack or chip helps to prevent that crack or chip from growing in size. It does not hide the flaw in your glass. If you decided not to repair a crack, the crack would grow as glass expands and contracts in hot and cold temperatures or as your car vibrates when it hits potholes or you play your music loudly. This is why it is important to fill in these items, even if the damage is visible.

Is There Any Way to Hide a Crack?

At this time, the only way to hide imperfections in your auto glass is to replace the glass, rather than to repair it. However, it is important to note that some repairs help hide the flaw better than others. For example, a filled in chip will be less visible than a repaired star. Always keep this factor in mind when deciding whether to repair or replace the windshield. If you don't want to see any flaws, windshield replacement is the better option for you.

When you have a chip or crack in your windshield, it is important that it get repaired quickly. This helps to ensure that the crack or chip won't spread. If it does, your windshield may need to be completely replaced, rather than just repaired.

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