What Every Alabama Driver Should Know About...
Your car has been built to not only provide a means of transportation,
but also to help protect you in the event of an accident. All repair work done to your car
is regulated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to ensure that all parts
and their installation meet the performance requirements that contribute to your safety.
Your windshield is secured to the body of your car by specially
formulated auto glass adhesives that have been tested and approved to meet al applicable
FMVSS requirements.
Your windshield is classified as a "safety device" because it
provides structural strength to your car body, helps keep passengers inside the car if an
accident should occur, and supports the inflation and performance of passenger side
airbags. As important as the windshield quality is, so too is the quality and proper
installation of the auto glass adhesive.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE LAW:
It is there to protect you and the quality of your car. Everyone should
understand it and everyone is expected to follow it!
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act makes it illegal for
anyone to return your car cannot be safely driven until the adhesive has had enough cure
time to meet FMVSS performance requirements.
Federal; <MOTOR Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) define the required
performance of all parts classified as "safety devices.? FMVSS is the governing
authority for al OEM and aftermarket work and requires auto glass adhesives to be strong
enough to hold the windshield to the car under certain crash conditions.
FMVSS requires adhesives to be nearly 6 times stronger for cars with
passenger side airbags.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SAFE DRIVE AWAY TIME (SDAT):
SDAT defines the amount of time that your car is required to remain out
of service until the auto-glass part installed can properly operate as a safety device.
Cars with passenger side airbags require either more time or a faster
acting auto glass adhesive to reach safe Drive Away Time because of the additional
strength necessary to support the deployment of the passenger side airbag.
By adhering to the auto glass adhesive manufacturer's Safe Drive Away
Time calculations, FMVSS requirements are met and your car is safe to drive.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR AUTO GLASS ADHESIVE:
There are a number of brands and types of adhesives to choose from
The judgement and determining factor for acceptable adhesives is based on their
certified ability to pass all applicable FMVSS requirements.
The lower the temperature and humidity, the longer it takes for standard
one-part adhesives to cure. If you are not able to wait the prescribed amount of time to
meet Safe Drive Away Time, there are new high performance adhesives that cure much faster
due to the special accelerator components. These types of adhesives are typically more
expensive than standard one-part products.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR: AUTO GLASS INSTALLATION SHOP:
Only those business that meet the following professional standards
should be trusted with your car:
Use trained and certified technicians.
Use only products that meet FMVSS standards.
Follow all adhesive manufacturer's instructions.
Provide written warranty and record for the work completed.
Carry adequate insurance.
THE SERVICE YOU SHOULD EXPECT:
A clear discussion concerning how your installation work will be
completed.
How long your car will need to be held out of service to protect your
safety.
The type of auto glass adhesive that you and the glass shop decide to
use should be one that, based on weather conditions, allows your car to be safely driven
within the time frame you require.
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