We only had our Honda crv for a year now. The front windshield was replaced when a crack caused by a stone that hit the window. That has happened with other vehicles before. Now yesterday it was high 80's and very humid heat -----after work I went to the car ( sitting in employee parking lot from 6 am to 4 p.m. ) to find the 2nd side passenger window ( tinted dark glass ) completely busted and in splinters. I did call the cops prior to the insurance co. Nothing taken out of the car and the officer felt the window just busted from the heat. I was wondering how often that happens.? I have other cars ( not Honda's ) in the past with never a window busted from the heat. Any similar experience? And should one keep windows open a crack in extreme heat. ? Or would turning on the AC in a hot car cause the window to crack?? Just wondering thanks Joan
I was curious and so group.googled for {window heat break car}. See, for starters, the first two threads at http://groups.google.com/groups?q=window+heat+break+car&ie=UTF-8&hl=en It apparently does happen often enough that I'd be inclined to believe heat can do this (via several possible mechanisms, ranging from a flaw to temperature differentials from edge to center, to maybe water splattering on a hot car window... )
I've only seen 2 windshields that broke from heat. They were both "crystallized" appearing vs "cracks. Not sure how side windows would appear however. I always leave my windows cracked a little bit open when the car is sitting in the sun. I feel extreme heat is detrimental to the plastic etc. interior parts.
Where was the broken glass? If it was mostly inside of the car, somebody broke your window. If it was mostly outside the car, it could have been blown out by the heat, but high 80's isn't really all that hot.
Tinted window;it probably all held together.(it should have,window film on glass acts just like a laminated windshield) When thieves broke into a neighbors car,they had to pull the glass out of the door after 'smashing' it,as it mostly stayed in one big piece,they left it laying on the ground. Someone could have throw a rock at it,or used a centerpunch,it might just have been vandalism.Some people do not respect other's property. I've also heard of thieves busting car windows that had dark tints just to see IF there's anything inside worth stealing,as the dark tint prevents easily checking for items.Called police on a guy breaking a car window in my apt.complex,dark tinted windows,turns out the car was a junker,didn't even have a steering wheel on the column,and the thief never got into the car because the window held together.Nothing to steal in it,either. The cops did not get there in time to catch him,though.;-(
=========================== Joan, your car can't 'blow out' the windows because it's not an air-tite vessel. The groundskeeper probably hit a patch of gravel and his riding mower threw one pebble at yor window at high speed. Happens in residential neighborhoods every evening, all summer. :-( 'Curly'
It makes a difference whether it has factory tint or the aftermarket film sheet on it. When the thieves broke the factory tinted back side window on my Mazda pickup with factory tint, the glass was mostly in the car. If it has the tint film, them I agree with your logic - the film will tend to hold it together. A rock from a lawn mower or edger or vandal would fit the description given by the OP.
Some 1987-period Accords would crack the windshield from stress, and I believe mine did so when parked in a cool garage after driving on a hot day. But anything smashed to splinters was done by a rock or other major impact. J.
