Windscreens that cause performance issues: Vehicle List

[thestaton]

hmmm. I recently bought some Maui Jims that have a polarized lens & are a shade of red. I have noticed that the majority of Pontiac's have a purple windshield. Primarily the Aztecs. They stick out like a sore thumb.

[allyoops]

Originally Posted by KustomEagle

no other explanation i can come up with besides metallic glass would cause that;

Those RMR radar jammers get everywhere

[TSi+WRX]

I think that this list is going to be pretty complicated.....

Since this is an "international" community Forum, we really should state our country-of-origin/market, as different vehicles can not only carry different names in different areas of the world, but even in this day of common platforms and money-savings, different parts of the world (i.e. different markets) can see unique trim levels and equipment - be it standard-equipment fare or additional-cost options.

Also, is there some way of truly verifying the information on this thread?

Not saying that anyone here is not knowledgeable or untrustworthy, but is this just going to be a YMMV, "my two cents" kind of thing, or is there going to be some kind of official verification?

[Lucky225]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

I think that this list is going to be pretty complicated.....

Since this is an "international" community Forum, we really should state our country-of-origin/market, as different vehicles can not only carry different names in different areas of the world, but even in this day of common platforms and money-savings, different parts of the world (i.e. different markets) can see unique trim levels and equipment - be it standard-equipment fare or additional-cost options.

Also, is there some way of truly verifying the information on this thread?

Not saying that anyone here is not knowledgeable or untrustworthy, but is this just going to be a YMMV, "my two cents" kind of thing, or is there going to be some kind of official verification?

VIN numbers maybe?

[TSi+WRX]

^ Good point. Not sure that everyone would be willing to surrender their VINs, though, on a public Forum.

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Please, everyone, don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to knock this idea, and I think that what allyoops is doing here is commendable.

It's just that I'm looking at this from an auto-enthusiast's point of view, and also trying to, at the same time, troubleshoot some potential "holes" in this thread's informational outlook.

[Lucky225]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ Good point. Not sure that everyone would be willing to surrender their VINs, though, on a public Forum.

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Please, everyone, don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to knock this idea, and I think that what allyoops is doing here is commendable.

It's just that I'm looking at this from an auto-enthusiast's point of view, and also trying to, at the same time, troubleshoot some potential "holes" in this thread's informational outlook.

I think it's the 8th digit of the VIN that's important, that's usually what tells what kind of engine is in the vehicle, and 'standard packages' can be different depending on what engine is in the vehicle. So as long as the windscreen is 'standard', the 8th digit should suffice.

[allyoops]

Guys,

VIN numbers won't really help and I think it would be over complicating things.

As this is primarily a US forum I think it's fairly safe to assume that if no country is mentioned it's a US Spec / model we're talking about. (that's why I put in the mention of French cars.)

I only want to include models in the "confirmed" when I know it is 100% confirmed and accurate.

When we're not 100% sure about a model, pending further verification, there is still merit in including it in the "suspected" list based purely on anecdotal evidence. If nothing else it raises awareness of the issue and will draw further information from the model owners.

I think the thread will evolve over time and as we get a clearer picture of the models involved I'll be happy to make the necessary enquiries at a national manufacturer level to verify the accuracy of the information we pull together here.

[TSi+WRX]

^ That's well thought-out, and sounds more than reasonable.

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My (so far) contributions (US-Market):

Ford Crown Victoria, "First Generation" (1992-1997) - optional
(also Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car)

Chevrolet Caprice "Fourth Generation" (1991-1996) - optional
(also Buick Roadmaster/Cadillac Fleetwood)

This is per "IIRC." I seem to recall many automobiles of the late-80s to mid-late 90s era that had this "rose-violet" and "bronze" windshield tinting, when viewed from certain angles.

I'll try to search for more conclusive evidence, on these automobiles, as best I can, but from an hour or so online today, I haven't been able to get anything definitive, and that's just of these two chassis alone.

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Also, from a GPS discussion Forum, via a Google search, I found the following:

Renault (all models post 2001)
Citroen (all models post 2001)
Peugeot (all models post 2001)
Vauxhall (Vauxhall Zafira)
Audi A8
Some new Mercedes
Bentley Continental GT (all windows except a 2" strip at the top of the rear screen.)
BMW X5
Ford Focus - 2005 model on

Contributed by [d]dcoffing[/b], December, 2007.

^ Of the ones above, I can second the fact that the Mercedes issue extends beyond the SUV genre, allyoops. I know I've seen previous-generation Mercedes sedans (typically the S-Class) with funky windshields, but sadly, from my rather shallow base of knowledge of European vehicles, I cannot verify either the specific models nor model-years.

I am not sure if the above information, by dcoffing, regarding the 05+ Ford Focus is completely true, with respect to the US-Market.

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I also seem to remember the US-Market Cadillac Catera (chassis sisters with the Opel/Vauxhall Omega, and the third-generation [1997-2006] Holden Commodore, IIRC) being among this mix

Many GM vehicles from the late 80s to mid-late 90s carried this kind of windshield option.

[allyoops]

I think dcoffing needs to reference the sources for his posts.

It's a straight lift from Cheetah's website's FAQs that I forgot I wrote up two years ago. Too funny!!!!!!!!!

Frequently Asked Questions about Radar Detectors -#5

Frequently Asked Questions about GPS Detectors #5


I'm not actually going to incluse those US cars yet because it's my understanding that Athermic windscreens hadn't actually invented at the time they were made. I could be wrong and I'm happy to be corrected on that, but I'm pretty sure Athermic windscreens weren't really about before 2000.

If someone knows better, or you find out more TSI, please post.

[€]

Originally Posted by allyoops

I'm pretty sure Athermic windscreens weren't really about before 2000.

My car is from 1998 and definately has athermic windshield.
I also saw today Pontiac Trans Sport I [1989 - 1996] and it had athermic coating too (verrrry red in my polatized sunglasses ).

Look, it is visible even at this photo: