Automotive Glass
Services
The Local Choice for Windshield Replacement & Repair
At Autofocus Glass Inc., the team is passionate about providing top-notch customer service and ensuring that each windshield repair job is completed with precision and speed. Our commitment to quality results never wavers, as we strive to make your windshield repair experience as hassle-free as possible. We understand that time is precious, so our goal is to get you back on the road quickly while still delivering automotive solutions at a high standard of excellence. From minor repairs to major windshield replacements, our windshield repair experts can provide the service that meets your needs. Trust your windshield repair to Autofocus Glass Kelowna!
Autofocus Glass in Kelowna, BC offers a full range of glass replacement and repair services residents can count on, including all of the following:
Windshield Replacement & Repairs
Accessory Repair & Replacement
Insurance Claims Processing
Side & Rear Glass Repairs
Pickup, Dropoff and Courtesy Cars Available
We Calibrate Windshield Cameras (Advanced Driver Assist Systems)
Windshield Replacement & Repairs
Most people don’t give their windshields much consideration until a problem arises. We think that it’s important to understand how an intact windscreen can protect you in the event of an accident. With the majority of today’s vehicles being of unibody construction, the windshield is a structural component adding rigidity and strength to the vehicle.
Just like you wouldn’t drive a car with faulty airbags or broken seatbelts, you shouldn’t drive a car with a badly damaged windshield. Your windshield is an important safety feature of your vehicle that protects you from the elements and adds an additional layer of security in the event of an accident. When your windshield is damaged, it can put you and your passengers at unnecessary risk.
Windshield Chip Repairs
When it comes to windshield chip repair, Kelowna drivers have all likely experienced the unpleasant surprise of having road salt, sand particles or flying debris chip or crack their cars glass. On top of this, anyone who has experienced a Canadian winter knows that frost cracks are a frequent cause for windshield replacements due to unrepaired stone chips. We offer quality windshield chip repair Kelowna residents can count on.
More About Windshield Options
The cost of replacing a windshield varies by the options installed on your vehicle.
Standard or Electro-chromatic Rear View Mirror
Some car makers use the rear view mirror to hold sensors in position, as well as additional features like compass’, garage door opener buttons, roadside assistance beacon and auto dimming mirror. All these features use wiring to function which requires blackout areas to hide from outside view.
Rain Sensor
Rain sensing windshield wipers are very common on newer vehicles, which turn on wipers automatically when rain is sensed on the windshield. The sensor is usually mounted near or inside rear view mirror. Many of these sensors are dual purpose and act as a light sensor to adjust the interior lighting as well as the headlights.
Heads-up display (HUD)
These displays are becoming common place on new cars, and usually offer speedometer, navigation and audio system displays. Automotive heads-up displays allow safer operation by keeping drivers focus outside the vehicle. The system projects pertinent images on to windshield.
Heated Wiper Park and Integrated Heat
Heated windshields are very common for vehicles built for sale in Canada. The basic design helps to prevent wipers from freezing to glass and to reduce ice buildup along the bottom of the windscreen. Integrated heat is common option on Jaguar, Land Rover, and Mercedes and uses a grid of fine wires throughout the entire windshield to maximize viewing area during snowy conditions.
Shade Band
The most basic option on many windscreens is a “Shade Band” located at the top of the glass spanning the width of windshield, the colours are typically; Grey for Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes, Green for Toyota and BMW, and most commonly Blue for GM including: GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, as well as most other manufacturers including Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Acura, Ford and Dodge.
Humidity Sensor
When humidity or moisture are present in the vehicle, the climate control is automatically adjusted. Turns on defrost when it senses humidity on the inside of the windshield.
Third Visor Frit
Exactly as it sounds, the third visor is designed to fill the void between the vehicle’s two visors reducing glare around the rear view mirror. This location is also used to install other devices such as humidity sensor, rain sensor, cameras and related wiring.
We recommend calling us or filling out our quote request form with your VIN to get a more accurate estimate of the cost and availability.
Insurance Claims Processing - ICBC Windshield Repair Program
The ICBC windshield repair program can be a bit confusing for anyone who is not in the automotive industry. To make the process as simple as possible, let us assess the damage and tell you whether your glass is eligible for “Free” repairs. According to the ICBC policy, a maximum of three damaged areas may be repaired per claim. There is no current limit to the number of claims that drivers can make within a given policy period, but there are limits to what can be repaired versus what must be replaced.
Generally speaking, any chips that are larger than a loonie or directly within a driver’s line of sight will require glass replacement and cannot be safely repaired. If you’re unsure about the extent of the damage to your auto glass, don’t hesitate to call or contact us for assistance.
Crack Repair
Crack repairs are not covered by current automobile insurance plans. In general, this is because crack repairs are often just a short-term fix that will ultimately lead to a full glass replacement. Unless the crack is incredibly small or thin, you will need a glass replacement sooner rather than later in order to continue driving safely. There are special circumstances where our team can temporarily fix a larger crack. Cracked windshields are a danger to you, your passengers and your fellow drivers, so don’t wait for small cracks to worsen before calling us. Stop by or fill out a quote request form so that we can help you get back to driving safely.
Accessory Repair and Replacement
Whenever possible, we utilize reputable salvage companies so that we can get you the lowest available price. Window regulators, and windshield wiper motors don’t fail often which unfortunately makes them fairly expensive.
Windshield Wipers
Proper maintenance of your windshield wipers is just as important as caring for your brakes or keeping adequate fuel in your tank. Windshield wiper blades that are worn, cracked or torn cannot only make it difficult to drive safely in bad weather, but they can scratch your windshield as well. As a rule, windshield wiper blades should be replaced every six months, but they should be checked every three months. If you don’t feel confident in your wiper blade maintenance skills, we’re happy to help you find and install replacement windshield wipers.
Headlight Polishing
Over time, headlight covers will become cloudy, yellowed, scratched or dull. This is due to unavoidable environmental factors such as salt, road debris, ice, condensation accumulating inside of the lens and UV damage from sunlight. Most headlights are made from a special type of polycarbonate plastic that is sturdy enough to withstand constant exposure to the elements, but it cannot maintain its original clarity without professional cleaning and polishing.
Side Mirrors
Repairing or replacing side mirrors is often much more expensive than you might expect, especially if you try to visit a dealership for repairs. If you need a replacement side mirror, let us help you. We will use our extensive knowledge to source recycled or aftermarket parts in order to save you time, money and frustration.
Side & Rear Glass Repairs
Rear Glass
Rear glass repair and replacement is typically considered the least common type of auto glass replacement Kelowna car owners will need, and this may drive the price up at some locations. In most cases, we offer prices on rear windshields replacement Kelowna car owners won’t be able to find at another shop, so don’t hesitate to fill out our quote request form!
Side Glass
Side glass repairs are somewhat more common than rear glass repairs, and they are often needed in response to theft or vandalism, which often makes them more burdensome and inconvenient to deal with. When you come to us for side glass work, we will make every effort to complete the job as quickly as possible while maintaining our quality standards. If we are unable to immediately replace the glass, we will clean up any residual glass fragments for your safety and place a sturdy, temporary wrap over the window to seal it until a replacement can be installed.
Advanced Drivers Assist System Camera(s) – ADAS
With every new model year more vehicles are equipped with Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS). There is an added cost to owning these new technologically advanced vehicles. After a collision, certain systems require calibration as many sensors are in the bumpers, grill or attached to radiator support. Replacing components related to suspension or tires may also require alignment of ADAS. Similarly, replacing a windshield which has an ADAS camera mounted to the glass or the roof of vehicle, looking through the windscreen, will likely require camera calibration and the added expense associated with the service.
The most relevant ADAS to windshield replacement are:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
The suite of sensors installed on a vehicle (camera, ultrasonic, radar and steering sensors) all work together for a complete assessment of vehicle location and direction of travel. ADAS sensors require calibration if their positions are changed.
Forward Facing Camera
Many new vehicles are equipped with forward-facing cameras. These cameras are used for target acquisition for adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
Static Calibration
Static calibration is performed in shop using factory approved and designed targets or patterns to confirm and adjust where and what the camera sees and transmits back to the vehicle computer.
Dynamic Calibration
Dynamic calibration is the typical method for domestic cars and trucks. Dynamic calibrations are initiated with an OBD scan tool, or aftermarket scanner followed by driving the vehicle on relatively straight roads with clear lane markings at specified speeds and distances until the scan tool indicate calibration is completed successfully.
Universal Calibration
There are several vehicles which require Universal calibrations. This is typically completed by first aligning the camera in shop via static calibration and then proceeding to drive the vehicle to acquire a successful dynamic calibration.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) have undoubtedly made for a safer driving experience. Unfortunately, it has added a very large expense to a very common service. Autofocus Glass Inc. has invested time and money to provide its customers with state-of-the-art tooling which allows calibrations on most vehicles that currently require ADAS calibration after windshield replacement. This allows us to offer a more convenient experience for customers – as we are a one-stop-shop – no visit to the dealership is required after having your windscreen service completed.