Is the windshield glass treated somehow so that it’s not crystal clear looking? I’m noticing my 2025 Prius with only 1000 miles on it has a windshield that looks almost like my 2009 Prius windshield. I don’t know how to describe what I’m seeing. I’m hoping it’s just the design of the glass. Too late to have dealership deal with this unless it’s a manufacture defect since they don’t warranty glass. I just finished a battle getting them to replace a side window that had deep scratches from the prep tech scraping the sticker off. I didn’t notice it until two weeks in. Ugh! I’ve had so much going on and now that we have some sunny days I’m seeing this windshield that looks a bit weathered. No chips and not a film. Looks almost like micro abrasion that occurs over many many years of use but the glass surface is completely smooth. Also what’s the best window cleaner and wiper fluid that won’t destroy clear coat? Thanks
Next time you're driving past an auto glass place ask them their opinion on it. They'll be able to recognize defective glass. But truth is, vehicles can get really dirty during assembly and shipping and having someone professionally detail your brand new car is an essential first step if you want it to last as long as possible. I remember once when I was house sitting for my friend and I picked up her and her family up at the airport in her brand new car she told me she didn't even recognize because it looked so clean. It's common to hear people say, "my car wasn't even this clean when I bought it brand new." Many people find that hard to believe until they experience the difference.
gen 4 got a lot of complaints about windshields. maybe toyota isn't building them like they used to, or all the high tech safety equipment relies on a certain type of windshield?
I have to find a place that I can trust to professionally clean it. I only had the dealership clean the windows and rinse the car off because I was afraid they would scratch the paint. After all that I almost died when I saw the scratched side window. There is a good auto glass company in the area. I’m afraid to hear what they might say. : /
Maybe I had a dad like you? I love how he taught me to complain to get what I want and not back down to get it. Though when I was older and found out via word of mouth that he destroyed a home window washer business by demanding that all the windows on his entire house be replaced for barely perceptible scratches from the washer's brushes, I didn't have kind thoughts for dad. As in maybe what you call scratches or "not crystal clear looking" is not that big of a deal and needlessly creating expensive hassles for people who don't deserve it. As in my Dad being a jerk to them taught me that if I want perfection, I don't hire someone, I do it myself!
After 12 years of using RainX windshield washer fluid, my windshield had scum all over it and was never clear even with repeated use of Windex windows cleaner. I decided to scrub it with Dawn dishwasher detergent and Krud Kutter. Finally, the secret was to squeegee the entire windshield to remove the water. I finally was able to remove all tthe years of built up crud. By mistake, I mixed in cheap blue windshield washer fluid into the tank with the RainX. That was a mistake and the two made more crud. Since the freezing temperatures were over for season, p pumped out the tank and replaced it with distilled water and, the result was amazing. The windshield has been amazingly crystal clear for a month. I'm no longer going to use RainX this Winter. Luckily, I have a couple if gallons of Prestone windshield washer fluid and will try that for the Winter. If that doesn't work, I'll go back to the cheap blue stuff. No more RainX for me.
You can also use a less harsh clay-mitt and use that to clean the glass. I have to clean both our cars now that the worst of the spring pollen season is done. Both have a thin film of pollen, and that stuff sticks to glass like nothing else. Super hard to get off without using clay.
I've been using this stuff, for both sides of glass, fairly good: Kleen-Flo | Products - Glass Kleen "mds" link shows some info on ingredients. 2-Butoxyethanol seems deserving of some caution.
Dish soap and 0000 steel wool has been suggested on some message boards. On the glass only, not on the tint.
Interesting comment. Actually my father was a domestic abuser and almost anything felt life threatening especially around cars. That’s where my anxiety about something going wrong with my car comes from. FYI I let go of the deep cat scratch marks on two prominent areas of the plastic interior and what looks like a 2 inch oil stain on the headliner. These appeared after I test drove the car. Multiple deep scratches several inches long on the window of my brand new car was the last straw. The interior marks were probably done by the salesman. He was clumsy and even marked up the steering wheel with the red marker he used to put the sold sign on the window. Despite all of this I was polite with my communication. I never would have thought about a professional detailer scratching a car’s paint surface until I saw details of this happening either here or another car forum I follow. A few people said the dealership tech put scratch marks all over their new paint. These new cars arrive covered in dirt so anything is possible. I used to wash my own car but don’t have access to water and have chemical sensitivities. A few other new Toyota owners are having similar issues with their windshields. They’ve been replaced but the new glass looks the same. I’m not going down that road. I just need a good glass cleaner and a good wash/wax to get the sticky pollen off.
I think I’ll start with the dish soap. Only access to a hose is at my community garden. I’ll do a quick windshield wash and rinse. : }
