Can anyone explain the windshield "pen test"?

It sounds like this test is used to find out where a windshield crack originated from. This question is being asked in regards to a friends Element.

Thanks!

 

The pen test: The crack is traced with a ballpoint pen, and if no impact point snags the pen, voila - free windshield. It's meant to distinguish between cracks cause by impacts from flying debris, rocks, whatever (NOT under warranty) and cracks caused by stress or flexing of the frame which are theoretically covered under warranty.

J.P.

 

Mmmm Scientific....

Thanks man

 

This is the first time I have heard of this, I wish I knew. A few years back I took a rental car on the Nurburgring in Germany pushed it to it's limits, a few hours later we are just cruising on the Autobahn and we hear SNAP ... we look up and a crack is slamming along the wind windsheild. No evidence of any rock chip , no where near any other cars or trucks. Tried to "convince" the rental agent it must have been a "defect" they charged the credit card for the repair. Some cars just cant handle the twisting ( it was an Opel Vectra)

 

Move to South Carolina, they are covered by your insurance. I manage to get my windshield "cracked" about , oh once a year. You would be amazed at how nice a new windshield is.

 

It's covered by insurance if you have full-glass coverage in most states.

if you rent a car though, all bets are off.