There are many different devices that drivers today use for safe and enjoyable driving. Smartphones and dashcams are some of the most popular. However, you may wonder if and how you should mount these devices to your auto glass. As a Baytown glass company, we’ve been asked a lot of questions about this. For instance, you might wonder whether it’s legal, safe, and whether it can damage your windshield. Let’s talk about mounting phones and dashcams to your auto glass and some tips to help you avoid any issues.
Tips from Your Baytown Glass Company: Mounting Devices to Your Windshield
Whether you want a dashcam to help provide peace of mind in case you’re in an accident or you want to be able to use your phone hands-free for GPS, you might be considering mounting a device to your auto glass. However, is this legal? Is it safe? Will it cause damage? We’re here to help answer these questions as much as possible so you can make an informed decision.
Is it Legal to Mount My Phone or Dashcam to My Windshield?
First of all, is it legal to mount a smartphone or dashcam to your windshield? The law is a little fuzzy on this score. In fact, Texas laws don’t really mention dashcams or smartphone mounts at all. However, there are laws about objects that obstruct the driver’s vision.
Texas Transportation Code 547.613 says it’s illegal to have “an object or material that is placed on or attached to the windshield or side or rear window and that obstructs or reduces the operator’s clear view.” Therefore, if your smartphone or dashcam or the mounting hardware gets in the way of you being able to see the road, then it’s most certainly illegal.
This seems pretty cut and dry. After all, having something blocking your view is unsafe. However, the issue is a little nuanced. People interpret this law in different ways. Some believe this means it’s illegal to mount anything to the windshield, while others believe it’s okay as long as it’s small and in an inconspicuous area. Just keep this in mind as you look at your options.
Is there an area of the windshield my Baytown glass company recommends using for smartphone or dashcam mounts?
As we mentioned, the law about mounting devices to your windshield in Texas is a little vague, but it does talk about obstructing the driver’s vision. This is mainly for safety reasons, as good visibility is essential for safe driving. Therefore, your Baytown glass company recommends choosing an area that doesn’t block your view if you’re going to mount your phone or dashcam to the windshield.
For dashcams, most people choose to attach the camera right behind the rearview mirror. This can help reduce the risk of the camera blocking your view. If most of the camera sits behind the rearview mirror, then it shouldn’t pose any danger by making it difficult to see while driving.
Mounting smartphones to your windshield also requires you to think about safety and how your view of the road might be impacted. As we mentioned, this is a little bit of a gray area, so there’s no “right” answer here. Some say the phone and mounting hardware shouldn’t sit anywhere where the wiper blades swipe. Others say you must mount the phone to the lower left corner, while still others recommend instead mounting your phone to your driver’s side window. If you’re going to mount your phone to your auto glass, we do recommend testing it out and seeing how it affects your view at different angles.
Can I Mount Devices to Car Windows?
Some people prefer to mount their phones to the window to avoid issues seeing out of the windshield. However, once again, you need to be careful. Texas law also says you shouldn’t place anything on the side windows of your car that could obstruct the driver’s vision. So, you’re dealing with the same issues as mounting devices to your windshield. You need to make sure it doesn’t affect your ability to see and drive safely.
Can Mounting Devices to My Auto Glass Cause Damage?
Another common question we get asked is whether mounting dashcams or phones to auto glass can cause damage. Many people are concerned about needing Baytown windshield repair.
When it comes to mounting smartphones and dashcams to your auto glass, most mounting hardware use either a suction cup or auto glass adhesive. Your car’s glass is incredibly tough. So, it’s unlikely that the weight of the device is going to cause any issues for either your windshield or side windows. However, we have seen several auto glass scratches and other damage from improper removal. Therefore, it’s important to keep that in mind if you plan to remove the devices later.
Other Options Your Baytown Glass Company Suggests
Now, we’ve mentioned that the law prohibits anything that could block your view of the road when you drive. Many people interpret that to mean you shouldn’t mount anything to your windshield. Luckily, there are other options!
The dashboard is often the next most popular place to mount a smartphone or dashcam. Just keep in mind that devices on the dashboard can also obstruct your view, so be careful with placement and put safety first!
If you’re looking for a place to put your phone for things like GPS and hands-free calling, then there are several other options aside from mounting it to your windshield or dashboard. For example, there are many devices that allow you to mount your phone to areas like air vents, CD slots, and even cupholders. So, you might want to explore your options before you buy a phone mount that sticks to your auto glass.
Questions for Your Baytown Glass Company: Glue or Suction Cups for Mounting Items to the Windshield?
So, you’ve decided to go with a windshield mount for your phone or dashcam. The next question you have is whether to use a suction cup or an adhesive-based mounting device. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. There’s no standard rule our Baytown glass company can offer. However, let’s talk about why you might choose one over the other.
Pros & Cons of Suction Cup Windshield Mounts
Suction cup mounts for windshields are incredibly popular. These devices are great because they’re temporary and you can remove them at any time with little difficulty. This is one of the main advantages of this type of phone or dashcam mount for your windshield. They’re really easy to install, move around to different areas of your windshield if needed, or even remove and take with you for any car you drive. Because they’re so easy to install and remove, they’re unlikely to leave behind any damage that requires auto glass repair in Baytown.
However, one of the main disadvantages is that suction cups can lose their “stickiness” over time and with movement. For example, if you hit a pothole, your mount could dislodge itself. They also tend to gradually let air in, which makes the seal weaker. Therefore, you may need to re-attach regularly for a good, strong seal.
Pros & Cons of Auto Glass Adhesive
Another option for device mounts for your auto glass is adhesive. The hardware for these tends to be smaller than those that use suction cups. Adhesive-based windshield mounts for your phone or dashcam are often much stronger than the suction cup variety, so it’s less likely they’ll fall off with impact.
However, these are also often much harder to remove, so they’re a much more permanent solution. While it’s possible to remove them from your windshield or side window, it may take some patients, elbow grease, and some heat to soften the glue. Also, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right adhesive for the job.
Using the Wrong Adhesive Could End in Baytown Windshield Repair
Keep in mind that there are many different types of glue out there, some of which might not be very effective on auto glass and some that can even damage the glass. Adhesives that have an incredibly strong hold may prove to be almost impossible to remove from the glass when the time comes. This might lead to damage that needs repair or even replacement, so keep that in mind. You want adhesive specifically designed for this purpose or else you run the risk of damaging your car’s glass or the mount falling off after it’s exposed to heat and UV rays.
Talk to the Experts at Joey’s Glass: Baytown’s Oldest Full-Service Glass Company
Looking for glass expertise for your car, home, or business? At Joey’s Glass, we offer high quality glass repair and installation services. We’ve been serving Baytown since 1973 and have built a reputation for superior quality and friendly service. Call us today at (281) 427-4705 to talk to our specialists and get a free quote!