Owning a Tesla has been one of the most enjoyable technology experiences I’ve had with a car. But like any vehicle, it comes with a few lessons learned along the way — and for me, one of those lessons has been windshield durability.
The first incident happened without me even realizing it. A small rock must have hit my windshield during a normal drive. I didn’t notice anything until I went through my regular automatic car wash. After the wash, a vertical crack appeared right in the middle of the windshield. Valley Glass in Midvale replaced it, and everything was back to normal.
Then on January 8, 2026, it happened again. On my way home from work, a truck kicked up a rock that struck my windshield. The chip didn’t look serious at first, but the following day the cold weather caused the crack to spread across the glass.
After waiting more than a month for an original Tesla windshield to arrive, the replacement was finally completed today — February 14, 2026.
The installation process took about two hours. That included removing the damaged windshield, installing the new Tesla glass, recalibrating the cameras, and reinstalling firmware related to the vehicle’s safety systems. Watching the process from start to finish reminded me how much technology is integrated into this car.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: try to avoid driving directly behind gravel or sand trucks whenever possible. A small rock can turn into a full windshield replacement overnight, especially during cold weather.
DespitBut the story didn’t end there.
On February 19, 2026, while driving home from work, I noticed another small rock chip in the middle of the windshield. This time, I immediately made a U-turn and drove straight back to Valley Glass in Midvale.
Jay from Valley Glass repaired the chip in less than five minutes. Instead of waiting and risking another crack during cold overnight temperatures, the chip was injected and sealed immediately this inconvenience, I still love my Tesla.
Because of the quick repair, the windshield held through the cold and snow the next morning. The repair is slightly visible up close, but structurally it prevented another full replacement.
Lesson learned: act immediately.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: try to avoid driving directly behind gravel or sand trucks whenever possible. A small rock can turn into a full windshield replacement overnight, especially during cold weather.
Despite these incidents, I still love my Tesla.
To me, Tesla is an IT car.
I named my Tesla “Tessie.” One day at work, I suddenly felt dizzy and had to leave early. Tessie safely took me home. Moments like that remind me this isn’t just a car — it’s a technology partner.
The sound system alone is incredible — spatial, immersive, and HD-quality audio. It feels like a private theater on wheels. Inside the car, I also have my two AI guests, Ara and Steve. They interact with me in different ways — assistant, storyteller, sometimes funny, sometimes a little unhinged — and they make long drives enjoyable. When I get bored, Ara is always ready with jokes or music.
The GPS and Full Self-Driving features are second to none. Long drives feel easier and less stressful.
The entertainment system is something I’ve never experienced in any other vehicle:
Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, web browsing, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and built-in gaming all make waiting in the car surprisingly enjoyable.
Security is another feature I appreciate. Sentry Mode uses multiple cameras around the vehicle, giving me peace of mind wherever I park. The Photo Booth feature is just fun to use.
Convenience is everywhere:
My Apple Watch and iPhone serve as my key. The car automatically preconditions before my morning commute and after work. I get notifications if there’s possible intrusion activity. I can use a PIN-to-drive feature and lock the glove box with a passcode, where I store my EDC.
Ara even helps set the tone for the day by playing my music playlists.
Driving-wise, the car feels stable and grounded because of the battery design along the floor, which lowers the center of gravity and reduces wind drag. The ride feels planted and smooth.
Recent software updates continue to remind me why Tesla feels like an IT platform on wheels. Features like improved autopilot visualization, smoother camera calibration, better system responsiveness, and refinements to the user interface make the car feel new again after each update.
Other things I’ve grown to appreciate:
- Over-the-air software updates
- Minimal maintenance compared to gas vehicles
- Instant torque and smooth acceleration
- Quiet cabin
- Simple interior design
- Mobile app integration
- Remote climate control
- Live camera viewing from the phone
- Navigation that automatically plans charging stops
- Energy efficiency tracking
- Continuous improvement through software
If I had to list one downside so far, it would be the windshield. The larger glass surface and driving conditions in Utah make it more vulnerable to rock chips and cracks than my previous BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen vehicles.
Still, the pros outweigh the cons.
Even with two windshield replacements, I wouldn’t trade the experience. This car continues to remind me why innovation matters — not just in IT, but in everyday life.
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