Usually, the problem with car windshields is that they develop a full crack from a tiny chip. Therefore, you may want to be as careful as possible in order to be on the safe side. In this article, we are going to share a few tips that will help you prevent your windshield from cracking. Plus, these tips will help you identify and perform the required repairs.
1. Identify the Chip Location
First of all, you should identify the location of the crack. Find out if the crack obscures your view. You may want to take your vehicle to a professional if the crack obscures your view. On the other hand, if the chip is on a side of the screen, you don’t need to have it fixed.
2. Find out if you need to Replace the Glass
According to experts, if the size of the crack is below 12 inches, know that it may not be a good idea to go for a replacement. The reason is that this type of damage may not compromise the integrity of the glass. However, it’s important to keep in mind that every crack is different. What you need to do is make sure the crack won’t get bigger and compromise the safety aspect.
3. Protect the Glass against Dirt and Debris
If you have a crack in the glass, make sure it doesn’t get filled up with dirt or debris. If dirt fills up the chip, it will turn a simple job into a complicated one. However, this doesn’t mean you have to have your car washed as soon as possible. If water gets into the chip, you will have no choice except replace the glass. So, what you need to do is protect the glass from dirt and water. You can cover the crack using clear tape.
4. Park your Vehicle Indoors
Always try to park your vehicle under a shady place. Ideally, you should park your vehicle in a garage. The idea is to protect it from the sun and rain. What happens is that the windshield tends to heat up and causes the crack to spread further. So, this is important to keep in mind.
5. Don’t Expose the Glass to Temperature Extremes
Similarly, don’t park your vehicle in a place where the temperature is either too high or too low. Don’t use the defroster or air conditioner at high power. If possible, you may want to raise the power gradually to defrost the glass.
6. Drive Carefully
If you drive carefully, you can prevent the crack from spreading across the screen. In other words, you may want to keep aware of the potholes and avoid driving on rough terrains. Similarly, you may not want to jostle the vehicle, especially if you already have a cracked windshield. Aside from this, you may not want to slam the door while getting out of your vehicle.
Long story short, these are a few simple tips that can help you protect your windshield or prevent a crack from spreading across the entire glass. Hope this helps.
