As a driver, you want to do everything you can to keep your vehicle in the best possible condition. One aspect of a vehicle that needs special attention is the windshield; it not only provides clear visibility for safe driving but also helps preserve its structural integrity. Unfortunately, windshield damage can be hard to avoid because of factors like flying debris and harsh weather conditions. This type of damage can cause the need for auto windshield replacement/repair services.
In this blog post, we’ll provide some valuable tips on protecting your car’s windshield from costly damages and prolonging its life. Read on to learn more!
1. Drive Carefully
Practicing safe driving is always a good idea, and one of the many benefits is avoiding windshield damage. It can be so frustrating when a rock or debris from the road gets kicked up and chips or cracks your windshield, but maintaining an appropriate speed and distance will help you make sure these kinds of unfortunate incidents don’t occur. Keeping your eyes on the road for potential obstacles and slowing down when necessary will not only help avoid windshield damage but can increase safety for yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. So take some extra time to keep yourself safe out there!
2. Maintain a Safe Distance
Maintaining a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from windshield damage. Not only is it important for keeping a good line of sight while driving, but also, if something like a rock or debris happens to be kicked up by another car’s tires, that nearly instantaneous reaction time offered by keeping a safe distance will give you ample time to apply the brakes and lessen the impact that could cause serious damage.
3. Avoid Gravel Terrain
Avoiding gravel terrain is an excellent way to protect your vehicle from damage. If you find yourself on a dirt road, take it slow and reduce your speed to limit the debris kicked up into the air by your tires as best you can. As gravel roads are known for having loose stones of various sizes, these pieces of gravel can create significant force if they impact at speeds over 30 MPH, leading to windshield chips, nicks, and even cracks. Taking extreme caution while traveling on these surfaces ensures that the life of your windshield will be maintained and can help to prevent any costly repairs or replacements.
4. Park Undercover
Parking undercover, whether it be in a garage or carport, can be an effective way to keep your car’s windshield safe from debris. Debris, such as falling branches, hail, rocks and other objects that may present a risk outdoors, can easily cause chips and cracks in the glass. By keeping your vehicle parked in a garage or beneath an overhang, you can reduce the potential for damage to occur.
5. Inspect Your Windshield Regularly
It’s important to inspect your windshield regularly for any cracks or chips. Ignored chips and cracks, however small, can quickly turn into larger ones. If you do find any damage, get it fixed as soon as possible by a professional. Taking these simple precautions can help avoid extensive windshield damage and keep yourself safe on the road.
What Are the Different Types of Windshield Damage?
Now that we have discussed how to avoid windshield damage let’s take a look at the few different classifications of windshield damage and how they differ from one another.
1. Windshield Chips
The most common type of damage is a chip. This usually happens when a small rock or piece of debris hits the glass and causes little fragments to chip off. While chips are not usually severe, they can turn into a windshield crack if left unrepaired.
2. Windshield Cracks
A windshield crack can be caused by anything from severe weather conditions and pressure to flying debris and an expanding chip.
3. Windshield Bulls-Eye
A bulls-eye is a type of damage that looks like a rim with a pit in the center. It is usually caused by hard impact. The good news is that most times, these breaks can be repaired if handled immediately before damage is able to spread.
4. Star Break
A star break is a type of damage that looks like a small spider web. It is usually caused by a large stone or piece of debris hitting the glass at high speed, causing a crack in the shape of a star. A repair may be possible if this crack is less than three inches in diameter. With that said, a variety of other factors play a role in determining whether a chipped/cracked windshield is able to be repaired or if windshield replacement is best.
What Should I Do If My Windshield Cracked?
If you find yourself with a cracked windshield, it is important to take immediate action to stop the crack from spreading. The first step is to schedule an appointment with an auto glass technician in order to get the windshield inspected and determine the extent of the damage. Windshields that are too severely damaged may need to be replaced, but minor cracks and chips can often be repaired.
Your Auto Glass Repair Experts!
At Collision Auto Glass & Calibration, we understand how important it is to uphold the trust of our customers and commit ourselves to provide only the best quality service. With experienced technicians combining the most advanced installation techniques with top-of-the-line materials, you can be confident that your vehicle’s auto glass will be taken care of properly. We strive for excellence in the industry by actively improving and refining procedures as advancements come out, ensuring that all our customers receive the results they expect.
As your local auto glass shop, we are proud to offer the following auto glass services:
- Rock chip repair
- Windshield repair & windshield replacement
- Auto glass installation
- Auto glass repair & auto glass replacement