The windshield on your vehicle is exposed to extremely harsh conditions nearly every day. In fact, windshield chips and cracks are quite common, with most drivers experiencing them at one time or another. Although these problems can usually be repaired, it is far less costly to prevent them from happening in the first place. Try using the following tips to keep your windshield from becoming damaged.
Follow Other Vehicles At A Safe Distance
Following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you can dramatically increase the chance of your windshield getting cracked or chipped. Rocks, pebbles, and other small objects usually get thrown up in the air by the wheels of a car as it drives over the road. These flying projectiles can do serious damage to your windshield if they come in contact with it.
The best way to avoid this is by increasing your following distance. Avoid driving directly behind the car in front of you. Instead, leave a space that is at least as long as two cars between you and the vehicle in front of you when you are driving down the road.
Slow Down
Traveling at higher speeds increases the likelihood of damage occurring. Driving more slowly, on the other hand, can help minimize the risk. Even if a rock does hit your windshield, the damage will be far less significant if you are traveling at slower speeds.
Keep An Eye On The Weather
Large hailstones or other types of severe weather can also damage your windshield. If you see bad weather in the forecast, keep your windshield covered to help prevent damage.
Check For Problems
Even the tiniest chips in your windshield can eventually spread, growing much larger and causing significant damage to your windshield. Periodically inspect your windshield to look for any chips or other signs of damage that need to be repaired before they have a chance to get worse.
Don’t Put Off Repairs
If you do spot a chip in your windshield, make an appointment to have it repaired right away. The longer you let it go, the more likely it is to spread until eventually it is too large to repair and you have to replace your entire windshield. If you need help click here.
The longer you drive with a cracked windshield, the more difficult it is to repair. It pays to be proactive by dealing with any damage as soon as you can after it happens.
How To Deal With Chips And Cracks
Despite your best efforts, you probably will occasionally get chips or cracks in your windshield. If you are unable to get the repairs done right away, there are a few steps that you can take to help keep the problem from getting worse.
Covering the crack or chip with clear packing tape can help keep debris from getting inside. This can make it easier to fix. Avoid washing your car if the windshield is cracked. Don’t push on the window since it can make the crack worse. Finally, never use glue on the crack to try to repair it. Instead, leave the repairs to the pros.
