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Suddenly acquiring a crack or chip on your windshield can be a bit terrifying if you are out on the open road. Thankfully, most windshield chips or cracks end up being rather small in nature and will not immediately start spreading unless you give them a reason to. If you have a crack or chip on your windshield and can't get to an auto glass repair shop immediately, here are three tips you are going to want to keep in mind in order to keep things under control.
Avoid the Defroster (and the Sun)
Heat does not mix well with chipped or cracked glass. The strength of the glass has already been weakened, so you want to avoid exposing it to anything that could make the problem worse. Being exposed to heat for a significant amount of time or even just a sudden temperature change from cold to hot could be enough to cause your crack to splinter. For this reason, avoid using the defroster if the crack happens in the winter, and avoid parking outdoors where your car will be exposed to the sun if it is a hot summer day.
Avoid Bumpy Roads
You can't always predict what your car will encounter out on the road and that's probably one of the reasons you got the chip or crack in the first place. But going forward, it's important to avoid exposing the windshield to any sudden jolts. Stick to the main highways and avoid the back roads wherever possible, and take care when driving over an area like a parking lot that might have speed bumps installed. Also avoid slamming your door shut and make sure your passengers are educated on the situation as well.
Keep Dirt Out
Most small cracks or chips can be repaired without having to replace the entire windshield. But in order for this to work, you need to make sure that nothing is going to get in the way of the repair. One of your top concerns after acquiring a crack or chip should be to keep dirt out of the affected area. Not only can dirt make the repair job much harder, it could even cause the situation to escalate. If you have to drive your car in its current condition, put a piece of clear tape over the affected area. Just make sure you don't use so much that it obstructs your view of the road.
If you have a cracked or chipped windshield, it's not the end of the world. Most small chips can be managed until you get the vehicle to an auto repair shop. Just be sure not to expose your windshield to any sudden heat or jarring and take steps to keep the car clean and dirt away from the chip or crack. Reach out to an shop like Cambridge Collision & Auto Center today for more information.
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