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Whether it is your first year in a colder climate or you have lived in an area with extremely cold winters all of your life, there are still some steps that you will need to take to ensure that you and your vehicle get through the winter safely and in one piece. If you have a crack or chip in your windshield that you have yet to address or deal with and the arctic chill of winter will soon be upon you, the last thing you want to do is leave it untouched. Instead, get to know some of the options available to you to deal with your damaged windshield so that you can be sure you are taking all of the precautions necessary before the temperatures drop below freezing and the ice and snow set in.
Know The Risks Of Not Fixing Your Windshield
Glass, even thick glass like that in your vehicle's windshield, is vulnerable to temperature changes, especially when it is cold. The glass becomes more brittle and the structural integrity weakens, making glass more likely to break or shatter in cold temperatures. While an intact windshield is designed with such factors in mind for maximum safety, a chip or crack in the windshield can be extremely vulnerable to breaking.
If you were to get in a winter car accident with a damaged windshield, the glass could shatter, causing more severe injuries and maybe interfering with other safety systems in your vehicle including your air bags. Additionally, even without such an extreme impact, cracks and chips can get worse in cold weather and may lead the windshield to shatter even when it is parked.
Windshield Repair
When you only have a minor chip or small crack in your windshield and it does not inhibit the driver's line of sight, there is a good chance that you can have the damage to your windshield repaired. This can be accomplished quickly and easily by most mechanics and auto glass professionals.
The crack or chip is filed down and then filled with a material that bonds to the glass and fills in the missing area of your windshield. Then, the windshield patch is sealed. These windshield repairs can improve structural integrity and prevent minor chips and cracks from worsening into much more severe problems. This will protect your windshield from shattering due to cold weather.
Windshield Replacement
If, on the other hand, the chip or crack in your windshield is large in size or extends through most of the thickness of the glass, it may not be an issue that is repairable. Additionally, such damage in the driver's line of sight is often not recommended for repairs simply because the repairs can slightly warp the glass (visually) and could disrupt or distort the driver's perception.
When windshield damage is extensive or in an unfortunate location, it is in your best interest to have the windshield replaced. For most standard vehicle makes and models, the replacement windshield and the installation costs a few hundred dollars (the exact figure depends on the size of the vehicle, how common it is, and other factors) and is significantly less of an investment than the costs of removing shattered glass from your vehicle and performing other repairs from issues brought on by a damaged windshield and cold weather.
Now that you better understand what to do when your windshield is damaged and winter is approaching, you can be sure that you are putting your safety first when you are on the roads this upcoming winter.
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