As you operate your vehicle on today's roadways, you are bound to encounter some obstacles along the way. Some of these obstacles come in the form of flying rocks or debris that can damage your vehicle's windshield. Replacing a windshield can be costly and inconvenient, so many drivers put off this task as long as possible.
Knowing how long you can actually drive with a damaged windshield can be challenging. Here are three tips that you can use to determine if you can afford to wait to have your cracked windshield replaced or if you need to replace the glass immediately.
1. Evaluate the severity of the damage.
One important factor that should be taken into consideration when determining if it's time to replace your cracked windshield is the severity of the damage. Cracks can come in all shapes and forms, so you need to carefully look at yours to see if it is a small chip or a major crack.
Chips can probably be overlooked for a period of time, but major cracks can compromise the safety of your vehicle. If you have a severe crack in your windshield, replace the glass as soon as possible.
2. Evaluate the location of the damage.
Another important consideration that must be made when determining if you can continue driving your car with a cracked windshield is the location of the damage. A cracked windshield can seriously impede your ability to see properly if the damage is located on the driver's side.
Sunlight can reflect differently off a crack in your windshield, creating a glare that could compromise your ability to see the road in front of you. Any windshield damage that is located within your field of vision as a driver is cause for immediate replacement.
3. Determine if the damage is getting worse.
As you try to determine how long you can safely drive with a damaged windshield, it's important to determine if the crack is getting worse. Monitor the damage over the course of a few days.
If the crack or chip seems to be spreading, this means that your windshield is at risk of sustaining more damage if exposed to a sudden temperature change or if another rock hits the windshield while driving. Cracks that are spreading seriously compromise the structural integrity of your windshield, and you should replace the glass as quickly as possible for maximum safety.
Knowing when you should replace your cracked windshield can be a challenge. Be sure to evaluate the severity of the damage, the location of the crack, and whether or not the crack is spreading before deciding to wait to invest in a new windshield in the future. For more help, check with a company like Glas Tek Windshield Repair.
Share9 August 2017
I am an exceptionally busy person who doesn't have a lot of time for smaller tasks, which is why I started focusing more carefully on maximizing my time a few years ago. I realized that I didn't have a lot of time to take care of car repairs, so I started looking for ways to streamline my schedule. I was able to work with a few different businesses that offered mobile repair, including a place that would come out to fix my windshield while I was at work. They were really easy to work with, and before I knew it, they had things completely repaired. Check out this blog for more information.
