Winter Windshield Woes – Seven Ways to Cope With Cold Weather Damage to Auto Glass

Originally, cars did not even have windshields and people used goggles as their only protection against insects, bad weather and road debris. And would you believe that the first wind screens were made of plate glass that could shatter into dangerously sharp pieces when broken? Auto glass is now laminated or tempered and treated for strength and impact resistance, and its installation has come a long way since the Model T.

Your windshield glass today is far more than just a screen for protection from the weather and flying debris. It must also keep you and your passengers from being thrown in the event of a collision. Weather is a double edged sword because it is the reason we got windshields for our cars in the first place, but remains one of the biggest threats to their stability. Here are ways to cope with the potential for cold weather damage to auto glass:

Avoid Stress

When the weather outside is frightful, it can bring additional stress to auto glass. And if your vehicle is exposed to the elements for long periods of time, the stress can be magnified, particularly if there are any small damaged areas. Taking care of little problems now and preparing for plunges in winter temperatures will help to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers. And whether you need windshield replacement or windshield repair you need to look for the most qualified auto glass shop to do the job.

Prepare Ahead for Snow and Ice

When it’s cold outside and especially after every snow, auto repair shops see a continuous influx of wounded windshields and car window repair becomes big business. This is because car owners use spatulas, screwdrivers, chisels and anything else they can think of to get rid of troublesome ice accumulations.

One of the first things you can do for protection is to get a good scraper and put it in your car before the first snow. In other words, plan to buy one before winter sets in and while scrapers are still in plentiful stock at your favorite auto supply center.

Don’t Turn on the Defroster!

If your icy windshield has a chip and you decide to turn on the defroster (or worse yet, pour hot water on it), remember the practice can trigger a chip to crack into a wider fissure and cause more costly damage.

Fix That Chip

If you are not sure your little chip is serious enough for repair, it probably is. The tiniest one can quickly escalate into a real problem with even subtle fluctuations in the weather. In cold weather especially, windshields tend to imperceptibly bend into more concave shapes. Combined with the new pressure inherent in making tougher glass with high density, this can result in a serious crack and the need for total glass replacement. Gambling for time is just that – gambling. Now is really the …