Do you have a crack or chip in your windshield? Then it’s important to schedule an auto glass repair appointment as soon as you can. Windshield cracks and chips don’t just impede your visibility while driving; they can also expand, and the likelihood of glass damage growing worse is especially high in hot weather conditions.
Unfortunately, if a windshield crack grows too large, what once may have been a minor repair could easily become a full (and far more expensive) windshield replacement. To help you protect your auto glass until you can get it repaired, the experts at Only 1 Auto Glass have a few tips below.
Park in Shaded Areas
Since high temperatures stress even fully intact windshields, they can do quite a number on an already cracked sheet of auto glass. So, to help lessen the likelihood that an existing crack will expand, do your best to park in shaded areas at all times. Ideally, you should park in your garage (if you have one), and when you’re out and about, try to find a parking garage or another covered area that will shield your windshield from the sun.
Although you can park under large trees that offer some degree of protective shade, exercise caution if you choose to do so. Even a slightly weighty falling branch has the potential to cause irreparable damage to a cracked or chipped windshield
Be Careful With Your Air Conditioner
You might not assume your air conditioner can cause further damage to your cracked or chipped windshield, but that assumption could prove an expensive mistake. Much like an ice cube cracks when it enters tepid water, your auto glass reacts similarly to drastic temperature changes.
If the glass is already hot and you immediately crank up the a/c when you enter the vehicle, an existing crack or chip can quickly expand. As the hot glass reacts to the sudden temperature change, it can rapidly contract, forcing existing damage to spread. So until you can make it into an auto glass repair shop to have your windshield fixed, adjust your a/c slowly each time you turn on your vehicle.
Drive Cautiously
Ever heard of the three-second rule? If your windshield has existing damage, heeding the three-second rule is especially important. Why? Because high temperatures inherently stress auto glass. Consequently, even minor impacts — pebbles, small pieces of road debris, etc. — can cause even a tiny chip or crack to rapidly spread.
In addition to driving carefully, you should also take care when closing your vehicle doors. Shutting the doors with excessive force generates a significant vibration that can easily transfer to your auto glass. And though a small tremor like that might seem relatively harmless, vibrations can easily shatter glass. Until you can get your windshield repaired, treat your vehicle as gently as possible to avoid incurring more extensive glass damage.
Only 1 Auto Glass: Your Twin Cities Windshield Repair Specialists
If you have minor chips or cracks in your windshield, it’s time to pay us a visit at Only 1 Auto Glass. We specialize in comprehensive auto glass repair and replacement, and with 15 convenient locations throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro, we’re just a short drive away from wherever you are. To schedule an appointment or request a free estimate, give our team a call today at 651-789-1111 or send us a message on our contact page, and we’ll be in touch!