The windshield is one of the most important parts of a car. As an external component, it is continuously in contact with harsh outside environments and ensures the passengers’ comfort and security. Often considered an unimportant part, in reality, a car’s windshield is critical to driver and passenger safety. It assists in ensuring the structural integrity of your vehicle. Besides keeping the dust, wind, and bugs out, a properly fitted windshield is required for proper airbag activation. It is the windshield that protects you from the weather and, as such, takes a lot of abuse. It guards the interior of your vehicle against temperature fluctuations, precipitation, and the consequences of traveling at greater speeds.
All vehicles are designed using top-quality glass for windshields, but still, due to certain reasons, it gets damaged. If your windshield glass is cracked, you should contact a certified technician right away. Though it is durable glass, the windshield may get damaged due to many reasons. Depending on the type of damage, you will need to repair or replace the windshield. Windscreen damage is unavoidable during the life of your vehicle. Here are some common causes of windshield damage:
Collisions
Accidents and crashes are the most typical causes of windshield damage. These can range from two-vehicle traffic accidents to cars inadvertently hitting an object or animal on the road. Your car may also bump into a road barrier or pole in a parking lot. Bird strikes are also included on the list. Other collisions, such as flying golf balls can also be included. The best approach to protect your windscreen from this type of damage is to drive cautiously and constantly be aware of your surroundings. Avoid parking too close to playgrounds.
Road Debris
On the streets and highways, vehicles often come into contact with rocks or gravel. Windshield damage is frequently caused by rocks, stones, pebbles, and gravel pushed up by other cars’ tires. Rock, debris, or any other object may also drop off the back of a lorry. Road pebbles are usually little, hard projectiles that collide with your windshield, leaving a chip or crack on the glass. While there isn’t much you can do to avoid being hit by a random stone, allowing plenty of space between your car and the vehicle in front will help. Reduce your speed if another vehicle is overtaking you. Moreover, you should remain cautious when traveling on gravel or in construction zones.
Sudden Temperature Fluctuation
Extreme heat can expand the glass while cold temperature may contract it. While vehicle glass is engineered to withstand temperature fluctuations, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause cracks to grow in a windshield. Not many people know that a sudden change in temperature can cause the glass to compress or expand. In this type of windshield damage, human mistake is frequently involved. For example, using boiling water to defrost your windshield or leaving your car in direct sunshine for too long and then suddenly blasting the air conditioning can cause a crack in the glass.