During the launch of the futuristic Tesla Cybertruck in 2019, the armor glass windows shattered during a demonstration. For a car owner, this scandalous event offered a big lesson that even the best quality car window can still break.
The windshield is the largest auto window on your vehicle and the most vulnerable. The multi-functional window requires special protection for enhanced safety as you drive. Any damage to the windshield alters its structural integrity and poses an enormous threat to the car occupants.
To protect your car’s windshield, learn the most common causes of damage. This post looks at the major threats to your car’s windshield and provides tips to avoid damage.
1. Auto Collisions
The impact caused by car accidents or collisions can damage your vehicle’s windshield. The glass won’t break into pieces because it’s laminated.
The cracks expand with time and cause poor visibility. Such a windshield is a safety hazard when you drive and may cause other collisions. To minimize the risk of collisions, drive carefully and avoid risky driving situations.
2. Road Debris
With time, roads wear off, and this leaves pebbles and other loose debris on the surface. If you drive too close to other drivers on a highway, the loose debris can hit and damage your car’s windows.
Cracks or chips can increase over time and affect the strength of the auto glass. To avoid such damage, observe the two-second rule and leave enough space between your car and the one in front.
If you notice minor cracks on your windshield, contact an auto glass service immediately for a professional inspection. The glass experts can determine whether repair or replacement is the best option for your vehicle.
3. Poor Quality Glass
Poor quality windshield glass cracks easily on the edges. The cracks imply structural weakness in the entire glass screen, which poses danger to the car’s occupants.
Auto glass products are not equal and quality varies from one brand to the other. Windshield replacement and any other glass replacement in your vehicle requires the skill of a professional and experienced glass technician using the proper and safe installation techniques, quality glass, and installation products.
We use OEM (original equipment manufactured) and OEM equivalent glass installed with Dow urethane products, and all of our technicians are certified by Dow Industries.
4. Poor Glass Installation
Poor installation causes fractures which can damage the entire windshield. Weak seals or bonds leave gaps on the edges. Such a windshield can crack and compromise the integrity of your car’s windshield.
Any signs of cracks on the edges of the windshield require immediate inspection by an auto glass professional. If you want a windshield replacement, only use an established auto service in your area. High-quality installation of car windows minimizes damage to this expensive car part.
The auto experts also have the tools to assess the extent of damage to your windshield. In case of extensive damage to the glass, they carry out a quality replacement.
5. Sudden Temperature Changes
Rapid changes in temperature cause sudden expansion and contraction of the windshield glass. An auto glass service uses the right glass and technique to allow for such temperature fluctuations.
However, if the installation doesn’t consider the temperature changes, the pressure on the windshield eventually causes cracks. You can avoid such damage by parking under shade instead of in direct sunlight. If you want to defrost the windshield, don’t use boiling water as this can lead to cracks.
A damaged windshield is a danger to your car’s occupants and other road users. You should use an experienced auto glass service for windshield repairs or windshield replacements in St. Louis.
Contact our glass company in Missouri or Illinois today if you have any auto glass problems or needs. Martin Glass Co. is your auto glass company of choice in the area, with over 85 years of experience in the auto glass industry.