If you think the small chip in your windshield from your summer road trip is no big deal, you need to understand how winter weather can affect your damaged windshield. Although you may be hesitant to replace your windshield over a little crack, there are several reasons why it's important to repair this damage before winter really hits. Here's why you should replace your car windshield before the temperatures start to drop.
Cold Weather Worsens Cracks
In the winter, the heat inside your car and the freezing temperatures outside can cause a small chip or crack to expand. Ice and cold air put more stress on your windshield, so you should have it repaired before winter weather rolls around.
Cracked Windshields Reduce Visibility
Rain, sleet, and snow reduce visibility and make driving more dangerous. When your windshield is cracked, this can decrease your visibility even more and cause you to wreck. Bright sunlight reflecting off of snow blankets can create a blinding glare which only gets worse through a cracked windshield. You need to have your windshield replaced so you can drive safely during the winter.
Increased Risk of Accidents
In the winter, icy roads make it more likely you will get into a car accident. If your windshield is cracked, it may not be able to properly protect you on impact. Your windshield strengthens your car when it's solid, but a crack can compromise its integrity and lead to avoidable injuries if you wreck. If your windshield shatters because of a preexisting crack, your airbags may not work as efficiently.
Windshield Repair Costs More in the Winter
Windshield replacement and repair take longer in the winter because it takes more time for the resin to cure. Extra steps must be taken to complete the repairs, and this adds to the cost of labor. Having your windshield replaced or repaired before winter will allow you to save money.
Moisture Accumulation is a Major Threat
In the winter, snow and ice can melt and seep into the crack. When the water refreezes, it causes the crack to expand and get worse. This can be very dangerous if the crack expands while you are driving.
Winter temperatures and precipitation can cause several problems if you have a cracked windshield. Whether your windshield has a small chip or a significant crack, you will be safer and save more money if you replace it before winter hits.
