Shall I Drive with a Small Crack in the Windshield?

Treating your car with the utmost care and safety and still getting a small crack on the windshield can sure be a pain in the neck. Taking out the time to get the windscreen safely repaired and shelling out money for no fault of your own can sour anyone’s mood. This often leads car owners to take the more lucrative way out- by continuing to drive as if nothing ever happened. But in the case of a cracked windshield, ignorance is not bliss and can prove to be more harmful than you imagined.

 

When it comes to glass, as attractive as it looks, it is also fragile. Appearances are deceptive and what might appear as a small, harmless crack could have a deeper depth than visible. Typically, a hairline crack cannot cause much damage by itself, but if left ignored, it can grow deeper and create a giant crack. This can reduce the strength of the windshield and even prove fatal in the unfortunate case of an accident, as a cracked windshield won’t be able to withstand the pressure.

 

So, what is the best option? Firstly, your next steps depend on the severity of the damage. Get the cracked windshield area assessed by experts. Based on this, you can decide on a short term or long term solution. In the meanwhile, here are some critical aspects you should be aware of when driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield.

 

Driving with a Cracked Windshield – How Safe is it?

 

Windshields are particularly designed to provide maximum safety and visibility to the driver and other passengers. A good quality windshield is typically made of toughened and laminated glass, which itself comprises of two layers of glass and an additional layer of PVB for enhanced support. Therefore, it is quite challenging to break this glass. It can also survive head-first collisions and up to three rollovers in an accident.

 

It is important to have comprehensive knowledge about the quality and specifications of your windshield glass. If the crack is small and the glass is sturdy, you can afford to put off repairs until a better time. However, it is recommended that you should not ignore the repairs entirely. A cracked windshield indicates that the passenger safety levels have decreased, and a compromised windshield can prove fatal.

 

How Harmful is the Crack?/

 

How can you assess the crack? Windshields suffer through various types of cracks like bull’s eye, crack chip, linear crack, etc. The causative agent also has a role to play in determining the potential harmfulness of the crack.

 

Usually, the significant indicators of the dangers of a cracked windshield include the size and position of the discrepancy. Needless to say, it is easy to repair a small chip whereas larger cracks or dents might require a replacement. If the position is directly above the driver or passenger seat, then the chances of glass shards harming the person in an accident are greater.

 

One should assess these critical factors while driving with a cracked windshield.  Although initially, they appear unalarming but a crack bigger than the size of a coin can grow in length and depth over time and become a safety hazard. This leads us to the next question- what steps should you take to mitigate this in time?

 

Windshield Repair versus Windshield Replacement

 

Once your windshield is cracked, there is no way to go back. You must either get it repaired or replaced. Visit expert windshield installers to get a professional opinion on the damage and its repairs. No matter how big or small the crack is, it is never advisable to drive with a cracked windshield. It can be a safety hazard for yourself as well as other passengers in the car. Moreover, external factors like air pressure and temperature fluctuations can cause the crack to expand or contract and loosen the structural integrity further.

 

Ignoring evident damage can set you up for more significant damage to life, property and money. Based on the position, size, depth, and other factors related to the damage, you can decide whether to get a repair or replacement. Further, you can protect the new windshield by avoiding driving on rocky terrains, not slamming doors, avoiding car washes, etc. for some time.

 

How AIS Windshield Experts Can Help

 

The bottom line when you get a cracked windshield is- don’t risk it. Postponing repairs has more chances of harming you in the long run and increases life-threatening risks in the event of an accident. Moreover, a crack in the line of sight of the driver can be highly distracting and result in accidents.

 

Are you looking to get your cracked windshield repaired or replaced? Look no further than AIS Windshield Experts, India’s leading brand in manufacturing and installing automotive glass.  We follow a Repair-First policy, so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary spending on your car windshield. Our technicians, armed with international training, provide doorstep service. Visit the AIS Windshield Experts website to locate an outlet near you.