Cracks in your windshield could occur when an object hits the windshield with enough force capable of damaging the glass.
For example, if you are driving behind a truck carrying large stones and peradventure one of the stones falls on your windshield, it is likely to cause cracks in the windshield.
What do you do after that? Do you continue driving with it or do you stop to get it repaired? Is it safe to drive with a cracked windshield?
It is not safe to drive with a cracked windshield. The crack could impede your road visibility thereby making you a safety hazard to other road users. You should get in touch with an auto glass repair company as soon as you notice a crack on your vehicle’s windshield.
Can I Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
Driving with a cracked windshield is possible generally but a damaged windshield should be taken care of as soon as possible, why?
- A cracked windshield hinders visibility
- Cracked windshields cannot guarantee the safety of occupants of the vehicle.
If your windshield gets cracked or damaged, you should get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible because driving with it will inhibit your vision as a driver.
As time goes on, other particles like dirt, water, washer fluid, moisture, and other things will be able to penetrate through the glass, thus causing reduced visibility.
In case you do not know already, a windshield consists of two layers of glass laminated together. It ensures the safety of passengers in the vehicle.
In cases of extreme impact like a direct hit and chip, a layer of the glass can break and still provide its basic functions.
If the first layer gets destroyed, the other layer will prevent shards of glass from getting to the occupants of the vehicle.
That the windshield still contains one layer of glass does not mean you should leave it like that. A little crack in the glass is enough to show you that the structural integrity of the windshield has been compromised.
Though it might not pose an immediate threat to you in the car, a large crack or a crack at the edge of the windshield is supposed to be replaced immediately.
Is it Safe to Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
No, it is not safe to drive with a cracked windshield. And there are reasons that led to that conclusion.
According to Safelite, the more time you spend waiting to fix a little crack on the windshield, the more amount of money you will have to spend on the repair. And more time as well because that little crack is sure to spread to other parts of the windshield.
For owners of brand-new vehicles and your windshield has a crack close to the forward-facing camera, you should get it repaired as soon as possible.
A crack on the windshield in this position can disturb the functionality of the safety features of the vehicle, including lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and many more.
A crack or damage to the windshield of a vehicle can limit the usefulness of the safety systems of the vehicle.
How Long Can I Drive with a Crack in my Windshield?
Some factors should be considered before you drive with a crack in your windshield. One is the size of the crack. If the crack is really large, it is a no-brainer.
It is unlikely you would be able to see the road ahead properly. If the crack is small and does not affect your visibility, you can drive for as long as possible with it. But still, get it repaired when you can.
If you have a cracked windshield on your vehicle and you are not able to get it repaired immediately, there are a few things you can do to minimize the spread of the crack.
Do not believe those stories people say about making use of super glue to hold the crack firm. That will worsen the crack and can even lead to your windshield needing complete replacement.
What you should do instead is to avoid parking your car in direct sunlight for long periods of time. It will deliver serious heat to the windshield and the crack will definitely spread.
In addition, try not to put the windshield in a position where it will be exposed to harsh temperatures. For example, putting ice cubes or really chilled water on a hot windshield.
If your windshield is cracked in only three spots and they are altogether smaller than six inches, you can repair it and you might not need a total replacement of the windshield.
How is a cracked windshield repaired? It is done by applying resin to the affected part under a vacuum and stirring it till it’s rock-hard using ultraviolet light.
What results from this process is the unnoticeable cracks and this restores the structural integrity of your windshield.
If the crack cannot be repaired, it is advisable to go for a complete replacement of the windshield. The damage on your windshield can lead to other complicated safety issues if not taken care of immediately.
What Happens if You Don’t Fix a Cracked Windshield?
The longer you wait to fix a cracked windshield, the worse its condition becomes. To avoid this, you should quickly replace that shattered or cracked windshield. If it is a large crack or it has spread all over, you will most likely have to replace the entire windshield.
In some states in the United States, you need to get the exact type and quality of replacement for the windshield. No other kind is permitted by law there. Also, repairs done on the vehicle should be done to restore the vehicle to its original state.
When you have a cracked windshield and you need it fixed, get in touch with a car glass repair service in your city to repair or replace it.
Will Windshield Shatter if Cracked?
When a windshield is cracked, weak points are created in the glass that can spread and move around the entire windshield very quickly.
A lot of things can cause the cracked glass to expand and contract such as flex from the body of the car, and changes in temperature, and moisture, among others. All these things stress the glass and can lead to shattering.
Furthermore, when you have a crack on your vehicle’s windshield, you should try not to press on it from the inside of the car.
A windshield is made with a concave shape and so the crack on it has compromised the structural integrity. When you apply pressure on it from the car’s interior, you will make the crack expand.
Will My Windshield Crack Spread?
Yes, a crack on your vehicle’s windshield can spread. Sustained pressure on the crack could even make it shatter.
As you drive with the crack in your windshield, you might encounter bumps on the road. These bumps will cause the crack to expand.
Also, dirt and other particles can make a crack in your windshield to spread.
To prevent this, get the windshield repaired as soon as possible. The cost of a repair or replacement varies according to the model of the vehicle and the company to repair it.
Look for good glass repair companies to work on the cracked windshield.
Final Thoughts
For really large cracks, it is not recommended that you drive with them. If you have a place to park, get in touch with an auto glass repair company and inform them, that the car can be towed to the workshop for repairs.
Cracks in the windshield of your vehicle can limit your visibility. It is dangerous because other accidents can happen from that alone.