Most people don’t consider how large of an impact that weather can have on their windshield. The reality is that either too hot or cold temperature can cause the glass to expand and retract, which can cause cracking to occur in your windshield. These extreme temperatures can cause further stress on the windshield causing any cracks or chips you may have to spread more rapidly. Although we know that we can’t control the weather, there are steps that we can take to prevent it from damaging our windshield. Today we are going to share our tips to protect your windshield during extreme weather and save yourself some money on a replacement.
Cold Weather
When it comes to cold weather, there are some things that you should never do. It is important to consider that the cold weather itself is not the problem, but the rapid change in temperature which places stress on your windshield. As many of us know, you should never pour hot water on your windshield to remove frost. For this same reason you should not blow hot air on to your cold windshield, as the change in temperature could cause it to crack. For proper removal of ice, you should make sure to have the proper tools for the job. Use an ice scraper that has been designed for this exact task. Make sure to scrape the ice horizontally along the windshield to have the best results; vertical scraping or jabbing can increase the chances of chipping the glass. Additionally, it is a good idea to make sure that your car has good windshield wipers that can brush away the snow/ice, as well as is topped off with wiper fluid. If you live in an area that is constantly cold, it might be worth investing into windshield wipers that are specifically designed to remove ice off the windshield. If your windshield has a crack already, it is of the utmost importance to have it repaired immediately, as the cold weather and temperature change puts stress on the vehicle. These chips will quickly turn into cracks and will require a full replacement. This will be much more a costly alternative to having a chip repair done.
Hot Weather
On the other end of the spectrum, hot weather can have a negative impact on your vehicle as well. Like cold weather, this stress comes from the change in temperature. However, when it comes to hot weather, cracking can occur when the windshield cools too quickly. Therefore, it is important to not crank the A/C to cool the interior of the car. Start with putting your A/C on low and gradually increase it to give the windshield time to adjust to the change in temperature. It is known that people are more likely to use their car during the warmer months, which can create a higher chance of chips. Just like with cold weather, it is important to get these chips repaired right away to prevent further cracking. One possible solution to help you keep cool during the summer and protect your windshield is to get your windows tinted. Tinting your windows can reduce the temperature in your vehicle by as much as 60%! Reducing the need to crank your A/C and reducing the gap between the internal temperature of your vehicle and the windshield temperature.
Prevent Cracks
Now that you are aware of how weather can affect your windshield, it is important that you check your windshield for any chips or cracks and see about getting them repaired as soon as possible. At Apex Auto Glass and Tinting, we offer a mobile chip repair service in the central coast of California. Serving cities from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara and everywhere in between. The best part is we don’t charge any additional fees for the mobile service, making our service both cost effective and convenient.
If you are in the Santa Maria area, consider about talking to one of our experts about glass repair for your vehicle!
