A windscreen is designed to protect the passengers seated inside from stones, rain, hailstones, dust, and any glass shattered during an accident. However, it can only protect you and your loved ones, if it is protected well from the other elements.
To Protect Your Car from any Damage While Driving, You Must Follow a Few Basic Rules.
- Use of Low-Quality Glass or Installation Error:
In most cases, it is noticed that windows are damaged easily if the glass hasn’t been installed properly or a low-quality glass was used. It is important to ensure that your glass window meets the specific requirements that the OEM has mentioned which will guarantee your safety and weather any storm. This glass is tougher and does not easily shatter.
Installing a windscreen that is not the proper size will result in it shattering due to vibration or potholes.
- Stone Roads:
The most common incident that could cause your windscreen to develop a chip is stone breaks which are caused when broken rocks or dirt impact the windscreen resulting in it cracking.
You can’t avoid riding down these roads as Melbourne in Australia has a lot of uneven countryside roads, having pointed stones and dirt. So to be safe, drive at a reasonable speed and maintain some distance from the car in front of you to stay clear out of the way of flying stones that could damage the windows of your car.
- Change in Pressure:
While driving in the country, one is bound to come across high planes and mountainous areas where you will experience air pressure is low. In the same manner, the windscreen of your car too undergoes pressure.
Going from high pressure to a lower pressure normally has an adverse effect on the windows, so when you accelerate your speed simultaneously, the pressure on the windscreen increases and it develops a chip. It’s always wise to drive at a considerable speed for you to have an unhindered journey.
- Driving Behind HGV:
Tractors, trucks, and HGV used in construction are regularly seen in the countryside carrying material, and machinery for construction. Big heavy vehicles have the tendency of throwing up a lot of debris and to a greater distance so, to avoid your windows from being damaged it would be wise to leave more than the required distance between you.
There are incidents where mud flaps which are normally attached to big vehicles cannot stop the stones or dust from damaging others behind so always drive at a reasonable distance.
If ever you are behind a four rear wheeler, increase the distance and change your lane when you get an opportunity.
- Road Repairs:
While traveling, it would be wise to stay clear off roads that are having repairs done. It’s the drilling that sends debris and fine rocks flying causing windscreen chipping.
- Drive at a Distance:
Driving very close to the car in front, leaves your car open to any impact caused by rocks and flying debris that is going to shatter your windscreen. Let’s put it in another way, leaving an ample amount of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you is allowing the rock enough of time to hit the road instead of your car windscreen. To be on the safe side try keeping a fare distance like a two-car distance between both cars.
- Control Your Speed:
Not only should you maintain the right distance to avoid having a cracked or chipped windscreen but also driving at the right speed will keep you safe from the flying rocks or pebbles that may be heading your way.
- Stay Away from Holes:
Holes in the road need to be avoided as they are another reason your car windscreen can chip or crack. Driving through a ditch can scatter fine rock on the road. One must be more careful if you already have a crack or chip because driving through ditches only worsens the crack or chip.
- Avoid Window Glares:
Glares from any light or sun serves as a distraction while driving and could cause an accident, this is why it is important to reduce them by frequently cleaning your glass windows inside and out as well as your wiper blades.
It is essential that you follow these simple and basic steps to protect your car’s windscreen from damage as a strong and sturdy shield can only protect you if it is protected and maintained well!
About the Author:
Darren Pay and Justin Oakes are co-owners of A1 Windscreens, Melbourne, Australia that is known for providing the best windscreen replacement quote and car window replacements.