The windshield is one of the most important parts of a car, acting as your first line of defence when you are driving. Therefore, your auto glass should be in good shape to increase your safety on the road. However, not everyone considers having well-maintained auto glass a priority. By ignoring it, damage on the windshield accumulates leading to costly repairs and also places a risk to your safety while driving.
That is why, it is advised to keep your windshield in perfect shape. This blog post goes over a few simple ways to keep your windshield in tip-top shape.
Sure-Fire Tips for Easy Windshield Maintenance
Taking good care of your windshield is a necessity if you want to have a safe trip on the road. Below are six tips to help you achieve a clear and crack free windshield.
• Regular Examination of Your Windshield: Small damages often go unnoticed, which is why they take a bigger shape. For the first step in maintaining your windshield, you must check for any damage daily. You can get windshields by a trusted automotive glass manufacturer in different types and forms, suiting your car. This would allow them to be strong and not get chipped easily. Thereby, lasting for as long as you need them.
• Fix Any Chips Your See: Any kind of mark, no matter how big or small, must be repaired when you seem them. As mentioned, a small chip can lead to bigger cracks later which might be a very costly and time taking thing to repair. A chipped windshield can also be risky while driving because it causes disturbance to your line of vision, triggering accidents. That is why, the first sight of any chip or crack should be fixed.
• Old Wipers Must Be Replaced: The wipersare a mechanism that prevent rain from blurring your vision while driving. However, old wipers or malfunctioning ones can be a reason your windshield develops scratches. For this reason, keep changing the wipers at least once a year to avoid them damaging your windshield.
• Be Careful Around Large Vehicles: When driving behind large vehicles, like trucks for example, you always want to maintain a safe distance. This is because or other debris might be flung from these vehicles which can hit windshield and cause damage. The risks are aggravated when you are travelling on a road filled with grit and potholes. Staying a safe distance away will ensure your windshield is safe from debris impacts.
• Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes: Glass is a material known to expand and shrink as a result of the temperature it is exposed to. Sudden and extreme changes in temperature can even break it. When you are driving, make sure the temperature inside is maintained according to the outside weather to prevent giving a thermal shock to your windshield. During extreme winters, it is advised that you open your garage door prior to using your car so that the windows can slowly acclimatize to the outdoor temperatures.
• Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals: You can maintain and clean your auto glass is with mild glass cleaners. Find out which type of glass cleaners are used and recommended by windshield manufacturers near you. Choose cleaners that do not contain ammonia, as it can impair the outer tint of your windshield. Otherwise a DIY solution of water and vinegar is a good option.
By following the tips above, you’re more likely to expand the lifespan of your windshield. Remember, they are your first defense against roadside accidents as they protect your car from flying debris. If they do get damaged, then it’s best you seek out a reputed windshield manufacturer to get it replaced immediately to ensure your safety.