A rock chip or crack in your windshield may not seem like a big deal until it spreads. To prevent the need for a replacement, it’s critical to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Covering the crack with clear nail polish or super glue can help protect it from dirt and moisture until you can have it repaired. Also, try to park your car out of direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures cause the glass to expand and contract unevenly.
Avoid Driving Over Speed Bumps
If you’re a reckless driver, it can be tempting to accelerate around corners or slam on the brakes when you encounter a speed bump. But these actions can cause serious vibrations that trigger windshield cracks. A cracked windshield is distracting and dangerous, and it can make it difficult to see the road ahead of you. It’s crucial to have your cracked windshield fixed as soon as possible.
Even if you’re a careful driver, a cracked windshield can be a significant distraction. It can also reflect sunlight in your eyes and blind you while driving, which is against the law. Cracks can also compromise the structural integrity of your car, making it more likely to roll over in an accident.
Avoiding speed bumps isn’t always possible, but you can decrease your risk by avoiding highways and freeways when you can. These roads tend to have more traffic and are more likely to have rogue rocks or other debris that can damage your windshield. Instead, opt for back roads whenever you can.
When you do hit a speed bump, keep your vehicle at a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This reduces the chances that any rock kicked up by the vehicle in front of you will hit your windshield.
If your windshield gets a chip, use clear nail polish to fill in the crack and prevent it from spreading while you’re on the go. This trick works just like super glue, but it’s hard to remove once the nail polish dries, so it’s best used as a last resort. If the crack does spread, it’s best to find a mobile auto glass repair specialist near you to fix it as quickly as possible.
Avoid Driving on Rough Roads
Windshield cracks are unsightly and can create a safety hazard if they interfere with the driver’s line of sight. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to prevent and repair windshield cracks.
Rough roads, like speed bumps and potholes, can put extra pressure on your windshield glass, which could lead to cracks. Additionally, if you frequently drive on rough roads, your windshield may be more susceptible to damage from rocks or pebbles kicked up by the vehicles in front of you.
Drastic temperature changes can cause the glass in your windshield to expand and contract at different rates, which can lead to cracks. To help avoid this, try to park in a shaded area when possible or use the lowest setting on your air conditioner when driving in hot weather.
Another way to help prevent cracks is to periodically inspect your windshield for damage. If you notice a crack, do your best to get it repaired as soon as possible. If you are unable to find an auto glass repair shop, consider using a windshield repair kit. These kits are easy to use and can usually repair minor windshield cracks.
If you have a basic crack or chip, you should be able to fix it with a windshield repair kit or clear tape. However, if dirt gets into the crack and dries, it will be more difficult to repair and could eventually become a full replacement.
Park Your Car in a Shaded Area
If you have a crack or chip in your windshield, try to avoid driving until it is repaired. Excessive vibrations from driving over speed bumps, whipping around corners, or slamming on the brakes can cause an existing crack to quickly spread. The same goes for potholes and other large road irregularities. If you can’t avoid these vibrations, try to drive slowly and carefully over them.
Also, try to park in a shaded area if possible. The sun can force a cracked windshield to expand due to temperature changes, which may worsen the crack. If you have to use your car’s defroster in very cold weather, make sure to turn it on gradually.
Another way to prevent a crack from growing is by regularly cleaning your windshield. This removes dirt, moisture, and other debris from the crack that could make it more difficult to repair. You can also cover the crack with transparent tape, which will keep dirt and moisture from entering the gap and potentially make it worse. As a low-tech solution, you can also use clear nail polish or superglue to fill the crack. This will not only temporarily fix the crack, but it can also help to keep dirt and debris out until you can get it professionally fixed. It is also a good idea to periodically inspect your windshield and look for any new cracks that might be starting to form.
Avoid Driving on Highways and Freeways
If you want to minimize the risk of your windshield cracking, avoid driving on highways and freeways whenever possible. These roadways tend to have more traffic and are, therefore, more likely to be covered in road debris and other particles that could hit your windshield. This is particularly true if you’re traveling at high speeds, as the forward motion of your vehicle can increase the force with which debris hits the windshield.
It’s also important to stay a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you when driving on freeways and highways. This will help prevent any accidents that may occur if the driver in front of you suddenly stops or slows down. Larger vehicles like eighteen-wheelers are also more likely to kick up rocks and other debris that can fly upward and hit your windshield, so it’s best to avoid following them too closely.
Windshield cracks are not only unsightly and take away from the value of your car, but they can also be a serious safety hazard. Cracks or chips that are left untreated can quickly spread and become larger than the point at which they can be repaired. In some cases, they can even reach the edge of your windshield, leaving you with a full replacement.
Although it may be impossible to avoid the occasional rock chip in your windshield, there are several ways you can protect it from becoming worse until you can get a professional repair. For example, you can apply a clear nail polish or superglue to the crack, which will help keep dirt out until you’re able to get it fixed. A piece of clear packing tape will also help prevent the crack from spreading while waiting for a professional auto glass repair.
Stay a Safe Distance Behind the Vehicle in Front of You
A cracked windshield is not only a major nuisance but can also be dangerous. It can reduce visibility, making seeing what’s ahead of you more difficult. In addition, a crack in your windshield could also allow objects to fly off the road and hit your vehicle.
In order to prevent such incidents, it’s essential to drive carefully and avoid driving over potholes or bumpy roads. Also, it’s important to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you so that you can stop in time should the vehicle in front of you need to slow down or stop.
If you do find a small chip in your windshield, it’s vital to get it repaired as soon as possible. This will help to prevent the crack from spreading while you’re on the road. If you can’t find a mobile auto glass repair specialist near you, there are a few hacks that car owners can use to temporarily fix a windshield crack. One method is to apply clear nail polish to the crack, which can be a good temporary solution. This hack is effective because it seals out moisture and prevents the crack from spreading.
Another way to stop a crack is by using clear packing tape to cover the area. This is a cheap, easy-to-use, and effective solution to keeping dirt out of your windshield until you can have it professionally repaired.
Regularly inspecting your vehicle, especially before and after driving is also a good idea. This will ensure that you are aware of any cracks or chips as they develop, which can be hard to notice when you’re driving.
