These days a windshield has become an integral part of a vehicle’s design. It acts as a sound absorber and is capable of detecting rain. Windshields in modern vehicles also integrate with advanced driver assistance technologies.

“The common belief that ‘glass is just glass’ is no longer the case with today’s technologically advanced vehicles,” said Deb Levy, president of the Auto Glass Safety Council, a nonprofit that develops and maintains standards for the replacement of automobile glass. “Your vehicle’s windshield is an integral part of its safety systems and provides structural integrity, especially in the event of a rollover accident. Not having the glass replaced when it needs it can compromise this strength.”

All it takes is one small chip in the windshield before it becomes a full-fledged crack. Small yes, but you want to be safe. Here are a few questions to answer on how to prevent a windshield crack from interfering with your safety.

1. Does it need immediate attention?

The first question to ask is always where the crack is located. When there’s more than three chips, the edge of the windshield is damaged or the fracture is in the driver’s line of sight, it’s time for you to replace the whole windshield as it may be dangerous for driving.

However, if it’s not really impairing your ability to see the road, grab a ruler and refer to the next question:

2. Does it need to be repaired or replaced?

Use your ruler to measure the crack. If the crack is less than 12 inches long, or if a chip is smaller than the size of a 10 sen coin, it is most likely that the integrity of your windshield hasn’t been compromised yet and doesn’t require you to replace the whole thing. However, every crack or chip is different, so it’s very important for you to consult your local repair shop for a better understanding. You have to make sure that the crack doesn’t get any bigger or compromise your safety while driving.

3. What should I avoid?

To avoid the crack from getting larger, you should always learn to drive with extra caution. This means that you should steer clear of those nasty potholes, or uneven, rough roads because that additional bumping may just widen the crack even further. You also want to be careful when getting in and out of the car and avoid slamming the doors or the car boot

But above all, remember to keep safe at all times. The sooner you get your windshield in for repair or replacement, the better.

What do you think of these windshield tips? If you’re interested to learn more about cars, or plan to work in the automotive industry, why not check out the various automotive courses at TOC Automotive College? Who knows, you may just discover your dream job!

Should You Repair Or Replace Your Damaged Windshield