What do car owners need to know about summertime auto glass and windshield care? As the weather gets warmer and the humidity rises, take a look at the dos and don'ts of summer season glass care, maintenance, and repairs.
Do Repair Chips or Replace Your Windshield
It's never safe to drive with a cracked windshield. Prompt windshield repairs and replacement are essential at any time of the year. But the summer poses risks that you might not have in other seasons. Heat causes glass to expand, and cold causes it to contract. A high daytime temperature can put excess stress on your windshield and cause the damage to spread.
The sooner you call a windshield or glass professional, the better. Failure to address what may seem like a small crack or chip right away could result in damage that is beyond repair. This means you will need to replace the entire windshield.
A wait-and-see approach could also put you at risk and make it difficult to drive. If the heat causes the crack or chip to spread or high temperatures add enough stress to cause more damage, the windshield could shatter while you're on the road. Even if it stays put, cracks can spider across the glass and make it difficult to see while you're driving. This creates a serious hazard that you should not ignore.
Don't Try a DIY Windshield Fix
You don't want the summer heat to make your windshield expand a crack to grow. While a DIY fix (such as a piece of duct tape or a sealant from a big box store) may seem like a cost-saving or time-saving idea, it isn't.
A do-it-yourself repair may not fully address the problem with your windshield. Even though you might cover a crack or think that you've filled a chip, it's possible that you haven't fixed a deeper problem. This could create a safety hazard or turn a would-be professional repair into a full replacement.
Do Keep Your Windshield Clean
Cracks and chips aren't the only summertime windshield issues. The hot humid outdoor air combined with the chilly indoor air-conditioned environment of your car could cause the glass to fog. While this isn't as serious as a chip, crack, or shattered glass, it could cause problems or create a hazard when you drive.
A clean windshield won't prevent fogging. But it will reduce the likelihood that your windows will fog when you start your car or drive. A dirty windshield can trap condensation and cause water to pool. This can create or add to foggy glass. Talk to a glass professional about the types of cleaners that work best for windshields. The professional may also recommend an anti-fog treatment to reduce the risk.
Don't Blast the AC
More specifically, don't blast the AC right away. You might want to cool your car down as quickly as possible. While the highest air conditioning setting may accomplish this goal, it could also damage your windshield. The sudden change from hot to cold could shock the glass and put unnecessary stress on it. Instead of going from high heat to freezing cold, start on low and let your car cool down gradually.
Do Choose an Exterior Windshield Cover
The foldout sun shades that you place inside your car may keep the interior somewhat cool. But these shades won't protect your windshield. Some shades (depending on the reflectiveness) could even cause the glass to heat up to a higher temperature than it normally would.
Instead of a dashboard sunshade, invest in an exterior windshield cover. This type of cover protects your windshield from the sun's rays, stops dirt and debris, and can also help to keep your vehicle's interior cool. Does your car have a chip or crack? Contact MS Glass Outlet for more information on services.
