Windshields are not there just for the looks, they have specifically been designed to protect you from the elements, and save your life in the event of an accident.
During a major impact, the windshield ideally keeps the front passengers from flying out and prevents the roof from caving inside the car on the passengers.
Despite their vital role, they are some of the things most people think about rarely, until they get faulty. Of course, we always subconsciously expect them to do their role, and forget that they too, just like everything else in the car, need regular maintenance to stay in great shape. As a premier auto glass shop that’s dedicated to keeping its customers safe, we decided to give you a list of 5 essential tips for proper windshield care.
Avoid Slamming the Car Doors
When the card door is slammed, it causes severe internal vibrations that over time, can cause the side windshields to come off their track. For those with small chips that are yet to be fixed, this is important for you, because the chips will spread little by little every time the door is slammed.
If Possible, Don’t Park In Direct Sunlight
Whenever you can, always try to park in shaded areas. A long exposure to direct sunlight can shorten the lifespan of your windshield. The tint and the structural integrity of windows get damaged over time by UV rays. Plus, little chips can worsen especially when there’s a temperature difference between the outside and the inside of your car. Make sure you park in a garage if possible, or find a spot that’s under ample shade.
Have Any Chips Repaired Immediately
One day you’re driving down the highway, minding your own business, then, DING! All of a sudden a pebble flies from the wheel of a truck in front of you and hits your window. All this happens so quickly that before you process what just happened, you notice a small chip on your windshield, that was pristine just moments ago.
Don’t wait. From previous costly experiences, most people know to get the chip repaired immediately that very day. Many insurance companies will pay for this provided you have no deductible. So, for a small charge, you can have the chip filled with special resin that essentially prevent it from spreading. However, the bad news is that it’s nearly impossible to get most chips totally removed from the window, but the damage can be minimized and contained.
There’s still a huge number of people who perhaps haven’t learnt their lesson yet, or just don’t know the importance of getting chips repaired early. We see this time and again. These people will procrastinate the repair, and the chip will slowly morphs into a huge crack spanning across the entire length of the windscreen. At this point, a nice car is so unsightly with a big crack on the windscreen.
These people like to get the problem fixed when:
• They’re stopped by the cops because of an unrelated transgression such as speed, and in the process the cop notices the crack.
• They just can’t stand looking at the crack on their nice car any longer, after having tried to ignore it for a few months
Now that the chip developed into a big crack, it’s going to be more expensive to repair. While you could have paid $20 to $30 for a small repair, you might end up shelling $150 to $250 based on the extent of the problem and your vehicle.
Although we want you to call us at this point, we’d really prefer it if our customers saved money on these kinds of unplanned bills, because they’re avoidable, and may tend to hit people at inopportune times.
Clean and Replace your Wipers
Notice any scratches on your front windshield? Sand particles embedded on your wipers are most probably the cause. You need to have your front and back wipers regularly checked and cleaned ideally every 3 months and have them replaced when needed. You can remove any contaminants from your wipers using a rag with a windshield washer fluid. This literally takes less than 3 minutes, and you can even do it as you pump gas.
Avoid Ammonia Based Glass Cleaners
Many people clean their windshields using the wrong chemical. For example, Ammonia-based glass cleaners are quite common, but these are meant to clean the glass inside your home, not car windows. According to Mark’s Mobile Glass these cleaners damage your tint; ammonia is to your car windows what kryptonite is to superman. Instead, use alcohol, vinegar, or any special car window cleaners you can find in the auto section of your local store. In addition, use microfiber or cotton towels because they are absorbent, and won’t scratch or leave the nasty streaks on your windshield.
There you have it. Use the 5 essential tips to keep your car’s windshield pristine, and avoid costly repairs in the future. Investing in maintenance now, which is relatively cheap, will help you prevent expensive replacements in the future. In case of any problems, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re Kansas City number 1 Auto Glass Experts… now, signing off!
