How to protect your car’s windshield during cold weather
Auto Glass Now provides tips on how to prevent windshield damage during cold weather.
Wintry weather, gray skies, snow, and sleet can limit visibility on the road, and a damaged or cracked windshield can make driving even more challenging.
When the temperature drops, the risks of damage to the windshield goes up. Can cold weather alone crack a windshield? Not exactly. However, the cold can exacerbate existing issues – such as a chipped or cracked windshield.
Some of the most common causes of windshield cracks during colder months include:
- Ice: Ice formation can apply undue pressure to small existing chips or imperfections, leading them to expand into full-blown cracks.
- Road salt: While road salt is often necessary to keep roads safe, it can be kicked up into the windshield at high speeds. This causes small craters or pits that can worsen into cracks when not addressed quickly.
- Hail: Winter storms often bring hail, which may strike the windshield with enough force to cause immediate cracks or create weak spots that later transition into cracks.
- Frozen wiper fluid: Using a wiper fluid that freezes easily can cause localized stress on the windshield, which could turn into cracks over time.
- Temperature fluctuations: Glass expands and contracts with temperature changes. Rapid swings from cold to hot (or vice versa) can cause a windshield to crack.
How to prevent windshield damage during cold weather
You can take a proactive approach to prevent damage.
- Keep windshield wipers in good condition: Worn-out and dirty wiper blades can scratch the windshield, making it more susceptible to cracking. Therefore, it’s essential to routinely clean the windshield wipers—and replace them at least once every 12 months to keep them in good condition.
- Never use hot water to clear ice or snow from your windshield: While it may seem convenient at the time, using hot water to clear ice and snow from the windshield causes rapid temperature changes, leading to cracks.
- Use your car’s defrost system: Defrost systems are designed to gradually increase the glass temperature, reducing the risk of cracks.
- Park under cover if possible: A simple solution for protecting the windshield from the elements is parking in a garage or under a carport.
- Close doors gently: Slamming car doors can cause vibrations that may lead to windshield cracks, especially if the windshield is already damaged.
- Use a windshield protector: Windshield covers can keep ice and snow off the glass, reducing the risk of cracks and making it easier to prep the vehicle for the drive ahead.
- Use a proper ice scraper: Choose an ice scraper specifically designed for car windshields to minimize the risk of scratching or cracking the glass.
“Winter weather presents challenging times for windshields. But proper preventative care and maintenance can make a world of difference,” said Nick Ouimet, President of Auto Glass Now. “Our local Auto Glass Now teams are trusted experts in caring for auto glass. We are here to help ensure drivers are safe on the road with quality glass repair and replacement.”