WHY IS MY WINDSHIELD IMPORTANT?

Many people believe when a crack or chip occurs it is not a big deal and is simply a cosmetic issue. The fact is, your windshield does much more than shield you and your passengers from the wind and flying debris. It protects you and serves important safety purposes. According to the North York auto glass industry, a well-maintained windshield prevents your roof from caving in during the common rollover accident. An intact windshield also keeps the passenger side airbag directed towards the passenger during a collision. A windshield that has been weakened by a crack can be blown out by the airbag, putting you and your passenger at risk. Bumps in the road and also extreme temperatures can cause small chips to turn into cracks, which will endanger both you and your passengers. The condition of your windshield is important. Cracks or scrapes can cause light to become distorted at night and the road can be hard to see all oncoming traffic. You can normally prevent most scratches on your windshield by ensuring you use wiper fluid each time you use your wipers. Using wipers on dry glass is very bad for the windshield. If you get a stone chip, you should take it to an auto glass shop for repair right away. Stone chips can easily spread into long cracks and will then be beyond repair. If you act fast you may be able to get your windshield repaired as opposed to having the whole thing replaced completely. If you allow a chip to spread into cracks it will become a focal point for you when you are driving. For the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other residents, your eyes should be on the road. Windshield cracks are distracting to the driver and can cause an accident simply because the driver’s full attention is not on the road. Windshield replacement can sometimes have adverse effects on the safety of your vehicle. It can compromise the factory seal that safeguards your car against leakage and climate. Without the factory seal you may experience things such as the airbags failing to deploy or poor roof structure that may not provide much protection during an accident. It is best to protect and take care of your windshield as it serves the important function of keeping the roof sturdy and helping the airbags to function properly. Repairs often only take about 20-30 minutes to complete and are much more affordable than a full windshield replacement. 90% of all crack chip damage is repairable as long as you seek repair assistance immediately. You should never delay when your safety is at risk. You are better off having to pay a bit of money to have a repair job done as opposed to waiting and resulting in the cause for further damage to the windshield, or even worse, cause an accident. Your windshield can also help to keep road noise to a minimum. Keeping it in a good state of repair will minimize the amount of noise that gets in. If you happen to get a chip or a crack and aren’t sure if it can be repaired, be sure to visit a local Auto Glass Changers for assistance. We will give you an estimate free of charge.