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Protect Your Automotive Glass

By gguild | June 11, 2008

One of the most important functions of today’s automotive glass is to protect passengers. 

With just a little care and caution we can help our automotive glass keep doing the job it’s designed for.

This Automotive Glass Chip’s For You.

Most of us have had this experience.  We’re driving along and all of a sudden a piece of gravel gets kicked up by the vehicle in front of us, and smack, the windshield is chipped or worse, the winshield cracked.  Sometimes, chips just happen.  But, there’s a reason for the sign on the back of dump trucks that says: “Stay Back 200 Feet”.  Use common sense to avoid chips as much as possible.

Some Automotive Glass Chips grow up to be Cracks!

Has this happened to you?  True story.  Several years ago I got a chip in my windshield.  I drove around with this little chip for a few months.  A few times I thought: “I really ought to get this chip repaired.  Maybe tomorrow.”  One day it (the chip) decided to turn into a crack that went halfway across my windshield.  I don’t know why; it just did!  What could have been fixed with a simple automotive glass repair now required a full windshield replacement.  Lesson learned: take care of the chip NOW, before it grows worse.  Don’t think: “Oh, it won’t happen to me”, because, it does!

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” vs. “Hot Hot Hot”

When it comes to automotive glass (especially windshields) the two song titles above (or temperatures), should NOT be mixed.  Let me clear this up. 

  1.  Don’t throw hot or warm water on a windshield to melt the ice. 
  2.  When washing your vehicle in the hot sun, don’t spray the windshield with really cold water.  The extreme difference in temperatures can cause your windshield to crack!

Keep it Clean!

Your windshield keeps dirt and bugs out of your eyes.  Unfortunately, this all accumulates on your windshield.  Keeping your automotive glass clean is a responsibility that goes along with driving.  Help your windshield do its job.  Keep it clean.  This will help you see better when you’re driving. 

If your windshield wipers aren’t doing their job, replace them.  They should be replaced every year anyway so they are not dried out, cracked, etc.  Have your dealership replace them with those designed to fit your vehicle.  Or, if you are reasonably handy, you can do it yourself.  Choose quality replacements designed for your vehicle.  A few bucks is a small investment in your safety and the life of your windshield. 

Whether it’s time to “Repair or Replace” your automotive glass; go to a Qualified Shop for your automotive glass repair.

Take good care of your vehicle.  When repairing or replacing your windshield, it is always best to go to a shop that has trained, certified and experienced staff.  Plus, they’ll use OEM replacement glass to keep your vehicle like new. 

Don’t ignore your automotive glass.

Change the oil.  Have regular maintenance.  Check the tires.  You know the routine.  Like everything else on your vehicle, take good care of your automotive glass.

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