Glass cracks, chips and breaks. This can be a serious problem when it’s your car windshield that’s taking the damage. You can avoid driving on gravel roads and try to park in the shade during the summer to avoid heat cracks. But what other steps can you take to keep your windshield in one piece? Does a layer of dirt protect it or weaken it?
Scratches
Dust naturally accumulates on anything that’s outside, and cars aren’t always parked in a closed garage. Insects, tree sap, dirt and grime can find your windshield while driving or in a parking lot. This dust builds up, and you may not notice until you’re driving and can’t see clearly. The simplest solution is to use the windshield wipers and washer spray to clean it off.
This, however, can cause scratching to the glass itself. Your windshield wipers are meant to clean away liquid and surface debris that’s light and not stuck, like snow. Scraping rubber blades across a dirty surface, even with the washer spray active, can drag the dirt over the glass and cause scratches. These refract light while you’re driving and can make it even harder to see.
Accidents Waiting to Happen
Visibility is vital to safe driving. If you can’t see the road clearly, you may miss someone pulling into your lane or running a red light. Your reaction time depends on being able to see what’s going on around you. If that’s difficult, you may not be able to hit the brakes in time to avoid an accident.
Accidents damage windshields, and dirty windshields lead to accidents. Keeping your windshield clean saves it from slow degradation and keeps you able to see the road and your surroundings. Don’t rely on your windshield wipers to do it; clean your windshield at least once a week with a soft cloth to cut down on dust and keep your visibility clear!
