With the holiday season in full swing, there’s a lot of travel occurring. One of the hazards of this travel is damage to your car’s glass. Windshields and windows can both be cracked, chipped and broken. With the high importance of windshield safety alone, this is something that you need to be aware of. Stay alert for potential hazards and know what to do in case an accident does occur.
What Should I Do Before Damage Happens?
Take basic maintenance steps to ensure your vehicle is in good shape before you travel.
- Replace windshield wiper blades
- Check for any pre-existing damage
- Refill windshield wiper fluid
- Make sure all windows can roll up and down smoothly
If you’re traveling to an area with a high risk of snow and ice, keep a spray bottle of vinegar water—three parts vinegar to one part water—in your car. If you can’t park in a covered location, spray your windshield and windows with this solution to prevent ice from forming on the glass overnight. Protecting your windshield from ice formation lessens the chance of the glass being cracked from attempts to scrape it clean in the morning.
What Should I Do If Damage Happens?
Cracks and chips can happen at any time on the road. If a rock is thrown back by a vehicle in front of you and strikes the cold glass, it can cause immediate damage. Should you hear anything strike your windshield, park as soon as you can safely do so. Inspect your windshield carefully; not all cracks are immediately visible to the naked eye.
If a crack, chip or other damage occurs, take your vehicle in to a licensed shop like Astro Auto Glass immediately. Not only can the damage spread if neglected, costing you more money in the long run, but the windshield is especially important to the integrity of your vehicle. Keep yourself safe this holiday season and watch for glass damage! If the worst happens, we’ll get you fixed up and back on the road.
