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8 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Windshield
The windshield of your vehicle is one of the most important safety features of your car, even if it is rarely considered by drivers as such.
12:01 29 January 2021
It does more than just shield you from bugs or insects that you can frequently encounter on dirt roads. The truth is that your windshield can protect you during instances of catastrophic impacts on the road. Sometimes though, you may need to have your windshield replaced, and below are some of the most viable signs that it is already time to do so.
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Blocked View
One of the most viable signs that it is time to replace your windshield is when something in it is already blocking your view. After all, your ability to make instant decisions based on what you see on the road is where your driving skills largely depend on. Thus, if you mistake a small crack in your windshield as a blind spot, then the results can prove to be catastrophic.
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Cracks or Chips
Another viable sign that it is time to replace your windshield is the presence of cracks or chips, particularly those that are already extensive enough. The experts behind glass.net suggest that you measure the extent of these damages for you to be able to assess whether it is time for you to replace your windshield, or you can still live with an effective repair. For instance, if the chip in your windshield exceeds a couple of inches, with a depth that is more than a quarter of an inch, then you should consider replacing your windshield.
In the same manner, if the length of the crack of your windshield exceeds a foot long or 12 inches, then it is also a time for you to consider a replacement. This is also true if you notice more than three small cracks located in various places in your windshield. Other instances of cracks that indicate the need for a windshield replacement include cracks located on the driver side, as well as on the edges of the windshield.
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White Haze
Windshields are composed of two layers of glass that are separated by a plastic layer in between. With this design, your windshield is most likely to shatter into small pieces during impact rather than break into large pieces which prove to be more dangerous. However, when the plastic layer separates from the glass layers, it can produce a white haze around the edges of your windshield.
While you will still be able to see clearly through your windshield, there is a great chance that you won’t be protected enough in case you get into an accident. The reason behind this is that the plastic layer is no longer fully functional in this case, which means that in the event of an impact, the windshield may break into large pieces rather than smaller ones. Thus, as soon as you notice a white haze on the edges of your windshield, consider having it replaced immediately.
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Missing Piece
Even with just a small missing piece in your windshield, you should already consider having it replaced. The reason behind this is that the overall integrity of your windshield is already compromised when a piece of it is missing. Even if you don’t encounter any road accident, your windshield can just suddenly blow up on your face as you are driving when you continue to do so with a missing piece in it.
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Ineffective Repair
When you have small chips and cracks in your windshield, the tendency is that you get them repaired immediately to ensure that it is in its top condition every time you get behind the wheel. More often than not, the repairs work out as expected. However, there are also instances wherein the repair works prove to be ineffective, worsening the problem and entailing the need for a windshield replacement.
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Incorrect Installation
You should only engage with vehicle repair experts with the proper credentials to replace and install windshields. They will be able to ensure that not only would you get a high-quality windshield, but the installation will be done properly too. An incorrect installation may entail the need for you to have your windshield replaced again sooner than you expected.
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Upcoming Vehicle Inspection
An upcoming vehicle inspection can also be an indication that you already need to have your windshield replaced. Keep in mind that during the inspection, any minor crack or even the smallest chips may cause you to fail the assessment. In this case, it is more sensible to have your windshield replaced entirely to increase your chances of passing the inspection and evaluation rather than otherwise. In this way, you won’t have to stress about the process of having your vehicle inspected again.
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Change of Season
If you live in a place where the winters are extremely cold, then you may notice a significant difference in your windshield at the end of the season. The reason behind this is the extreme temperature differences between the season, as well as when you use your vehicle during the winter. When it comes to the latter, the abrupt temperature change when you turn on your heater during the winter can cause your windshield to expand and contract more frequently, making it brittle and frigid. In this case, even if you take extra precaution in maintaining your vehicle during the winter season, you may still have to replace your windshield later on.
It is time for you to replace your windshield when it is already obstructing your view because of small cracks and chips or even a white haze in it. You should also replace it when it already has a missing piece or when the repair efforts you put into it prove to be ineffective. Even an incorrect installation or an upcoming vehicle inspection, as well as a change of season, may entail the need for a replacement. The key is in regularly checking the state or your windshield before you take your car out on the road to ensure your safety and protection while you are behind the wheel.