Winter weather presents multiple hazards that affect your car’s safety and integrity, from icy roads to high winds and rock salt that can contribute to rusting. Your car’s windshield and related components are vulnerable to cracks and other forms of damage.
As you prepare to protect your vehicle throughout the season, here’s what you should keep in mind.
Cracks
Glass is a temperature-sensitive material, expanding and contracting in response to fluctuations. While this is normal to a degree, extreme temperature shifts can cause glass to contract. Hail can also cause your windshield to crack.
Moisture adds another variable to the equation. If your windshield already has a chip or crack, moisture can settle in the indent and expand once the temperature drops. The expanding moisture places more pressure on the glass and cracks start to form or spread.
Illustrating this further, you’re advised to avoid pouring hot water on an ice-covered windshield. Although you’ll hear about this as a quick hack, the rapid temperature shift from the hot water may cause the glass to crack and break. To avoid a windshield with visible spidering or a large hole, get any chips and cracks repaired ahead of the winter season.
Improper Scraping
Along with pouring hot water onto a windshield, other ill-advised removal methods entail breaking apart a sheet of ice with a knife, shovel or other puncturing tool or blowing hot air directly on the surface.
While the latter scenario can contribute to cracks, tools with a sharp edge can create several scratches, chips and cracks. As moisture settles into these areas during the season, it can expand and make the cracks more visible.
To avoid this, have a dedicated ice scraper that you move horizontally to remove any hardened accumulation. Make this process easier by turning your car on and activating the defroster.
Road Debris
Especially if you park on or near the street, your vehicle is susceptible to road debris. Rock salt can affect the frame and undercarriage, potentially inviting rust through scratches and moisture.
Small chips and scratches can form on the windshield from rock salt kicked up by other cars, as well as larger objects like rocks, branches and broken asphalt that can create more significant damage. If possible, park your car in a garage or farther back from the road.
Cracked Wipers
Whether you’re caught in a rainstorm that has decreased your visibility or driving through snow, not having operational windshield wipers becomes a safety hazard for you and other drivers.
Unfortunately, cold temperatures can cause the rubber on the wipers to crack or tear. Failing to lift your wipers off the glass when snow and ice are predicted for your region increases this risk.
Rather than find that your wipers don’t work efficiently or control precipitation at all, have your set replaced right before the winter season and top off the wiper fluid. When snow is expected, angle them away from the windshield once you’ve parked your car.
Has your windshield experienced cracks or other damage from wintry conditions? Trust DaSilva’s Auto Body for weather-related repairs, including glass and windshield wipers. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.
