We’ve all seen other drivers going down the road with a cracked or otherwise damaged windshield. Perhaps you’ve even done it yourself. As long as you can see, why should you worry about fixing something right away? Unfortunately, procrastination can be one of your worst enemies when it comes to repairing your windshield. The following are several reasons you shouldn’t wait to get your windshield repaired.
Poor Visibility
Car manufacturers spend a lot of time designing their cars with safety in mind. This extends to the design of the windshield as well. While a small chip may not affect your visibility much, anything larger than that can have a dramatic impact on your overall visibility, even if you don’t really notice. You may feel as if you don’t need to see that area, until it’s too late and you get into an accident as a result. It’s important to be able to see all the parts of your windshield, no matter what.
Cracks Spread
What may start as a tiny chip can quickly evolve into something much more severe. Due to the heating and cooling of the windshield because of exterior weather conditions and the heating and cooling you use inside your vehicle, the glass can expand and contract. While this is harmless to an intact windshield, any chips or cracks are likely to spread as a result. The net of driving down the road can also worsen these problems.
Safety
Did you know being able to see clearly out your windshield isn’t the only issue a cracked or chipped windshield can cause? There is a long list of safety issues that can occur if you allow your windshield to remain cracked, rather than getting it fixed. For example, in many vehicles, part of the job of the windshield is to support the roof of the car. In a weakened state, if you get in an accident, it can cause major structural issues and damage. In addition, the cracked glass loses its ability to be relatively intact, even when it breaks. Instead, it’s far more likely to shatter, which can send sharp shards of glass flying your way, as well as negatively impact the ability of your airbag to deploy properly to protect you. You are also at a higher risk of being ejected from the vehicle during an accident. Who knew your windshield played such a major role in your safety in an accident?
Save Money
A small crack or chip is much cheaper to fix than a larger one. In fact, if your chip spreads or a crack gets too big, you won’t be able to get it repaired at all. This will require a full replacement, which is significantly more expensive than getting the smaller damage repaired in the first place. It may feel like a hassle to take it in for a repair, but it can save you in the long run.
It’s Illegal
It’s actually illegal to drive around with a cracked windshield for many of the above reasons. If an officer notices the damage, you may be pulled over and ticketed. Instead, it’s best to take care of the problem as soon as you notice it. It will save you a lot of time and money if you do.