Driving with a broken windshield remains a severe issue that renders you, together with the car, unsafe. You might find yourself in a mess if not careful or delay fixing the problem immediately. For this reason, this article will try to educate you on whether it’s safe to drive with a cracked windshield or not.
There are a lot of consequences that you can’t even go far with a broken windshield. But, it’s still possible to have the issues fixed, though just as a temporal solution.
Can I drive with a Broken Windshield?
Yes, but there are consequences that I thought you should be prepared for. It’s possible to move around with a cracked windshield, but it’s not encouraged for both safety and legal reasons. Two main reasons are explaining why you should get your damaged windshield repaired immediately:
Broken windshields offer less protection. Your safety is compromised when driving with a damaged windshield.
It also affects your visibility. Cracked windshields also decrease your visibility, posing a significant safety hazard while driving.
There’s a need to ensure that you and your vehicle are safe, not forgetting your passengers. Driving with a damaged windshield is every driver’s wish because it’s one of the crucial components to ensure you are safe.
Windshields are manufactured with two laminated glass layers together. Therefore, if either of the glasses cracks, the laminate inside the layer will contain the windscreen and glass pieces together; this is excellent. It prevents the tiny glass pieces from injuring the driver or passengers in the car. Falling on the road is another risk of driving with a cracked windshield.
You don’t have to ignore a broken windshield. Any small crack may signify that the integrity of the entire glass has been tampered with. Yes, moving around with such glass will never cease from getting worse. However, in the beginning, this sign might not seem critical, but once the damage reaches the windshield edge, significant consequences will follow.
Therefore, once you see such issues with your car’s windshield, you should avoid or reduce driving and go for a replacement immediately. This mostly happens when the broken glass tries to impair the driver’s vision. Try to immediately seek the help of an expert from any prominent auto glass company near you.
Can a cracked windshield shatter?
It would help if you understood that large or small chips in a windshield could be repaired quickly using appropriate items. These products are handy in preventing further damages to your windshields.
One of the widespread difficulties with windshield cracks is that they can spread and worsen over time. They develop weak points on your windshield that may extend, leading to prolonged windshield damages. Thanks to multiple parameters like moisture, windshield flexing when driving over extreme temperature changes bumps that make the glass contract or expand.
Such factors add extra stress to your car’s windshield crack.
Additionally, you need to avoid exerting pressure over the broken windshield from outside. Doing so is dangerous, and you will be worsening its situation. The entire concave shape of the windshield can weaken the windshield structure severely when it’s cracked. So, pushing the glass from outside will only worsen the situation; go for a replacement earlier.
Thanks to modern windshield models that feature safety glass, helping it hold together. If the glass shatters, it can be contained together with a robust adhesive applied to your windshield, preventing broken glass pieces from falling in the car or on the road. With a laminated windshield, it’s rare for the glass pieces to collapse from the frame into the vehicle.
When should I repair or replace my cracked windshield?
When the crack isn’t severe, as you can see the damage with your naked eyes, go for a repair. It would help if you did so immediately to prevent the damage from worsening. Repairing the glass should not stress you because multiple repair shops can seal the crack or chip using resin products.
The main aim of using this substance is to retain the windshield’s integrity structure and to clear the symptoms of damage. However, after a repair and compromised glass integrity, you will have to replace the windshield.
When the damage extends to more than three inches, experts recommend going for a replacement immediately; it’s among the best containment measures. You also don’t have to wait for a replacement when there are more than three chips or cracks. Besides, if the damage is situated at the windshield edge, jeopardizing its structural integrity, portraying a spider-webbed structure, hit the road to your favourite repair shop.
Once your glass reaches this state, there’s no wastage of time.
What to do with a broken windshield
After determining the existence of a huge crack or small chip in the car’s windshield glass that requires a replacement, go sooner; don’t wait. A typical problem with tiny cracks is that they never cease to grow, causing the glass to either contract or expand in varying temperatures.
Driving with a cracked windshield, therefore, develops a weak point, making it more prone to cracking and fragile. There’s no need to wait for a replacement, have the issue fixed quickly as possible. Let your auto-care replacement Company help you to do the job.
Preventing a broken windshield from further cracks
Different experts tend to use varying methods to avoid broken windshield glass from additional damages. Remember, these methods can slow or stop the damage based on the temperatures and roads available. The methods include:
- Apply clear nail polish or superglue
Before attempting to seal the crack, you should first clean your windshield using an auto glass cleaning agent and paper towels. Apply the clear nail polish or superglue as a low-fidelity blend to the chip.
Give the glue or polish enough time to dry, and then protect the glued or polished area with clear packing tape. Doing so will prevent dirt or dust from entering the treated area; wait until the chip is wholly repaired before removing the video; no need to remove it. Maybe you never thought that you could fix the issue using these typical items.
- Avoid sudden fluctuating temperatures
I thought you should understand that glasses tend to contract in cold weather and expand when in a hot environment. So, the crack may spread abruptly when you expose the chipped windshield to a vent in cold temperature. Once this happens, there’s no other choice than to go for a replacement.
Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it’s advisable to park your vehicle under the shade if possible. Parking in direct sunlight will worsen the situation. Besides, it would help if you stopped using a window defroster after realizing the windshield glass is cracked. Only use the defroster once the chip is repaired.
- Get a windshield repair kit
There are multiple suitable windshield repair kits in the market that can confuse you. Hardware stores won’t lack such equipment, but doing it might need the help of an expert. Boring a tiny hole on the glass’ top layer can be tricky, but if you are skilled, use a 1/16” drill bit.
Then, seal the windshield by forcing a specialized resin into the repair kit. You want to ensure that the drilled holes have enough resin substance. Doing so will minimize or stop stress on the glass, preventing further crack. This repair is handy as long as you do it correctly.
- Schedule windshield replacement or repair
Immediately filling the rock chip is advisable, and I am sure it won’t cost you much money nor consume a lot of your time. You need to have your cracked windshield repaired as fast as possible; that’s if you are capable.
However, if an existing crack extends to more than three inches, there’s no need for repair anymore; go for a replacement instead. There are experienced glass doctors that can have your cracked windshield repaired or replaced professionally, restoring the state of your truck, SUV, or car.
Frequently asked questions:
- How should one avoid hail damage?
There are specific months associated with hails, warmer weather bringing thunderstorms accompanied by high rainfall and wind. Since you can’t control nature, it’s possible to secure your vehicle’s windshield, park the car under a shade like a carport.
If you get caught in the middle of the journey, it’s advisable to pull over and park at the nearest gas station. Additionally, you can stop under a bypass, wait there until the hail is over.
- Am I still allowed to drive with a cracked windshield?
Yes, you can drive but prepare for consequences. Your safety and local government’s rules, however, should determine whether you are safe to go or not. In short, this act isn’t encouraged by the government and insurance companies.
Final words
I know there are many people holding doubts about whether it’s possible to drive with a cracked windshield or not. Yes, it’s possible to manoeuvre around with a cracked car windscreen, but you will have to bear the consequences. Fortunately, there are ways to stop minor cracks from extending. However, once a chip or crack reaches three inches, a replacement is the best solution.