Okay, so you got a crack or chip in your windshield. Although a pain, there are ways you can make sure it doesn’t get worse and ruin your entire windshield before getting it repaired. Just follow these dos and don’ts:
DO
- Measure the crack or chip – if it is less than 12 inches long or smaller than a quarter, the damage can typically be repaired without having to replace the windshield.
- If you are going to drive your car before repairing the crack, make sure it doesn’t distort your view.
- Protect against dirt – any dirt that gets in a crack or chip can make it much more difficult to repair. Place a small piece of clear tape over the damage, making sure the tape doesn’t block your view while driving.
- Keep your car out of the sun. Letting heat build up in your car can weaken the windshield and cause the crack to grow, so park in a garage or shady area whenever possible.
- Contact an auto-glass provider for windshield repair or replacement.
DON’T
- Don’t ignore the problem! Small cracks and “bull’s-eyes” can spread if not repaired. Large cracks affect visibility and may even result in a traffic violation.
- Don’t drive the car if the crack is longer than 12 inches or the chip is larger than a quarter – the integrity of the windshield has most likely been compromised.
- Don’t crank up the air conditioning or use the defroster on high. Extreme temperatures are never a good thing for a damaged windshield.
- Don’t jolt the car or windows, avoiding slamming the door with the windows all the way up. The extra pressure inside the vehicle can cause the crack to spread.
- Don’t wash the vehicle. If water gets into the damaged area it can cause the windshield to crack further.
- Don’t repair cracks longer than 12 inches or chips larger than a quarter – this damage requires total replacement.
- Don’t go to a general mechanic for windshield repair or replacement; use an auto glass specialist.
Call Frank’s Auto Glass with any chips or cracks as soon as possible. Our mobile repair service will come to you, so you don’t have to risk vision impairment while driving with a damaged windshield.
Courtesy of cars.com
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=maintenance&subject=autodisasters&story=cracked-windshield-disaster&referer
