In a word, yes! Old Man Winter is not only hard on humans; it’s hard on your windshield too! When preparing your vehicle for winter, you should check your battery, replace any fluids, inflate your tires, replace your windshield wipers, and check your windshield for any damage. Glass is sensitive to temperature. It expands in the heat and contracts in the cold, leaving it vulnerable to damage. The experts at Kirmac Collision & Autoglass share this information on how cold weather affects your windshield.
How the Cold Impacts Your Windshield
Chips and cracks in your windshield are common winter problems caused by a number of different factors, including:
- Salt trucks and plows: while we need these big trucks to keep us moving in the winter, they throw a lot of debris onto the windshields of the vehicles driving behind them, causing chips and cracks.
- Damage that goes unnoticed: in the winter, chips and cracks fill with moisture from snow and ice. When the condensation freezes and expands, the chips and cracks will grow.
- Not maintaining your wipers: If your wipers are worn down, leaving a little rubber covering them, the plastic and metal of your wiper blade will start scratching your windshield, setting you up for some serious cracks at some point.
- How you clear your windshield: When snow and ice are on your windshield, most people blast the defroster to clear the windshield, and some even pour hot water on the windshield to do the job. Either of these will put significant stress on your windshield because of the drastic temperature change, which will lead to cracks.
How to Protect Your Windshield in the Cold
To keep Old Man Winter from wreaking havoc on your windshield, follow these tips:
- Replace your windshield wipers right before winter begins, so they are in good condition.
- Thaw your windshield out gradually by increasing the temperature of your defroster a little at a time.
- Use a plastic, not metal, window scraper to clear ice and snow off your windshield. And, if you use water to help clear your windshield, use cold water to loosen ice and snow and then scrape the windshield.
- Check your windshield regularly for any chips or cracks so that you can get them repaired before they become a more significant issue.
Get Your Window Chip Repaired at Kirmac Collision & Autoglass, Richmond, BC!
If you need a repair or replacement, Kirmac Collision & Autoglass is the company to call. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and the most convenient service around makes us the best for auto glass repair in the Vancouver area.
Our experienced team of technicians is always ready to help and answer any questions you may have. For windshield repair or replacement, contact Kirmac Collision & Autoglass at 604-GO-GLASS (604-464-5277). We have several locations throughout the Vancouver area. You can also schedule an appointment online or request an estimate of the work needed. Let us help you get back on the road safely!
