By Tarek Salam

The car windshield is built to last, but that doesn’t mean you disregard it completely, not looking after it. The windshield is essential for the safety of the driver and passengers. The slightest crack can expand with time and become a threat. Which is why you need to have your windshield evaluated if you notice any cracks.

It should never get to that though; you can take preventative measures to protect your windshield. This way, you can prevent cracks from happening.

Invest in a windshield protection film

As the saying goes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. No matter if you have a Porsche Panamera or a Toyota Camry, you need to make sure your windshield is protected and the best way to do that is with a protection film. The film may seem like a huge expense at first but think of it as an investment. It will protect your windshield from any damage that it may experience, saving you money on future windshield chip repair or replacement.

You will find different types of protection film in the market, look for products that feature paint protection. These have self-healing properties and protection from scratches. So, they will last longer.

Be gentle with your car

This goes without saying, but you need to be more careful about how you drive and treat your car. When you drive, make sure that you keep a distance from other cars. Scratches and cracks from stones and debris hitting your windshield from cars in front of you are more common than you think. By keeping your distance, you are far enough that stones and debris can’t reach your windshield.

Another thing you need to consider is closing your doors, trunk, and hood gently. The more force you exert in closing these, the more vibration your windshield experiences. The vibration is ultimately not good for the integrity of your windshield.

Park your car in a safe space

When parking your car, you need to make sure it is parked in a safe space. This means, parking it under a shade. Windshields are made out of glass and if they are exposed to high temperatures and the sunlight for a long period of time, it can result in small cracks due to stress. If you already have small cracks in the windshield they can expand with exposure to direct sunlight. So look for safe trees to park under as well as garages and basement when you go out.

Change your windshield wipers regularly

Most car owners rarely ever think about replacing their windshield wiper, but it is important you do so your windshield is not damaged. You need to understand that the wiper has two parts, a metal body that is coated with rubber. As the rubber wears out due to use, the windshield is exposed to the metal body, which scrapes the windshield every time you use it. As soon as you notice the rubber wearing out, you should replace your wiper immediately.

Use cleaning products formulated for the windshield

Many carousers make the mistake of using ammonia-based glass cleaners with an abrasive sponge on their windshield. While it may seem harmless, ammonia-based cleaners partnered with an abrasive sponge or paper towel can lead to streaks and scratches appearing on the windshield. This makes it vulnerable to further damage. Buy cleaners that are specifically designed for the windshield with a cloth made of soft microfiber.

It’s not difficult to protect your car’s windshield. You just need to be more vigilant and keep an eye out to ensure your windshield is in good shape. Make sure if you notice the slightest of crack, you get it repaired by a professional auto glass shop.

For more information on professional auto glass repair, please visit Auto Glass Pro

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Tarek Salam is a Canadian auto glass repair technician with over a decade of experience repairing automotive glass for all makes and models of vehicles in Canada. He loves sharing interesting and useful information with the intention of educating and helping people make better automotive decisions.