3 Common Situations That Can Make Small Windshield Cracks Grow Much Longer

In most states, it is illegal to drive a vehicle that has a crack in the windshield within the line of sight of the driver. The reason for this is because cracked windshields can distort the appearance of the roadway and everything in front of the vehicle. Small cracks that aren't within the line of sight may not make your vehicle illegal. At least, not yet. A small crack can quickly become illegal and dangerous, depending on the situation. Here are 3 things that can cause a small crack in a windshield to become not only illegal but dangerous and why it's a good idea to have your windshield replaced if any of them happen to your vehicle. 

3 Situations That Can Cause Longer Cracks

Extreme temperature changes

Glass expands when it's heated and contracts when it's cooled, which typically isn't a factor when windshields have no damage. However, sometimes when a cracked windshield experiences a significant and sudden change of temperature, such as when the outdoor temperature is very hot and you turn on a sudden blast of air-conditioned air in the vehicle, or when you blast the heat on a very cold winter day. 

Sudden hard bumps

Driving over significant bumps and potholes in the road can cause a small crack to grow much longer. The sudden jolt of movement coupled with the force of the vehicle suddenly changing direction can turn a minor crack into an illegal one. 

Inflated airbag

Air bags are a safety feature of most modern vehicles, but they only work effectively when they have a structurally sound windshield that is free of any damage, especially cracks. Air bags are designed to bounce up to the windshield and utilize the windshield to push out to the driver to prevent the driver from lurching forward. A crack in the windshield compromises the structural integrity and could very well cause the air bag to shatter the windshield. 

Since your vehicle is at risk of any of these types of situations, it would behoove you to repair or replace the windshield before the inevitable happens and a small crack expands into a long crack or a shattered windshield. If your windshield does become damaged and you are unable to safely drive it, you can call for a mobile windshield replacement service to provide you with a replacement window. They can replace windshields in just about any location regardless of the weather conditions. 

Contact a local windshield replacement service to learn more.

Share