4 Ways to Prevent Windshield Damage

A windshield is a major safety component for a car. However, it can easily chip and crack if you aren't careful. While no windshield chip or crack is 100% preventable, you can easily implement ways to actively avoid having windshield damage. Discover four of them in this blog post.

1. Stay Away From Large Trucks

While large trucks are a part of the driving landscape, they can easily damage a windshield, especially if they carry rocks or kick up a rock with their wheels. While you might try to hold the trucking company liable, this isn't always possible or easy to do.

Instead, try to stay away from trucks altogether. While this isn't always possible- especially in heavy traffic conditions - you can strive to stay behind them a far distance or even get in another lane to avoid direct contact with any debris their wheels might throw out. With enough distance between you and them, you can also avoid any bad windshield damage in case they slam on their brakes and their cargo goes flying.

2. Drive Carefully on Rough Roads

Roads can be good or bad for your windshield. If a road is well-maintained, then you're less likely to experience any windshield issues. However, if a road has less-than-ideal conditions, your windshield, along with other parts of your car, might suffer.

For example, if a road doesn't have regular maintenance, then issues like pot holes, crumbling shoulders, or leftover road debris could potentially damage all parts of your car, including your windshield.

To avoid potential windshield damage, drive cautiously and defensively. Look out for the problems mentioned above so that you can either avoid them or drive carefully over them.

Rough roads might include gravel roads. Gravel roads are full of potentially hazardous rocks that could damage your windshield, so always drive slowly and avoid being too close to other vehicles on the road.

3. Don't Rush Over Speed Bumps

Speed bumps are meant to slow drivers down, but some drivers might simply rush over them instead. However, at high speeds and tall heights, speed bumps can cause extensive damage, including to your suspension, tires, and windshields.

While slowing down before going over a speed bump might be inconvenient, you should always do so. Go over the speed bump as slowly as possible to ensure you risk no damage to your car. Watch out for signs that a speed bump is ahead to give yourself enough time to slow down your car.

4. Avoid Extreme Weather

Excessive temperature changes and bad weather can both damage your windshield. For example, hail can cause a windshield to crack or even shatter, and icy or wet roads can cause accidents, which, in turn, can damage your windshield.

Additionally, hot summer days can cause the sun's UV rays to weaken your windshield, and sudden cold temperatures can cause glass to contract and expand. With bad weather, you also have less visibility to avoid anything that could damage a windshield.

While you can't always avoid driving in bad weather conditions, try to avoid doing it as much as possible. Instead, plan to drive in moderate weather, and park your car in sheltered conditions if possible. Proper planning can ensure your car has as much protection as possible.

Get Help From Our Experts

No matter how cautious you are, your car can still suffer windshield damage. If so, then contact Coats Auto Body & Paint for a referral for quality windshield repair and replacement services. They can look over the damage your windshield has, determine whether repair or replacement are necessary, and do the work right then and there. We look forward to hearing from you soon!