Preventing Winter Windshield Cracks

by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info | 6 comments

If you’ve ever had your windshield hit by a rock, you know the sinking feeling of watching a crack appear—and grow. 

Cracks happen and sometimes they’re unavoidable. But did you know that your windshield is at higher risk for cracks in the winter? It’s true. Knowing the causes of cracks will help you protect your windshield this season. If you do get a crack, we’ve included a guide on how to handle it, which can hopefully save you an expensive repair. 

All About Your Windshield

Your windshield is a protective barrier between you and the road ahead. It also provides a clear line of sight. When your windshield cracks, it compromises your safety and can limit your visibility. 

Windshields are made of laminated glass, which includes two layers of glass with a piece of plastic in the middle. The layers are fused together, making them stronger than ordinary glass. Even though windshield glass is strong, however, cracks still happen.

Tiny cracks can occur from everyday driving. Cracks happen when your windshield is hit by a rock or debris. The metal frame of your windshield expands and contracts in extreme temperatures. This causes stress on your glass which can crack it over time. Finally, our own human error can cause glass to crack, such as when we pour hot water over an icy windshield. A crack between the two layers of glass can trap moisture between the layers. This can weaken the structural integrity of your windshield and cause cracks down the road. 

Types of Cracks

In most cases, cracks or chips smaller than the size of a quarter are able to be fixed. But you cannot let even a tiny crack alone. Don’t ignore these small cracks or chips; they can start out small and eventually get larger, past the point of repair, and cause you to need a total windshield replacement. 

Not all cracks are the same, and it’s good to know what kind you have. The type of crack determines how you deal with it. 

• • Basic crack – The simplest crack is a line that is not near the edge of the windshield. If the line is less than 1 inch long and doesn’t have other lines extending from it, it can be repaired. 
  • Floater – A crack that occurs away from the windshield edge is known as a floater. These can spread quickly.
  • Edge crack – If the crack is near the edge of your windshield, chances are that the entire windshield needs to be replaced.
  • Chip – If a small piece of glass is missing, you have a chip. A chip less than 1 inch in diameter, without any cracks coming from it, can be filled or repaired.
  • Star – If your crack looks like a small chip with tiny cracks extending from it, you have a star crack. This type of crack could possibly be fixed but the repair may be visible. 
  • Bulls-eye – If your crack resembles a circular bulls-eye target, you have more extensive damage than it appears. This type of crack usually requires a full windshield replacement.

How to Avoid Cracks

Remove ice responsibly. In most places in the U.S., you’ll be dealing with icy windshields this winter. You need to clear the ice in order to drive. Glass can be brittle in cold temperatures, so you will want to avoid any sudden temperature changes. 

• • Do not throw hot water on your windshield. Hot water will refreeze, and surprisingly, it does so faster than cold water. Don’t use room temperature water either. This will still be a temperature extreme from the icy conditions and can crack your windshield.  
  • Skip the vinegar and water mixture. Vinegar doesn’t work well when there is already ice there. It also is an acid that can eat into glass causing pits.
  • Don’t use a propane torch, hair dryer, or cigarette lighter. These are extreme changes in temperature and can crack the glass.
  • Do not use a knife or blade that will chip or scratch your glass. 
  • Don’t hit the ice. It doesn’t take a lot of impact to cause damage to the glass.
  • Do not use keys, snow shovels, or spatulas. They can all leave scratches and grooves.
  • Do warm your car up slowly. Use your car’s heater and defrost settings. Wait until your car is warm to turn your car’s defrosters on high.
  • Do use a plastic ice scraper. Ice scrapers are among the must-carry items in your car in winter.
  • Do use a liquid deicer if you would like.

Avoid flying debris. While rocks and debris can hit your windshield almost anywhere, you can take steps to keep your car away from this potential hazard.

• • Don’t drive over gravel roads, but if you must, keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. 
  • Don’t follow construction vehicles too closely.
  • Don’t drive in hailstorms if you can help it. The best strategy is to find covered parking while it’s hailing. If you must drive in a hailstorm, slow down to lessen the impact.

Park in protected places. Mother nature can be tough on our windshields. Keeping your vehicle in a place with a constant temperature and away from wind, winter storms, snowstorms, and extreme weather can help to protect the windshield.

• • Avoid exposing your windshield to extreme temperatures. If it’s going to be very cold, park your car inside if you can. 
  • You also can cover your car, which will help to protect your windshield wipers from freezing and cracking. You don’t want damaged wipers to scratch your windshield.
  • If you can, park your car inside a garage during the winter months.

Periodically inspect your windshield. You may not even be aware of tiny cracks in your windshield. The sooner you catch them, the sooner you can address them.

• • It’s hard to notice cracks while you’re driving. Make it part of your winter routine to periodically inspect your windshield when you get in or out of your car.
  • Keep the windshield glass clean. This will help you to notice small cracks and chips. 
  • A winter car wash can help, but don’t run your car through one if there are any windshield cracks.
  • Replace your wiper blades before winter hits.
  • Don’t drive around with a crack. The sooner you take care of it, the less expensive the repair will likely be.

What to Do if You Get a Crack

Drive carefully. Drive over bumps slowly. Don’t whip around corners or cause any vibrations that could make damage worse.

Guard against dirt and moisture. While you are waiting for the repair, keep the crack clean and dry. Dirt and moisture can make repairs more complicated. (Pro Tip: Even window washer fluid can stain the crack so use a drop or two of dishwashing soap on a damp cloth.)

You only have one chance to get it right. DIY options include inexpensive windshield repair kits. 

Most kits aren’t high quality and won’t last long-term. Some folks have tried to seal the crack with household items like superglue or nail polish remover. Don’t even consider that. It will prevent you from getting a professional repair.

Contact an auto glass repair specialist. California Casualty works with Safelite on claims for cracked windshields. Many glass repair providers offer same-day service and can come to you. A technician can fix repairable cracks in a matter of minutes. Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover the cost of fixing small chips and cracks in your windshield. Even without insurance, a windshield repair is much less than a replacement. 

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

Spring Driving Safety Tips

by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info | 0 comments

Spring brings warmer weather, plenty of sunshine, and new blooms. But it also brings its share of storms, road glare, and other driving hazards. Here’s how you can stay safe when driving this spring.

Tip #1: Drive slowly and use caution in the rain.

Roads are most slippery when it starts to rain. This is due to rainwater mixing with the oil and grease on the road. But whether the rain has just begun or it’s been coming down for a while, it still makes roads slick.

• • • Keep your headlights on so that you are more easily seen.
    • Slow down and increase your following distance from other cars. Remember that any amount of water could cause you to skid or hydroplane.
    • Make sure your tires have enough tread and your wiper blades are in good condition.
    • Avoid using cruise control in the rain.
    • Avoid driving through water, which can damage your vehicle. If there’s too large a puddle, consider an alternate route.

Tip #2: Avoid potholes and puddles that could be covering potholes.

Freezing, thawing, and road salt in winter can help to create potholes. That’s why you may notice more of them in the spring. If you hit a pothole at too high a speed, or if it’s too deep, there could be problems. Potholes can lead to punctured tires, bent rims, suspension damage, poor alignment, or other expensive repairs.

• • • You may or may not see potholes coming. It’s even harder when they’re covered by puddles. Slow down and drive around both potholes and puddles.
    • Keep a safe distance when following another vehicle.
    • Keep both hands on the wheel to avoid losing control if you do strike a pothole.
    • If you encounter a pothole that is especially large or deep, try to find another route.

Tip #3: Be prepared for sun glare.

Spring is known for its bright sunshine that can temporarily blind you when you’re driving. The hours following dawn and preceding sunset are typically the times when the sun is the brightest.

• • • Position the sun visor in your car to block the light.
    • Sometimes moving the visors don’t do it. Sunglasses help reduce the sun’s intensity. Keep a pair handy in your car. Wearing a hat or sun visor can help too.
    • Slow down. Give yourself plenty of distance behind the car in front.
    • Keep your windshield clean. Dust, dirt, and pollen can make the glare worse.
    • Pull over if you can’t see.

Tip #4: Share the road with construction, bikes, pedestrians, and kids playing.

Spring weather brings everyone out. That includes construction crews, bicyclists, pedestrians, and of course, children playing. Awareness is the first step.

• • • Drive slowly in residential areas. If a ball goes bouncing into the street, chances are there will be a child chasing it.
    • Stop and give the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Never pass vehicles that are stopped at crosswalks.
    • Slow down and follow signs for new traffic patterns in construction zones. Solid lines in construction zones mean “stay in your lane.”
    • Learn biking hand signals, and look for bicycles before you make turns. Allow plenty of space when passing bicyclists.

Tip #5: Be on the lookout for deer at dawn and dusk.

Deer migrate during the spring and sometimes venture too close to roads. A collision with a deer is not only fatal for them; it’s costly in terms of vehicle repairs.

• • • Be especially careful during dawn and dusk when deer activity is at its highest.
    • Look out for deer crossing signs. These are posted at locations where deer sightings are common.
    • Use high beams at night as long as facing traffic isn’t coming.
    • If a collision seems inevitable, do not swerve into the other lane. You could hit a vehicle and cause an accident that’s worse.
    • Brake firmly, and try to graze the deer rather than hit it. Ease up on the brake just before you connect with the deer. It will cause your vehicle to lift a bit, which might keep the animal from hitting your windshield.

Tip #6: Know how spring allergies can affect your driving.

Spring is a time for allergies. Driving with sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and congestion can be a big distraction. But allergy medications that cause drowsiness could do greater harm.

• • • Read the warning label on your allergy medication. If it warns against driving or operating heavy machinery, don’t do it.
    • Replace your car’s air filters to ensure they are filtering pollen, mold, and other allergens.
    • Consider washable car mats instead of cloth ones so you can clean them. Give your car a spring cleaning.
    • Roll up your windows and turn your air conditioner to the recirculation setting. This minimizes the amount of fresh air coming in.

Tip 7: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.

Keeping your vehicle in top condition will help you navigate the challenges of spring driving more easily. Follow a schedule for regular maintenance.

• • • Check your vehicle’s headlights, turn signals, and tail lights to make sure they are working. Make sure your headlights are aligned.
    • Check your car’s wipers and replace the blades if they are showing signs of wear.
    • Check your car’s air conditioning system to make sure it’s working.
    • Make sure your tires have enough tread and are inflated. As temperatures rise and fall, your car tires may expand and contract. This causes loss of air pressure. You will want your tires to be inflated to manufacturer specifications. Check your owner’s manual.
    • Finally, make sure you have the proper car insurance. Coverage will give you peace of mind should anything happen.

Now go enjoy the warmer weather. 😊

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.