The cracked windshield is a pain and a major safety concern. While some of you might get the problem fixed right away, but there are people who continue driving with the cracked glass for as long as they can in order to avoid burning holes in their pockets.
A windshield offers you clear visibility while protecting you from snow, wind, and rain. This means it takes up a number of damages that include bull’s eye, linear crack, pit, crack chip, or even a star-shaped break.
Safe or unsafe?
Though it is not dangerous to drive with the small crack but it should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible considering the key factors:
How wide is the crack?
A small chip might drive you to a hundred miles with no loss but a spread out crack requires complete replacement.
Where is the crack on windshield?
There is no issue with the crack being on the passenger’s side but if the crack is interfering with the driver’s view, you should stop driving until it is fixed.
How intense is the damage?
The crack varying between 6 to 12 inches can be easily repaired but if the split area is significantly deep, it will require complete replacement.
Is the crack on windshield spreading?
The major concern with the cracks is that they tend to spread and grow. The expansion and contraction of glass due to temperature variation causes the glass to loosen up which eventually leads to the crack growth.
How long can I drive with a cracked windshield?
The purpose behind the designing of windshields is to ensure the safety of the passengers and driver. The dual-layer of glass protects the glass from falling or shattering over the road. This means if the outer layer of the glass breaks, the inner layer holds the windshield together. But this certainly doesn’t mean you should ignore the damaged windshield. The smallest damage to the glass signifies that the safety of the windshield has been compromised and it doesn’t provide any safety hence.
Bottom line is-
It is not advisable to drive much even with a smaller crack because the temperature variation or anything hitting the cracked windshield may lead to the collapse of the entire glass. The better idea is to get the windshield repair as soon as possible by the reputed and professional auto glass company.
