With enough driving, you'll likely encounter that frustrating moment in which a rock hits your windshield and causes a chip. While you might be tempted to ignore the problem, especially if the visible damage seems minor, this tiny chip can grow into a crack that means that your entire windshield will need to be replaced. There's a likelihood that a small chip can be repaired instead of replaced, however, provided you schedule an appointment at your local auto glass repair shop before the damage spreads. In the meantime, here are three driving situations to avoid when you have a chipped windshield.
Excessively Hot Days
If it's possible, avoiding taking your car out when the temperature is excessively hot. One of the easiest ways for your windshield chip to grow in size is when its temperature changes dramatically, which is exactly what will happen when the car has been parked in the sun and you begin to cool the interior through the use of your air conditioner. In many cases, this change in temperature will cause the chip to grow before your eyes, meaning that a repair job will no longer be possible and that you'll need a complete replacement. When the temperature is notably high, see if you can find another way to travel, such as using your spouse's vehicle or taking public transportation.
Roads Under Construction
You're putting the chip in your windshield at risk of expanding if you choose to travel on a road that's under construction. This type of area carries multiple risks for chipped windshields. There are often variations in the height of the pavement, which can cause significant vibrations that can affect the chip. Additionally, you might also find yourself diving behind a gravel truck; whether a piece of gravel bounces out of the truck or is picked up and thrown by the truck's tires, you're risking a chance of further windshield damage.
Traveling With Passengers
Riding with people in your vehicle might not seem inherently risky to the health of your windshield, but multiple people slamming your car doors can send a shockwave through the vehicle that makes the chip grow into a crack. When you're traveling alone, you can remember to shut your door carefully; even if you share this information with your passengers, there's a chance that someone will forget and make a simple mistake that expands the size of your chip.
For windshield repair and replacement, contact a company such as Econo Glass Company.
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