5 Ways To Know When To Replace Your Car Windshield

Among all the parts of a car that need a quick fix upon an accident, the windshield should be at the very top of the list. Without a safe, secure windshield, drivers are putting themselves and their passengers in harm’s way. Here are five ways to know when to replace your car windshield. Catch problems early and make the changes as soon as possible.

1. Compromised Perception/Vision

Drivers must be responsible for what they do and see when they are on the road. Even small chips or cracks in the windshield may compromise a driver’s vision. When going down a highway, a chip in the windshield may look like a vehicle in the corner of a driver’s eye. Responding to this illusion may lead to a serious crash.

2. Your Inspection Is Coming Up

You’ll find one of the five signs that your car windshield needs replacing on your inspection sticker. If you have an inspection coming up and your windshield contains a crack, you need to fix it before the appointment. A faulty windshield could mean a failed inspection.

3. Pitting

People who often travel on the highway may notice pitting on their windshield. Pitting occurs when bits of gravel and tiny rocks hit windshields and leave behind small pits. Pitting is most noticeable when the sun directly hits the windshield. This can be dangerous if the pits compromise your view or focus.

4. White at the Edges

One sign that many people don’t notice or pay attention to is when white coloration starts forming around the edges of the glass. If you ever notice this discoloration, you know it’s time to replace your car windshield. Vehicle manufacturers treat their car windshields with a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) to keep them from shattering into pieces after an impact. Instead, because of the PVB, the windshield would break into pieces that would not hurt the occupants in the event of an accident. If you notice a white haze along the edges of the windshield, that is because the PVB needs to be replaced.

5. Missing Pieces

Too many car owners are ready to patch up missing or broken parts of their vehicle with trash bags or duct tape. But you must never allow your windshield to be “fixed” that way. Windshields, aside from keeping you safe from the outside elements, also offer structural support. If your windshield is in such a bad condition that you would consider patching it up, then it is in poor enough condition to warrant a replacement. Do not wait on this important chore.

Don’t let yourself drive around with a fragile, unsafe windshield. When you start noticing cracks or discoloration, it’s time to make the replacement. Your local body shop has everything you need to have your windshield in stable, working condition. Visit River North Collision Repair for auto glass repairs in Chicago.