Car owners often forget the windshield when preparing their rides for winter. However, cold weather can put a lot of stress on your windshield, making it essential to find effective ways of protecting it to maintain your visibility, safety, and the structural integrity of your vehicle. At Chapman Auto Glass, we offer quality mobile windshield replacement in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas to ensure your windshield is in good condition.
Here is how winter affects this part of your car and the measures you should take.
The effects of sudden temperature changes
Apart from rock chips and debris, the weather can also cause cracks. Because glass is sensitive to temperature, it will contract and expand when exposed to rapid temperature changes. As such, extreme temperatures can be hard on your windshield and cause it to crack. When your windshield is covered with ice, pouring hot water or hitting it with hot air can damage it severely.
Clearing icy windshields can cause damage
You will need to remove the ice that forms on the surface of your windshield. However, it would be best to use the proper ice removal tools such as ice scrapers instead of a knife or a shovel. To avoid damaging the glass, avoid stabbing into the ice buildup because this can result in cracks, chips, and scratches. The best technique is to scrape horizontally along the glass.