As a responsible driver, you should avoid hitting the road with a cracked car windshield. No matter the time of year, doing so is hazardous. However, cooler temperatures during winter can exacerbate cracks and make them more dangerous than at other times. Let’s take a closer look at why it’s worse to have a cracked windshield in the winter.

Why Are Car Windshield Cracks Hazardous in Cold Weather?

Low temperatures cause materials like auto glass to contract. A crack in your car windshield will worsen in winter, especially when you factor in the wind chill it gets while you’re driving. These cracks are hazardous because they hamper your road visibility and allow rain, sleet, and snow to get into your vehicle. Your car windshield also supports a considerable percentage of your vehicle’s structural integrity. A damaged windshield makes it harder for your car to withstand a collision, compromising your safety on the road. 

Cracked car windshields also prevent your airbags from deploying properly. Since the auto glass is weakened, your airbag may inflate through the windshield and outside of the car instead of inward to brace you from the impact of a crash.

How to Fix a Windshield Crack in Winter

For small cracks that are less than an inch in length, you may be able to use store-bought auto glass sealers to mitigate the damage. However, read and follow the instructions carefully to ensure the product works as it should. Keep in mind that the bonding properties of some of these products are less effective when applied in cold temperatures.

The best solution for fixing auto glass damage is to have it repaired by an expert. If the crack is under three inches, auto glass technicians are usually able to restore it for a nominal fee. Larger cracks, however, are more expensive to repair and may even require a replacement of your car windshield.

Never underestimate the seriousness of a crack in your car windshield. When you need reliable auto glass repair, trust the experts at Flathead Glass Works in Kalispell, MT. With decades of experience working with auto glass, these technicians can quickly and efficiently perform windshield repair and replacement to your vehicle. They can also fix your side mirror, back window, and headlights. To schedule service, call them at (406) 752-7870 or find out more about them online.