Is Your Windshield Hazy? 3 Surprising Things That Are Messing With Your Visibility

Your windshield is all that you have between your eyes and the road. And if it's opaque, foggy or otherwise compromised, you won't be able to see. You will essentially be putting your vehicle and your life in danger if you do not address your windshield problems. You need a clean and clear windshield in order to operate your vehicle safely. While some windshield problems can be cleaned away, others require a windshield replacement. Following are three things that might be making it more difficult for you to see out of your windshield. 

Vinyl Vapor and Smoke

If you smoke in your car, you will notice a buildup of yellow gunk on the inside of your windshield. This layer is made up of tar, nicotine and other agents that are released when you burn a cigarette. If you have a filmy layer on the inside of your window and you don't smoke, you may be a victim of a weird phenomenon called vinyl vapor. This type of buildup occurs over a long period of time as the vinyl of your dashboard breaks down in extremely hot temperatures, releasing vapors. 

Fortunately, these problems are easily fixed with a good cleaning. While it's difficult to remove these substances if they've remained on the windshield for a long period of time, you can get them off with a little elbow grease and a lot of ammonia.

Chips and Cracks

Chips and cracks are obvious visual obstructions, but the problem is usually larger than the small chip in the glass would have you believe. Chips and cracks can cause visual distortions and what appears to be discolorations in a large area around the damage. To fix this problem, have your windshield repaired by an auto glass expert. 

Products and Treatments

Some products and treatments can cause your windshield to appear hazy or discolored. Popular treatments include those used to repel rain and fog. To keep treatments from making it difficult for you to see, clean your windshield between applications and only use reputable products that are approved by your car's manufacturer. 

As you can see, there are several things that might make it difficult for you to see the road ahead of you. If you have issues seeing through your windshield, clean it thoroughly with an ammonia-based cleaner and paper towels. If you still can't see, have your windshield looked at by a reputable auto glass replacement and repair company.