Two Tips To Help You Avoid Getting Cracks In Your Windshield

For some people, a cracked windshield seems to go hand in hand with the driving experience.  They frequently incur cracks in their windshield and then have to deal with the expense of having it repaired.  While it may seem like your windshield will inevitably crack at some point, this doesn't have to be the case.  Use this information to learn more about two tips that can help you avoid getting cracks in your windshield.

Avoid Drastic Temperature Changes

One of the first things you can do to keep your windshield intact is avoid drastic temperature changes.  This is vital, since glass expands and contracts when there are sudden changes in temperature.

What this means is that you'll need to take a few precautions.  For example, on a very cold day, you may be tempted to hop into your car and immediately blast the defroster on the warmest setting possible.  However, this causes too much of a disparity between the indoor and outdoor temperatures and can make your glass more vulnerable to cracking.

Instead, start the car and put the defroster on the lowest setting.  Gradually increase the defroster by one notch so that it is eventually at the highest setting.  This gives the glass in your car time to slowly warm up, rather than undergo a shocking change that could threaten the integrity of the glass.

Maintain The Right Following Distance

If you're the type of driver who thrives on tailing the car in front of you, it may be time to rethink this practice.  A quick way to end up with a cracked windshield is to follow too closely behind other motorists.

As cars are zipping along the road, rocks and gravel on the street are kicked up by the tires.  If you happen to be driving too closely behind other vehicles, you make your windshield more susceptible to being pummeled by these rocks.

The best thing to do is maintain the appropriate following distance.  The two second rule is a good guideline to live by.  It basically states that when the car in front of you passes a tree or other landmark, silently say to yourself, "One thousand and one, one thousand and two."  If you reach the same landmark before finishing the phrase, you're following too closely.

Adhering to a few preventative techniques is the key to keeping a cracked windshield at bay.  Start following these tips right away so you can keep your windshield crack-free for as long as possible.  For more information and tips, or if you need to repair a cracked windshield, contact windshield replacement professionals, such as those at Express Glass Inc..