Consider a car with a shattered windshield. Isn’t that an unsettling image? However, the poor aesthetics are no match for the safety risks that this poses. One of the most overlooked aspects of car care is routine windshield maintenance.
It’s not just about cleaning the windows every day, though that’s essential. Regular cleaning, service, and maintenance will not only extend the life of your windshield but will also keep you safe.
A bit of maintenance in routine can help prevent major mishaps with your windshield and save you a lot of money. Following are some ways of maintenance of your windscreen.
Don’t park under sunlight
If you park your car carelessly, your entire vehicle, including the windshield, could be jeopardized. Drastic temperatures may cause stress cracks in the windshield, putting the entire glass in danger of breaking.
Furthermore, a pre-existing crack may spread further due to temperature extremes, particularly in direct sunlight. UV rays can also cause damage to glass tints.
Parking in a garage, basement or another shaded area will help to prevent breakage and increase the durability of your car’s windshield.
Read More: Things you should know about windshield wipers
Don’t let chips or cracks go unnoticed
When a foreign object strikes your windshield in a car, it can cause chips or cracks, as well as the formation of bubbles between the glass layers. If left untreated, these formations in the windshield, regardless of size, can cause significant damage.
They may grow in size over time, compromising the driver’s visibility. Plus, it may cause damage to the point where the safety of the glass is jeopardized, resulting in no choice but to replace the glass.
It is critical to take such nicks seriously because a windscreen replacement will cost you more than a glass repair.
Replace your windshield wipers regularly
The condition of the windshield wiper has multiple effects on the windshield in the car. A metal structure on the inner area and a rubber coating on the external area make up the windshield wiper. When the rubber coating on your windshield fades away, the metal structure becomes visible.
This means that every time you use the wipers, the metal body scrapes against the windshield, potentially leaving significant scratches on the glass. Wiper blades become inferior over time due to wear and tear, debris, moisture, and sunlight, and they should be replaced annually to protect your windshield.
Use High-Quality Cleaning Supplies
Using the incorrect chemicals to clean your auto glass, such as ammonia-based glass cleaners, abrasive household sponges, DIY cleaners, paper towels, and so on, may leave scratches on the screen, damage the glass tint, or leave streaks on the window.
It is recommended that you use windshield cleaners designed specifically for cars with a soft microfiber cloth to shield it from any avoidable damage.
You should clean your windshield
It is dangerous to leave splattered June Bugs, pollen, and dirt on the windshield. They reduce your visibility and jeopardize the glass’s integrity. When small debris scrapes the glass, it creates micro-abrasions that make your windshield more prone to cracking.
You can promote the life of your windshield by cleaning it every time you go to the gas station. Find out an ideal way to clean your vehicle’s windshield here.
Clean both the interior and exterior of your windscreen
Most drivers only clean the outside of their vehicles, leaving the interior alone. You must clean both the inside and outside of your windscreen. Make it spotless. Make it neat.
Try not to slam the doors
It’s no secret that slamming car doors can have serious consequences. When you close the car door too tightly, it can cause severe vibrations inside the vehicle and cause the side windows to become loose and fall off their tracks.
If your glass already has small nicks, chips, or cracks on its surface, they may grow over time if you close the door too hard. As a result, it is prudent to make it a habit to close the door gently.
Install a bug guard on your vehicle
A deflector will keep your windshield from resembling an insect graveyard. When you accelerate, the deflector pushes bugs up and over the roof of your vehicle. If you keep bugs from dying on your windshield, your visibility will improve and your windshield will stay cleaner.
