Winter’s frigid temperatures along with ice, snow, and freezing rain can take their toll on your car and especially your windshield. Scratches or chips in your glass can quickly become large cracks that can’t be repaired, leading to windshield replacement.

Avoid becoming a victim of a broken windshield with a few tips for daily defrosting in Northeast Ohio and critical winter care.

• Get any small chips in your windshield fixed right away. Even a tiny chip weakens your windshield because moisture settles in it and freezes and expands as temperatures drop. That small chip will quickly grow to a long crack, or worse, it could spiderweb and render your vehicle undrivable.
• Blasting a frosted or iced-over windshield with hot air from the defroster is one of the biggest mistakes car owners make. The sudden change in temperature can cause the glass to expand too quickly and shatter or cause a small crack to spread across the windshield. Instead, keep the defroster low and warm your car slowly.
• Never use hot water to melt ice on your windshield. Just as a too-hot defroster creates a too rapid temperature change, hot water will shatter your windshield. If you must use water to melt ice, use cold water and follow with a plastic ice scraper.
• Replace your windshield wipers to get ready for winter. This ensures the rubber inserts do not wear down and allow the plastic and metal parts on the wiper arm to scratch your windshield.

Keep in mind that a scratched or chipped windshield is a compromised windshield. Any intense temperature change will cause further damage in these weakened spots.

Check your windshield frequently for chips and scratches and get them fixed before they can spread.

For in-shop or mobile windshield repairs and replacements, contact Senneco Auto Glass for quick and efficient service that will keep your windshield and all your auto glass in good condition. Click here for more information about all Senneco’s services, including truck and commercial vehicle glass service and used auto glass.