When we think of windshield hazards in Washington State, winter ice and heavy rain usually come to mind. But did you know that the warm summer months can be just as dangerous for your auto glass? If you have a small, seemingly harmless chip in your windshield, the summer heat can quickly turn it into a costly problem.
At Five Star Auto Glass, we see a significant spike in windshield replacements during the summer. Here is why the heat is so tough on your windshield and what you can do about it.
The Science of Glass Expansion Glass is a material that expands in the heat and contracts in the cold. When your car is parked in the direct summer sun, the windshield absorbs a tremendous amount of heat. If your windshield is in perfect condition, this expansion is uniform and completely safe. However, if there is a chip or a micro-crack, the structural integrity of the glass is already compromised. As the glass heats up and expands, the pressure builds around that weak point, often causing the chip to “run” or spread into a massive crack.
The Danger of the AC Blast One of the most common ways a windshield cracks in the summer is due to rapid temperature changes. Imagine your car has been baking in a 90-degree parking lot all afternoon. You get in, start the engine, and immediately blast the air conditioning on full power to cool down the cabin.
That sudden blast of freezing air hitting the scorching hot glass causes extreme stress. The rapid contraction of the cooled inner layer of glass against the hot outer layer can cause a small rock chip to instantly snap into a foot-long crack across your line of vision.
How to Protect Your Windshield This Summer
- Park in the Shade: Whenever possible, park in a garage, under a tree, or in a shaded area to keep the glass temperature down.
- Crack Your Windows: Leaving your windows rolled down just a fraction of an inch allows hot air to escape, reducing the internal temperature of the car.
- Gradually Cool Your Car: Instead of blasting the AC directly onto the windshield the second you turn on the car, direct the vents toward the floor or cabin and let the car cool down gradually.
- Repair Chips Immediately: The absolute best way to prevent heat-related cracks is to get rock chips repaired by a professional before the heatwave hits.
Don’t let a minor rock chip ruin your summer road trip. If you are in the Tacoma, Bonney Lake, or South Seattle area, contact Five Star Auto Glass today. Our expert technicians can repair small chips quickly, restoring the strength of your windshield and saving you from a full replacement.
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