Can You Still Drive with a Cracked Inner Layer of the Windshield?
3 Answers
You cannot drive with a cracked inner layer of the car's windshield. The reasons why you cannot drive with a cracked inner layer of the car's windshield are as follows: Lamination Separation: When the inner layer of the windshield cracks, air can enter the lamination through the crack, leading to separation of the layers. Impact on Driving Safety: As the vehicle speed and wind pressure increase, the pressure on the windshield also rises, causing the crack to expand further. This can obstruct the driver's view and compromise driving safety. Causes of Windshield Cracks: The reasons for cracks in a car's windshield include human factors, external impacts, and excessive temperature differences between the inside and outside. Windshield Composition: Most vehicle windshields are laminated, with the inner layer made of tempered glass and the outer layer of laminated safety glass. If the crack is only on the outer laminated layer, it may be repairable. Side and rear windows, however, are typically made of tempered glass, which shatters entirely upon impact and is difficult to repair.
I've personally witnessed accidents caused by cracked inner layers of windshields and firmly believe they shouldn't be driven with. That thing isn't ordinary glass—it's a laminated structure. When the inner layer cracks, the overall strength plummets. Even minor bumps could shatter it into pieces while driving. Visibility suffers the most—sunlight causes blinding glare, and rainy conditions make it like viewing through fog. A friend once ignored a cracked windshield while driving slowly, only to have it shatter during braking, cutting their forehead and drawing blood—how terrifying! Repair costs 2,000-3,000 yuan for a replacement, far more economical than medical bills. Safety first—call a tow truck or take a taxi to get it fixed. Don't gamble with safety.
Once I had a small crack on the inner layer of my windshield and still dared to drive to the repair shop, but I was nervous the whole time. I only drove short distances within the city, keeping my speed under 30 km/h and avoiding pressing the accelerator. The mechanic checked it and said the inner layer damage was hard to repair—it almost needed a full replacement, and insurance covered a small portion. While driving, I had to avoid potholes and couldn’t turn the AC up too high to prevent temperature differences from worsening the crack. This experience taught me a lesson: it’s possible to drive, but not worth it. If you wait too long, the crack could spread into a spiderweb and become irreparable. It’s better to get it fixed the same day. Spending some money saves a lot of hassle.
