Can You Still Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
2 Answers
You can drive with a cracked windshield, but you should repair it promptly; otherwise, the repair effectiveness may be compromised. Here are the details: 1. Crack deformation: Cracks can deform the glass due to temperature fluctuations throughout the day, as heating and cooling affect the glass. Continued driving exposes the damaged area to wind resistance, applying ongoing pressure that may enlarge the crack. For instance, a few-millimeter crack in the morning could expand to several centimeters by evening if ignored. Therefore, while driving with a cracked windshield is possible, prompt repair is essential to avoid worsening the damage. 2. Repairable conditions: Only cracks on the outermost layer of glass can be repaired. Generally, repairable crack types include star-shaped and linear cracks. Smaller cracks are preferable for repair; if the crack diameter exceeds 20mm, the repair effect may be poor, and replacing the windshield is recommended.
I've repaired quite a few cars with cracked windshields, and to be honest, it depends on the situation. If the crack starts from the edge of the glass or extends longer than the width of a palm, don't drive it anymore! Last time I encountered a car owner who insisted on driving on the highway, and the entire windshield shattered into a spiderweb pattern, scaring him so much he couldn't even hold the steering wheel steady. Even if the crack is small, you should go to a repair shop as soon as possible for resin filling. There's a UV resin repair technology now that can fix it for just a couple hundred bucks. If it's just a small pinpoint crack, you might barely manage to drive slowly to the repair shop, but definitely avoid bumpy roads, and don't use the wipers—just one vibration could cause the crack to spread instantly. The windshield is part of the vehicle's support structure, and cracks can affect safety!
