How Large Must Hail Be to Damage a Car?
2 Answers
Hailstones the size of a one-yuan coin, an egg, or even a tennis ball can damage a car, not only harming the paint but also causing shattered glass and dents on the body. When hail has no impact on the car: Small hailstones, no larger than two centimeters, generally have minimal effect. Cars have a certain resistance to impact, and in most cases, such hail won't cause any damage. What to do with your car during hail: In hail weather, try to park your car in a sheltered area, preferably an underground parking lot. If the car must remain outdoors, covering it with a thick blanket can help reduce damage. If caught in hail with nowhere to hide, quickly move to the back seats to avoid injury from potential windshield shattering.
Last year, I encountered a hailstorm while driving. The hailstones hitting the car made loud cracking sounds, and they were about the size of golf balls, with diameters exceeding 4 centimeters. The windshield cracked immediately, and several large dents appeared on the roof. Based on past experiences, if hailstones are the size of peas or marbles, around 1 centimeter in diameter, they might only scratch the paint and not cause much damage. However, once they exceed 2.5 centimeters, about the size of a coin, the sunroof or hood could crack. Hailstones around 3-4 centimeters, like ping pong or golf balls, can easily shatter the windshield, resulting in thousands of dollars in repair costs. In such situations, safety comes first—pull over immediately to take shelter and wait for the storm to pass before seeking professional repairs to avoid accidents on the road. It’s best to prevent damage by using a garage or car cover regularly, which can save a lot of hassle.
