Is It Safe to Have a Crack on the Windshield?
3 Answers
As long as the crack is not severe, it can be repaired by yourself. If the crack is serious, it must be replaced. Relevant information is as follows: 1. The Impact of Cracks: All car windshields are now made of laminated glass, which is safer but not as hard as tempered glass. However, the characteristics of glass remain, and impacts from foreign objects can still cause damage or even cracks. Cracks on the windshield not only look unsightly and obstruct vision but will also extend over time if left unattended, potentially affecting vehicle inspections. If the crack is too long or severe, replacement becomes the only option. This not only incurs higher costs but also affects vehicle use and risks air or water leaks. To prevent further crack expansion, glass repair technology has been developed. 2. Glass Repair: Automotive glass repair is a technique that uses highly transparent and hard glass resin to fill cracks, achieving concealment and preventing further extension. The repair process involves using a vacuum pump to remove air from the crack, then utilizing pressure differences to fill the crack with glass resin, and finally curing the resin with a UV lamp.
As someone who drives frequently, I know full well that having a crack in the windshield is absolutely unsafe. A small crack might seem harmless at first glance, but once you hit a bumpy road or experience sudden temperature changes, it can instantly expand, obstructing your view. During a collision, the cracked area is more prone to shattering, increasing the risk of injury from glass fragments. In daily driving, sunlight or headlights reflecting off the crack can blur your vision, raising the chance of an accident. If it's a linear crack, it might still be repairable; but if it spreads to the edges, the structural integrity is compromised, and you must replace it immediately. Delaying will only escalate the problem, threatening driving safety—I recommend getting it fixed at a professional shop right away. Don't skimp on this small expense. Safety comes first; prevention is better than regret.
I once had a cracked car windshield. A stone hit it on the highway, and I didn't fix it immediately. Within weeks, the crack expanded and became more noticeable after rain, forcing me to squint while driving. Experience tells me that cracks smaller than a coin can be filled with resin, costing only a couple hundred yuan. But for larger cracks, replacing the glass is a must. Don't attempt DIY fixes—using clear tape as a temporary solution is fine, but long-term neglect may lead to fines, as it could fail the annual inspection. The maintenance cost isn't high; the key is to act quickly. Safe driving relies on details. Ignoring a small windshield issue can lead to big uncertainties and undermine overall driving confidence.
