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You know the shock of driving down the road and suddenly hearing a rock hit your windshield. It’s impossible to avoid, especially if you do any driving on the highway or interstate.

Your windshield is the largest and most important component of your vehicle. After all, it’s the only thing between you and the elements. So, if it’s damaged, get it repaired as soon as you can to avoid future injury/accident.

A chipped or cracked windshield can reduce visibility and makes driving more dangerous by creating blind spots that obstruct your view of the road. Driving with a damaged windshield could even result in a ticket or fine.

If a damaged windshield starts to crack, there’s nothing you can do besides get it replaced. But if it’s just chipped, you might be able to repair it before it spreads. Call your local auto glass specialist as soon as you notice damage to your windshield. There are also DIY kits you can purchase at most auto parts stores that let you inject a clear resin into the damage to strengthen the area and keep the damage from spreading.

If that seems like a hassle, here are a few more reasons why you should simply not drive around with a chipped windshield:

Dramatic Wisconsin Temperatures

With significant changes in temperature throughout our very hot and very, very cold Wisconsin seasons, our car windshields expand and contract. In the summer, we subject our windshields to hot temperatures followed by air conditioning at the same time. In the winter, it’s below freezing outside temperature, then a blast from our heaters as we defrost our windows. The repeating freeze-thaw-freeze cycles and the snow and ice that can get into windshield chips provide a perfect environment to turn a minor chip into a serious crack.

Structural Vulnerability

Your windshield isn’t just a piece of glass that provides you with a view and protects you from getting hit with bugs and kicked up debris while driving. It’s a key part of the structural integrity of your vehicle, especially in smaller cars. In a crash or a roll-over accident, the windshield supports the roof, preventing you from being crushed or thrown from the vehicle. Scary, but you can see what keeping it in good shape is so important!

Time and Expense

It takes longer to fix a large crack, and once they spread, many windshields simply cannot be repaired. Save your time and money by taking care of that pesky chip sooner rather than later.

All of us hate chips and cracks in our windshield because they often infringe on our view of a beautiful sunset or other picturesque scenery. But your windshield is also vital to your safety and the integrity of your vehicle. We want to encourage you to get any chips repaired as quickly as possible!