Car maintenance can come in many shapes and sizes. It can be easy to ignore your car’s needs when it is working properly. This should not be the case. Your windshield is generally not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of car maintenance, but it provides up to 30% of your car’s structural strength. If you get in a crash and you roll your vehicle, the glass will support the roof and help the airbags function properly. And if you were driving down the road and a rock flies up and hits your windshield, it can weaken the integrity of your entire vehicle. Here are some less common ways your windshield becomes damaged.
Windshield Blades
Over time the rubber component on windshield wipers will wear down and expose the blades plastic. This hard plastic service can scratch against your windshield and cause damage. If in a rainstorm you notice that your windshield wipers are not working effectively, it is time for you to replace them.
Dirt
Dirt has been known to leave your windshield vulnerable to potential damage. If debris hits a clean window with force, it can cause serious damage. It may seem harmless but even the smallest amounts of dirt can be hazardous.
Ice
When it is freezing cold outside it can seem tempting to quickly remove the ice from your windshield, however, when you do this improperly it can cause damage to your windows. When you use a plastic scraper, it will degrade the glass’ surface. Use a hard scraper to remove snow and ice in a careful manner. Be certain that you include the defroster in your vehicle that will help clear ice without additional tools.
Improper Cleaning
When you clean your vehicle using cleaning materials such as towels and sponges it may catch debris and small rocks. Additionally, substances like detergents and glass cleaners may be too harsh for your windshield’s surface. They can cause film buildup as well as streaks that will damage the tint.
Extreme Temperatures
Glass contracting in cold temperatures can stabilize the entire structural integrity of your vehicle. Conversely, extreme heat can also damage your windshield.
To learn more about how you can protect your vehicle from damage, browse the Anderson Auto Body blog.
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