How to Prevent Cracking Your Windshield This Winter
We’ve all been interested in windshields lately – from this anti-fog trick to these instructions for cleaning the inside of them , even if they’re full of dirt, dust, and other debris. Today we are talking about how to protect your windshield from cracks when it is very cold outside. Here’s what you need to know.
Why do windshields crack in cold weather?
Let’s start with why this is happening at all. To do this, we’ll hand it over to Brian Turner from Driving magazine based in Canada (so you know he’s an expert):
Windshields can crack if enough ice accumulates on the bottom of the glass. If you look closely at the bottom of most windshields, you will find that the bottom edge is completely open, leaving a significant ridge on the top of the panel below and below it. If the right mixture of snow and slush builds up in this area, the sudden drop in temperature can freeze it. It can expand and load the glass to the point where it will crack.
How to prevent cracking your windshield in the cold
Fortunately, you can prevent your windshield from cracking in very cold weather (or at least reduce the chance of it). Here are some more tips, courtesy of Turner from Driving :
Clean your windshield from snow, ice and dirt
Yes, this is common sense, but it is important. And when it’s cold outside, you may not want to waste time brushing off the accumulated snow and ice. “This allows the tensile forces of any freezing to move upward rather than directly against the bottom of the windshield,” Turner writes.
Check the wiper blades.
Occasionally, you may notice a large block of ice and frozen slush covering the wiper arms under the plastic grill. Usually this panel is able to prevent this, but under the right conditions (in terms of precipitation and temperature) it can still happen.
“Before turning on the wipers, always check to see if the blades are stuck to the glass,” Turner writes. “If they still refuse to budge after you turn them on, immediately turn off the switch and check for ice build-up under the wipers where the arms are attached. If so, the easiest and safest way to take care of this is to park your car in a heated room where the ice will melt. “
Warm up things
But if you’re not fortunate enough to have access to a heated indoor parking space, Turner says you can try warming things up with a hairdryer as well (although, if you’re not in your home garage, this can be logistically difficult). The last thing you can try is pouring cool ( not warm or hot) water over the ice / snow / windshield wiper and hope for the best.