When your windshield gets cracked or chipped, this can do more than simply ruin the look of your car. Even a small crack or chip can be a safety hazard, and you'll need to have your windshield assessed right away by a professional. Driving around with a windshield that has been damaged can make it more difficult for you to see and cause your windshield to crack further.

Your windshield does more than provide you with a view of the road. Your windshield is also part of the structural integrity of your vehicle, and you can get hurt more easily if you are in an accident when you already have a windshield that is damaged.

Driving Your Vehicle with Small Chips or Cracks in Your Windshield

Small chips in your windshield are usually easy to fix by an auto glass repair shop. When the chip is too big, or is more than a few inches wide, your entire windshield will probably need to be replaced. Your windshield is actually two pieces of glass that you can see through, glued to a center of vinyl resin. The resin holds your windshield glass in place and prevent pieces of glass from breaking off from your windshield in a collision. The problem is once a crack or chip is too large, the resin center can't withstand any more impact and you will not be protected as the driver.

Driving Your Vehicle When Your Windshield Is Cracked

A small crack in your windshield that isn't spreading isn't usually a problem. If the crack isn't blocking your line of sight and it isn't spreading across your windshield, you won't need to do anything about it. If the crack begins to spread out in different directions, it's time to bring your car in for a windshield repair. Once the crack spreads across several inches, you will likely need a complete windshield replacement. A small crack can be repaired, but you have to get to it fast enough before it spreads.

When you are driving around with a cracked or chipped windshield, you have to pay attention to see if the chip or crack gets larger. If you notice any changes in the damage, it's time to get your windshield repaired. If you have more than one chip in your windshield and they are close together, you will need to get the windshield replaced. Two chips close together cause your windshield to be weak and it will break with the slightest impact.