Can Summer Heat Damage Your Car’s Windshield?

Summer is here, and once again, your car’s windshield must brace itself for the scorching sun. If you, too, are wondering, “Can car glass break due to heat?”, the answer is yes.

Car windshields are designed to withstand high-impact collisions and prolonged exposure to the sun. However, extreme temperature fluctuations can cause windshield cracks.

Summer should not be stressful for your car. With a few proactive measures, you can prepare your car to prevent windshield damage.

Effect of Summer Heat on Windshield

Summer heat impacts the windshield in more than one way.

Expansion and Contraction of Glass Molecule

A car windshield consists of two layers of glass with a thin vinyl layer in between. The vinyl layer prevents the second layer of glass from breaking, ensuring that only the outer layer sustains cracks or scratches.

However, when the temperature fluctuates, the glass molecules expand due to heat and contract when subjected to cold. But can car glass break due to heat?”. Probably not, but here are some other effects of summer heat.

Other Risks Due to Heat Exposure

• Too much heat exposure can also cause windshield warping, which compromises the glass’s clarity. This can make driving difficult.
• Direct sunlight for a long duration can make your windshield fragile, leading to minor impact damage and windshield cracks.
• At times, sunlight can also cause stress fractures in the windshield. These are invisible to the eye but can cause the glass to break, even in the event of a slight collision.

Hazards of Driving with a Cracked Windshield

• Driving with a crack can obscure the driver's vision.
• It impacts the windshield's overall structural integrity, making it more susceptible to further damage, even with simple road vibrations.
• In an accident, a cracked windshield might not provide the necessary support to the passenger seat airbag, increasing the risk of injuries.

Therefore, it is crucial to promptly address windshield cracks due to heat to ensure road safety.

How To Prevent Summer Heat From Damaging Your Windshield?

When you protect your windshield, you also safeguard driver and passenger safety, making your travel worry-free.

Here are expert tips to secure your car’s windshield for a safe and seamless journey.

• Park Your Car Under The Shade

  Ensure that your car is parked in a basement, garage or shade to prevent harsh sun exposure. This way, your car interiors will remain cool, and your windshield will not face high temperatures.

• Avoid Temperature Changes

  When the air conditioner is turned on to a high level, especially when the car is out in the sun, changes in temperature occur.
  Instead, you can begin by turning on the fan or rolling down the windows to let out the hot air naturally. Once the temperature stabilises, you can roll back the windows and switch on the air conditioner. This will ensure both your comfort and the windshield’s integrity.

• Wash the Windshield Properly

  Windshield maintenance is another effective way to prevent it from getting damaged, especially during the summer. This includes cleaning it with a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth and noticing any dents or cracks. With this, you can get the necessary repair work done before severe damage occurs.

• Handle Car Doors Carefully

  Slamming the doors too hard can send vibrations through the car, including the windscreen. If your car already has windshield cracks due to heat, slamming the doors can cause them to spread. Thus, you must practice gentle handling, especially in the summer, to prevent massive damage to your windshield.

• Invest in a Car Windshield Shade

  The car windshield shade is an excellent way to prevent the windscreen from heating up due to direct sun exposure. It is portable, so you can easily place it over the windscreen whenever necessary.

• Ensure Prompt Repairs and Replacement

  Proactive checks for cracks in your windshield are the most effective way to prevent damage from worsening. Even a tiny chip can make the windshield vulnerable to significant damage caused by high temperatures, vibrations and other external threats.

Final Words

Protecting your windshield is easy if you follow these simple measures. However, when it comes to repairing windshield cracks due to heat, trust only the experts.

At AIS Windshield Experts, we specialise in windshield repair and replacement solutions, guaranteeing a secure driving experience all summer long.

Our expert technicians follow international safety standards while handling your windshield for assured durability. Contact us today at 1800-102-6364 for doorstep service.