Finding a crack in your windshield is a race against time. Because modern windshields provide roughly , even a small "star" or "bullseye" can quickly spiderweb across the entire glass due to temperature shifts or road vibrations.
Second, manage thermal shock. Glass expands when hot and contracts when cold. A crack will run rapidly if one part of the windshield is hot (e.g., defroster on full blast) while another is freezing. Therefore, never use hot water to de-ice a cracked windshield, and avoid parking with the crack directly in the morning sun. Instead, park in the shade or use a reflective sunshade. When driving in cold weather, warm the cabin gradually, directing warm air toward the floor first, not directly onto the glass. Conversely, in summer, lower the car’s interior temperature slowly with windows cracked open rather than blasting the air conditioning directly onto a hot, cracked windshield. how to stop a windshield crack from spreading
Mitigating Fracture Propagation: A Practical Guide to Stopping Windshield Cracks from Spreading Subject: Automotive Maintenance & Safety Date: October 26, 2023 Finding a crack in your windshield is a race against time