How to prevent windshield cracks this winter

Friday 27th December 2024

Winter can be brutal on your car, especially its windshield. With freezing temperatures, snow, rain, and ice, the risk of chips and cracks increases. Neglecting these issues can result in hefty repair bills, so it's essential to protect your windshield.

Learn more about how to prevent windscreen cracks from spreading with our article.

Park in a garage or sheltered area

Does your home have a garage or a sheltered area to park your car? Parking in a garage or sheltered spot decreases the chance of snow and ice accumulating on your windshield. It also reduces the risk of windscreen chips or cracks forming. Regularly checking the weather forecast ensures you are informed about upcoming weather conditions, allowing you to take action to protect your car from snow or icy conditions and prevent your windshield from damage.

Use a protective windshield cover

Alternatively, if you don’t have a garage or driveway attached to your home, consider investing in a protective windshield cover for your vehicle. A windshield cover protects the glass from the additional stress caused by freezing temperatures and can prevent cracks from forming or from spreading on your windshield. Ideally, you should securely apply the cover in the evening, which prevents ice from forming on your windscreen overnight.

Check your windscreen wipers

Worn or damaged windscreen wipers can scratch your car’s windscreen, making it vulnerable to chipping or cracking over time. You may notice your wipers struggling to clear snow and rain from the windshield. To ensure your wipers are in excellent condition, you should replace them once every six to 12 months.

Don’t use hot water to melt ice and snow

Putting hot water on your windscreen might be tempting when removing snow and ice from your car. However, we recommend not doing this, as sudden temperature fluctuations can lead to your windshield cracking. When scraping ice off your vehicle’s windscreen, you should de-ice it with a de-icer and plastic scraper. This is the safest way to remove ice and snow without cracking or scratching your windscreen.

Inspect your car’s windshield for small chips

While a small chip on your windshield may seem harmless, it can develop into a larger one over time. If you find any cracks or chips on your windscreen, they should be repaired as soon as possible. Our team of friendly car repair technicians can locate and fix any windscreen chips, scratches or cracks quickly. We can make sure you are back on the road in no time.

Winter can be a challenging time for your vehicle’s windshield. Using the tips outlined in our article, you can stop windscreen cracks from happening. Is your MOT due soon? Discover the five ways your windscreen could cause your vehicle to fail an MOT test.

Prepare for winter by booking a free 10-point winter safety check at one of our 132 state-of-the-art Formula One Autocentres garages today.