Windshields are one of the most important yet fragile parts of a car that’s extremely expensive to replace. Most of us like to see our windshields shining like new, without a speck of dust. Even though it’s made with resilience and durability in mind, it’s only glass in the end. Glass can offer only so much protection and longevity, and it can easily get damaged due to multiple factors like dust, rocks, sunlight, and even time. Since a windshield can be pretty costly to repair, you need to know how to keep it in perfect shape.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at just that. We’ll find out how you can take some precautions that’ll result in your windshield lasting much longer. It’s possible that you might already know some of these tips but you’ll still be able to find some that you didn’t know before. So without any further delay, let’s get to it and find out what you need to do to protect your windshields from all sorts of damage.

1. Protect It From Sunlight

While sunlight itself doesn’t directly harm the windshield, it’s the heat build-up that’s actually damaging. The cars parked under the sun will often reach extremely high temperatures which can lead to a gradual weakening of the windshield. The continuous heat will also cause any pre-existing cracks to grow and expand. It’s better if you can park your vehicle indoors or under direct cover. However, if you can’t find any indoor area, parking under a tree would be better than no shade at all.

2. Make Repairs Quick

If your windshield has developed a minor crack or chip due to any reason, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible. These chips can be caused by many reasons like small stones flying off of other vehicle’s wheels. You might not notice these at first but it’s generally a good idea to get it fixed at the earliest. Many people ignore these chips and the repairmen at this auto glass service say that those who ignore them often end up paying much more later. So, if you don’t get it fixed, it’s highly likely to develop into a larger crack, costing you more money for repairs. A chip is rather quick, cheap, and easy to fix but if it gets bigger, you might have to replace the entire windshield.

3. Be Vigilant

Whenever you’re out driving on the road, be sure to keep an eye out for any vehicles that might be getting too close. If you drive too close to the vehicle right in front of you, you’re risking not only your safety but also your windshield. It’s very common for vehicles at high speeds to fling back a stone or two. Usually, these stones or debris won’t cause much damage, but if you’re not at a minimum distance then it can definitely crack your windshield at high speeds. So try to keep a distance from any nearby vehicles as it’ll give you more time to react and avoid the oncoming debris.

4. Regularly Replace the Wipers

The windshield wipers are one of the regularly replaced components and if you’re not replacing them for years, you’re doing more damage than you realize. The wiper blades become less effective over time at pushing away the water. When this happens, you indeed to immediately replace them, or else they’ll cause micro-scratches on your windshield. These micro-scratches will slowly damage your windshield and decrease its integrity, thus making it more prone to breakage.

5. Go Chemical-Free

If you can stop using the chemical-filled windshield cleaners and car shampoos, you will see that your windshield lasts a much longer time. The chemicals like ammonia in these products can result in the protective layer being damaged. You should try to utilize products that are chemical-free or even make your own windshield cleaning spray by mixing water and vinegar. Not only will your windshield be in better health when you stop using these chemicals, but you’ll also notice that the other components of your car that are made up of vinyl and plastics last longer as well.

These are some of the most important tips that you can implement to keep your windshield free of any scratches or long-term damage. A windshield is your window to the outside world and you should take proper care and make sure that this window is clean, clear, and durable as well. Most of these tips can be easily applied by stopping your bad habits and inculcating better ones. If you implement these suggestions properly, then you’ll save a lot of money on windshield repairs in the long run.