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Your car's auto glass can become chipped or cracked from impacts or extreme temperatures changes. While you should always have a cracked windshield repaired as soon as possible, handling your vehicle with care until you get it fixed will help keep the problem from spreading. The following guide outlines a few tips to keep the pane secure in the days leading up to your repair or replacement appointment.

How to Prevent a Cracked Windshield From Worsening

1. Drive Carefully

Bumps, jolts, sudden stops, and hard turns can rattle or apply pressure to the damaged glass, causing it to splinter or even shatter. If you must drive with a cracked windshield, take extra care to avoid speed bumps, potholes, rumble strips, and rough surfaces—like gravel or dirt roads. Drive defensively, accelerate slowly, and always give yourself plenty of time to stop.

2. Keep the Car In the Shade

Heat from the sun can make the glass expand in its frame, putting more stress on the pane and causing the crack to worsen. When possible, park in shaded areas, like a garage or carport. If that's not possible, consider using a car cover or loosely securing towels over the windshield to help block the sun. 

3. Maintain Consistent Temperatures

cracked windshield

Sudden and drastic temperature changes cause glass to expand and warp, which can worsen a damaged windshield. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations, such as pulling out of an air-conditioned garage into sweltering heat. 

When you get in the car, don't blast the heat or AC, and keep the windshield vents turned off. If you have a climate-controlled garage, program the thermostat so the indoor temperature is close to the outdoor one to minimize its impact on your vehicle.

4. Seal It

As a last resort, you can use an at-home solution to seal the crack temporarily. This keeps out moisture and dirt while restoring an even distribution of pressure across the glass. Fill the crack with clear nail polish, or place a piece of clear masking tape over it. This solution is only viable for a day or two and should only be done if there are no other options.

 

Reach out to Consumer Glass in St. Louis, MO, for prompt cracked windshield repairs. Each certified technician at this locally owned and operated company has an average of 20 years of experience, and they offer same-day mobile repairs that are backed by a warranty. If the crack is too large to repair, they can replace the pane in an hour or less. They also work with major insurance providers. Learn more about their glass repair and replacement services online, and call (636) 397-6800 to schedule an appointment.

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