Learning About Manual Gearboxes

Any damage to your car's windshield can pose a potential safety hazard on the road. Your windshield must provide a clear, unobstructed view of your surroundings, and problems within your line of sight may reduce your situational awareness. Even worse, windshield damage reduces the structural integrity of the glass, potentially affecting your car's ability to withstand an accident.

While you should never ignore any form of damage, it's still essential to understand some of the common ways your windshield might fail. Recognizing these differences can help you determine if you'll need a repair or a replacement to fix the problem.

Aren't the Differences Obvious?

You probably think that you can pretty quickly recognize the difference between chipped and cracked glass. While identifying these types of damage isn't hard, there's more that they can tell you about how the damage happened. For example, a chip usually represents a specific impact point on your windshield. If you have a visible chip, it's a good indication that rock or another piece of road debris hit your glass.

On the other hand, cracks might not have an obvious source. If you aren't sure when the break first appeared and can't identify its origin, it may be a stress crack. These fractures occur due to temperature changes that cause the glass to expand and contract. Your windshield may also crack due to pressure on an existing chip, which can weaken the glass and cause it to fracture.

If you're evaluating your windshield for damage, you should try to understand the source of anything you find. Pay attention to cracks that appear to be expanding or extending from other damage, such as chips or pits. These worsening problems require immediate attention to avoid replacing your entire windshield.

Which Problem is Worse?

Both chips and cracks are serious problems that you should never ignore. In most cases, the severity of the damage will have less to do with its type and more to do with its size. The larger the chip or crack, the harder it is to repair effectively. 

Combination damage—where small cracks emanate from a central chip or pit—can also be more challenging to repair. Again, the size of the damage will often determine the best course of action. Combination damage may be repairable if it's small enough, but chips with many large cracks radiating out from them may require you to replace your windshield.

In general, you should never assume that damage to your windshield is minor or that you can ignore it. Always schedule a repair for any issues you notice and never ignore cracks, chips, or other forms of damage that seem to be spreading or otherwise worsening.

For more information, contact an auto glass repair business in your area.