Driving with a cracked windshield

[alexjohnson16]

Recently while warming up the car, a ~6" crack developed in my windshield on the drivers side about 5" off the bottom of the window, shaped in an S.

In the last few days, it sometime has spread to about 2 feet long (I've never noticed it while driving).

Is this dangerous, I'd like to wait until it warms up to replace it. I'm guessing its cracking because of the bitter cold we're getting in the midwest compared to me running the defrost?

 

[Black88GTA]

Not dangerous unless it obstructs your vision enough to be a problem. The worst it'll do is crack all the way across - it won't shatter, if that's what you're worried about. Although if you live in an inspection state, your car will probably not pass inspection with a cracked windshield. And, cops can write you a fix-it ticket for it.

 

[alexjohnson16]

Thanks GTA. I figured it wouldn't shatter but I didn't know if there were other things I should be worried about.

Not in an inspection state, and a fix-it ticket can be dealt with easily.

 

[Alone]

Windshields are built not to shatter in your face.

It might get a bit cold, though.

 

[compuwiz1]

Not a problem, unless some cop decides to pull you over for it, standing an excuse to look futher into your business, if you know what I mean.

I check all of my lights and other equipment, that keeps me legal. I don't let them have a random excuse to pull me over.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Alone
Windshields are built not to shatter in your face.

It might get a bit cold, though.

A crack won't let any wind / water or other elements in...it won't make a difference in the car.

 

[Captante]

If it spreads all the way across or worse spider-webs into more cracks it can compromise the strength of your windshield a bit, but its not that big a deal.

 

[0roo0roo]

its a support structure. designed to help reinforce the roof in roll over. compromised windshield is compromised safety

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its a support structure. designed to help reinforce the roof in roll over. compromised windshield is compromised safety

Not really. Yes it may help a bit, but it is a lot more dependent on the cars frame.

 

[0roo0roo]

i think they design it to help. atleast thats what i got from a 20/20 or whatever where they went after shoddy windshield replacements where the installers contaminated the glue area with messy/negligent install. weakened the bond and so during an accident the roofs failed.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

If the crack is what I think it is, it's a common wintertime occurrence from when people frequently select "defrost" setting with hot air. Apparently, the sudden application of hot air from the defrost vents, to the freezing cold windshield stresses it. People who leave their a/c on defrost while the car warms up, rarely have this problem as the window is not met with a sudden burst of hot air; but is gradually warmed as the output air from the vents warm.

I would replace it for two reasons... one, cracked windows are compromised windows. You don't know when the crack might get worse and decide to splinter up across your field of vision. Two, extreme cold makes windows more brittle and a cracked window doesn't need the added stress. Just my .02.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.glasslinks.com/newsinfo/detsafe.htm
Rollover accidents are regarded as highly survivable events, providing that the roof structure remains intact and the occupant compartment is not severely compromised. Windshield reinforcement is a crucial component of vehicle design that can prevent roof crush injury in a rollover accident. When a windshield is destroyed in the course of an accident the strength of the roof is instantly reduced by 33 percent. When the windshield blows out it makes roof crush injury much more likely by compromising the strength of the roof and creating a large space through which a person can be ejected from the motor vehicle. http://www.crash-worthiness.com/injury/roof-crush.html

as for the hot air thing, if that happens its probably because it was compromised already, knicks from rocks or whatever. like how a glass survives many knocks until one day it just shatters.

 

[Lord Evermore]

I have the windshield crack in a work vehicle a few years ago. Same location, same cause. Went all the way across the windshield, a few inches from the bottom. Sudden temperature DIFFERENCE is what causes the crack. The inside suddenly expands from being warm, while the outside still has ice on it, and it cracks.

I did the same thing once with bacon grease and a glass cup. Poured the grease in quickly, and the cup just split in half around the rim, right at the top level of the grease.

 

[allisolm]

One reason I like FL - when your windshield cracks here, you call your insurance company, they pay 100% to have it replaced and can't raise your premiums on account of it.

 

[Lord Evermore]

I think most insurance companies cover windshields. All the ones I've used have, in FL, MA and NH. Don't even have to call the insurance company, the glass shop will handle it usually.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its a support structure. designed to help reinforce the roof in roll over. compromised windshield is compromised safety

So windshields become rollbars in accidents??

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its a support structure. designed to help reinforce the roof in roll over. compromised windshield is compromised safety

So windshields become rollbars in accidents??

I don't think 0roo0roo knows what an A-pillar is.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its a support structure. designed to help reinforce the roof in roll over. compromised windshield is compromised safety

So windshields become rollbars in accidents??

I don't think 0roo0roo knows what an A-pillar is.

Or you could go with what every manufacturer and safety group says, and consider the windshield part of the support and safety structure. Who do you believe, your own vague notion that it doesn't seem like the glass could support anything, or the people who designed it, built it, and tested it?

 

[FoBoT]

if it isn't in your main field of vision while driving, then just replace it when you get around to it