Sometimes, owning a car means making tough choices, and there will be times when you have to make a decision between a repair or replacing a part of your vehicle entirely. This article will examine the factors that should be considered when determining if you should repair or replace your car windshield.
Safety
Like other problems in the automotive world, safety is the most crucial concern. Although it is not often dangerous to drive with a broken windshield for a short distance, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The windshield is designed as an integral part of the structural integrity of your car. However, glass is weakened by damage. If the vehicle is involved in a crash, a broken windshield will not offer the intended level of protection to its occupants.
Visibility
When a driver is driving a car with a damaged windshield, it reduces the driver’s ability to see clearly, and that is a significant safety risk. In certain states, this is actually illegal. Glass repair is not often recommended if the crack or scratch is within the driver’s line of vision. This usually means the surface area covered by the windshield wipers.
Dimensions
Although new tools and techniques are constantly being made for windshield repair, there are still limits to what sizes and types of damage can be repaired. The Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard guide published by the National Windshield Repair Association states that chips up to one inch in diameter or cracks as long as 12 to 14 inches in length can be repaired safely.
Depth
Windshields are created with two layers of glass. If damage penetrates through the plastic layer or inner layer of glass, it cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced entirely. Replacement is also the usual recommendation for a windshield with any kind of damage on the interior layer of glass, regardless of whether the external layer is intact.
Position
If the windshield has a crack near the frame, your San Diego auto mechanic will probably recommend that it be replaced. That is because even small fractures close to the edge or corner of the glass can worsen and spread rapidly due to the vibrations of the vehicle, external temperature, and added stress as it travels over bumps in the road. Cracks near the frame can also be a safety concern as they undermine the structural integrity of the windshield.
AAA Windshield Repair in San Diego
Automobile Repair Shop San Diego is a family-owned and operated business that has been providing AAA windshield repair San Diego. We will offer you hassle-free repairs in San Diego starting with a precise damage assessment or estimate. We will tow your vehicle for FREE to our shop, organize for a rental car, and work directly with the insurance company to streamline the repair process by providing quick and easy auto repair in San Diego. We will even pay up to $500 of your deductible. Contact us today to see how we can help.