What are the first things that come to mind when purchasing a new car? Most people think about factors like the car’s performance, appearance, or interior features. However, the windshield is hardly considered.
In most cases, car owners only think about how vital their windshield is after it’s been damaged. But regular windshield maintenance and proper care are essential to keeping you safe and ensuring your car functions properly. It’s extremely important to keep your front window in tip-top shape.
This article will cover why it’s so crucial to keep your windshield in good condition and how it affects you and your vehicle overall.
A dirty windshield drastically impacts your visibility.
Your car’s front window is your direct line of sight from inside the vehicle. Therefore, it needs to stay clean. A dirty windscreen will impair your vision on the road and increase the possibility of being involved in an accident. Streaks from improper cleaning practices can even cause visibility problems by creating a glare from the sun. Aside from vehicle safety, a consistently dirty windshield can even lower your car’s value.
Believe it or not, your windscreen helps your airbags function correctly.
Most people don’t realize the car’s windscreen helps the front airbags deploy correctly. The car’s front window acts as a backstop for the airbags to inflate toward you and your passenger. If the windshield isn’t in top condition, it may fail to absorb the impact of the airbags, resulting in the airbags not working efficiently or even malfunctioning. So, your car’s windshield is integral to the front airbags’ functionality.
The windshield safeguards you and your passengers in case of a collision.
Car windshields are usually made with laminated glass or safety glass. Laminated glass consists of two glass panes with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer in between the glass fused to form a single piece. The PVB prevents the windshield from shattering like ordinary glass. As a result, it protects you and your passengers if a vehicle crash occurs.
This laminated glass is also highly resistant to penetration, further increasing safety. Not to mention, if you aren’t wearing a seatbelt or if the seatbelt fails, your windshield will help stop you from being ejected from the car during a crash. However, if you fail to keep your windscreen in good condition, the laminated glass will not perform as it’s designed to and could put you and your passengers at risk.
Your car’s windshield supports the roof.
You may not have realized that your windshield doubles as a structural reinforcement for the car’s roof. Older vehicles had A-pillars that provided this support at one time. However, modern cars get this roof support from the windshield. Thanks to the structural integrity of laminated glass, your windscreen will prevent the roof from collapsing in on you or your passengers in the event of a rollover. If your window isn’t in top condition, it may not support the roof.
An adequately maintained windshield improves your driving performance and experience.
As its name implies, the windscreen acts as a shield for a vehicle’s occupants against outside elements, such as dust, rain, bugs, debris, and, of course, wind. As a result, your driving experience is much more enjoyable than if you had a windshield in poor condition that didn’t block out these factors.
In addition to making your driving experience better, windshields improve your car’s performance as well. For example, this front window drastically enhances the vehicle’s aerodynamics, increasing gas mileage and reducing noise. Conversely, if your windshield hasn’t been adequately maintained or becomes damaged, it’ll lower your car’s aerodynamic performance, increase gas mileage, and create a poor driving experience.
Care for your windshield, and it’ll care for you.
With all of the factors we’ve covered, it’s clear that you should take care of your car’s front window. If you notice chips and cracks in the windshield, consider calling an auto glass specialist for repairs. If there’s too much damage, you may even need to have it replaced. You’ll be protecting yourself and your family in the process.