Scorching Summer Heat and Your Windshield: What You Need to Know
More than just a bug barrier.
Ok, yes, the windshield's basic job is to keep bugs, dirt, rain, and other unwanted surprises from smacking you in the face at 60 miles per hour. But if you think that’s all it does, you’re in for a surprise.
Your windshield is a key player in the structural integrity of your car. It keeps the roof from caving in like a soda can in the event of a rollover. In a front-end collision, the windshield can provide up to 45% of the structural strength of the cabin of the car.
They've got the airbag's back.
Another critical function of the windshield is its role in airbag deployment. In many vehicles, especially those with passenger-side airbags, the windshield serves as a backstop that allows the front airbags to deploy correctly. When they are triggered, the airbags shoot upwards, bouncing off of the windshield and toward the passenger.
Your first line of defense against meteors.
Okay, maybe not meteors, but your windshield does protect you from all sorts of road hazards—pebbles, rogue branches, random bits of debris, and the occasional insect swarm.
Imagine driving down the highway without it. Every little piece of gravel would turn your peaceful drive into a real-life game of very painful dodge ball. Your windshield keeps you safe from the barrage, all while giving you a clear view of the road.
Don't let that crack get whack.
Bottom line, your windshield is one of the MVPs, so treat it right. Even small cracks and chips can impact the integrity, and they can get worse very quickly.
If you see a crack or chip in your windshield, get it taken care of as soon as possible!
