Reasons Why Vehicle Glass Cracks

Direct sunlight on a hot summer day can contribute to the cracking of the windshield if the glass is already damaged. This happens when the vehicle’s glass is exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period. Intense heat causes the metal and other components around the glass to heat up, causing the outer edges of the glass to expand much faster than the center. Unable to withstand the pressure, the glass cracks.

During both warm and cold seasons, a sudden temperature difference can cause damaged vehicle glass to crack unexpectedly. This can happen on a hot summer day when a driver decides to wash a heated vehicle with cold water, or in winter, when hot water is poured on an icy windshield to melt the ice faster.

Metal ice scrapers are particularly unsuitable for vehicle glass. Drivers often get creative in removing ice from the glass using various tools—metal shovels, plastic discount cards, etc. However, all metal ice scrapers or tools not specifically designed for the purpose can scratch the glass. These small scratches impair visibility and cause the glass to wear out faster. Therefore, the next time you clean the windshield with a discount card or any flat object on hand, think carefully about whether you’ll want to invest in a windshield replacement later. It’s probably better to purchase a quality plastic or rubber ice scraper in advance—it will certainly cost less than replacing the vehicle glass.

Wipers can also be a cause of glass cracking. How does this happen? It occurs when, during wiper replacement, the wiper fittings are accidentally released. To avoid unexpected costs during wiper replacement, this job must be done very carefully.

Rust, or corrosion, is a very common “companion” of older, damaged vehicles. Corrosion “lifts” the glass, causing it to rub and eventually crack when the vehicle hits a pothole in the road.