What Happens to Your Windshield During the Summer?

If you live in Arizona or any other warm state you have probably had the experience of getting in your car during the summer and sitting down on a seat that burns you or trying to use your steering wheel and burning your hands.  The hot summer months do not only heat up the interior of your vehicle (though that definitely happens), but that extreme heat and the sun’s rays can actually cause things to happen with your windshield.

Any time there is a major fluctuation in temperature your windshield either contracts or expands, it is simple science.  But, even though temperatures may gradually heat up (with no major significant swing in temperature), when the temperatures heat to such a high degree during the summer, your windshield glass will react.  Heat causes the glass to expand and if there are any existing chips or cracks, they may expand under the pressure. Once they begin to expand they may be beyond repair and if that happens the entire windshield will need to be replaced.  If the windshield is not replaced and you drive around, or take a summer road trip, with a structurally-compromised windshield, you could encounter worse problems.  If you have minor windshield damage such as chips and cracks, it is best to address them right away and certainly before the temperature begins to heat up too much.  If you are able to repair them before the extreme heat sets in, you may not have to worry about them growing and becoming a major problem.

Your windshield will also experience more wear and tear during the summer because of something we already mentioned – road trips.  You hop in your hot car, crank up the A/C, and set out on the road for hours or even days of driving.  During that your windshield will experience variations in temperature, wind, and more.  Additionally, you will encounter rocks and pebbles and because of all of these factors your windshield may gets new chips and cracks.  First, try not to crank your air conditioning to blast cold air the second you get into your extremely hot car, the two temperature extremes can cause problematic reactions in your windshield glass.  Secondly, as mentioned, treat and repair any new chips or cracks as soon as possible to protect your windshield during the hot summer months.