4 Ways To Protect Your New Windshield Against Damage

Dirt and rocks that fly up from other driver's tires can damage your windshield. So can rocks that fly off the back of pickup trucks, semi-trucks or dump trucks. Prevent this type of damage by increasing your following distance when driving.

Two-Second Rule

There are two rules of thumb for driving distances. One rule of thumb is to leave at least two seconds of space between you and other drivers. This rule applies to ideal weather conditions while driving at slower city-speeds. At higher speeds and less ideal driving conditions, double that distance to at least four seconds of space.

One-Second Per Mile Rule

The second rule of thumb recommends keeping at least one second of car length for every ten miles per hour you are driving. For example, if you are driving 60 mph, you should have six car lengths of space between you and the nearest vehicle.

You can measure car lengths or seconds by picking a stationary object to the side of the road. Then count one-thousand-one, etc., until you pass that stationary object. That will tell you how many seconds of space there are between you and another vehicle. Adjust your speed and repeat this test until you are the appropriate distance away from nearby vehicles.

Windshield wipers are not designed to last forever. About twice a year regular rubber windshield wipers need to be replaced. Windshield wipers made out of silicone and halogen can last up to a year.

When your windshield wipers start to wear down, they will not keep your glass clear and clean. This will make it harder for you to drive safely in incremental weather conditions.

Additionally, as the rubber on your windshield wiper wears down, the metal on the arm of the wiper may come into contact with your windshield. This can cause scratches to develop on your windshield from the metal on the arm of the windshield wiper.

Be careful when you change out your windshield wipers. You will have to lift the wipers away from the glass. Make sure that you gently put the wipers back down on the glass after you attach the new wipers. If you allow the wiper to slam back down onto the windshield, it could crack the windshield.

When you have a new window installed on your vehicle, one of the best things you can do is wash the glass often. Keeping dirt and dust off of your glass will help protect it. When your glass is dirty, it is more prone to getting scratched. Dirty glass can also compromise your view of the road.

Keep your windshield washer reserve full of washer fluid so you can quickly spray and clean your windshield on the go. Wash your windshield whenever you stop to fill your vehicle up with gas. Clean your windshield at least once a week with bug spray remover, a nice squeegee, glass cleaner, water, and some microfiber cloths.

When you clean your glass, be sure to stay away from sponges. Sponges rub dirt into your glass and your paint on your vehicle when you wash with them. If a rock or large piece of dirt gets caught on your sponge, it can easily create a scratch on your windshield.

If you use natural sponges to clean with, many natural sea sponges can have sea rocks and other debris inside of them. This debris can also scratch and damage your new windshield. Instead, use a squeegee, sheepskin wash mitt or microfiber wash mitt on your windshield and vehicle.

Keep your new windshield in great shape by increasing the distance between you and other vehicles, changing out your windshield wipers in a timely manner, and keeping your glass clean. If you have any other auto glass needs, be sure to reach out to Affiliated Auto Glass.