Hello, and welcome back to the Denver Mobile Auto Glass blog! While the current temperatures are above average for this time of year in Denver, the cold weather will be here before we know it. We had a few frigid days a few weeks back, with warmer temperatures settling in over the last week. That being said, rapid temperature shifts can have an effect on your auto glass, especially when the weather changes from the upper 60s during the day to low 30s at night. As Denver’s leading auto glass experts, we would like to explore some of the negative affects weather changes and cold weather can have on your auto glass in today’s blog post. Please keep reading below to learn more.
Temperature Shifts
Rapid changes in weather and temperatures like we’ve been having along the Front Range recently may cause your auto glass to expand and contract. This expansion and contraction may cause your windshield and side windows to crack. One way to minimize the risk of cracking is to control the vehicle’s internal temperature. When starting the car, adjust the temperature gradually to avoid blasting a sudden breeze of cold air on a hot window that may have been warmed by the sun. For a cold windshield, don’t blast it with hot air; start with cool or warm air and gradually adjust the heat.
Falling Debris
We discussed some of the best places to see the leaves change in Colorado in a recent blog series, but now that colder temperatures are here, those golden leaves are likely falling onto your car. While we have been experiencing warmer weather across the Front Range in recent days, cold rain and heavy, wet snow are sure to hit the state soon, which may cause damage to trees. Tree limbs are heavy and rough, which can scrape, crack, or even shatter a windshield if one were to fall on it. Additionally, large chunks of ice and icicles can cause damage to the exterior of a car, which includes chips and cracks on the windshield. You’ll also want to consider how a sunroof may be impacted by falling debris. To avoid windshield damage caused by hazardous falling branches, try not to park underneath trees and branches. If this is unavoidable, it may be worth investing in a car cover or carport to help protect your car from falling debris. If your car suffers damage to the sunroof, our team specializes in sunroof replacement and repair, so feel free to call us for an estimate.
Auto Accidents
Car accidents are unpredictable and oftentimes unavoidable during inclement weather conditions consisting of heavy snow and icy roads. Auto accidents can cause minor to severe damage to the auto glass on any location of a vehicle. Windshields are often shattered in front-end collisions while the windows on a vehicle’s doors are typically damaged in side collisions. Even a rear-end collision at a low speed can break a rear windshield. While there’s no way to predict an auto accident, it’s best to use safe driving skills during snowy and icy conditions to avoid an accident. Keep up with your local weather reports so that you can plan for bad weather before hitting the road, especially during holiday travels.
Cracks & Chips May Worsen
Keep in mind that rapid shift in temperatures that cause the auto glass to expand and contract may cause a windshield and auto glass to crack, which can also make existing cracks worse. Before the more consistently colder temperatures settle in over the next month, you will want to have any chips or cracks in your windshield repaired immediately to avoid having to replace the auto glass completely. For quick, efficient, and convenient auto glass repairs, contact Denver Mobile Auto Glass, Denver’s Top Rated Local® windshield repair and replacement center.