The windshield on my car has a crack just about from one end to the other. It runs parallel to the heater vent on the dash. The crack doesn’t seem to be through the thickness of the windshield. I’m kind of paranoid that the wind pressure could cause it to shatter driving to or from work on the free way.
I know that I need a dam new windshield. I just bought the cheap thing about 3 months ago. I noticed the crack about 5 weeks ago. I went to the shitty place to see about warranty, but it is cracked due to road hazards and weather conditions.
2006-12-15 13:11:40 · 9 answers · asked by caveman 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's called "Safety Glass" because in won't shatter. That glass is federally mandated and has been for years! The crack will "grow", and will stop only when it gets to the other end!
In some vehicles the front and rear glass is actually a structural component of the vehicle. A crack "may" affect the integrity of that structure, thus in some states ANY crack will get you a ticket. In some states a crack will only get you a ticket if it (in the opinion of the arresting officer) causes an obstruction to the driver's vision. It also wont pass a state safety inspection.
Door glass on the other hand is made to shatter into small rounded particles. It is also not laminated, just one thickness. This is also for safety. In an extreme situation, the glass may need to be broken completely out for exit, or entry by a rescuer.
Anyway, drive on. Your windshield is safe, and if you do get stopped if you are nice will probably only receive a warning.
2006-12-15 15:17:36 · answer #1 · answered by br549 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The windshield is made so it wont shatter in your face. If it is a real old car then It might be an out of date windshield. Then it could shatter. I have had many cracks in my windshield and none shattered. If you take a baseball bat and swing it at a windshield --- tell me what it will do? I have taken a baseball bat to a windshield of a car and it did shatter but all the pieces stayed in place but a hand full came separated from the windshield and ended in the drivers seat. There are pieces of the inside windshield that might break away from the rubber-poly layer if it did shatter. The crack will get worse and if you don't get a ticket, you will get frustrated when all the cracks look like a spiders web later.
2006-12-15 13:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by cbwidow1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whether a cracked windshield is illegal (and whether they'll enforce it) varies by state. Some states, if you have the slightest crack you'll have to replace it. In others, like Arizona, as long as it doesn't go across the driver's field of view, it doesn't matter. On the other extreme, Alaska, for example, may have a law against cracked windshields, but unless you have actual impact-site shattering you'll never be bothered about it (cracks are unavoidable there). But you had a verbal agreement to replace the windshield (which you should have gotten in writing, BTW) so they should be liable for doing that. Edit: also: Daewoo Aveo. Unless you got really lucky, you'll be learning a lesson from this car.
2016-05-22 22:22:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is highly unlikely, but it could crack further in a spider-web fashion. Notice hitting a windshield with a hammer doesn't shatter it, it spider webs it around the hole you may put through it. Check the wreckers for a good used windshield, and pay a shop to install it according to factory procedures. You may even find a shop that will source the used windshield, and give you a price comparison with a new one.
2006-12-15 13:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Windshields are built so that they will not shatter. They have a special laminate to prevent that. It's not actually a solid piece of pure glass. However, it is illegal in most states (probably every state) to drive with a crack in your windshield. In most places it's considered an obstruction of view. It's probably a secondary offense though, so just don't speed and you'll be fine.
2006-12-15 13:22:55 · answer #5 · answered by lacrosse321 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to Bugaisha. Probably just trying to scare you.You can get a ticket but the first answer is correct. It's two pieces laminated together and it's not going to shatter from a crack in it. They are designed not to shatter. They have to meet federal safety standards. Notice that you can feel the crack on the outside but not on the inside. They give you a ticket because the crack obstructs your view, not because it will shatter.
2006-12-15 13:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by Carman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No the wind will not shatter the windshield at all even if you are going 120 mph on the highway.
2006-12-15 13:20:42 · answer #7 · answered by Toby K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a windshield is two pieces of glass laminated with poly vinyl butyl. It will not shatter just crack more. They are made not to "shatter".
2006-12-15 13:15:43 · answer #8 · answered by brendashubby35 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes it can ! All it will take is a small rock to hit it at freeway speed, and bang, you got a face full of broken glass ! In some states you can get a ticket for having a cracked windshield...
2006-12-15 13:17:54 · answer #9 · answered by Kaori 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋