If you’re a Houston driver needing auto glass repair, ignoring even small, seemingly insignificant damage might be posing a major safety risk to you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Many drivers might be thinking, “It’s just a small chip, do I really need auto glass repair?” – the truth is that even small damages can increase hazards on Houston roads and demand fast and reliable auto glass repair services. The big misconception is that windshield damage is simply aesthetic. The truth is that although the main function of windshields is visibility, you also play a critical role in the load-bearing safety component of your car. At Action Glass in Houston, we understand that sometimes, care-related questions seem like a mystery. Because of this, we strive to help our clients find ideal solutions that keep them and their vehicles safe on the road.
The three primary ways that windshields support your vehicle’s safety are:
- Structural integrity
- Advanced driver assistance systems
- Driver visibility and reaction time
By understanding how essential your windshield is for your overall safety on the road, you can learn why a chipped windshield is nothing but bad news and requires immediate attention.
How Auto Glass Compromises Your Vehicle’s Structure
Understanding the integral role windshield glass plays in supporting your car’s structure is the first step in realizing how vital auto glass repair is. Your windshield plays a much more essential role than just a glass pane; it serves as a structural support beam that helps protect your car’s safety cage. This is because almost all modern passenger cars are engineered using unibody or monocoque construction, which means that the entire vehicle is built as a single unit. In this design, all body parts, including the roof, door frames, and pillars, are molded into a single piece to enhance structural strength.
This also means the windshield is bonded to the frame with powerful adhesive, making it not only part of the mold but also a vital component in supporting the roof. During a rollover crash or other serious accident, your windshield contributes to about 30% of the car’s roof strength. Because of this, if your windshield is in need of auto glass repair when an accident occurs, your risk of serious injury increases due to significantly decreased support.
Why Minor Windshield Damage Spreads into Major Issues
While a small chip might seem stable, any glass damage on your windshield is a ticking time bomb. If you’re wondering whether your car is safe with windshield damage, understanding the science of glass and what makes damage go from bad to worse is essential.
In glass damage, the most significant factor is stress, especially directly on the impact point. This is because it is where the tension is created by external forces. Manufacturers always make windshields out of laminated glass, which uses a layer of sticky, durable PVB to adhere panes of glass together. This type of pane of glass is specifically designed to absorb impact, making it integral for protecting you and your vehicle during wrecks. We must recalibrate this system after any sort of windshield repair or replacement because we program the features to a fraction of a degree.
In Houston, there are also several serious environmental triggers that can contribute to worsening auto glass damage. The first is thermal shock from rapid changes in temperature. This could include everyday actions, such as using your defroster on a chilly morning or even just cool raindrops falling onto the glass.
Secondly, just the vibrations and flexing that happen during daily commutes can also easily turn a small chip into a serious crack. This is because common Houston road damage, like potholes, can cause your car frame to flex, causing more stress and tension to increase the damage.
Lastly, slamming your car door or even just touching the glass can take a minor auto glass repair and turn it into a full-scale replacement in a matter of seconds. Because of this, it is essential to remember these specific environmental auto glass triggers.
Why Professional Auto Glass Repair is Integral for ADAS Systems
Although chipped or cracked windshield glass is dangerous because of the integral role it plays in structural support, it is also imperative for your car’s ADAS system. These systems are highly intelligent and help support numerous key safety features in most modern cars. Because they operate using cameras, having a fully clear windshield by investing in auto glass repair is integral for supporting these features. Even a small chip in an inconvenient location can keep these systems from functioning, leaving you vulnerable on Houston’s roads. Not only can auto glass damage completely eliminate these safety features from your daily commute, but it can also partially distort or obstruct the camera – giving you incorrect readings that can lead to devastating accidents.
At Action Glass in Houston, our team of glass technicians is experts at ADAS windshield recalibration. We must recalibrate this system after any sort of windshield repair or replacement because we program the features to a fraction of a degree. The most important features of ADAS calibration, all of which require auto glass repair for peak performance, include:
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
When these features are poorly calibrated, they can pose a major hazard to drivers who rely on them for safety cues while on the road.
Auto Glass Repair for Increased Airbag Reliability
In any car accident, airbags are among the most important factors in keeping you and your passengers safe. Many Houston drivers don’t realize the huge impact that the strength of your windshield plays in an effective, potentially life-saving airbag deployment. The truth is that airbags deploy rapidly outward and upward. This process needs a backstop to happen effectively. This is where your windshield comes into play. The windshield must be able to offer the support needed to redirect the airbag toward you or your passenger as it deploys.
Because of this, even seemingly insignificant damage can actually make a considerable difference in the strength of your windshield and how effectively it can support your airbag. In the worst cases, airbag deployment can cause weakened glass to shatter or even pop out entirely. This blocks the airbag from working and instead redirects the deployment to outside of the vehicle – leaving the driver and passenger unprotected.
This means that auto glass repair is much more than just an inconvenience; it is an integral aspect of protecting yourself for when disaster strikes. Along with that, professional windshield glass repair is also important, as cheap sealants or improper DIY fixes can often compromise the quality of your frame.
Choose Houston Auto Glass Repair For Safety
Although minor windshield chips might just seem like a minor, visual imperfection, the truth is that they can play a large role in keeping you and your vehicle safe on the road. Because of this, it is essential to invest in professional, reliable auto glass repair to prevent small chips or cracks from worsening an already dangerous situation. Waiting is never worth the risk when it comes to your and your passengers’ safety. Contact Action Glass in Houston today for a free auto glass repair estimate.