A small crack, a rock chip, a tiny leak around the edge of the door, a foggy scene when things get steamy—we've all been faced with a windshield issue at the most inopportune time. But when it happens, don't panic. In an effort to make troubleshooting your misbehaving windshield as easy as possible, we've put together a short list of things you can pick up at your local Advance Auto Parts store to quickly and affordably get back on your way.
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What to do when your windshield has a chip or crack
As far as problems go, a chipped windshield may seem like a small one. Usually these things happen when you're on a long-haul road trip and have been riding behind a big semi-truck or a seemingly empty pick-up truck. It can happen when you're driving under an overpass, too, or in bad weather when maintenance crews are laying down sand and gravel. Windshield chips are pretty much inevitable, but they can be a real problem if left alone.
The rule of thumb when dealing with these sometimes-nasty little buggers is, if a dollar bill can cover it, it can be repaired. Anything larger than that, and you are likely going to need to have the entire windshield replaced by professionals. The same goes if there are three or more cracks in the windshield or the chip or crack is in the driver's direct line of sight. On average, calling in the professionals to fix a windshield crack is going to cost you upward of $100, not to mention time with your insurance company.
If your chip or crack, uh, fits the bill, and you want to save the cash, the best thing to do is to head to your auto store. For as little as $15, you can pick up a do-it-yourself windshield-repair kit that will make airtight repairs on most laminated windshields. It cures in daylight and doesn't require any mixing, so the fix will be quick and easy to do. Better yet, it can help prevent a small crack from spreading further and becoming an even more expensive problem down the road.
What to do when your windshield (or rear window) won't defrost
There's a basic rule of thumb for successful defrosting of a windshield or windows—bring the humidity down and bring the temperature inside the car more in line with the temperature outside of the car.
For a quick fix to those foggy windows in cold weather:
Crack a window or direct cold air toward your windshield. Don't turn on the heat, as it will cause the windows to fog. If, however, you want to stay warm while defrosting your windshield, blow warm air at the window, while turning off the recirculate function in your car (it's often the button with arrows flowing in a circle). That way the system will draw in dry external air and keep the foggy situation to a minimum.
If it's warm out and you're faced with a fogged windshield:
Use the wipers to get the condensation off the outside and the heat to get the inside of the car to warm up closer to the outside temperature. The same rule applies for the recirculation function—keep it turned off.
A few more ideas:
The other trick to keeping your windows clear is to keep them clean both inside and out. Part of that task comes down to having the right tools. Items like squeegees and sponges are helpful. It pays to invest in the right cleaners for your environment. You can check out a few, here.
Also, be sure to get the right windshield-washing fluid based on where you live. Some have additives that help keep them liquid in really cold weather, others help with ice melting, and some help get the bugs off.
It's also really vital to be sure you have the right windshield wipers installed on your vehicle. For a quick reminder, check out our article on the topic.
If these fixes don't help and your defroster appears to be busted:
It's time to take it a step further. There are two kinds of defrosting systems in most cars. One system directs air off the HVAC system to the windshield, while others use small wires embedded in the glass to remove the fog. Which one you're dealing with can affect how you troubleshoot. It pays to Google your car and see what common issues might come up. You can also consult your owner's manual. More often than not, you can fix them yourself.
Defroster systems can be tricky. Depending on the year make and model of your car, you'll find spare parts and replacement systems at your local store. Be sure to put in your car's details so you're getting the right pieces, as each year, make, and model may require different parts. As always, someone at Advance can help if you get stuck.
What to do when your window seals leak
Nobody likes to get dripped on while they're in their car, and water inside can lead to plenty of strange smells and mildew problems down the road. There are some great, easy-to-use options on the market to fix those leaky windows.
Simple sealers work well, until you can get a better fix in place. These products come in tape or gel form. Be sure to read all the instructions before performing the fix yourself, as they can be messy. You'll also have to wait until the car is dry, since they won't stick to wet surfaces.
A leak can also be the result of a door seal gone bad. Sometimes chasing down a bad seal can be tricky, but once you have it narrowed down, it's simple to replace.
Follow these tips, and you're sure to find quick, affordable ways to repair your troublesome windshield without spending a lot of dough.
Do you have a windshield-fix story? Feel free to let us know in the comments!
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About the Author(s)
Abigail Bassett is a freelance journalist whose fascination with vehicles began in high school, when she learned to change the oil on her 1987 Volvo. Her bylines appear on Motor Trend, Automobile, Autoblog, and Yahoo! Autos.
