Go directly to:
Although the windscreens of modern cars have to meet high standards, they do not have eternal life. While driving, the automotive glass can be damaged, causing a asterisk or crack in the windscreen. This does not necessarily have to be a major problem, but driving on with a crack in the windscreen is not always a sensible option. And it is certainly not a solution. What are the most common causes of cracks in automotive glass, does this only happen in the windscreen and what is the best solution for glass damage?
Of course, this is not a standard cause of a crack in the windscreen. Causes that occur much more frequently include, among others:
There are several cars that nowadays have laminated rear windows. Laminated side windows are rare, these are standard made of tempered glass. However, cracks in laminated rear windows are much less common than cracks in windscreens. The reason is simple: when you drive forward, the chance of stones and animals splashing against the windscreen is much greater than against the rear window.
It is of course possible to get a crack in the rear window. The risks of driving through with a crack in the rear window are considerably smaller than the risks of driving through with a crack in the windscreen because the field of vision is in front of you while driving. This is not to say that driving with a broken rear window is wise. In this way you increase the risk of leakage in the car in a place where you do not quickly notice this.
Your automotive glass does not spontaneously burst apart when you drive on with a asterisk or crack. After all, the effect of the PVB film is not suddenly nil in the event of a crack. However, the crack can increase if you decide to continue driving with a crack in the windscreen.
Cracks in the windscreen become bigger, especially with large temperature differences. If it is particularly hot outside and you turn on the air conditioning fully, the temperature difference will cause tension on the automotive glass, which has already been weakened. The result: the crack tears further.
The crack in the windscreen will also continue to burst if you get more objects or animals against the windscreen while driving. A windscreen weakened by a crack can simply withstand less than a windscreen that is completely intact.
There are many inaccuracies on the internet about cracks and tears in the windscreen. We have listed the top three for you.
A cracked car window is not always a reason for rejection at the MOT. First of all, we look at the location of the crack or burst. If it is not in the driver's direct field of vision, the nature of the crack is examined. If this is a single crack without branches, your car will usually not be rejected at this point.
If a cracked windscreen does not always result in a MOT rejection, of course it does not result in a fine. Also here, the spot of the crack or burst is taken into account. A crack in the windscreen only results in a fine if it is in the driver's field of vision and clearly obstructing.
This is the situation in almost all cases. A crack in the windscreen distorts the incidence of light while driving. A single ray of sunshine can completely dazzle the driver, which is why there should be no cracks or bursts in the driver's field of vision.
There are many websites that tell you to go directly to the garage if you have a asterisk or crack in the windscreen, because driving through is extremely dangerous. This is not always the case. A crack that is not branched out and that is not in the driver's field of vision does pose an increased risk. A glued windscreen is of great importance for the stiffness of the chassis and that is also a factor in safety.
However, it is not the case that your windscreen will spontaneously falls to pieces if you have a crack or an asterisk. To illustrate: it is so difficult to shatter an intact windscreen:
A cracked windscreen is not always a reason for panic, but of course it is not good. A crack in the windscreen reduces the stiffness of the chassis. If the windscreen is coated, then moisture is guaranteed to reach the aluminium powder that oxidises and causes a white haze on the windscreen.
The price of laminated glass is the reason why many people continue to drive with a crack in the windscreen. Yet that is not necessary. If you choose after market automotive glass, the costs for a new windscreen are much lower. The quality requirements for the automotive glass are equal to the requirements for the windscreens of the brand dealers. But without the brand logo, the new price of the glass is much cheaper.
Do you want a windscreen replacement to avoid problems? Take a look at our extensive database of windscreens for all brands and models. Is your model not listed? Please contact us today, so we can add your desired car window.
