Replace your windshield when the above factors aren’t met. It’s always best to have your auto glass inspected by a professional in person. But as a rule of thumb, you’ll want to replace your auto glass if:

• The glass is tempered glass, not laminated glass

• The crack is longer than a dollar bill

• The crack or chip is deep enough that it penetrated more than halfway into the windshield

• The crack or chip extends to the outside edge of the windshield

Safety

Above all, safety is paramount. Many consumers think it’s okay to drive around with a crack in their windshield. It’s not—in fact this can pose a safety risk.

In a front end collision, the windshield provides up to 45% of the structural integrity of the cabin of the vehicle and in a rollover, up to 60%, according to the Auto Glass Safety Council. What does that mean when that rock, or other debris, hits your windshield and causes damage? It means that when it’s time to fix that chip or crack, you will want to choose a company that will install the windshield properly.

It’s important to ensure the structural integrity of your windshield, so have your windshield evaluated by Chambers Auto Glass as soon as possible and make any recommended repairs.