Types of Windshield Cracks: Here’s How They Impact Your Driving Experience
Key Highlights:
- Windshields can develop various crack types like bullseye, star break, combination, edge, floater, stress, and half-moon, each varying in shape, size, and severity.
- Replace the windshield if cracks exceed 6 inches, obstruct the driver’s view, are near the edges, or affect structural integrity.
- Windshield replacement is quick (usually under an hour), but urgent cracks should not be delayed to ensure safety and visibility.
Types of Windshield Cracks
Bullseye Crack
As the name suggests, this windshield crack is shaped like the ‘bullseye’ of a dartboard, with a circular centre and radial cracks emerging outwards from its circumference and core. Usually caused by flying debris or small stones, bullseye cracks are as small as the size of a coin.
Star Break
Caused by sharp-edged or hard objects hitting the windshield, a star break is a series of cracks that radiate in a random, asymmetrical pattern mimicking the shape of a star. These cracks spread faster than a bullseye crack.
Combination Crack
A combination of bullseye cracks and star breaks, the combination crack is generally a result of a high-impact collision of the vehicle, with no direct impact on the windshield. These cracks have no definite size or shape, and can occur anywhere on the windshield.
Edge Crack
Formed within 2-3 inches of the edges of the windshield, an edge crack is caused due to multiple reasons, including a direct or indirect impact near the windshield’s edge, manufacturing defects or stress on the edges. Besides hampering frontal vision, an edge crack can also be harmful to your vehicle’s structural integrity if it is large.
Floater Crack
Emerging from the edges of the windshield, floater cracks extend to its central area and generally occur due to stress from extensive or fluctuating temperature or a direct or indirect impact. If floater cracks are large, they can spread and cause even more damage.
Stress Crack
Often shaped in the form of curves, stress cracks have no visible core and can spread very quickly once formed. Such cracks are a result of extreme hot temperatures or structural stress due to the impact of a heavy load.
Half Moon Crack
These semi-circular or crescent-shaped cracks are a half version of a bullseye crack, and like the latter, are formed due to flying stones or debris. Such cracks do not spread as quickly as others, and if these cracks are not visible in the centre or central field of vision, you can live with them without the need for windshield replacement.
When Should You Replace the Windshield if It Is Cracked?
Like any other outcome of glass breakages, windshield cracks are irreversible. The only solution you can do to get rid of windshield cracks from your field of vision is to replace the whole windshield. While not all types of windshield cracks require windshield replacement, some instances indicate that the time of replacement has arrived. The following are those indications:
- The length of the windshield cracks measures more than 6 inches.
- The windshield crack is formed in the line of the driver's vision, which can result in distorted visibility or increased glare from the headlight of oncoming vehicles.
- Cracks within 2 inches of the windshield’s edge(s).
- Too many impact points, which can be due to flying stones or debris, that also impact the car’s structural integrity.
- Cracks that are too thick and penetrate the outermost layer of the windscreen.
- A worn-out patch, which is a result of the continuous impact of direct sunlight or concentrated rainfall.
How ‘Soon’ Should You Replace a Cracked Windshield?
Just like any other cracked glass panel, a cracked windshield is ideally not repaired, and a complete windshield replacement is the only solution. While some cracks are small enough that you can continue driving, some cracks, whether small or large, require immediate replacement.
Replacing a cracked windshield with a new one ideally takes not more than an hour, with the process involving applying gum to all the edges and sides of the windshield’s base, which takes a few hours to dry. During this ‘cooling down’ period, avoid driving your vehicle and let the gum do the magic. However, in emergencies, applying tapes on the sides of the windscreen is the only solution.
Don’t Let a Small Crack Lead to Big Trouble
A cracked windshield is more than just a cosmetic issue. It can compromise your safety, visibility, and your car’s structural strength. Understanding the different types of windshield cracks helps you assess the severity and take timely action. While minor cracks might seem harmless, delaying a replacement can lead to bigger problems on the road. Always prioritise safety by consulting a professional and opting for a windshield replacement when necessary. A clear, crack-free windshield isn’t just about better vision - it’s about safer driving.
FAQs
1. How do I know when to replace a cracked windshield?
Ideally, a cracked or broken windshield is not repaired, but replaced, irrespective of size and the point from which the crack emerges. If the crack spreads faster than you could imagine or is large, you should replace the windshield immediately to avoid further damage.
2. How long will a cracked windshield last without replacing it?
There is no fixed speed of the spreading of cracks formed on a windshield, or a way to determine the speed. However, the windshield should be replaced immediately once you sense any sudden change in the growth of the crack.
3. What is the average lifespan of a windshield?
Usually, the lifespan of a car’s windshield depends on the number and magnitude of damages and the severity of temperatures. The windshield’s adhesive, applied beneath the edges, also degrades over time, lasting for 5-7 years.