One of the most important safety features on your car is your windshield. It protects you and your passengers from stones, dirt, rain, and bugs while on the road. But like all components of a vehicle's exterior, it will eventually need to be replaced because it too wears down over time.

The lifespan of a windshield varies depending on various factors such as how it was manufactured or installed, how often it has been repaired, or if its owner is meticulous about cleaning debris off their windshield wipers before use. In any case, replacement is inevitable for most vehicles, so understanding when this should happen is important.

Here are signs you need windshield replacement services.

1. Cracks and Chips

The most obvious sign that you need a replacement windshield is when you see cracks or chips in the exterior glass. These are typically caused by flying debris hitting your windshield at high speeds. The force from such hits will either crack or chip your windshield, depending on its severity.

In some cases, these chips and cracks don't pose any significant threat to your safety while driving, and auto glass repairs will do. But if they're large enough or spread across the windshield's surface, it will be necessary to replace windshield.

2. Poor Visibility

A damaged windshield can affect your visibility and make you have to focus more intently on the road. This can be dangerous if you are driving at high speeds, especially during inclement weather or poor lighting conditions. If your windshield is cracked, replace it as soon as possible because this implies that a larger piece of debris hit your windshield, causing it to splinter into many times smaller pieces that obstruct your vision. Your average auto glass shop will replace a windshield for a set price, so doing it sooner rather than later may be better in the long run.

3. Bull's Eye Cracks

When a chip in your windshield reaches one inch or more, replace the glass immediately. A crack that starts small but continues growing into an eventual circle shape with concentric lines radiating outward from its center needs replacement because, over time, these can become even larger and put your safety in jeopardy.

When cracks form a circular shape with concentric lines, it is referred to as a bull's eye crack because that is what it resembles. If left unattended, it can weaken the integrity of your windshield, which will eventually shatter.

4. Discoloration

Another warning sign that you need to replace windshield comes when white or yellow spots replace clear glass on your windshield due to sun exposure. This usually happens over many years. These discolorations can be caused by radiation from the sun and not just heat.

5. Swirling or Cloudy Glass

Another warning sign is a swirling appearance in your windshield that can come from two sources: aging and contamination. If your windshield is chipped already, dirt particles may get stuck under it over time, intensifying the swirl marks with every wiping of your windshield wipers. In some cases, the glass turns yellow or green due to chemicals splashed on them, such as when driving near an industrial area where pollutants are present in the air around you.

While these clouds do not necessarily mean more serious problems in the long run, fixing this now will help prevent your windshield from turning into an opaque block of glass down the road.

6. Cracks and Chips That Turn into Full-Blown Multiple Fractures

If cracks on your windshield suddenly split into multiple fractures within a short time, replace windshield immediately as these signs indicate that it will completely shatter within a short time.

It is important that you replace windshield if any of these signs occur. A new windshield will restore the structural integrity of your car, making it safer to drive. If you are unsure whether to replace or repair, kindly contact Premier Auto Glass LLC, and we will advise you on the best course of action.