Tucson’s Best Practices for Safe Driving After Windshield Replacement

When they need windshield replacement, Tucson, Arizona residents count on local auto glass shops to take care of this service. But surprisingly, this process isn’t complete once your new windshield is in place. Instead, your auto glass will still need some special attention during its first day or two in your vehicle.

How you care for your windshield during this period will ultimately determine whether it can keep you and your passengers safe throughout its life span. In this article, we’ll fill you in on the best practices for safe driving after auto glass replacement.

Windshield Replacement 101

When you think about your car’s most important safety features, your windshield might not come to mind. Even so, windshields protect you (and anyone else in your vehicle) from outside objects, such as rocks and dirt. They also help your car maintain its structural integrity in the event of a collision.

However, these panes of glass can easily get chipped or cracked. If the damaged area is small enough, you may be able to resolve your problem with windshield repair. But if your windshield damage is too big, too deep, or in the wrong spot, auto glass repair won’t be enough. In this situation, you’ll need windshield replacement.

How Soon Can You Drive After Auto Glass Replacement?

Once you’ve gotten professional service from a shop that knows how to replace windshields, you may think you’re in the clear. But that’s only partially true: Right after your new windshield has been installed, you’ll need to take extra care in order to ensure it gets off to the best possible start.

For instance, you shouldn’t drive your car immediately after getting this auto glass service. That’s because your windshield seal needs some time to set, and the vibrations your car experiences while driving can make that much more challenging.

On average, drivers should wait at least one hour after auto glass replacement to use their vehicles. But that timeframe can vary drastically — some windshields only need 30 minutes to set, while others may require 24 hours. If you’re wondering exactly how long you should wait to operate your car, ask the people working at your auto glass shop for advice.

Protect Your New Windshield With Our Best Practices

In the hours and days after getting a new windshield installed, be sure to follow these guidelines:

Don’t Put Stress on Your Glass/Seal

Driving your car too soon isn’t the only thing that can make it hard for your windshield’s adhesive to set correctly. Other stressors you should try to avoid during the 48 hours after you get a new windshield include:

Extreme heat and cold. Intense temperatures can prevent your windshield’s adhesive from setting properly. To avoid these conditions, park your vehicle in a garage or another covered area if possible.
High-pressure car washes. Using a pressure washer or taking your vehicle to a car wash can damage the molding around its new glass. If you absolutely must wash your car during this period, clean it by hand and rinse it off with a standard garden hose.
Objects on your glass. Even a tiny amount of pressure against your new glass can interfere with its seal’s ability to cure. While your windshield is still setting, don’t place any objects on top of it (or on your car’s dashboard, for that matter).
Rough roads. Since driving-related vibrations can affect your new windshield’s seal, gravel roads and other bumpy surfaces can have a serious negative impact on the setting process. If you do need to drive on these roads, you can protect your windshield by going as slowly as possible.
Closed windows. When your windows are open even a tiny amount, the air pressure inside your vehicle will decrease — making it easier for your new windshield’s seal to cure. You shouldn’t have to crack your windows for longer than a day or two.

Be Careful When Shutting Doors

Do you tend to slam your car’s doors? If so, you should make a point of keeping this habit in check during the 48 hours following your windshield installation.

Slamming your vehicle’s doors creates a great deal of vibration, which can interfere with your windshield seal and molding’s curing process. Therefore, try to close your doors carefully and gently right after you get a new windshield.

Keep the Retention Tape in Place

After you get a new windshield installed, you’ll notice some tape on this auto glass. It’s essential that you leave that tape where it is, as it has a crucial job to do.

Your windshield’s retention tape protects your new molding and adhesive from dirt, sand, and other forms of debris. These materials can reduce the integrity of your windshield’s seal, and that could compromise the safety of you and your passengers.

Prioritize Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Recalibration

Many of your car’s ADAS rely on information from sensors behind or on your windshield. As a result, any changes to your windshield can throw your sensors off.

After you get a new windshield installed, visit your auto glass shop for ADAS recalibration as soon as you can. Without this service, your car’s safety features will be forced to rely on inaccurate information, making it impossible for them to function as intended.

Where To Get the Area’s Best Windshield Replacement

Tucson-area drivers typically understand why they need to repair or replace windshields. Even so, you might need help deciding where to go for services like these. If you’re searching for a reliable auto glass shop in the area, look for benefits such as:

Knowledgeable technicians. The most skilled people in this field are both Auto Glass Safety Council™ and Dow certified, so make sure your shop’s employees have these qualifications.
Convenient mobile service. When it comes to convenience, nothing beats getting mobile auto glass service at your home or workplace for no extra cost.
Affordable rates. The best auto glass shops offer both low prices and money-saving promotions.
Other auto glass services. If you need windshield repair or back/side glass replacement, your auto glass shop should be ready to handle that too.

To get all these advantages and more, you can count on Max Auto Glass. Request your quote today for the windshield replacement Tucson residents trust!