Tips to protect your car from Rock chips

Tips to Protect Your Car From Rock Chips

Rock chips are caused by small pieces of gravel or stones that hit the windshield. These rocks chip at the glass, leaving behind tiny cracks or pits. Rock chip is a common windshield damage, especially if you are traveling through highways and rural roads. It can be a real nuisance, and if left unchecked, can cause severe damage to your windshield. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to protect your car's windshield from rock chips in order to keep your vehicle safe and secure.

Check Out The Wheel Count

Whenever your car is behind a passenger’s car, they can kick a rock on your car’s windshield. If a vehicle has 4 tires the potential to cause damage to someone’s else windshield is high.

In case your car is following a vehicle with more than 2 rear tires try to choose a different lane.

Stay Away From Mud Flaps

Large vehicles like semi and dump trucks usually have mud flaps for some important reasons. For example, it helps in deflecting rock debris away from the slender walls.

Try to stay away from these vehicles because they not only throw rocks but also throw them further with a relatively greater force. So staying away from these vehicles can protect your car’s windshield from the rocks they toss.

Note: Mud flaps never give complete protection to a vehicle. They just reduce the chances of it.

Maintain Significant Distance

Moving vehicles next to each other is both dangerous and unnecessary. As maintaining a short distance means more rocks are likely to fall on the windshield and will create. Maintaining a significant distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you allows rocks to fall on the road instead of hitting the windshield.

Observational Skills To Prevent Rock Chips

Another thing you can do to prevent rock chips is to use high observational skills to prevent rock chips.

For example, If you observe a semi-truck pulling off from a road filled with gravel, you can simply avoid it by maintaining distance or changing lanes. While driving in the winter season in Canada, it is common to see asphalt pieces scattered on roads. In that case, slow down the speed of your vehicle so that they don’t jump over the windshield.

Park Away From High Traffic Areas

To avoid windshield rock chips, it is important to park in areas away from high-traffic areas. By doing so, you can save money and reduce stress while protecting your vehicle from potential damage.

Invest in a Quality Windshield Film or Covering

Investing in a quality windshield film or covering is an easy way to ensure that your vehicle stays safe on the road. It acts as a protective barrier between your windshield and any potential hazards, such as pebbles, and other debris that can cause damage.

Not only will this help keep your windshield looking like new for longer, but it can also save you time and money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs or replacements.

From proper maintenance techniques to preventive measures, these tips will help ensure that your car's windshield remains in top condition for years to come.

How to Avoid Rock Chips on the Windshield While Driving on the Highway

Driving on the highway can be an enjoyable experience, but it comes with its own set of risks. One of the most common risks is getting rock chips on your windshield.

Make sure to keep your distance from other vehicles as much as possible, as this will reduce the chances of debris flying up onto your windshield.
You should check that your windshield wipers are working properly and that they are not leaving streaks or smudges which could attract more dirt and debris.
Slowing down is also a factor that can be considered to reduce the velocity of debris.

Types of Windshield Rock Chips

There are 4 major types of rock chips:

Star Chips

The reason why it is called a star chip is that it shares the shape of a star. It can be easily identified as there are smaller cracks that stem out from the central position.

Bullseye Chip

It resembles the pattern of a spider web and is in the shape of a circle with damage around. It is of small size and resembles the shape of a small circle. These are easy to fix and don’t require much effort.

Batwing Chips

It has 2 cracks in the shape of a V from the main chip. It looks similar with the wings of a bat. Similarly to star chips, the stems can also disperse all over the auto glass if it is not repaired immediately.

Combination Chip

It's a hybrid of the star and bullseye chips. It is hard to repair a combination chip as the damage can cause the loss of small bits. However, repairable is easy when you immediately address the issue

Impact of Rock Chips on the Windshield

While these chips may seem small and insignificant, they can cause serious damage to the glass if left unchecked.

Rock chips can weaken the windshield's structural integrity, making it more vulnerable to cracking in the event of a mishap.
Rock chips will also reduce visibility while driving due to light refraction from the chip itself.
These chips can quickly spread and cause further damage to your windshield, making it unsafe to drive with.

In addition, It can also reduce the resale value of a vehicle if left unrepaired.

Do All Rock Chips Need Repair Services?

Rock chips are a common problem for car owners and can range from minor to major damage. Depending on the size and location of the rock chip, it may be necessary to repair the chip in order to keep your vehicle looking its best.

But when its size becomes large or it develops a significant number of cracks it may require complete replacement of the windshield. Kindly remember, no tips can completely reduce the chances of rock chips. They help in reducing the chances of it.

Even after following the tips properly you still have got any chip or crack on the windshield repair Surrey contact Cityline Auto Glass today!!!.

Tips to Protect Your Car From Rock Chips