What To Do if Your Audi Has Cracks in the Windshield

If you own an Audi, then you are likely going to want to make sure that your car is always in top shape. Audi windshields are known for their uniqueness and durability. However, they are also susceptible to wear and tear and may develop cracks along the line. Let’s discuss the common causes of this issue, and what steps to take once your Audi’s windshield develops a crack.

Your Audi’s Windshield

Windshields are an important safety feature of your Audi. They are made of laminated glass, which is two layers of glass sandwiching a layer of vinyl. This provides strength and durability. However, even the strongest windshield can be damaged. However, if a crack occurs, this unique design makes it more likely that the crack will expand and spread. This can lead to a full windshield replacement, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and inconvenient.

Causes of Cracks in Audi Windshields

It can be a shock to see cracks in your Audi’s windshield, but it happens frequently. There are many reasons why your Audi can develop cracks in the windshield, but here are some of the most common ones:

• Temperature Fluctuations: One of the most common causes of windshield cracks is temperature fluctuations. When temperatures rise during the day and rapidly fall at night, they cause stress to your windshield. Also, if you pour hot water on an icy windshield, the extreme temperature change can crack the glass. The stress of these changes can add up over time, leading to small cracks and even larger fractures in your glass.
• Poor windshield design: On some models, particularly those with a sloping windshield design like in older Audis, it can be difficult for heat to dissipate from the interior cabin of your vehicle and reach the glass as quickly as it should. If your air conditioning has a strong heater element, it can also cause a lot of heat buildup in your car even if it’s not hot outside.
• Hail damage: When a hailstorm hits, you aren’t always able to park your car safely out of the way. Sometimes, you don’t even know there’s a storm coming until its too late and your car is exposed in a parking lot. If there’s frequent hail where you live, keep your car parked under some protection, such as a parking garage, when storms are predicted. When hail falls, it can leave dents in the body of your car or cause cracks in the windshield.
• A rock hitting your windshield at high speeds: If you’re driving along the highway or even on back roads sometimes, debris from other cars or construction can blow into your path. Small rocks can hit your windshield at high speed and cause chips or cracks in the glass. Even if you don’t see a chip or crack in your glass following an impact, inspect it anyway. A small stone may not leave a chip but still cause damage that could compromise your safety down the road.
• Driving Styles: In some cases, cracks can also be caused by aggressive driving styles that put excessive stress on windshields, such as sharp turns or hard acceleration. If your windshield has a crack on one side and is curving in towards you, or you see spiderweb cracks radiating from one corner of the glass, you should get it checked out immediately and drive carefully on the way to our shop.

What to Do When You Notice a Crack in Your Audi’s Windshield

If you have a chip or crack in your Audi’s windshield, you’ll want to get it repaired as quickly as possible. If not repaired fast enough, the damage can spread across the windshield instantly and require a full replacement, which is much more expensive than just a repair.

At Bavarian Performance Specialists, our friendly staff is ready to listen to your needs and offer an inspection with the latest diagnostic tools and equipment to quickly get to the root of your car’s problem.

For decades, we have provided quality services to German cars in the Thousand Oaks area, including Agoura Hills, Westlake, Malibu, and Newbury Park, CA. Simply call us on 805-495-3191 to set up a convenient appointment. Our team is here to assist you with all your German automobile and European car needs.