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How To Protect Your Windshield From Cold Winter Weather

You need to keep your windshield protected because it keeps YOU protected. A secure windshield provides you visibility, of course.  But here’s what a lot of people don’t know – it also fortifies the structural integrity of your vehicle. As temperatures begin to drop, your windshield becomes more susceptible to damage. Here are a few easy ways you can keep your windshield protected during the cold winter weather months. 

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Windshield with snow

Preparation is Key

One of the best ways to protect your windshield from cold weather is to take preventative measures. Keep track of the weather and note when temperatures are predicted to plummet overnight, especially if rain or snow is also expected.

Find a garage, if possible, or some form of shelter for your vehicle. If that’s not an option, consider putting a tarp over your windshield and side mirrors. It may not look pretty, but doing so can keep your windshield protected from freezing and save you precious minutes in the morning.

Another simple way to protect your windshield is to pull your windshield wipers up off the glass. This will prevent icy buildup and keep the rubber on your wipers fresh. If your wipers do have ice on them, use a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth to wipe the ice away.

Only Use the Proper Ice Removal Tools

It’s understandable to want to use a pocketknife or hand-held shovel to remove ice from your windshield. We urge you NOT to use these tools, as doing so could potentially damage the auto glass beneath the ice. You should only use an ice scraper tool explicitly designed to scrape ice off of glass. 

Scrape horizontally on the glass when using your ice scraper. As tempting as it may be, never stab into an ice buildup, even with the ice scraper tool. You may go through the ice and crack the glass beneath. 

Invest in Winter Wiper Blades

We’ve already mentioned that one way to protect your windshield is to pull your wipers up off the glass before a night with freezing temperatures. You can further also help prepare your vehicle by investing in a pair of winter wiper blades. Winter wiper blades are stronger and more durable than standard wiper blades. They can easily remove the ice or snow accumulated on your vehicle and should only be used during winter. 

Keep Windshield Wiper Fluid Filled

Check your windshield wiper fluid levels regularly as the weather starts to get colder. Drivers are more likely to use their windshield washer fluid to combat ice buildup in the winter. 

Repair Any Cracks of Chips Immediately 

Cold weather will only make an existing windshield crack worse. Get any cracks or chips in your windshield repaired soon after you notice the damage. Allowing it to sit will only make the damage worse in the winter. 

Tire Discounters Auto Glass offers mobile and in-shop auto glass repair and replacement services. We operate all year long and have locations in OhioIndianaKentuckyTennesseeVirginiaGeorgia, and Alabama.  

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The speed rating of a tire is based on U.S. Government standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. Typically, a tire with a higher speed rating results in better handling. Speed ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not to a particular vehicle. Putting a tire rated for a certain speed on a vehicle does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.

The load range on a tire helps determine its ability to contain air pressure and its overall strength. Ranges are expressed using a number and the higher the number, the stronger the tire. These measurements are primarily for light trucks and SUV’s.

Tread depth is the distance between the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire's deepest grooves.  In the United States, tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.

A tire’s maximum load is the maximum amount of weight the tire is designed to hold. The tire’s load carrying capacity is directly related to the tire’s size and amount of inflation pressure that is actually used. Each load range has a assigned air pressure identified in pounds per square inch (psi) at which the tire's maximum load is rated.

A tire’s maximum inflation pressure (PSI) is the highest "cold" inflation pressure that the tire is designed to contain. When measuring a tire’s max PSI, it is important the tire is "cold," because warmer temperatures can cause the tire pressure to temporarily increase resulting with inaccurate readings. This measurement should only be used when called for on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle’s owners manual.

The mileage warranty of a tire indicates the number of miles that a tire is estimated to last. If a tire fails to last for the number of miles indicated by the warranty, the customer will be given credit from the tire manufacturer toward a new tire based on how many miles short of the estimate the tire fell. Some restrictions apply. 

The total width of the tire, including any raised features on the sidewall. 

This is how many layers of rubber and other materials are in the tire.  

The represents the smallest and widest size wheels that are recommended by the tire manufacturer for the tire to be mounted on. 

 

 

The measurement, in inches, from rim flange to the other rim flange. 

The maximum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto. 

The minimum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto.  

A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point. 

What makes up a tire; each ply, the sidewall, the tread, and bead.  

This number will tell you how well the tire will disperse heat buildup. 

This is how much weight a tire is rated to hold.

Mounting and Balancing – up to $159.96 pending wheel diameter

Lifetime Rotation – $299.90 

Lifetime Balancing – $449.90 

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments – $16 

Rubber Valve Stems – $8

Tire Repair** – $140

Total = $1,073.76


*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000-mile tires. 

**Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.

TD will repair flat tires as long as it can be done safely in accordance with Tire Industry Association (TIA) Guidelines.  Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.  See store for details.  


National accounts and local fleet not included.

Free Alignment with 4-Tire Purchase

National accounts not included.  Other exclusions may apply.

Mounting & Balancing  $76

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments $16

Rubber Valve Stems $8

Lifetime Rotation $240

Total = $340

*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000 mile tires. 

Our Nationwide Worry Free Guarantee offers FREE unlimited Tire Repairs for the entire life of your tires. If your tire can't be fixed and is over 3/32" tread, no worries, we will give you a replacement tire at any time, up to 3 years. We'll even help get your tire changed by including reimbursement for Roadside Assistance (up to $75) for the first 12 months at no additional cost. Effective: August 24, 2017. For complete details, see our warranty at any Tire Discounters location.

Components of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor wears over time.

A TPMS Service Kit is suggested each time a tire/wheel is serviced. If left unchanged, over time, these components of the TPMS may corrode, leak or fail.

Tire/wheel service is defined as when tire is removed from the wheel.