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Will Cold Weather Make a Windshield Crack Worse?

Windshield damage, such as a crack or chip, is more likely to spread in colder temperatures. In fact, according to a study performed by the Motor Industry Research Association, windshield damage is 60% more likely to spread once temperatures drop to 32 degrees and 80% more likely to spread once temperatures reach 14 degrees. 

A Secure Windshield Improves Safety

A secure windshield is crucial to your safety and should be repaired soon after you notice any signs of damage. It doesn’t matter how big or small the damage is; cracks and rock chips will only worsen in cold weather and should be fixed quickly.

The windshield is essential to the structural integrity of your vehicle, providing up to 45% of its total strength in a front-end collision and up to 60% total strength in the event of a rollover accident. However, these percentages will decrease severely if your windshield glass suffers from cracks or rock chips. This is especially true in colder temperatures.  

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Windshield covered in snow ice

How Does Cold Weather Affect Your Windshield?

Your poor car takes a beating during the winter months. The same can be said for your windshield. Windshield glass will expand and contract as temperatures go up and down.  This weakens the glass and puts added stress on areas with damage. If your vehicle’s windshield is cracked or chipped, be on the lookout for increased horizontal spreading in these areas as temperatures drop. 

Can Windshields Be Repaired in Cold Weather? 

Absolutely! Tire Discounters Auto Glass offers mobile and in-shop auto glass repair and replacement services all year long. Some weather conditions, like precipitation or extreme humidity, might mean a slight delay while we wait for the weather to improve a bit.

Service times may vary by vehicle type, materials used, and of course, inclement weather conditions. We’ll provide you with a free estimate and a timeline for how long the repair or replacement will take, including our Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT). This is how long you’ll need to wait for any adhesives to cure and dry before your vehicle is safe to drive.

We’ll handle all the insurance work for you, so there’s no need for you to file an insurance claim.  Contact us to schedule your appointment and receive your free estimate or give us a call at 1-844-844-5277 with any additional questions. 

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.