Replacing Your Windshield? Why Not Upgrade It While You're At It?

Whether it's due to an unfortunate auto accident or an errant rock, you may find yourself with a car windshield that has become too damaged to continue using. If the damage is not too severe, you may be able to get it repaired, but in some cases replacement is the only option. Driving with an extremely damaged windshield is not only dangerous, but could also earn you a traffic ticket, so it's in your best interest to get it replaced right away. 

While it's important to get the replacement done the right way, it's also a good idea to take a look at the options you'll have with a new windshield. Of course, the kind of windshield you end up getting for your car may depend on factors such as insurance coverage and the make and model of your automobile, but if your budget allows for it you may be able to find some interesting ways to upgrade that new windshield. Consider the following ideas to help you find a silver lining in the cloud of having to replace your car's windshield:

Tinting

Think about how often the glare of the sun distracts you while you're driving. You might put the car's sun visor down or put on some sunglasses to combat the glare, but these are just temporary solutions to a problem you may have to deal with all the time, especially if you commute to and from work right as the sun is rising or setting. If you're having your windshield replaced, consider getting it tinted. 

You do have to be careful of the kind of tint you get, depending on the area you live in. Window tinting laws in Canada are fairly complex, and in some cases whether or not you get a ticket for any kind of tint (including even transparent tint) is entirely up to the discretion of local law enforcement. 

But this doesn't mean that all kinds of windshield tinting are illegal. Transparent tinting is generally considered okay as long as it doesn't impair your vision while driving or prevent the inside of your car from being seen from the outside, but check with local laws in your area to be sure. It's also okay to tint the windshield from the top to about 10 centimetres down (to a horizontal line known as the AS-1 line), although some areas allow tinting as far as 15 centimetres down. You have probably seen this type of tinting before, as it is common in most newer models of vehicles. 

With tinting, the bottom line is that it can be a great way to protect your eyes from the sun and even reduce the heat in your car, but just make sure you're following the tinting laws in your area (and be aware that you could be ticketed for tint on your windows when traveling to other areas with different laws).

Windshield Wipers

You may not think much about your windshield wipers until they stop working, but upgrading your wipers is a good idea even if you don't need to replace your entire windshield yet. If winter weather such as ice and snow is a big problem where you live, you may want to opt for some newer, frameless wiper blades. Ice and snow can often build up overnight, preventing wiper blades from working properly, but the design of these new types of wipers puts a stop to this. Like tinting above the AS-1 line, these wipers are quickly becoming standard on many new models of vehicles.

There are other options you may be able to consider, such as the strength of the glass used in the windshield, but your tastes and budget will likely dictate what kind of upgrades you choose for your brand new windshield. For more information, contact a local auto repair shop, like Speedy Apollo Auto Repair.


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