How Much Does it Cost to Repair or Replace a Bumper?

You’re looking at the cost of repairing or replacing a bumper and wondering how much you should expect to pay. Though the design of both front and rear bumpers keeps the rest of a vehicle safe from damage, bumpers are still susceptible to disrepair, especially when hit by another vehicle. So, if there are damages, how much is it going to cost to repair or replace one? Here is some information on bumpers and answers to the repair and replacement costs of them.

 

Actual Damages

The extent of damage to a bumper will determine the cost of repairs or replacement of a bumper. They make most bumper materials today of plastic that contain a steel or aluminum bar for reinforcement. The basic parts include:

  •  a structural support system
  •  a shock-absorbing foam section and
  •  a plastic cover

Damage can affect any of these bumper parts and cause increased expense, particularly if the problem is the structural support system, which can run up repair costs. Any underlying damage can also add to the expense. Other repairs such as replacing a severely damaged bumper, wide cracks and holes, and a bumper that’s ready to fall off require extended repair or replacement.

When minor dents, chips, punctures, and scratches happen, any auto body shop near you can repair those lesser damages fairly easily. Body shop experts have the tools to do the job and they can repaint and color coordinate for an exact match for almost any vehicle. With cracks, holes, and punctures, there will be fill and sanding of the areas. The average cost is between $325 and $425. You can reduce light scratches fairly quickly, but if they are severe enough to cause major paint chipping, the cost can be anywhere from $50 to $600.

 

Costs of Front Bumper Replacement

With a front bumper replacement, the old bumper has to be removed first, and the area inspected for any possible underlying damage and replacement of damaged parts. Total costs will depend on where the vehicle is located, the vehicle, its make or model, the extent of damage, and the amount of labor that goes into the repair. With these factors in mind, replacing a front bumper runs between $500 to $1500 and beyond for usual replacements. In fact, most auto body shop charges range from $48 to $215 per hour. If repairs or replacements are more difficult and extensive, costs could reach around $5000.

Other cars or trucks may cost more for bumper replacement. Smaller cars with inadequate bumper protection that sustain damage from a collision, even at lower speeds, will end up costing more. Not only are bumpers in need of repair, but damages occur with other components. Damages may involve the frame, wheels, grill, and any structural aspects.

 

Costs of Rear Bumper Replacement

With a rear bumper, the damage is usually due to rear-end accidents, and it’s a common occurrence to see minor scratches, dents, and scuffed paint when accidents occur. If the collision involves high speeds, damages will not only hurt the bumper but will affect any other underlying components. With minimal damage, you can expect to pay at least $100, but that figure will depend on again the make, model, and year of a vehicle. More extensive damage amounts to around $2,000 for full bumper replacement.

 

Other Repair Methods

You can repair a bumper through paint-less dent repair or PDR. A body shop will use special tools that pull the dents out of a bumper without damage to the paint. This is a less costly and quicker method of repairing a bumper, but it’s not the best for damage that has gone beyond the surface and ruined both the surface and paint. Unfortunately, PDR isn’t usable with plastic bumpers, as these bumpers will require more than a simple buffing.

 

Savings on Bumper Repairs and Replacement

If you’re looking for ways to save on bumper repairs or replacement, the first thing to do is find a trustworthy body shop. Doing the repairs yourself is risky. You may choose where you take your vehicle even if your insurance company suggests a shop for repair.

Get a few estimates from repair shops. Don’t go with the lowest quoted price, as it doesn’t mean the best in repairs or service.

When you need a replacement bumper and want to save money, consider aftermarket parts as opposed to Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) parts. They are more affordable. You should weigh the differences and determine what’s best, but you may take a chance on an aftermarket part.

 

Know You Insurance Deductible

With minor damage to a bumper, any repair costs may be significantly lower than the deductible you have with your insurance company. If this is the case, you can pay for the repairs outright. You’ll also avoid an insurance claim that could raise your rates.

 

Fault in a Bumper Collision

When you’re at fault in a bumper collision, check what coverage you have with your insurance company and determine what choices you have. With collision coverage, you will be out for damages to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. With no collision coverage, it’s your responsibility to pay for all repairs.

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you can get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company and claim either the cost for any bumper repairs or full replacement. The auto body shop will arrange for the repairs between the insurance company and the others concerned. They will take care of any damage and do it in a stress-free manner.

Once the auto body shop coordinates the bumper repair or replacement with your insurance company, they will order the parts. The insurance company usually has the last word, whether they will use OEM or aftermarket parts in the repair or replacement process. Once the vehicle is ready, the bumper will be ready for removal and disengagement from all its component systems, such as sensors, lights, and warning systems.

When you’re having trouble deciding what to do about a damaged bumper and the cost of repairing or replacing it, call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. They’ll give you honest answers and provide experienced and expert care for your damaged bumper.

 

What Does Your Auto Body Collision Repair Specialist Do?

Whether you get into a mild fender bender or are involved in a serious car wreck, your vehicle needs the attention of specially trained professionals to get the damage repaired. That’s why it’s best to take your vehicle to an auto body collision repair specialist.

This specialist is trained in every step of the process of repairing a vehicle regardless of the extent of the damage. A reliable auto body collision repair specialist understands the importance of performing thorough work during every step to get the best end result.

Discover the specifics of what an auto body collision specialist does and how this professional can get your vehicle back into excellent condition.

 

Assess the Repair Project

Before any of the physical repair work begins this professional will go over the damage report and costs with you. The auto body collision repair specialist makes sure you know what work needs to be done to get your vehicle back into shape. All of the planned repair work and estimates should be put into writing so there are no surprises after the work is done. You and the auto body collision repair specialist will refer to this written document as you check over the finished work later on.

 

Remove the Damaged Parts of the Vehicle

The first step in the physical repair work is to remove the damaged parts of the vehicle. This is usually done with pneumatic tools and guns designed to cut metal. The type and amount of parts removed depend on the specific damage done to a vehicle. One vehicle may have a damaged fender while another may have a smashed front end along with a cracked windshield. This is why it’s so important to map out exactly what repairs will be accomplished before starting the project.

 

Realignment Work

Once the damaged parts are removed, the auto body collision repair specialist shifts their focus to the structural damage done to the vehicle. This involves realigning the vehicle’s frame and repairing damage there. A hydraulic system designed for heavy work is often used in realignment. Not surprisingly, the force and intensity of a wreck can affect the fundamental structure of the vehicle. So, realigning the frame is an important part of the work of an auto body collision repair specialist.

 

Evens Out Minor Damage

Special tools help this professional to remove minor damage to the body of the vehicle. This includes removing dents and dimples in the frame. The goal is to make the structure of the vehicle as solid as possible before installing the new parts.

 

Attach the Proper Replacement Parts

Early in the process, the proper replacement parts were ordered for the repair work and now need to be installed. An auto body collision repair specialist fits the parts onto the vehicle, then welds them to the body.

 

Install Replacement Windows and/or Windshield

If a vehicle has damaged windows, a damaged windshield, or both, new ones are installed. They are weatherproofed with a chemical solution to ensure they are equal in quality to the vehicle’s previous windows.

 

Sand Surfaces

This step in the process involves grinding, sanding, and priming areas that have been repaired. This is done with professional, heavy-duty grinding and sanding equipment.

 

Paint the Restored Area of the Vehicle

Applying paint to the restored areas of the vehicle is another responsibility of the auto body collision repair specialist. The paint color must be matched to the rest of the vehicle beforehand, so it looks uniform. This involves checking with the vehicle’s manufacturer to find the shade of color originally applied at the factory.

 

Our Expert Team Stands Ready to Repair Your Vehicle

Elmer’s Auto Body has been serving customers in New Jersey since 1947. We are a family-owned business dedicated to providing our customers with expert, reliable service. We handle all aspects of collision repair to make the process more convenient for our customers. Our auto collision repair specialists are trained and experienced with the most modern tools to do the work properly.

Our team understands that being in a vehicle wreck is stressful enough. That’s why we do all we can to make the damage repair process as easy as possible.

So, are you wondering: Is there an Elmer’s Auto Body Shop near me? The answer is yes! We have several locations in New Jersey. Check the locations tab on our website and you’re sure to find a location near you.

Call us at 856-218-0202 today and let our team get you and your vehicle back onto the road!

What is I-CAR Gold Class Certification?

What is I-CAR Gold Class Certification?

Late-model vehicle technology is taking the auto industry by storm and the changing makeup of materials that go into vehicles has altered the repair process. This trend is only moving forward and the collision repair industry has had to adapt to the changes. High strength steel replaces mild steel (low carbon steel) and carbon fiber, metal alloys, aluminum, and plastic are in use now, so auto technicians have to learn new techniques for repairs. Experience as shop technicians isn’t enough anymore as they need intensive training to understand the proper way to repair newer model vehicles.

I-Car’s Organization

I-Car is a non-profit training organization. They commit themselves to safety in the collision repair industry. The Gold Class represents its various training programs that organize themselves around the highest levels of training achievement and gain recognition by the collision repair industry. The certification is open to collision body shops and also insurance companies.

How do I know whether there is an auto body shop near me that can do updated work on a newer vehicle? Well, the I-CAR or Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair started an educational program that gives technicians the training to repair newer vehicles efficiently and safely. Body shops are training their employees to meet I-CAR’s training requirements in order to gain Gold Class Certification.

I-CAR Gold Class Certification Requirements

Only shops whose employees meet I-CAR’s most stringent training requirements can get Gold Class certification, which is considered the utmost in certification standards. Training is even available for special roles within the structure that include:

  • Production management
  • Aluminum structural technician
  • Electrical/mechanical technician

If an auto body shop is to achieve I-CAR Gold Class Certification, there are technicians within the body shop who specialize in four distinct areas that include:

  • Value Estimator
  • Non-structural Technician
  • Structural Technician
  • Refinish Technician

Those enrolled in one of these specialization areas are there to achieve a Platinum Class I-CAR certification and any body-shop technician within the shop with I-CAR Gold Glass certification must renew their certification on an annual basis.

Most people want to know if the body shop they use is I-CAR certified and whether they can repair a newer model car. The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair provides workers in the auto body repair industry the education they need to repair vehicles safely and effectively.

New Technologies

Whether it’s new materials, advanced safety systems, new electronics, or some other innovative upgrades, as more cars on the road embrace these new technologies, up-to-date training has become increasingly necessary to ensure safety, accuracy, and a shop’s ability to perform quality repairs.

They train all technicians in an ongoing manner with the latest developments in techniques, materials, and the equipment used to make repairs. The training prepares a technician with the skills necessary to repair a vehicle. Once a technician performs the work and finishes it, your vehicle is safe and maintains its value.

A body shop’s infrastructure and its equipment are crucial to the facility running smoothly and performing safe and pertinent repairs. When a manufacturer introduces new materials and technology into the auto industry, training occurs to accommodate the changes and brings safety into the mix.

I-Car Gold Class Certification

In order to earn I-Car Gold Class certification, body shops need to achieve and maintain a high level of relevant training that deals with the various collision repair roles. To maintain the certification, auto body shops have to continue the development of knowledge and skills with their staff. I-Car Gold Class certification requires continuing training and testing on content that deals with updating the latest vehicle models and the new technologies that are compatible with them. Body shops that are behind in their training will lose I-Car Gold Class certification.

Besides, I-CAR Gold Class shops being certified to provide the highest quality repairs, there are additional benefits to the certification. A collision body shop’s certification brings relevant outcomes to customers and the shop itself. Body shops that hold I-Car Gold Class certification continually put in faster repair times because of their high-performance returns. It also means a customer will spend less time and money on vehicle rentals, which brings greater customer satisfaction and higher network ratings. I-CAR shops also outperform other body shops because of their productivity and efficiency rate.

Stringent Standards

Many repair shops today haven’t met the stringent standards that I-CAR Gold Class imposes. With the ever-changing nature of collision repairs, it’s important now more than ever for body shops to be well informed, particularly about the latest in automotive training and information that continually changes. Whether it’s sophisticated driving systems, lightweight vehicle materials, and elaborate safety systems, there have to be trained technicians who can work in any of these areas. That’s the importance of I-CAR Gold Class certification.

Maintaining a Gold Class certification is critical to the auto body collision industry locally and nationally. An organization that wants to move forward must develop knowledge and skills that are updated continuously. Becoming Gold Class certified means commitment to not only customers and body shop staff but dedication to the highest of standards. With Gold Class certification, you can show both customers and staff that your business is committed to the best in professional development and ongoing training.

If you want more information about I-CAR Gold Class Certification, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. Our technicians are I-CAR Gold Class certified and value your repair work with high standards in mind. We will fix your newer and older vehicle safely and effectively. Call us for your auto body repair. You won’t regret it.

Car Accident Repair: Step-by-Step Guide, Tips & FAQs

You’ve been in an accident, and you’re looking for a reputable body shop. You want to understand the repair process before you take your car in for a damage estimate. Here’s a step-by-step guide that follows. It will help you know what to expect with car accident repairs.

 

Consider Safety First

Whenever you’re involved in an accident, the first thing you want to do, particularly if you have no injuries, is to move away from the accident scene and contact the police. In most states, you’re required to contact them even for a minor accident or a more serious collision.

If a police officer responds to the accident, there will be an accident report. You may need to get his report to your insurance company. When a police officer cannot be on the scene, make sure you get to the nearest police station and file a report.

 

Documentation is Crucial

One of the most important things to do is document everything and that includes taking pictures. You should also note:

  • Any other vehicles involved in the accident
  • The road conditions at the time of the accident
  • The lighting on the road
  • Any injuries that have occurred
  • Other driver involvement
  • to exchange your insurance information

 

Admitting Fault

You don’t want to admit you are at fault in an accident. If you are to blame for the accident, be truthful, but only offer facts with no opinion. It’s the insurance company’s duty to figure out who was at fault.

 

Medical Assistance

With no medical issues or injuries in an accident, seeking medical help may not be necessary. Right after an accident, certain injuries are hard to detect, but if there are detectable injuries, immediate medical care should follow. Though you may feel fine, you want to take precautionary measures and make an appointment to see a health care professional.

 

Insurance Company Contact

Contacting your insurance company at the scene of an accident is important. You’ll want to start your claim and also find out what the next steps are. Your insurance company should keep you apprised of what is happening with your claim.

 

Auto Body Repair Shop

Most insurance companies will probably give you a listing of preferred auto body shops in your area, but you don’t have to go by their suggestions. If the search goes well for you, you’re probably thinking, I need to find an auto body shop near me, as I don’t want to go miles out of my way. Plus, you’ll want to choose a shop that you feel comfortable working with.

Make sure your auto body shop offers the following services before you choose a shop:

  • Timely and free estimates
  • Certified technicians
  • Warranties (Lifetime limited) on repairs
  • Complete quality control
  • Follow precise steps in the repair process

 

Estimate

With an estimate, a good body shop will look at the overall damage to your vehicle and give you an initial quote. You should be able to get an idea of the level of damage and costs for repairs.

 

Insurance

The estimate the body shop gives you will go to your insurance company. You may have some communication with your provider, but mostly, your involvement should be minimal. The body shop you choose should arrange all repair work for your vehicle from the estimate to the last bill.

 

Vehicle Drop-off

Once you receive an allowed estimate, you can bring your car/truck in for repairs.

 

Dismantling

Body shop technicians will take your vehicle apart and create an outline of repairs.

 

Parts

Once there’s an outline of repairs, replacement parts are ordered. Top-of-the-line parts at the best prices will be coordinated with the insurance company.

 

Repairs

Repairs will be made both structurally and mechanically.

 

Painting

A vehicle returns to its factory finish with a new coat of paint.

 

Reassembly

Once all the perspective pieces are painted, the vehicle is ready for assembling.

 

Detail the Vehicle

With this step, vacuuming, cleaning, and adding final touches are completed.

 

Inspection and Delivery

Your body shop’s quality assurance section does a vehicle inspection and determines that your vehicle is ready for pickup.

 

Insurance Claims and Coverage Tips

You want to know what your insurance carrier covers and how the claims process works. With policies being different, there are factors you should know about.

Find out whether you are in a Fault vs. No-Fault State. All states follow one of these systems. With a Fault State, you can seek reimbursement from any driver at fault in the accident through your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance. Thirty-eight (38) states that including Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont follow this system.

If you’re in a No-Fault state, compensation is only through your insurance carrier. It doesn’t matter who was at fault in the accident. There are 12 states that are no-fault and they include Massachusetts and New York. Each state observes its own variation of rules with No-Fault issues.

 

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

If you carry collision coverage on your vehicle, it will pay for repairs to your vehicle when it incurs damage from a collision with another vehicle or object, like a fence. Collision coverage also includes damage from potholes, accidents with other vehicles, and accidents that involve objects, such as trees or fences.2. With comprehensive coverage, any damage to your vehicle caused by theft, vandalism, or hail that is not related to collision is covered. It will cover any damage that includes falling objects, animals, fire, and natural disasters.3. When you are leasing or financing a vehicle, both collision and comprehensive insurance coverage are usually required. These two coverages will not pay for damage to another person’s vehicle or any medical issues of your own or for anyone else. You will need liability insurance to pay for any damage to another driver’s property or medically related injuries when you’re at fault in an accident.

 

Replacement Parts

Your insurance policy determines whether you can use aftermarket parts or OEM parts for vehicle repair. With aftermarket parts being made by various manufacturers, they aren’t the preferred option. If you are leasing a vehicle, you want a policy that includes OEM parts.

 

Added Repairs

When an auto body company finds additional damage to your vehicle, it requires them to get in touch with your insurance company for approval to make additional repairs.

 

Repair FAQs

Q: Will I need an appointment for an estimate?

A: Most of the time, you won’t need an appointment, but that will depend on the auto body repair shop and its hours of operation.

Q: Will I need more than one estimate?

A: Getting more than one estimate will depend on your insurance company. When you find a repair shop you want to use, but your insurance company is asking for more than one estimate, the repair shop should contact your insurance company to arrange for the repairs.

Q: What happens when repair costs go beyond the worth of my vehicle?

A: When any repairs total more than the cash value of your vehicle, your insurer will decide whether to pay the repair bill or pay you the value (what you originally paid for the vehicle minus depreciation) of your vehicle. Most standard automobile policies won’t pay for repairs to a vehicle that’s totaled.

Q: What if it was my fault for the damage to my vehicle?

A: When you are at fault in an accident, and you live in a fault state, your insurance carrier pays for damage to the other driver’s vehicle, plus any medical bills or pain, suffering, and wages lost from a job.

When you live in a no-fault state, the other person involved in the accident will submit a claim to their insurance company. Your insurer will be contacted for reimbursement. You will probably see an increase in your premiums at the time of policy renewal.

Q: What if there is a disagreement between the car repair shop and the insurance company concerning repair costs?

A: The possibility is there of rejection of a body shop’s estimate by your insurance company or that the auto body shop rejects an insurance company’s estimate. When this happens, the auto body repair shop should coordinate a solution with the insurance company.

Q: What should I do about not having a car while mine is being repaired?

A: The auto body shop should be able to arrange for a rental vehicle while you are waiting for repairs. Check your insurance policy for details. A rental vehicle is not always covered. When coverage is available, limits will apply to the length of rental time and the cost per day.

Q: My car was under a lease contract, and I was in an accident. What will happen?

A: When a vehicle is not your property, the repair process is under stricter guidelines. Only new OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) replacement parts can be used. If a vehicle is determined to be a total loss by the insurance company, the vehicle will be paid for with a check to the leasing company for the value of the vehicle.

You may have further questions concerning the complete repair process. Should that be the case, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. We can answer your questions and make quick and expert repairs to your vehicle as well.

What to Look Out For Following a Rear-End Collision

Rear-end collisions happen a lot. In fact, the US roadways see about 1.7 million rear-end collisions every year. Though most rear-end collisions are minor fender benders, these collisions can be greatly severe. However, you can’t always see the extent of a rear-end collision after it happens. Sometimes, even the smallest tap or ding on the fender can cause a ripple of hidden damages that put your safety at risk.

 

And no, we’re not exaggerating. Millions of vehicles are on the road daily, and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. You’re going to want any damages repaired by a skilled auto technician so that rear-end collision damage doesn’t adversely affect you.

 

What Causes Rear-end Collisions?

The National Transportation Safety Board reported that 87% of rear-end collisions are caused by distracted drivers. When a driver doesn’t notice that a vehicle has stopped in front of them, they don’t have enough time to stop before the collision happens. Depending on the speed they were going, the impact could be catastrophic.

 

Rear-end collisions also occur from different factors, such as:

  • Reckless driving
  • Heavy traffic
  • Speeding
  • Mechanical problems
  • Driver fatigue and highway hypnosis
  • Intoxicated driving

 

The majority of rear-end collisions are straight on, but there are instances where vehicles are hit at an angle. The direction and speed at which your car is hit will influence how badly both vehicles are damaged.

 

Hidden Damages From Being Rear-Ended

There’s one thing about read-end collision damage that you should always look out for after it happens: hidden issues. Always suspect that there is an issue you don’t know about yet. Rear-end collision damage is difficult to spot when you don’t know what to look for, and it might even appear that your vehicle is fine, minus a scratch or some missing paint.

 

Chances are that there’s an issue that will spring up later on. For example, your bumper might look fine, but there could be a crack that affects the shock absorption of a future incident. Don’t let your safety be at risk; get your vehicle inspected for rear-end collision damage.

 

With that in mind, let’s discuss some of the common things to look out for following a rear-end collision:

 

Alignment Issues From Rear-End Collision Damage

An issue that shows up again and again with rear-end collisions is with alignment. You might notice that your vehicle begins to pull one way or the other while you drive. Other indicators of alignment issues include:

 

It doesn’t take much. Even a slight misalignment can put undue stress on essential pieces of the vehicle, like the tires, suspension, and brakes. You don’t want these parts to wear out quickly, because they’re both expensive and required for safety. If you’ve been in a rear-end collision recently, keep an eye out for these things.

 

Engine Damages

Engines have always been more delicate than they appear, but modern engines are even more complex. While you might assume the damage from a rear-end collision is isolated to the tail-end of your vehicle, that’s not always the case. Don’t be surprised if the check engine light switches on after you’ve been hit on the rear.

 

Rear-ended impacts can also affect the drivetrain. The force of an impact can move through the exhaust system, pushing it forward and into the catalytic converter, muffler, exhaust manifold, and even the engine mounts.

 

Bring your vehicle to a certified collision repair shop as soon as you can. You don’t want engine and transmission problems getting worse.

 

Rear-End Collision Trunk Damage

While trunk damage isn’t going to affect the driving of your vehicle, you shouldn’t overlook it. Trunk issues may cause safety hazards, and any problems could reduce the value of the vehicle dramatically.

 

The trunk should open and close easily and securely lock. What you don’t want is the trunk lock to be damaged. This could cause the trunk to pop open, blocking your rear-view mirror and startling anyone behind you. That could cause another rear-end accident. So while leaving any trunk damage unfixed might seem okay, you should get the problem repaired.

 

Suspension Problems

You need suspension for control and stability on the road. Suspension is designed to keep the fricative forces between the road and the tires balanced, so you can better handle the vehicle in all kinds of conditions.

 

When you experience a rear-end collision, frame damage could affect the suspension. Poor alignment will stress the suspension components; you might notice that the shocks and struts are wearing out much faster than usual.

 

You’ll notice that the suspension has been affected because of a rough, bouncy ride. It might even feel like you’re no longer in control of your vehicle. Left in this state, your car will become a safety hazard to not only you but everyone else on the road.

 

Electrical Problems From Rear-End Collisions

Cars today cannot function with technology. There are sensors and wires that can be loosened easily during a rear-end collision. Have a technician examine the electrical components in your car, especially if someone tells you that your taillights and brake lights are working properly.

 

Get Your Car Checked Out After a Rear-End Collision

When you have been involved in a rear-end collision, there’s going to be a lot on your mind. But one thing you need to prioritize is looking out for damages. Don’t take a chance and jeopardize your vehicle or your safety. Bring your car to a dependable auto body repair shop like Elmer’s Auto Body.

Our technicians will inspect your vehicle from the inside out to make sure that all issues are dealt with quickly. We’ll get you back on the road again soon. Call to schedule an appointment today or to chat with our friendly team.

Driving With a Cracked Windshield

You were driving along when all of a sudden a stone was kicked up by a passing truck. Now you have a tiny star-shaped crack in the windshield. Sure, that crack might be harmless right now, but it can quickly go from being a swift repair to a total windshield replacement very fast. If you’re thinking about driving with a cracked windshield, don’t. There are too many risks involved.

 

If your vehicle has a chipped or cracked windshield, it is best to get it repaired as soon as possible. We’re going to explain why.

 

Factors Affecting How Long You Can Drive With a Cracked Windshield

You might see others driving around with cracked windshields, but they probably don’t understand how unsafe cracks can become. The size of the crack is certainly a factor in this, however. Smaller chips and cracks may be safe for a while, but larger cracks, particularly those that go from one end of the windshield to the other, may be illegal in your state.

 

The other factor is location. Cracks can spread then hinder your view of the road while you drive. In this case, you should get the crack repaired immediately. A small crack located on the passenger side, on the other hand, is less dangerous. You can drive for hundreds of miles and never even notice it.

 

Interestingly, newer car models with front-facing cameras mounted near the rear-view mirror could also be affected by a chip or crack. Damages to the windshield that are close to these cameras could throw off their accuracy or affect other safety features, like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, collision avoidance, and more. If you have to get a total windshield replacement, those camera systems will also need to be recalibrated.

 

Why Repair Windshield Cracks Immediately

Even the tiniest of cracks should be repaired as soon as you can. Yes, the cost of a windshield repair can be expensive, but the price of a whole replacement is even more. You could potentially save hundreds by repairing the crack soon after it happens rather than waiting for the damage to spread.

 

Additionally, if your car is up for a state inspection, or if driving with a large crack is illegal, you don’t want to risk being penalized. That is even more costly. As long as you have less than three cracks that are less than six inches long, you can get the windshield repaired.

 

Why Do Windshield Cracks Grow Over Time?

There are a couple of reasons why a windshield crack grows rather than staying isolated. First, going down a bumpy road could widen the crack or make it spread deeper into the glass. Dirt can also get into the fissure, weakening the structural integrity of the windshield. Next, leaving your car in the middle of a parking lot on a hot summer day could worsen the crack. The heat will force the crack to grow wider as it tries to escape. The same is true for fluctuating temperatures or extremely cold weather.

 

This is why you shouldn’t go driving with a cracked windshield. Anything you do could potentially make the chip or crack worse, leading to a full windshield replacement.

 

Tips to Prevent Windshield Cracks From Spreading

Can’t get to the auto glass repair shop right away? Don’t worry. There are a few things you can do to make driving with a cracked windshield slightly less problematic:

 

1. Buy a windshield kit

You can find a high-quality windshield repair kit at your local hardware or auto parts store. To do this correctly, you are going to need to bore a hole into the top layer of the windshield with a 1/16-inch drill bit, right over the chip or crack. Take the special resin from the kit and use it to seal the hole in the glass. This helps reduce the stress on the windshield and prevents cracks from forming. Sometimes, this does the trick and you don’t have to worry about further repairs.

 

2. Pick a shady parking spot

Since glass expands in the heat and contracts in the cold, you want to avoid sudden temperature changes. For example, if you direct the heating vent towards the windshield when it’s freezing outside, you’re going to see the crack widen. Whenever possible, park your car in the shade and away from inclement weather. Avoid using the defroster, too.

 

3. Try clear acrylic nail polish

There are some auto repair hacks that claim you can use superglue and masking tape to cover the crack, but that could lead to a windshield repair. Instead, you can try putting clear acrylic nail polish over the crack instead.

 

The solution is temporary, though it does a great job at keeping the crack together and dirt-free long enough for you to schedule a windshield repair appointment. Plus, if you mess up, you can easily wipe away acrylic nail polish with an acetone nail polish remover. It’s safe for glass.

 

Wrapping Up

Whatever you do, avoid letting a windshield crack get too large. Driving with a cracked windshield might not seem treacherous, but the situation could worsen rapidly. Rather than getting slammed with a fine or an expensive windshield replacement, get your windshield chips and cracks repaired immediately.

 

Elmer’s Auto Body is qualified for a number of repairs, including windshield repair and replacement. Our I-CAR Gold Class rated facility has state-of-the-art technology, and we employ only professionally trained and certified technicians. Don’t drive with a cracked windshield. Call us to schedule your repair today.