Few things can ruin a good drive faster than spotting a crack in your windshield. What starts as a tiny chip can quickly grow into a long, ugly crack—sometimes overnight. The good news? With the right care and a little know-how, you can keep that crack from spreading until you’re ready to get it repaired. And even better news: if it does spread, in many cases, it can still be repaired without replacing your whole windshield.

Let’s break down the practical steps you can take to protect your windshield (and your wallet).

Why Windshield Cracks Spread

Glass expands and contracts with changes in temperature, pressure, and stress. Every time your windshield experiences a sudden jolt—whether that’s from blasting the A/C on a hot summer day, driving over a pothole, or going through a high-pressure car wash—the crack gets a chance to grow. Think of it like pulling on the edge of a piece of fabric: once there’s a tear, it only takes a little tug for it to rip further.

4 Simple Ways to Keep a Crack in Your Windshield From Getting Worse

1. Skip the Car Wash

Automated car washes use high-pressure water jets and brushes that put stress on the glass. If you already have a crack, the force of that water can push dirt and moisture inside, making it worse. The extreme temperature change will cause the glass to expand and retract, putting pressure on the crack and causing it to spread. We hear horror stories about a tiny rock chip jumping to 24+ inch cracks by the time someone pulls out of the car wash. Avoid at all costs!

2. Don’t Blast the A/C or Heater

Rapid temperature changes are a windshield’s worst enemy. If your car has been baking in the sun, blasting the A/C on full power makes the glass contract suddenly. On cold days, cranking up the defroster does the opposite—it expands the glass too quickly. Both scenarios cause cracks to spread. The fix? Adjust your temperature gradually. Think “slow and steady” instead of “arctic blast.”

3. Park in the Shade

Direct sunlight heats up the glass unevenly. One side of the windshield might expand while the shaded side doesn’t, creating stress that encourages cracks to creep longer. Parking in the shade (or using a windshield sunshade) keeps things cooler and more consistent. Your interior stays more comfortable too—win-win.

4. Crack the Windows (Just a Little)

If you’re parked on a hot day, roll the windows down an inch or two. This allows built-up heat inside your car to escape instead of putting extra pressure on the glass. That release of air pressure keeps your windshield stable, making it less likely that your small crack will suddenly stretch across your field of vision.

What If the Crack Does Spread?

Here’s the silver lining: even if a chip grows into a crack, it doesn’t always mean you need a full windshield replacement. Many cracks can be repaired—restoring the glass’s strength and clarity—if they meet certain conditions.

Do NOT Do This One Thing!

If you plan to have the crack in your windshield professionally repaired, do not try to fix the crack or stop it from spreading by using a DIY kit. This makes it impossible for a technician to truly fill the crack with the right resin and give you a professional-level repair.

Signs Your Crack Can Be Repaired:

• It’s around 24 inches. Longer cracks can be repaired but the price might start to match your replacement cost. It’s always worth getting a quote! There are also some reasons why you might choose repair over replacement even if the price is similar. Check those out here.

• There aren’t multiple overlapping cracks

• It hasn’t collected too much dirt or debris (place some Scotch tape over the damage to prevent dirt from entering the damage)

If you’re unsure, it’s always better to ask a professional than to wait. The longer you delay, the higher the chances you’ll need a full replacement.

Chip Pro Pricing

At Chip Pro, we make crack and chip repair simple and affordable. Here’s our pricing breakdown:

• Chip Repair: $79 for the first chip, $19 for each additional

• Crack Repair:

  • 4–6 inches: $149

  • 7–14 inches: $179

  • 15–19 inches: $199

  • 19–24 inches: $249

Every repair we do restores your windshield to 100%+ of its pre-damage strength (tested and proven in the lab), so you can feel safe knowing it’s stronger than before. Watch our crack repair process below!

Why Repair Instead of Replace?

• Saves Money: Repairs cost a fraction of replacements.

• Saves Time: Most jobs take 20-40 minutes or less.

• Eco-Friendly: Fewer windshields ending up in landfills.

• Insurance Friendly: Many insurance companies cover repairs at no cost to you.

Crack in Your Windshield? Don’t Stress—Just Call Chip Pro

A crack in your windshield doesn’t have to be a headache—or a budget buster. By keeping your car cool, skipping high-pressure washes, and being gentle with your heating and cooling, you can keep small damage from turning into a big problem. And if it does grow, Chip Pro has you covered with fast, affordable, and reliable repairs.

So the next time you spot a chip or crack, don’t panic. Take a breath, park in the shade, and give us a call before it spreads. Your windshield—and your wallet—will thank you!