You just scored a great deal on a pre-owned car, and you want it to stay looking and performing like the day you drove it home. One of the smartest things you can do right now is pay attention to the windshield and all the surrounding glass. A small chip today can become a sprawling crack tomorrow, and that costs you time, money, and sometimes even your safety. Here’s how you protect that investment with simple, proactive habits.
Inspect Regularly – It Takes Two Minutes
When you buy a used car, you probably check the oil and kick the tires, but don’t forget the glass. Walk around the vehicle in good daylight and look for chips, pits, or tiny cracks, especially along the edges of the windshield. Run your fingernail across any mark; if it catches, the damage has reached the outer layer and needs attention sooner rather than later. Do this quick scan every couple of weeks or after any long highway trip, as gravel loves to fly. If you see any issues, it is time for services from Advance Auto Glass.
Clean Smart, Not Hard
You love a sparkling windshield, but aggressive cleaning can actually do more harm than good. Skip the ammonia-based household glass cleaners; they can degrade the tint on side windows and the seals around the glass over time. Grab an automotive glass cleaner instead (most are under ten bucks) and use microfiber cloths. Wipe in straight lines rather than circles to avoid swirling, and never use paper towels—they leave lint and tiny scratches that later catch dirt.
Park Like You Care
Where you leave your car matters more than you think. Direct sunlight cooks the dashboard and stresses the windshield seals, while parking under trees invites sap, bird droppings, and falling acorns that can pit the glass. Whenever possible, choose a garage or covered spot. If you’re stuck outside, a simple windshield sunshade reduces interior heat by up to 40 degrees, taking pressure off the glass and its adhesive.
Fix Chips Before They Run
Here’s the golden rule of windshield care: a chip the size of a quarter can almost always be filled for $50–$80 and takes less than an hour. Let it grow into a crack longer than a dollar bill, and you’re looking at a full replacement that starts around $300 and goes way up from there. Most insurance policies waive the deductible for chip repairs because it’s cheaper for them, too. Keep a repair kit in your glovebox or bookmark a reputable mobile glass service—you’ll thank yourself the first time a rock pings off the highway.
Watch Temperature Swings
You hop into a freezing car and immediately blast the defroster on high, or you pour hot water on an iced windshield. Both habits can turn a tiny flaw into a long crack in seconds because glass expands and contracts with temperature changes. Instead, start with lukewarm air and gradually raise the heat. For ice, use a proper scraper and an alcohol-based de-icer spray—never hot water.
Keep Wiper Blades Fresh
Old, streaky wiper blades act like sandpaper on your windshield every time they swipe across it. Replace them every six to twelve months (a set costs $30–$50) and lift the arms off the glass when the car sits for days so the blades don’t deform. While you’re at it, top off the washer fluid with a solution that includes water-beading additives like Rain-X in the reservoir—it makes rain slide off and reduces how often you need the wipers in the first place.
Taking care of your pre-owned car’s windshield and glass isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the easiest ways to avoid expensive surprises. A few minutes of prevention beats hours at the glass shop and keeps your view clear, your insurance premiums low, and your car looking sharp for years. Treat the glass right from day one, and it will treat you right on every drive.
