How to Maintain Your Windshield
Your windshield is more than just a sheet of glass—it’s a critical part of your vehicle’s structural integrity and safety systems. From protecting you against the elements to supporting advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), your windshield deserves regular care. A well-maintained windshield can last longer, perform better, and even help you avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Whether you’re commuting daily in Edmonton, navigating the roads around Calgary, or cruising through Red Deer, Alberta’s unique driving conditions present specific challenges for your auto glass. Here’s how you can keep your windshield in excellent condition—and why it matters.
Why Windshield Maintenance Matters
A properly maintained windshield helps:
- Maintain visibility in harsh weather
- Prevent small chips from turning into major cracks
- Support safety features like lane departure warnings and collision mitigation
- Reduce long-term replacement costs
Let’s dive into the top maintenance practices every driver should follow.
1. Address Rock Chips Immediately
One of the most common windshield issues in Alberta is rock chips, often caused by gravel and sand on the road during winter. Left untreated, these chips can quickly turn into large cracks—especially with fluctuating temperatures.
What You Should Do:
- Don’t ignore small chips—address them early to prevent spreading.
- Avoid slamming your vehicle’s doors or washing the glass with high-pressure water while you have an unrepaired rock chip.
- Cover fresh chips with clear tape to keep them clean & dry until they can be professionally assessed.
Acting quickly can make the difference between a simple repair and a full replacement. Windshield Surgeons can take care of rock chips quickly and easily, and we even guarantee our repair work too!
2. Keep Your Windshield Clean
Regular cleaning improves visibility and reduces glare, which is especially important during sunrise, sunset, or nighttime driving. A clean windshield also ensures optimal performance of sensors and cameras used in modern ADAS systems. Plus, keeping your glass clear of film and residue enhances comfort and reduces eye strain on long drives.
Best Practices:
- Use a glass-specific cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
- Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, which can damage window tint and rubber seals.
- Clean inside and out—interior film buildup is often overlooked but can cause significant glare.
For additional visibility and easy cleaning, consider an application of our nano-coating. This hydrophobic treatment helps repel everything from rain and snow to tree sap and mud, keeping your windshield cleaner in all conditions. It’s an excellent option for improving safety and comfort on Alberta roads.
3. Replace Wiper Blades Often
Worn-out wipers can leave behind streaks, reduce visibility, and even scratch your windshield if the rubber is deteriorated. This can compromise your safety, especially during rain, snow, or low-light conditions. Alberta’s extreme weather can cause wiper blades to degrade more quickly than in milder climates. Checking and replacing them regularly is a simple but important part of windshield maintenance.
Signs It’s Time to Replace:
- Streaking or squeaking
- Skipped spots on the glass
- Cracked or split rubber
While there are steps you can take to maintain your wiper blades and keep them working longer, they wont last forever. When the time to replace them comes, we keep replacement wiper blades in stock at all of our locations. Our knowledgeable staff can make sure you get the right blades for your specific vehicle, and we’ll install them for you too! Replacing your wipers regularly ensures your windshield stays clear and your visibility remains uncompromised.
4. Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes
Sudden changes in temperature cause your glass to expand and contract, which can potentially worsen existing damage. This is especially common in Alberta, where temperatures can swing dramatically in short periods. Even small chips or flaws in the glass can grow quickly when exposed to rapid heating or cooling. The best way to protect your windshield from extreme temperature changes is by parking your vehicle in a garage or other indoor space whenever possible. This helps shield it from the sudden heat or cold that can cause stress fractures in the glass. If indoor parking isn’t an option, the tips below offer simple and effective ways to reduce thermal shock and preserve the life of your windshield.
What to Avoid:
🚫 Pouring hot water on your icy windshield
🚫 Turning your defroster on full blast while your windshield is still freezing cold
🚫 Parking in direct sunlight during summer
Better Choices:
✔ Use a proper ice scraper and let your vehicle warm up gradually.
✔ Consider using a windshield cover in winter and sunshades in summer.
Taking steps to reduce the impact of temperature swings on your windshield can go a long way toward extending its life. Even simple habits, like allowing your car to warm up gradually or using seasonal accessories, can make a considerable difference.
5. Use Proper De-Icing Tools
Removing ice from your windshield is a common winter task in Alberta, but using the wrong tools can cause more harm than good. Metal tools or sharp objects might seem effective in the moment, but they can easily scratch or even crack your windshield, leading to costly repairs or compromised safety. To avoid unnecessary damage, always use tools designed specifically for de-icing automotive glass.
Recommended Tools:
- Plastic ice scrapers
- Soft-bristled snow brushes
- De-icing windshield fluid (spray)
These tools are gentle enough to protect your windshield while still being effective at removing snow and ice buildup. Keeping one of each in your vehicle during the colder months ensures you’re always prepared for a frosty morning.
6. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Driving too closely behind other vehicles, especially large trucks, significantly increases the risk of windshield damage from flying rocks or debris. In Alberta, where gravel and road salt are commonly used throughout winter and spring, this type of damage is a frequent issue.
Smart Driving Habits:
- Keep a greater distance when following vehicles on highways or freshly graveled roads.
- Avoid following large vehicles with more than four wheels, such as trucks or buses, as more tires means more chances to kick up debris and rocks
- Stay in the middle lane on multi-lane roads when possible to avoid debris scattered along the shoulder.
These habits not only help protect your windshield but also contribute to safer, more relaxed driving overall. Following too closely behind another vehicle is a frequent cause of accidents, and can have considerable legal consequences!
7. Regularly Inspect for Damage
Windshield damage isn’t always immediately obvious—especially when it starts small. Tiny chips or hairline cracks can quickly spread due to vibration, temperature changes, or road stress, so catching them early is key. A regular visual inspection of your windshield *from the outside* can help you stay ahead of problems before they require a full replacement. This is especially important if you do a lot of highway driving, travel in extreme weather conditions, or park outdoors regularly.
Where to Check:
- Around the edges, where structural pressure tends to accumulate and cracks are more likely to begin
- Behind the rearview mirror, where visibility is limited and cracks can go unnoticed
- Near embedded sensors, cameras, and other ADAS-related hardware, where even minor damage can interfere with system performance
If you notice any irregularities, it’s best to have them evaluated promptly. Even what seems like a small imperfection can compromise the strength and clarity of your windshield over time.
8. Protect Advanced Safety Features
Today’s vehicles are equipped with a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that rely on sensors, cameras, and technology often mounted directly to or near the windshield. These include features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and rain-sensing wipers. For these systems to function properly, the windshield must remain clean, structurally sound, and properly aligned.
Tips to Preserve ADAS Functionality:
- Avoid driving with damage—even small chips or cracks can distort sensor readings or camera alignment.
- Keep the area around sensors and cameras clean from dirt, snow, or debris, especially in winter when buildup is common.
- If your vehicle has undergone windshield replacement or a collision repair, make sure your ADAS system is recalibrated by trained professionals.
Proper calibration ensures these safety features work as intended, helping you maintain lane position, respond to obstacles, and stay aware of your surroundings. If your vehicle is equipped with advanced windshield technology, it’s critical that replacements or repairs are performed by auto glass specialists like Windshield Surgeons who really understand these systems.
9. Don’t Delay Replacement When Needed
There comes a point when a chip or crack is too severe for a safe or effective repair. When damage reaches a certain size, spreads into the driver’s line of sight, or compromises the structural integrity of the glass (breaching both layers), replacement becomes the only responsible option. Waiting too long can worsen the issue, especially in Alberta’s climate where weather and road conditions accelerate damage.
Why Timely Replacement Matters:
- Driving with a severely damaged windshield is unsafe and can increase the likelihood of serious injury in a collision, roll over, or in the event of a heavy object striking your glass.
- Windshields with damage that obstructs your view enough could be illegal, depending on your province’s vehicle safety standards.
- Damage can interfere with the function of ADAS safety features, including sensors and cameras that rely on a clear, undistorted view.
Acting promptly ensures you’re not only driving safely but also complying with local safety regulations and protecting your vehicle’s technology. If you’re unsure whether your windshield can be repaired or if it needs to be fully replaced, don’t hesitate to visit one of our Windshield Surgeons Auto Glass locations in Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. Our team of experts can assess the damage and provide you with the best course of action. Or, consult our windshield repair page for a simple guide on how to tell for yourself.
Taking care of your windshield is an important—and often overlooked—aspect of responsible vehicle ownership. The simple habits shared here can save you time, money, and keep you safer on the road. Your windshield may be transparent, but it shouldn’t be overlooked!
If you’re ready to take the next step in protecting your vehicle, get started with our fast and easy quote tool. You can also explore more of our expert advice and auto glass insights through our many Windshield Education pages.