I have a crack in my front windshield that goes from the middle of the steering wheel to the middle of the passenger seat in a "smiley face". It is low on my list of priorities financially to have it repaired immediately, although I don't like it-don't like it at all . . .

My question is, can I take the car through a car wash safely?

Thank you for any advice. . .

--1993 850 GLT 98K

If there is a rapid change in the windshield's temperature the crack will definately expand.

When the next rock or bird hits, you will have a lap full of safety glass. If it happens at 60, that will be the least of your worries.

I hit a robin doing 110KMH, with a small crack in my windshield. It was in my Jetta, but still, the window held!! Its safety glass, its hard to shatter!

As for the car wash, Id avoid pressure washers. I think youll be fine using a hose and a bucket, just keep an eye on it.

On the average you could take it safely thru probably 9 out of 10 times. Do you feel lucky? It is a sinking feeling when you're at the car wash day dreaming and the mgr comes by with that special message for you.

you may be a candidate for an unsafe equipment ticket if you don't get it fixed; then you won't have to worry about the car wash.
--
We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 cop car : Rough Rider tires& suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps

Where are you located? Here in Fl they are required to replace a windshield "free of charge" (and I beleive it is up to 3 times a year!)..
The only thing required by me is that I actually HAVE to have valid insurance!

makntraks
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Noobie Volvo owner just wondering what took me so long!!!

I am in San Francisco, California. Whom do you mean by "they"?

Thanks

I believe it is a Fl state law that Insurance providers pay the cost of the replacement. I did have windshileds replaced twice so far on different vehicles in the 15 years I've lived here...
As for the origfin of the law I've heard that it was started because of the high heat conditions here and that the windshield suffers from it, causing possible premature breakdown after getting cracked or chipped.

makntraks
--
Noobie Volvo owner just wondering what took me so long!!!

I drove up to Seattle over Christmas--I had a small ding from a rock that had been there forever. The entire time I was there I was very careful about turning the defroster on too hot as it was below freezing outside. On the last day however, I forgot all about it and had the defroster on high--then CRACK!!! I was so pissed at myself. Here, there is no such law unfortunately. My insurance deductable is 250.00 comprehensive and 500.00 collision. The insurance co. would have to send someone out to look at the car, hear my story then determine which deductable to use. As the windsheild is 360.00 (pilkington) it hardly seems worth the trouble, let alone having a claim on my insurance. Sigh...