Your windshield does more than block wind—it impacts driver visibility, passenger safety, and your car’s structure. Beyond chips and cracks, temperature changes can significantly affect its performance and longevity. Thermal Stress and Glass Expansion Glass naturally expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Sudden or extreme temperature changes can cause thermal stress, which may lead to small cracks or worsen existing damage. For example, pouring hot water over an icy windshield in winter or blasting the defroster at full heat on a freezing morning can cause rapid expansion, which can lead to fractures. Cold Weather Risks In low temperatures, your windshield becomes more brittle. Chips and hairline cracks that might…