Summer is a great time to get out on the road, and completing a few essential windscreen checks before you travel can help make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey. From day trips through the Yarra Valley to weekends away and longer Christmas holiday drives, many Lilydale drivers find themselves spending more time behind the wheel at this time of year.
Before heading off, most of us remember to check the tyres, fuel, oil and coolant. But your windscreen deserves a place on the pre-trip checklist too.
Summer heat, stone chips, road debris and existing damage can all affect automotive glass. Modern vehicles add another consideration, with cameras and sensors often positioned around the windscreen as part of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
It’s easy to ignore a small stone chip when it hasn’t changed for a while, particularly if it isn’t directly in your line of sight.
But small areas of damage don’t always remain small.
Temperature changes, vibration and everyday driving can place additional stress on already damaged glass. A chip may eventually develop into a larger crack, potentially turning a repairable problem into one that requires windscreen replacement.
Before a long summer drive, take a few minutes to check the windscreen carefully.
If you find a chip, NOVUS Glass Lilydale can assess the damage and determine whether a windscreen repair is suitable.
A crack doesn’t need to be directly in front of the steering wheel to warrant attention.
If you’ve been meaning to have windscreen damage looked at, doing it before a summer road trip makes sense.
Longer journeys can mean more time travelling at highway speeds and greater exposure to vibration, road debris and changing temperatures.
Having the damage professionally assessed beforehand means you’ll know whether the windscreen can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
A vehicle parked in direct summer sun can become extremely hot, including the glass.
Existing chips and cracks create weakened areas within a windscreen, and temperature changes can place additional stress on damaged glass.
Rather than spending summer wondering whether an existing chip or crack is going to spread, arrange to have it assessed.
Addressing windscreen damage early may provide more repair options than waiting until the damage becomes significantly larger.
A windscreen can be completely intact and still make driving more difficult if it isn’t clean.
Dust, insects, fingerprints, road grime and residue can all affect visibility, particularly when you’re driving towards low morning or afternoon sunlight.
Before heading away, thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of the glass.
Check your windscreen washer fluid at the same time and make sure the washer jets are working correctly.
Don’t forget the wiper blades either. Worn blades can leave streaks across the windscreen and make visibility worse when you need them.
When checking your windscreen, don’t focus only on the area directly in front of the driver.
Look across the entire glass, including the edges.
Damage near the edge of a windscreen can be particularly important because of the stresses around this area of the glass.
If you notice a chip or crack and aren’t sure whether it can be repaired, have it assessed rather than assuming it’s okay because it isn’t obstructing your view.
Modern windscreens can be much more sophisticated than they appear.
Many newer vehicles have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that use cameras and sensors to monitor the road and surroundings.
Depending on the make and model, ADAS may support features such as lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
You may notice a camera housing positioned behind the windscreen near the rear-view mirror.
This technology is particularly important to consider if your windscreen needs replacing.
On some modern vehicles, replacing the windscreen isn’t simply a matter of fitting new glass.
If a forward-facing camera is mounted to or positioned behind the windscreen, the vehicle manufacturer may require the system to be calibrated after the windscreen is replaced.
ADAS calibration helps ensure applicable cameras and systems are correctly aligned following replacement.
Requirements differ between vehicle manufacturers and models, so it’s important that the technology fitted to the vehicle is considered as part of the replacement process.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicle requires calibration, NOVUS Glass Lilydale can help determine what is required.
One of the advantages of living around Lilydale is having the Yarra Valley right on the doorstep.
Summer provides plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, visiting local attractions, catching up with family or simply getting out of Melbourne for the day.
Regional driving can also mean exposure to loose stones, road debris and varying road conditions.
If you already have a chip or crack in the glass, it’s worth getting it checked before adding more kilometres.
The day you’re heading away isn’t the ideal time to discover that a small chip has developed into a crack.
Check your windscreen a week or two before a planned trip rather than leaving it until the car is packed.
That gives you time to arrange an assessment and, if necessary, have the windscreen repaired or replaced before you travel.
For vehicles fitted with applicable ADAS technology, it also allows any necessary calibration to be considered as part of the replacement.
Your windscreen is one of those parts of the vehicle that’s easy to take for granted when everything is working as it should.
Before summer travel, spend a few minutes checking the glass, wipers and washers and look carefully for any chips or cracks you’ve been putting off dealing with.
NOVUS Glass Lilydale provides professional windscreen repairs and windscreen replacements for drivers in Lilydale and surrounding areas.
For modern vehicles, we can also help identify whether ADAS calibration is required following windscreen replacement.
Whether you’re heading into the Yarra Valley, across Melbourne or further afield this summer, start the trip with a clear view of the road ahead.