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Winter conditions and windshield damage. Prevention is better than cure.
Most classic cars will undoubtedly be under cover during this period. Winter weather makes driving much more difficult, and the combination of snow, rain, icy conditions, and salt is not recommended for today's older drivers. But when classic cars are brought into the winter air, it's worth highlighting the risks of windshield damage. The first month is typically the coldest of all. And when it freezes, the risk of windshield damage is even greater. Why is this, and how can you prevent it? And what do you do with a chip in the windshield? We assume, of course, that you are familiar with the risks and advice. But we'd like to highlight the topic again.
Differences in temperature
On average, January is the coldest month of the year in the Netherlands. The average temperature in the first month of the year is 3,4 degrees Celsius. February, at 3,9 degrees Celsius, is the second coldest month. December completes the top three with an average temperature of 4,2 degrees Celsius. Winter conditions increase the risk of windshield damage. The combination of frozen car windows and running heaters can pose a risk. The tension on the glass increases due to the temperature difference. Excessive tension can even cause windshield damage. A practical and simple solution is to place an antifreeze blanket on the windshield. Firstly, this eliminates the need to use the ice scraper to clear the windshield. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of damage.
Unsafe
Recent research by Independer shows that windshield damage is one of the most frequently claimed damages. Last year, it accounted for almost 20 percent of all claims. Only a collision with another vehicle was more common, accounting for almost fifty percent of all claims. Furthermore, it appears that a growing number of drivers are driving with a chip or crack in their windshield. This is unsafe. With a low sun, rain, or oncoming traffic in the dark, this can lead to reduced visibility. And a suddenly shattered windshield can, of course, also cause personal injury. Of course, this is an obvious conclusion, but it's worth mentioning.
Fines
It's not just from a safety perspective that it's important to limit the damage or have it repaired. Lady Justice is also unhappy about windshield damage. Driving with (field of vision) damage to the windshield can result in a fine. The number of fines issued for this increased by 75 percent in two years. In 2022, the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) registered 232 fines for driving with a damaged windshield or windshield; in 2023, that number rose to 388, and in 2024, to 404.
Repair as soon as possible
It's well known that a chip is never entirely harmless. Especially with a non-laminated windshield, a chip can quickly lead to a larger crack or break. It's advisable to have the chip or minor damage repaired as soon as possible; insurance often covers it. It's important to check this carefully. A broken window can also cause technical headaches when replacing it. Especially with older classic cars, finding a replacement windshield—in addition to parts availability—can be difficult. This has been mentioned before in these columns, but we'll repeat it again: better safe than sorry. In other words: prevention is better than cure.
There's not much you can do about windshield damage (stone chips and such), other than simply not driving. In a VW Polo I drove 20 years ago, two stones decided to land against the windshield within a week. The windshield was shattered. I was driving and, in both cases, I saw out of the corner of my eye the stone flying from the opposite lane, after which both hit the windshield with a deafening bang. Not driving would have prevented that. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To prevent windshield scraping damage, there's really only one thing you can do: don't scrape. It sounds trivial, but it's the dirt clinging to the windshield that the scraper uses as sandpaper and a scratch pad. Erik already mentioned putting something over the windshield beforehand so you don't even have to scrape. I personally turn on an electric heater in the driveway before driving so all the ice melts and I can clean the windshield with the squeegee. Our current, more modern car also has a factory-installed windshield heater. If there's one thing they should make mandatory, it's that (!!). Run the engine with the heater on for a minute or two (which is a good thing in freezing temperatures and with a downsizer), and the ice will have melted or come loose from the windshield and can be wiped away with the wiper. However, I want to avoid scraping at all costs, because if you put something on the windshield, it will eventually become dangerously blinding due to all the scratches. In my previous Golf I diesel, I had to replace the windshield for precisely that reason.
Is driving with damaged windows illegal? Did it happen for years during the financial crisis, then? However, with a truck, the cracks ran from left to right, provided they weren't in the driver's field of vision. Did these vehicles pass their MOT, or is this only allowed for trucks?
There is indeed a fair amount of nonsense in the piece.
If the window passes the MOT, you cannot be fined for it.
Single cracks are permitted within the field of vision, branches are prohibited within the field of vision, branches are permitted outside the field of vision.
There are no stars in non-laminated glass, they are glass crumbs, as tempered glass shatters immediately.
That in addition to the things that should be common sense in my opinion.
My criteria when purchasing a classic car have always been: a classic windshield that can be pulled in with a cord and a windshield mirror that hangs securely from the ceiling and is not glued to the windshield.
If you're in doubt between, for example, a Saab 900 Classic or a Saab 900 NG, a bonded windshield on the newer model will cost 4 to 5 times more than the old one.
The same goes for the choice between a Peugeot 205 (thick rubber) and 206 (glued)
The much older classic cars have windshield rubbers that are easy to reproduce or find, which is a lot more difficult for the more complex rubbers from the 70s and 80s.
A flying stone doesn't wonder whether it should land on an expensive or a cheap window 😉