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Cracked Windshield Repair

There are several reasons for not replacing the windshields. Little do they realize the risk they’re putting themselves and their families in by not having cracked windshield repair el cajon.

Excuses vary. Some say their insurance has a deductible that they currently can’t afford. Some say the crack doesn’t obstruct their view, while others say they just don’t see the necessity if it’s not shattered. It’s hard not to roll my eyes at all these answers. The purpose of this article is to tell you why it’s so important to have a good windshield on your vehicle and to give you some tips.

The Purpose of Your Windshield

Believe it or not, front windshields serve a much bigger purpose than just allowing you to see outside of the car when you’re driving. They also protect you from the rain, snow and other elements of weather. More importantly, however, are the safety features provided by your car’s windshield such as the 3 bullet points below.

It Acts As A Shield For Air Bags – Cheap, low-quality glass is more likely to crack or pop out, which can cause incorrect deployment or improper inflation of your air bags.
It Prevents The Roof From Collapsing – Many people don’t realize that the windshield of the car provides from 30% to 60% of the car’s structural strength. In a roll-over crash, a cheap windshield can cause your roof to collapse, which can be life-threatening to you and your passengers.
It Helps Prevent Ejection of Passengers in a Crash – Your windshield can also keep you from being thrown from your vehicle in the case of a collision. With the exception of seat belts, the windshield provides the most safety from being thrown from your vehicle. These are some of the many reasons why OEM glass is required by car manufacturers.

Safety Comes First

Purchasing auto glass for any part of your vehicle is more than just opening the phone book and choosing the first provider with the cheapest price. Safety should always be the #1 concern when we’re driving. Here are four safety questions you should ask windshield replacement service providers before you choose which one to use.

How Qualified are the Technicians Replacing Your Windshield?

While windshield replacement service providers, also referred to as auto glass technicians, are not required to be licensed, they should be highly trained, experienced and knowledgeable of the whole process. With so many makes and models of vehicles around today all having different types and shapes of auto glass, windshield installation and replacement can be complicated. Ask your auto glass technician to provide proof they are certified. Do some research before hiring someone to do the job. Are they reputable? Will they take care of insurance paperwork for you? Check credentials while comparing costs!

What Type of Glass & Adhesive Do They Use?

If your auto glass technician states he can get you a windshield cheaper than average, you should definitely question what type of glass is being used. Is it OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass? OEM glass is safer, sturdier and less prone to cracking. If you’ve gone so far as to require OEM glass, you will want to ask if they are using OEM adhesives as well. Low-quality adhesives do not work as well in wet or cold climates and take much longer to dry or cure. This can be a real problem if the car is used too soon after installation. In other words, the windshield may leak with the slightest impact if you start driving around before the urethane has time to dry.

How Soon Can You Drive Your Car After Installation?

With the busy lives we all lead today, we seldom have the time to sit at a garage waiting for a new windshield to be installed. Auto glass providers often come to our home or place of business and do the work while we do our work. This is extremely convenient, but can be dangerous if we’re unknowingly driving the car before it’s ready. The glass and urethane need time to properly cure to the car in order to prevent future problems. This is known as “safe drive away time” and is listed on each bottle of urethane. Question your windshield replacement service provider on this safety issue, as well as if there are any precautions that should be taken a couple days after installation.

What Type of Warranty Do They Provide?

If you’re like many others who have waited almost forever to finally replace your windshield, you’re going to want to make sure it last and, if it doesn’t, that they’ll replace it free. If you’re offered anything less than at least a 1-year warranty, question the type of glass that’s being used. Some companies may offer a lifetime warranty. If this is offered, you can almost assume they’re using high-quality OEM glass.

Windshield – Replacement or Repair?

As much as you may want to put off spending money on your damaged windshield, it’s very possible you may only need a repair. A good rule of thumb is that if the crack is at least as long as a dollar bill, it should be replaced. Even if it’s shorter than a dollar bill, it should be replaced if it extends to the edge of the glass. If the chip or crack is smaller than a dollar bill and it’s not extended to the edge of the glass, it may be able to be safely repaired. Additionally, if the crack is in your line of vision, it needs to be replaced.

While all the glass on your car is important, the front windshield is most important in terms of having it fixed when it’s damaged. Something to consider, insurance companies often will pay to have a windshield repaired because it may prevent a larger expense if it shatters completely. Also, some insurance companies require a deductible be paid for replacements, while others may waive the deductible. Contacting your insurance company could save you money! That being said, the main concern here is safety and hiring a certified technician will ensure the job is done correctly whether you’re saving money through your insurance or not.

What To Do When Windshields Fog Up

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What can you do when your windshields fog up after starting to drive? Why does this happen and what can you do about it? There are a variety of reasons why your windshield would fog including humidity, heat, and condensation.

Humidity

Humidity causes a buildup in water that turns into water vapor. You breathe the humid air. This air comes out from inside your body or off of it. Windshield fogging tends to be more of a problem when there is more than one person in the car since there is more breathing.

Heat

Temperature is actually molecules moving. More moisture is held with warm air than cold. However, this isn’t a chemical reaction. The molecules aren’t holding on to water molecules. More water becomes gas when it’s warmer than it does a liquid. And, there’s more space between each molecule with warm air therefore, the water molecules can fit into this space.

Condensation

Moist, warm air condensing when it hits your car’s colder windshield causes condensation. This usually happens in the early morning. This is also why on humid, warm days when you have your car air conditioner running you’ll see condensation form at the windshield’s base where it meets the cool air.

When there’s 100 percent relative humidity, if the temperature decreases more, the water needs to find its way out someplace. On a morning that’s cool outside when there’s fog or dew on the ground, that’s because the moist, warm air contacts the cold ground.

How to Clear Away the Fog on your Windshield

You can clear fog in many ways. And although there’s no special way of doing it that works best each time, the two that are more likely to work better are as follows.

Put your defroster on a high setting.
Set the temperature to hot.
Turn off the recirculation setting.
Turn on the air conditioner.
Crack your windows.

Dry the Air Out

Your best option is to run your air conditioner, depending on your comfort level. This method works well when the outside temperatures are above freezing and damp, wet humans getting into the car causes the fog. While cold is best when running your A/C, you can still run the air at a warmer temperature and get rid of the fog.

Evaporate the Water Vapor

For an easy and fast fix, turn the heat on and run it through your defrosters. This causes the condensation to evaporate kind of like the moisture on your clothes evaporating when you turn the clothes dryer on. This method works better when there are colder temperatures and you are catching the fog buildup early.

When your windshield is extremely foggy, you can use a small squeegee or dry cloth to clear up the fog quickly and then turn on the cold A/C. Slowly increase the air’s temperature if you find the A/C is too cold for you until you dry out the air inside your car.

Keep in mind that when you’re drying air that’s inside your vehicle, you need to pull in the outdoors air rather than simply circulating inside air. These days, most defrosters already do this.

Now, that you know what to do when your car windshield fogs, do you know what to do if your windshield has a chip or a crack? Call 7 Star Auto Glass today!

Damaged Windshield San Diego

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Every car eventually will suffer a cracked, chipped, or damaged windshield. Depending on the severity, it isn’t safe to drive. If the damage is in the line of sight, it will be a distraction for the driver putting him and other passengers in danger. At 7 Stars Auto Glass San Diego, we will beat any price and offer a warranty. We also have a mobile repair option where we come to you.

You can schedule an appointment at your convenience.

A trained technician will evaluate the damage and do the repairs. The main things is to evaluate whether a repair can be done or a full windshield replacement. Dings and chips can be filled usually. If cracks are caught soon enough, they may be repaired instead of a full windshield replacement. Therefore, it is important even to have the smallest chip repairs promptly before it turns into a large crack. This can happen at any time but especially if you go over a bump.

At the shop or on the road

For your convenience, you can choose to drop your car off at our shop or have us come to you at your home or office. Mobile repair is convenient as you can go on about your day while we are working to make your vehicle safe. Either way, we will give you the best service.

No matter if it’s a chip or crack, a windshield repair or a full windshield replacement, we at 7 Stars Auto Glass in San Diego will give you the best advice on what to do next.

At 7 Star Auto Glass San Diego, we are your source for high quality auto glass in San Diego, California. We have been in the auto glass repair and windshield replacement business for over 20 years. We provide quality windshield repair and auto glass replacement services wherever you are and whenever you need it. We carry a large inventory of windshields and windows. We use only original parts. To date, we remain one of the largest independent retail glass shops in the United States. We service all types of vehicles including domestic and foreign as well as semis, trucks and RVs. Our reputation is the highest not just for windshield service but also for any other types of glass needs including power windows, mirrors, sun roofs, and side glass. Other services include in-house tinting at discounted prices!

Auto Glass Damage

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Not every car glass repair is done the same. Why? Because not all car glass damages are the same. Every damage is unique. They come in different shapes and sizes. Some are more dangerous than others. Some barely affect the glass. So, these damages must not always be treated the same.

Types of Auto Glass Damages

There are many types of windshield damages, including chips, cracks, scratches, and more. These damages dictate whether you need a repair or a replacement. A few damages to consider:

If the damage is within the driver’s line of vision
Is larger than a quarter
There are multiple chips in the windshield
The damage extends through more than one layer of the windshield
The inside layer of the windshield is chipped or cracked
If the spot of the damage is crushed
Depending on the above damages, an auto glass technician will recommend the best repair or replacement option for you.

Damage in Respect to the Driver’s Line of Vision

When the driver is in the car, does the damage affect his driving? For instance, is the chip or crack in the driver’s line of sight? If so, then a windshield repair is probably out of the question. A car glass repair, even if the damage is small, will still leave behind a mark that will blur the driver’s visibility. In that case, a windshield replacement is the only option possible. It will ensure that the entire glass is removed and a new one installed to guarantee that the driver can see the road without anything in the way.

The Size of the Damage

The size of the damage should also be taken into consideration. If the damage is bigger than a dollar bill, then car glass replacement is necessary. A damage that big makes a car glass repair too difficult. On the other hand, if the damage is smaller or is as big as a dollar bill, things change.

Location of the Damage

Another way to see if the damaged windshield needs a repaired or a replacement is to figure out the location of the damage. Other than the chip or crack being in the line of sight of the driver, if the damage is in the corner of the windshield, that is an indication that the entire glass needs a replacement. The reason for this is the fact that a damage in the corner can cause the windshield to break or shatter. Thus, a windshield repair for this issue is not an option.

These factors shape the type of car glass repair you will need. A car glass repair is always as unique as the damage. Knowing what kind of damage your car glass has will help you determine how the repair will be done. Call Car Glass Repair El Cajon for your repair or replacement.

Preventing Windshield Damage

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Taking a good care of your car does more than keep it pretty. In fact, washing your car preserves its value. A great example of that is your auto glass. By washing it, you can prevent windshield and window issues, like scratches and even chips in the glass. And preventing such damages can help you dodge getting an auto glass replacement San Diego.

Why Is Cleaning the Glass Important?

Clean glass not only helps clear your driving visibility, but it also protects the glass from damage. For instance, friction caused by the contact between dirt and the glass can ruin the windshield and windows, making you get an auto glass replacement San Diego. In the end, all this dirt and scratching will weaken the windshield and windows, leaving them vulnerable to getting chips and cracks and easily getting shattered. Additionally, having a dirty auto glass also means that your wiper blades are dirty, and this increases the chance of the glass getting damaged. Therefore, maintaining auto glass by cleaning it is crucial!

How to Properly Clean Auto Glass

To prevent an auto glass replacement San Diego, you must properly and effectively clean your auto glass. You can do so by following these simple steps:

If you have dusty or sandy windows and windshield, you should remove the dirt using a damp microfiber cloth. Wipe the glass only with a microfiber cloth, since it is soft and gentle on car glass, meaning that it will not scratch the glass.
If you have bird droppings, it is vital to remove them manually. People tend to use their windshield wipers when on the go to remove these droppings; though, doing so can dirty the wipers and damage the windshield by scratching it. Instead, soak your microfiber cloth with club soda and use it to wipe away bird droppings. Club soda makes this type of cleaning easy. Once the bird droppings come out, wash your auto glass with water and dry it off properly using a dry microfiber cloth.
You should clean your windshield wipers regularly to prevent getting an auto glass replacement San Diego. It is recommended to clean the glass at least once a week. You can do so by going to a nearby gas station and using their free windshield cleaning tools. Pay special attention to the surface underneath the windshield wipers, since that area hides a lot of dirt. You can also rinse off the wipers with water to get rid of any trapped dirt.

A Few Extra Tips to Go By

Although washing auto glass is a must, there are other things you should also do for your car, such as the following:

Be sure to replace old windshield wipers when the rubber starts to crack and when you hear screeching against the glass. In most cases, your wiper blades need to be replaced every six months or so.
Frequently refill your windshield washer fluid, as you might need it to clean the glass at some point while you are driving.

Washing your windshield and windows can help you avoid an auto glass replacement San Diego. By maintaining your car, you cannot go wrong.

Seat Belts for Safety

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Car safety is important. Motor vehicle deaths are the major cause of death in the first three decades of an American’s life. By wearing seat belts and buckling children into age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats, people can reduce the risk of serious injury and death by half. Most drivers do follow the safety measures but there are still millions who don’t. This is a primary enforcement for seat belt violations, which means that a driver can be pulled over and sited just for not wearing a seat belt.

Certain strategies have been put in place to TRY to increase seat belt use.

Laws have allowed officers to stop and ticket someone for not buckling up. Some states only allow officers to give tickets when they have pulled the driver over for something else.
Increased penalties can be given resulting in higher fines or points on a driver’s license.
High-visibility enforcement – Combining law enforcement and media coverage is effective for reaching people who don’t use seat belts regularly such as men, teens, and young adults.
Programs are conducted at night to target people when seat belt use is the lowest and crashes are the highest.

Certain strategies can increase car seat and booster seat use

Child restraint laws require children riding in a car to use approved devices appropriate for their age.
Effective programs can help advertise car seat and seat belt use.
Distribution of car seats through giveaways or low cost rentals.
Incentive programs with coupons or prizes reward parents for correctly using car seats.

Some facts:

Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat beltsreduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.
Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash.
People not wearinga seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.

Seat belts protect people from needless death and injury. People are in a hurry, distracted, and simply forget. Many people don’t wear their seat belts, and thousands die as a result. BE SAFE AND BUCKLE UP!

For car safety and windshield repair, please call 7 Star Auto Glass in San Diego.

Make a Car Care Resolution

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The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions started over 4,000 years with the Babylonians. They wanted to find favor with the gods and start the year off right. While we don’t have that kind of goal, it is still a good practice to review and remind ourselves of what’s important and what we want to improve. Every area of your life can be improved – your fitness, your finances, etc. Did you ever include a car care resolution on that list? Your car is a very important component of your life to keep you and your family safe. Maybe you should as proper car care can help to keep you safe.

Here’s few items to check for your car care resolution:

Tire Pressure – as the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Driving with under inflated tires can be dangerous but on the bright side, it can improve fuel efficiency to have your tires with the proper psi.

Battery – Keep your battery erosion-free. Batteries don’t give warning lights.

Brakes – Have your brakes checked. You don’t have to be reminded on how important it is to have proper brakes.

Oil – Change your oil at regular intervals. Oil is the life blood of your car.

Wiper Blades – Change in temperature can make the rubber on your wiper blades hard and brittle. Torn or cracked blades won’t properly clean your windshield.

Gas tank – Try to have your gas tank at least half full at all times, especially if you live in a colder winter climate. This decreases the chance of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

Headlights – Replace before burnout when possible. The problem is – most drivers don’t know their headlight is out. Driving with a burned out headlight on a dark road poses a risk to both the driver and others.

Spare Tire – Be sure you have your spare tire on your vehicle and not laying in the garage.

Emergency Kit – Try to carry an emergency kit which includes jumper cables, flash light, basic tools, first aid kit, and water supplies – all things to help you survive until help comes to get you back on the road.

Mobile phone – Be sure you have your mobile phone fully charged or carry a back-up battery.

Car Wash – Have your car washed or wash it yourself at least once a month.

Once you follow this list, you will be happier and your car will, too.

What To Do After Windshield Replacement

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After you get a new windshield installed, you want it to perform well. Here are tips what to do and what not to do in the days following a windshield replacement.

Inspect the Install

Closely examine the installation. Look for gaps in the seal around your windshield. Make sure the gasket is correctly installed. Take your car for a test drive to listen for any air noise around the install.

Get Your Warranty Paperwork

Our technicians will provide you a receipt when the installation is complete. Warranty information will be included.

Take it easy

The first 24 hours is crucial for the success of your installation. Auto glass installation is fragile during this period. Try not to slam your doors. It’s a good idea to crack your door windows about 1/4 inch if you can to avoid pressure build-up. The first 24 hours is a good time for the gasket to seat and seal.

Avoid the Car Wash

Some car washes use cleaners or cleaning agents on the car during the first 3 days and those can damage the windshield seal. If the installers used a special tape to preserve the installation, do not remove for 24 hours. However, your installers probably told you that.

Check your Driving Route

As an added precaution, check your route to and from your office or other routes. Chances are, you windshield got damaged because of a random rock or road debris. If this is the case, you may want to take a different route if possible, avoiding construction areas or neighborhoods with road debris.

The first 24 hours might be the most important. By being careful during that time, your windshield will perform like new.

Need a new windshield. Let 7 Stars Auto Glass in San Diego install your new windshield. Our certified technicians will instruct you and the dos and don’ts for the first 24 hours. Call today.

Proper Car Maintenance

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Proper car maintenance of your car can be important for its long life and safe operation. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car and checking the tire pressure is important. Regular care and maintenance are crucial to the safe and reliable performance of your vehicle.

When to check the tire pressure

Many drivers may feel that they don’t have the time or money to address vehicle repairs immediately, but beware that ignoring some repairs can get you pulled over and even ticketed.

“Ignoring certain vehicle repairs may seem to save money in the short term but can lead to extra costs, such as fines or ‘fix-it’ tickets, if these problems are not taken care of when they arise,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In some jurisdictions, car owners may even lose their license for certain violations. A few dollars spent on simple vehicle repairs can help avoid trouble with the law.”

While a vehicle is in operation, traffic laws require that certain equipment is properly installed and functioning correctly, including brakes, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, windshields and safety belts, to name a few.

The Car Care Council recommends that drivers address these repairs right away as they present public safety concerns that can earn drivers a traffic ticket on top of a repair bill.

• Non-functioning turn signals and headlights or taillights that are cracked or broken. Most states require vehicles to have functioning turn signals as well as two functioning headlights and taillights. Taillights must illuminate red; if a taillight is cracked, it can give off a white light, which is also typically a traffic violation.

• Cracked windshield. If a windshield is cracked, discolored or tinted in a way that obstructs vision, drivers may get ticketed and fined. In some states, vehicle modifications, such as tinted windows, are prohibited.

• License plates are unreadable. If the license plate light is out or if the plate is otherwise unreadable, drivers may be pulled over. In some states this includes clear or tinted plastic license plate covers.

• Loud exhaust system. A defective exhaust system that is too loud, either because it has been modified or because it needs repairs, can be cause for a ticket. What is considered loud depends on the state.

Many states also require periodic vehicle safety inspections. For an overview by state, visit https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/safety-inspection/.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org.

Reproduced from the Car Care Council

Car Glass San Diego

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Maintaining your car glass San Diego is something you should do regularly. This way, you can ensure your car is in tiptop shape, runs smoothly, and is safe. Therefore, for a flawless car, you should follow these five vital car care tips:

Cleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

You can prevent sun glares
You can prevent scratches
And you can have a clearer driving visibility

Thus, it is a wise idea to wash your windshield inside and out as often as you can. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have an immaculate, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care tip.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Frequently filling up on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less sun glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. Additionally, this car care tip is great for preserving your car’s value.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under the Heat

A lot of drivers do not know that washing their cars under the heat can leave behind watermarks and stains. Not only is this an unappealing sight, but it is also terrible for your car’s health. Stains can create glares on your windshield as well as leave behind scratches. Similarly, stains can cause your car paint to dull in color. Thus, it is best to wash your car when the sun is not sharp.

Swap Sponges with Microfiber Cloths When Washing Your Car

A lot of drivers wash their cars with a sponge and dry them with a towel. It should be noted that that is a terrible thing to do. Sponges and towels can scratch the paint and glass over there. As a result, it is not a good idea to use them. Instead, swap them with microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This last car care tip is amazing! Clean your car’s headlights with a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This mixture eats away at the hazy dirt blocking the lights. In a few minutes, you will have shiny headlights as if you had just purchased your car.

Maintaining your car is crucial for its safety. With these five amazing car care tips, you will keep your car in tiptop shape and have total comfort.