How long before a windscreen crack gets dangerous?

[NormalWisdom]

Had a small chip in my windscreen for over a year now, about 4 inches from the bottom and well out of view.

I am currently in Germany and we had a lot of snow yesterday and today and the chip took umbrage and is now a 2ft crack (not got to the sides yet).

When it does get to the sides (will actually probably become a rather large Inverted U) how long may it last (piece of string??).

Would prefer to get it fixed in the UK when back in 6 weeks or so but if needs must may have to do an emergency here and it being an Impreza probably wont be cheap!!

Thanks - NW

[skyrover]

how long is a piece of string?

In Americaland I spotted many cars running about with cracked windshields and I know of at least one which has been running for years.

[steveo3002]

screen wont cave in or shatter etc , fine to wait until you are home as long as its not bothering your view of the road

[Superhoop]

Not sure about Germany, but in the UK the police will stop you for having a cracked screen

[SystemParanoia]

MOT time

seriously.. whens the last time to saw an actual police car on the roads

[HustleRussell]

Isn't a safety issue, really. Not until it affects your visability anyway.

[NormalWisdom]

Thanks guys, doesn't affect visibility as the crack is in the line between my eyes and the front of the bonnet (pretty low down). I'll see how it goes.

[Bluebarge]

HustleRussell said:

Isn't a safety issue, really. Not until it affects your visability anyway.

I thought windscreens were structural ?(although I may have been brainwashed by annoying radio ads for winsdcreen repair bods).

If so, I would avoid potholes if possible

[NormalWisdom]

Bluebarge said:

I thought windscreens were structural ?(although I may have been brainwashed by annoying radio ads for winsdcreen repair bods).

If so, I would avoid potholes if possible

That was actually my primary concern - Hmmmmm, what to do?

[crossy67]

Bonded screens are structural but a crack that has a minuscule amount of movement in it will have no affect at all on the integrity of your car. The inner layer will still be intact. Laminated screens can crack from ise to side, top to bottom or any combination, they will never shatter.

[igiveup]

From police999.com forum

"It's an offence to use the vehicle in a defective condition. The offence is failing to maintain glass, which is a non endorseable offence. If the crack is particularly bad then it could be pushed to a dangerous condition offence, attracting a larger fine and points on your licence.
If stopped, the most likely way you will be dealt with is by way of the vehicle defect rectification scheme. This is a voluntary scheme and you do not have to accept or abide by the rules of the scheme, however, it is a way of avoiding prosecution"

"Reg 30 Road Vehicles, Con and Use Regs 1986.
All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver whilst the vehicle is being used on a road."

Source http://www.police999.com/forum/index.php?topic=427...

[bigkeeko]

From police999.com forum

"We`re out to get you sonny Jim"


Source;

The Old Bill

Edited by bigkeeko on Monday 27th January 19:13

[Stick Legs]

I had one about 3" long at the base of the windscreen on my Range Rover for about 3 months until I went into a carwash on a hot day & it cracked all the way to the top with an awesome creaking noise!

The wife's old car, Volvo S40 2007 had a chip on the passenger side which went through 4 MOT's and never did "turn into a crack" as an annoying scouser keeps telling us it will!

[DJRC]

I ran the slk through 2 swiss winters with a cracked screen...the last yr it was cracked from one side to the other. I then drove it home across Europe. Its absolutely fine.

[NormalWisdom]

DJRC said:

I ran the slk through 2 swiss winters with a cracked screen...the last yr it was cracked from one side to the other. I then drove it home across Europe. Its absolutely fine.

Looks like I'll go for the gamble - It was the snow this morning that did it!!

[HustleRussell]

Bluebarge said:

HustleRussell said:

Isn't a safety issue, really. Not until it affects your visability anyway.

I thought windscreens were structural ?(although I may have been brainwashed by annoying radio ads for winsdcreen repair bods).

If so, I would avoid potholes if possible

Yep, bonded windscreens do contribute to the stiffness of the shell. There's no actual direct risk from the windscreen itself though- it isn't going to shatter/cave in/fall out.