Did you know that one of the fundamental missions of the windshield is the correct operation of the airbag? And what prevents the roof from collapsing in the event of a rollover? They are only two of the functions that the windshield meets in automobiles.
When a windshield falls off the car after an accident, the occupants have up to 40% more risk of dying. This was stated by the technical director of Car glass worldwide during the First Conference on Technology and Road Safety held in Madrid. Words that lead us to insist on the importance of a correct installation of the windshield.
The windshield serves as a shield to prevent the entry of external elements that could cause series injuries, insect talk, sand, rocks, rain, hail … And at the same time prevents the occupants from being thrown out of the vehicle through the gap that would leave a windshield improperly installed. It is clear that it protects us, and a lot.
But beyond this role as a shield, the windshield fulfills key functions in the correct operation of the airbag, in the structural resistance of the body and as a support for the installation of cameras and sensors of the assistance systems for driving.
Without a windshield, the airbag does not work
There are two elements that the airbag needs so that it can protect the occupants and save lives. One of them is the safety belt and the other is the windshield. And this why? Simply because it is the main point of support on which the airbag will affect to save the life of the passenger. If the windshield is not properly installed, the chances of it falling off in the event of an accident are greater and will cause the airbag to exit through that space, leaving the passenger without the protection for which it was designed.
With a good windshield, the roof does not sink
The windshield provides up to 30% of the structural strength of the vehicle. This means that it will avoid the deformation and collapse of the roof on the front of the passenger compartment – where the pressure is usually higher – in the event of a frontal collision or rollover.
New windshield? Do not forget about the calibration
What new vehicle today leaves a dealership without equipping some of the many driving assistance systems that are already commercialized? These systems are also known by the acronym ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and work thanks to cameras and sensors that are usually installed on the windshield.
And here we find another reason why the windshield must be properly installed. Normally these sensors and cameras are usually placed on the top of the windshield for several reasons: it is a safe place away from shock and impact, has better visibility from that position and the action of the brushes keeps them clean.
But what happens if after a maintenance operation, change or replacement of the windshield, these sensors and cameras are not calibrated as delivered by the manufacturer? They will not be able to detect the lines that delimit the lanes of the road or they will not be able to detect the proximity of an obstacle, among other things.
Choose a quality windshield
But not only a good installation depends on our safety, it is also important that the windshield we are going to install in our car is of quality and complies with the homologations. 90% of a driver’s reaction depends on vision. When you get behind the wheel, check that the glass is clean so nothing obscures your visibility. And if you have a blow or break, do not hesitate to repair it beforehand to prevent it from spreading all over the windshield and the consequences are worse.
It is clear that the windshield is an essential element in any vehicle and that, in the case of a repair or replacement, you will always have to leave it in good hands. We must be very rigorous respecting the times of application and drying, to ensure that the vehicle recovers 100% of its structural rigidity and that, whatever happens, the windshield remains in place.