Cold Temperatures Crack Windshield?

[Mosnowman]

So I have no noticeable chips in my windshield, and also have a deflector installed. I go out to the garage this morning after 20 degree temperatures last night. I get in and have a foot long crack starting at the very top of the windshield and going straight down/slight angle. So my question is, I have read the threads about chipping Bronco windshields, but this one is new to me. Thoughts?

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[Beach_Bum]

It happens. Doesn't matter if there were no "apparent" chips. The glass could have been stressed by an object that didn't leave a chip/crack. When the cold hit, the result is the crack.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I won't pretend to know what caused it, but that sucks.

 

[HighVelocity]

Like aging hookers, most flat-fronted vehicles suffer from a crack addiction.

 

[Fordified1]

So I have no noticeable chips in my windshield, and also have a deflector installed. I go out to the garage this morning after 20 degree temperatures last night. I get in and have a foot long crack starting at the very top of the windshield and going straight down/slight angle. So my question is, I have read the threads about chipping Bronco windshields, but this one is new to me. Thoughts?

That sucks. Probably was a tiny chip you didn’t notice or could have been a flaw or chip on the very edge of the windshield that caused a stress riser that wasn’t visible. Or the contour of the glass didn’t fit the windshield frame perfectly and the added stress of thermal expansion and shrinkage broke it.

 

[Scoop]

Run a sharp pencil along the crack. You will feel a small chip even if you cant see it if the crack is from a chip. Without a chip that started the crack it will feel smooth the entire crack. Chances are you will find a chip.

The low temps are certainly a factor in the crack whether from a small chip or no chip.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

So I have no noticeable chips in my windshield, and also have a deflector installed. I go out to the garage this morning after 20 degree temperatures last night. I get in and have a foot long crack starting at the very top of the windshield and going straight down/slight angle. So my question is, I have read the threads about chipping Bronco windshields, but this one is new to me. Thoughts?

In my case, It was a chip from months earlier, in the summer.
I never really noticed it as it was very low in the "not visible from the inside area".
First really cold day, started the Bronco for warm up/defrost and came out some time later and saw the crack spanning across 3/4 of the windshield.

I went to a locally owned "independent" glass shop I've used in the past. No web site kind of place.
Pricing was OK-ish, cheaper than the brand name shops but not by a ton, service was fantastic.
I've read about too many bad experiences with the brand name shops.

 

[JVS6124]

So I have no noticeable chips in my windshield, and also have a deflector installed. I go out to the garage this morning after 20 degree temperatures last night. I get in and have a foot long crack starting at the very top of the windshield and going straight down/slight angle. So my question is, I have read the threads about chipping Bronco windshields, but this one is new to me. Thoughts?

That’s horrible. Also on that note be gentle when you use a snowbrush or ice scraper on your windshield they tend to cause cracks in very cold weather

 

[BRKOBILLY2]

So I have no noticeable chips in my windshield, and also have a deflector installed. I go out to the garage this morning after 20 degree temperatures last night. I get in and have a foot long crack starting at the very top of the windshield and going straight down/slight angle. So my question is, I have read the threads about chipping Bronco windshields, but this one is new to me. Thoughts?

I am shocked to not see more crack issues. I was driving to mountain to go snowboarding and frozen 9 degree and trying to warm wipers with max defrost..... crack. My son said dad what is that line across the windshield? Just crazy and Ford tells me only insurance to replace. I had no chips or any stress on glass. Just cracked from drivers side full across to passenger A Pillar.

 

[JVS6124]

Not a scientific answer but myself being the king of cracked windshields, I learned to never put the defroster on first before vehicle heat in freezing temps or use snow brush to hard. I start to warm the interior first after two temp bars appear and gradually start to include defroster and so far so good! Hope it helps you going forward, Joe.

 

[Wallyworld Ranger 269]

Been there and got the receipt. Barely perceptible rock chip in August turned in to full on a pillar to a pillar crack during the first cold day/snowstorm. $500 deductible out of pocket for a new factory windshield on new years Eve. The boss lady hit me with a snarky “of course you buy a truck that’s gonna need a new windshield every 14 months”

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