It’s generally not a good idea to run a car with a cracked windshield through an automated car wash, especially if the damage is more than a tiny chip or hairline crack. While the glass usually will not fail outright, the wash process can make existing damage worse, sometimes suddenly.
How a Cracked Windshield Reacts to Carwash Pressure
Most modern washes rely on strong water jets and moving equipment to strip away dirt. When that focused pressure hits a cracked windshield, it can concentrate stress along the fracture line and encourage it to spread. High‑pressure nozzles, rotating brushes, and the conveyor's vibration all add small shocks that the damaged glass must absorb, which it cannot do as safely as intact laminated glass. In an automated car wash, those forces arrive quickly and repeatedly, which means a small flaw can turn into a long-running crack in just one cycle.
Thermal Stress: Temperature Swings Can Worsen Cracks
Windshield glass expands when heated and contracts when cooled, and cracks disrupt the distribution of those stresses. Rapid temperature swings—like going from a hot parking lot into cool rinse water, or from a cold morning into a warm wash bay—can cause the edges of a cracked windshield to move at slightly different rates. That temperature mismatch can make the crack “run” farther across the glass or branch in new directions. If the wash uses heated water or a hot-air dryer, the glass may be subjected to several temperature changes in just a few minutes, amplifying thermal stress inside an automated car wash.
Hidden Damage from Water and Chemicals
Windshields are laminated: two layers of glass bonded to a plastic interlayer. When a windshield is cracked, water and detergents can seep into the damaged area. Over time, trapped moisture can weaken the bond between glass and the inner layer, leaving the windshield more vulnerable to impacts and flexing. Detergents and cleaners used in an automated car wash can also leave hard-to-remove residues in the crack, which may complicate future repairs. Even if the glass does not fail immediately, each wash can quietly undermine its structural strength.
When a Hand Wash Is the Safer Choice
If you notice a cracked windshield, a gentler approach is much safer until you repair or replace the glass. A controlled hand wash lets you:
- Avoid direct spray on the damaged area
- Skip harsh brushes and rollers.
- Stop immediately if you see the crack spreading.
By keeping the cracked windshield out of the most intense spray and avoiding sudden temperature changes, you significantly reduce the risk of sudden failure. That’s why it’s imperative to get the windshield replaced or the crack fixed as early as possible to avoid further damage.
Weighing Convenience Against Safety Risks
For many drivers, the main appeal of an automated car wash is speed and convenience. But with a cracked windshield, that convenience comes with added risk: worsening damage, reduced visibility, and the possibility of needing a full replacement sooner than necessary. If the crack is large, near the edge, or in your line of sight, it is wiser to choose hand washing or delay washing until a professional fixes the glass. In the long run, protecting your windshield's integrity will do more for your safety—and your wallet—than any quick trip through an automated car wash.
After Getting Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced, Keep Your Car Looking Its Best
When your schedule is packed, and your vehicle is overdue for a wash, it’s tempting to shrug off a crack in the glass and just get it done. But your windshield is a major safety feature, and treating it that way protects both you and everyone riding with you. Once your glass has been repaired or replaced, you can get back to regular washes with confidence—without worrying that pressure, heat, or chemicals might make a bad crack worse.
In the meantime, you still deserve a clean, great‑looking car. If you're driving with a damaged windshield today, consider holding off on the automated car wash and opt for a gentle self-service wash in one of our convenient wash stalls until the glass can get fixed. Then, when your windshield has been repaired or replaced, Hurricane Car Wash's automated car wash can pick up where you left off.
Whether you commute every day, run weekend errands, or shuttle kids and grandkids around town, you’ll find a convenient Hurricane Car Wash location nearby. Bring your car to any of our three locations—in Carthage and Webb City, Missouri—and let our team and equipment do the heavy lifting so you can enjoy a sparkling-clean ride without the stress.