You're driving along like usual and everything seems fine. Then, disaster strikes. A pebble, rock or other debris comes out of nowhere and strikes your windshield, leaving a crack in its wake. Now, you're going to have to find time to get your vehicle to a windshield replacement and repair shop before the crack gets even worse. In the meantime, here are three things you should (or should not) be doing to help ensure that the crack does not spread.

Turn Off the A/C and Defroster 

Temperature changes can cause the crack in your auto glass to spread. This means it's a bad idea to start blasting your air conditioner on a hot day and it's probably even worse to blast your defroster directly onto the windshield during the winter. Keep both turned off as much as possible. Park your car in the garage if possible if it's icy outside or just get used to (gently) using your ice scraper to remove frost from the windshield.

Tape to the Rescue

If you want to give the windshield crack some extra protection, you don't need anything fancy or expensive. A piece of clear tape over the crack will do the trick. The idea is that you want to prevent air, water and other substances from getting into the crack, which could cause it to either spread or make the windshield repair job more difficult. Just make sure you position the tape in a way that does not obstruct your view of the road.

Take the Main Road, Not the Scenic Route

You definitely don't want to take the road less traveled with a cracked windshield. Any sudden bumps in the road from a pothole or other problem could cause a problem. Stick to the main highways and try and be even more cautious than usual about what is coming up on the road ahead. Avoid speed bumps and anything else that can jar the car, including slamming the doors shut.

A windshield crack is annoying but it's not the end of the world if you take steps to keep it under control. Limit your air conditioning and defroster use, protect the crack with a clear piece of tape and avoid suddenly jarring the car and you should be in good shape until you have time to get it fixed. If you notice that the crack is starting to spread or worsen, make an emergency appointment at a repair shop that specializes in windshield replacement. Visit www.autoglassrepairandreplace.com/ to learn more.