Glass has been around since the Early Egyptians. Glass has made many things since that time from pottery, windows and windshields. Glass is a huge automotive innovation and a enormous money maker. Automotive glass had been reengineered to accommodate the wear and tear of driving on the road. From rain, snow and blistering heat, windshield glass needs to be stronger and able to handle extreme weather conditions.

The strength of a windshield is important. The windshield has been created to with stand harsh hits pebbles and small rocks can throw at it. However, sometimes you windshield will meet its match and crack your windshield. When this happens, the designers have made the glass in a way where it will not shatter into small pieces and not allow debris to enter through the windshield endangering all who are in it.

One might have noticed how strong windshields can be. If you have ever seen a shattered windshield you understand the strength it has over a regular window in your house. The creation of a windshield starts with the driver and other passengers in mind. It is made stronger and in a way to prepare itself for a crash. The process of making a windshield starts in this order:

1. Mixing the base ingredients:
a. The ingredients that make up glass are mixed with water and broken glass particles to prevent segregation and add strength.

2. Cutting:
a. The glass is cut into diamond shape that makes the glass stronger than regular glass. The glass then is poured into a mold and heated to give the windshields its bow shape.

3. Laminating:
a. The laminating process gives the glass its strength. Two sheets of glass are attached by a layer of plastic that acts as a bond between the two sheets. The sheets are then made into one sheet by a process of heating and pressuring the glass.
b. In the United States and many other countries laminated glass is required for automotives.

4. Assembly:
a. The windshield is now ready for assembly and may have rubber and plastic attachments connected when assembled into a car.

When a windshield becomes damaged people use to have to replace the whole windshield, but this became very expensive. Now a day’s people are more prone to repair their windshield which is a cheaper option. Some insurance agencies actually have windshield repair in their policies. Repairing a windshield can cost up to $50.00 for the first chip then around $15.00 for any additional chips. A crack can be around $150.00 depending on size of the crack. These prices are still cheaper compared to $350.00 to $1,000.00 for a replaced windshield.

Engines by design have a lot of power, this is necessary in that most cars are very heavy. At times, there may be a need to increase the power of an engine, either for racing, heavier payload, or simply owner’s choice. There are a lot of ways to increase the power, one way is by making the engine run more efficiently. This can be done by pressuring more air into the chamber of combustion; this is where a supercharger comes into play. By adding more air, you are able to put more fuel into the engine, which translates directly to a larger explosion in the chamber and added horsepower.
Turbochargers or Superchargers

Any device that pressurizes the air intake and brings it to above atmospheric pressure is considered a supercharger. In essence, a turbo charger and a super charger are the same, what differentiates one from the other is their energy source. A Turbo is energized from the massive flow of exhaust gasses from the turbine; Supercharger is energized mechanically from the chain drive or belt in the engine.

A typical four-stroke engine will dedicate air intake to one stroke in all there are three parts to this endeavor. First, a piston will move down, a vacuum will be created, and then the air at the proper pressure is then pulled into the combustion chamber for the next steps in the process. After the air is brought into the engine, it has to be added to the gas to complete the transformation into combustion. The spark plug housed n the engine is the catalyst for this transformation. Its job is to ignite the charge. The gas then goes through oxidation which releases a large amount of energy. This explosion creates a force which is held above the head of the cylinder and drives it down, this reciprocating motion is carried via conduits to the wheels.

Of course, this process seems simple in words. It would seem that all you need to do is add more gas to make the explosion more powerful and thus the engine more powerful right? Not quite. A specific amount of air is needed to burn each part of gas, exactly 14 parts of air for each part of gas is required for an engine to run properly. If you use more gas, then you have to add more air.

That’s the job of the supercharger. Superchargers increase intake by compressing air above atmospheric pressure, without creating a vacuum. When air is forced inside, then a boost is created, due to the boost of air, more fuel can be put into the charge thus increasing the horsepower exponentially. In the case of turbochargers, the power is drawn from the compressors, but in the case of superchargers, it’s taken from the crankshaft. The shafts are typically run by belts wrapped around a pulley and saddled to the gear drive. While all of this may sound highly complex, and it certainly is, it all happens within the space of milliseconds inside of your engine.

Windshield wipers have been around for many years and were made to help improve what people could see while they were driving a motor vehicle. Windshield wipers used to work with a manual controller that people had to operate themselves, but it was not long before automatic wipers were invented. Many people would argue that operating manual windshield wipers is dangerous, after all it is a distraction that keeps you from being fully aware of what is going on, on the road. Technology has enabled automatic windshield wipers on every vehicle you see today, and they have been specially designed to detect a visibility problem. They are made to clear the glass before debris completely takes drivers visibility away.

Rain Sensing wipers is commonly used to describe a system that has been made to clear any windshield from weather conditions such as rain, hail, or snow, without the driver of the vehicle having to interfere. The system automatically alters the speed and rate of the wipers depending on the weather condition and how slow, or fast it is falling from the sky. This keeps outward visibility possible at all times and can help prevent fatal accidents from occurring. The way the sensors work may seem more complex than it actually is. There is a small, designated area on the outside of the front window that sits opposite the review mirror which is an optical sensor. The sensor projects light at the windshield, although it is not noticeable to the driver, and the light should reflect all of the light back to the sensor, if it doesn’t, then it is usually because there is something in between the glass and sensor, such as rain or snow, and the sensor than knows it needs to clean the windshield with the windshield wipers. The sensor speeds up, or slows down, according to the speed in which the rain or snow is falling. As a precaution, most all vehicles that have censored wipers must activate them every time they wish to use them. This ensures that they will not go off if your windshield is icy, or if you happen to be in a car wash, as if they were to go off in such circumstances, it could damage not only your wipers, but your windshield too. Having censored wipers can be great if you live in places where there is constantly in consist rain and snow, and it helps you keep your focus more on the road and other drivers and less what is going on with your wipers. Because so many accidents occur when a driver is distracted, this can minimize the chances you will be involved in an accident as you only have to activate the wipers once, and after that, they know what to do. The majority of new cars already have censored windshield wipers, but if you vehicle does not; they are not hard to find, or install in your vehicle.

Censored windshield wipers are convenient and as many would argue safer than manual windshield wipers, so if you don’t already have them installed in your vehicle, it is worth your while.

Keeping your vehicle clean is important for safety reasons. Cleaning both the inside and outside of the car is important to do every so often, but one of the most important things to keep clean are you front windshield and your back windshield. Making sure you clean them regularly, and that they are free from any small chips that could eventually become a massive crack in your windshield and result in an accident if you are unable to see properly out f your windshield.

Although you might think the rain and going through a car wash will clean your windshield, this is not always the case. It is easy for small dirt particles and bugs to get stuck on your windshield, and getting them off is not always an easy job. The first thing you want to o when cleaning your windshield is make sure you have all the proper equipment, you will want a soft cloth, bucket, paper towels, or newspapers, and polish and a duster for the end. The first thing to do is wash your windshield with a soft cloth and warm water, it is important you don’t use soap as this could smear the glass and effect your visibility while you are driving your vehicle. Using a soft cloth and warm water to wash your windshield can help get all of the bugs, rocks, and dirt off of your windshield, that the rain or car wash was unable to. Insure that you use a fairly soft cloth, as sponges have the ability to be scratchy, and although this might help get all the particles off that are stuck on your windshield, it may scratch the vehicles glass in the process of it. After you have washed down the windshield with warm water, you can try it off with a dry towel or squidgy. You can purchase a squidgy at any cleaning supply store, and you can often find them with long handles which will make it easier than bending your whole body across the car with a towel. A squidgy may even be better than a towel, as a towel ca leave unwanted cloth particles, but using a squidgy is not essential, and if you don’t have one on hand, but find it is crucial to wash your windows, you can do without one. After you have completely dried your windows it is time to polish them. You can choose the polish of your choice, but using a microfiber rag with the polish is essential and will leave your windshield looking clean, clear, and smudge free. Some people may skip the polish when they are cleaning their windshields, but it is important you do not. Windshield glass polish is made especially for with vehicles in mind, it not only enhances your visibility when you are driving, but there are many special kinds that can help people who have troubles driving at dark. The special kinds of polish can help the glow from others headlights not shine so bright into your eyes at night. Keeping your windshield clean is smart, safe, and something you should do on a regular basis.

Fix-It tickets are minor tickets, usually cheaper than normal tickets, that law enforcements issue for you to correct a tangible or an obvious violation seen in your vehicle. There are varieties of fix-it tickets for different kinds of violations such as a broken signal light, headlight or taillight, missing license plate or cracked windshield, and an illegal window tint. If you are in violation of window tinting laws you would likely be receiving a fix-it ticket which you should settle in a given time period. Failure of resolving your fix-it ticket before the given deadline will render more problems and a higher fine.

How do I handle my Fix-it ticket for window tinting?

In your fix-it ticket there is a written due date and location of the court. This will indicate when and where to settle your ticket. The next step will be pricey since what you need to do is to meet up or schedule an appointment with your trusted tinting shop or company and ask them to remove the tint on your vehicle. You have to bring then your remedied vehicle to your local police station to have it inspected. Remember to bring your driver’s license and your fix-it ticket and request the police officer to sign it off. In some law enforcement stations, they require a minimum amount of fee for them to sign your fix-it ticket. After inspection, the last step is to have your window tinting ticket waived by the courthouse located on your fix-it ticket. Again,the courthouse would require a minimum fee to process your ticket. Some courthouse may force you to be physically present while processing your ticket and some may just permit your mailed fix-it ticket including necessary document for them to work on your ticket.

Receiving a fix-it ticket for window tinting is really an inconvience, isn’t it? Avoiding such circumstances is better.

How to avoid Fix-it ticket for Window tinting?

First, be aware of the acceptable darkness of your window tint. It is the first thing local police officers are looking out for. Keep also in mind that the standard darkness of a car’s window tint varies from one state to another. Your window tint’s mirror-like appearance should also be your concern. Reflectivity standards are a must on almost all states. Another factor is having certain unsuitable colors tinted on your car’s window. Bear in mind that there are defined tint colors applicable for cars. Being creative while not neglecting the rules and regulations isn’t that hard, right?

What if my doctor prescribed me to have a dark window tint?

It’s still an illegal window tint. However, there is an option to avoid having fix-it ticket in such cases. Bringing your physician’s letter signed by him or her indicating that you have this kind of medical or visual condition and compelling you to have such tint and technically removing your window tint during the night would help you avoid fix-it tickets.

When you go to driving school to learn how to drive, the teachers are suppose to give you good and practical advice, so that you can become a good and safe driver. However, when you get on the road, you might run into things that you didn’t expect, and that is why some extra driving tips on how to be a safe driver might be useful.

One of the most important things about driving is to be aware. You don’t always know what other drivers are going to do, and you must be ready for anything. To be fully aware you might consider things such as turning down the radio, not talking on your cell phone, and even making sure that if you have other passengers in the vehicle, they are not being loud, but quiet, so that you can concentrate. Many states and even countries have recognized this problem and have started implanting strict laws about the use of cell phones in the car and how many passengers you are allowed to have. Although some individuals may find this strict, it is the government’s job to keep people safe, and they will do whatever they have to ensure people are. It is also important to be aware of the vehicle that you are driving. Checking that your automobile is going to be safe on the road can save your life! Making sure that things such as your windshield wipers, brakes, and seatbelts are all working properly and also ensuring that you take your vehicle for its emission tests and have proper insurance to drive it when you are on the road are responsible ways to make sure you are taking good care of your vehicle and that it is safe to drive. Following the law is another tip on driving safely. If the speed limit is only twenty-five, than it is twenty-five for a reason. Laws are made to protect people, and there are so many individuals that think they are invincible and won’t crash, but if you are not properly following the rules, than this could happen to you. Being a responsible driver also means looking after you passengers. If you are driving, it is important to make sure there is enough space for everyone in the vehicle, and that everyone has a seatbelt to wear. Don’t take more people than there are seatbelts. Not only could you and your friend be fined for doing this, it could result in fatality if you were to have a bad accident. Planning ahead can also save you stress and help you to drive save and responsibly. People often become distracted if they are trying to look at a map, SATNAV, or street signs, and this is dangerous. Plan your journey ahead of time, and if worst comes to worst, pull to the side of the road to punch things into your SATNAV, or look at a map. Driving is a big responsibly and you should do everything you can to keep both yourself and other drivers safe.

There was a time – and a long one at that – when a crack in your windshield meant that you would have to get a new windshield, no questions asked. Not only does a windshield with even the tiniest bit of structural damage make any car look ugly, but it also compromises the safety of the driver and passengers of the car as visibility is reduced. Worse yet, chips can easily become cracks, and a pothole or a bump in the road – even a speed bump – can cause a crack grow. Ostensibly, replacing a windshield generally was an expensive and time consuming process.

In fairly recent times, windshield repair has become more and more commonplace, and the rule of thumb according to the professionals is that any damage to a windshield that can be covered by a credit card is easily fixable. In fact, these repairs, which generally involve very carefully digging out the loose pieces of glass and filling the crevice with a quick-hardening resin have become easy enough for mobile windshield repair services to offer their services. Such a development is most fortunate, especially since if a rock or a pebble puts a chip or a crack into your windshield, then you can simply pull over to the side of the road and call the repair technician before the crack grows any larger. Within an hour’s time, you can be back on the road with your visibility as top notch as it was before the damage.

A clean windshield benefits an automobile doubly. Not only does it enhance the car’s aesthetic look, but it also enables excellent visibility for the driver, making for the best possible safety.

There are many effective ways to keep your car’s windows clean. Some may prefer ammonia-based window cleaners, but when being used to clean automobile windows, these solutions must be handled very carefully. Not only does ammonia release toxic fumes that are dangerous in such enclosed spaces as the interior of a car, but it will also dry out plastic, rubber vinyl and leather, which can cause damage to the interior of your car. Ammonia-based cleaners should also never be used on tinted windows either, as the ammonia will degrade the colored film applied to the window.

Using plain water can be a safe alternative, but because water is not enough of a solvent to cut through certain protein-based stains, such as insect remains. When cleaning with water, be sure to use a lint-free microfiber glass towel. Lightly dampen the towel with water and use a gentle scrubbing action so the towel will disintegrate the stain. As soon as that is done, switch to a dry side of the towel and buff to remove streaks. Another tool that can come in handy is a glass scrubber, particularly one with a long arm for all those hard-to-reach places like the top of the cab’s windows or the sunroof.

Of course, some stains are so stubborn that even after numerous wet and dry strokes with a microfiber towel, they still will not come all the way off. In that case, visit your local automotive supply store to seek out an ammonia-free glass cleaner for your windshield. Certain recommended brands are Stoner and Detailer’s Pro Series. Plex-All, one formula sold by Detailer’s Pro Series, contains a plastic cleaner, which makes it particularly suitable for tinted windows in that not only is it free of ammonia, but it is non-static and will seal the tint, giving it a streak-free shine.

When you clean your car’s windows, be sure to get the insides as well as the outsides, and to roll down driver’s- and passenger’s-side windows enough so that you can clean the edges of the glass there as well. Regardless of what method you decide to use, remember that from time to time it may take more than one cleaning to give your windows an immaculate shine. That being said, using an ammonia-free glass cleaner to remove stubborn stains followed by a wipe-down with plain water and a microfiber glass towel to eradicate the residue will most certainly get the job done.

Automobile window glass has long posed a problem for recyclers. Originating from the windows and sunroofs, it is made by joining two layers of glass with an interlayer of polyvinyl butyrate, a clear, strong, flexible resin. While this makes for sturdy windows, the polymer used in the construction of these windows makes them a contaminant to container glass, and most of the time, damaged automobile glass ends up in landfills. The automobile glass that does get recycled is made into such things as asphalt, artificial sand and other landscaping materials.

Many automobile owners have come to prefer scrapping their cars themselves and recycling the components on their own. Naturally, this is not an easy task, but it is not impossible.

To recycle your own auto glass, have a professional or somebody mechanically inclined remove the glass from the frame, and then clean it and dry it. As soon as that is done, start looking for a local recycler. In addition to Google, two online resources that can help people find local recyclers in their area are Earth911.Com and TheRecycleCenter.Com

As soon as you have compiled a list of recyclers, contact the one closest to you first. If you are unable to find any recycling centers that accept automobile glass, simply expand your search or ask around at any of your local auto repair shops, as many of these places are involved with recycling programs. Stores that sell automobile supplies also might know of and/or provide viable options for recycling automobile glass. In fact, the recycling of automobile window glass is beginning to become more and more widespread as studies are showing that recycling glass reduces related air pollution by twenty percent and related water pollution by fifty percent.

In addition, many companies and individuals have found useful and innovative ways to recycle and reuse discarded automobile window glass. Ellen Blakeley, a California-based artist, uses broken tempered glass to make mosaics. Uncommon Goods makes their beer glasses from windshields. SecondGlass, based in Portland, Oregon turns old windshields into shower doors, office partitions, and functional art and Glass Recycled, hailing from Plano, Texas, uses recycled green auto glass to make terrazzo flooring. It is estimated that Glass Recycled has diverted one million pounds of auto glass from landfills in 2005 alone.

Disposing of an old, unwanted vehicle – particularly the glass – can be a challenge. However, it has become somewhat easier what with the practice of recycling becoming more widespread and in some cases, more innovative.