A Premium Driving Experience That’s Hard to Resist

You could classify the Audi A3 as a subcompact executive car, currently in the fourth generation of its well-renowned family – and a favourite among many.

With a framework that could only be described with the words, “sleek”, “muscular” and “sexy-as-hell”, its no wonder that the Audi A3 has heads and wheels turning wherever it drives.

Audi’s features and designs always evoke a sense of excitement, with three-dimensional rear lights, virtual cockpits, sharp contrasting lines, and integrated Apple CarPlay for an enhanced infotainment experience. This model is crafted to impress, offering the perfect balance of innovation and affordability, encapsulating the quintessential way to delve into the Audi family.

Understanding Windscreen Damage on Your Audi A3: What Causes Cracks and Dents?

Why-oh-why do bad things happen to good cars? The culprits to these heinous crimes are numerous, but most fall under the categories listed below.

Impact Damage from road debris

The most common and well-known reason that cracks and dents may appear on the windscreen of your Audi A3. Road rubble or debris such as small rocks and pebbles (most likely left there after a fresh road repair) can be churned up and fly towards your car’s glass.

And suddenly these flying object hits your windscreen at the wrong angle with just enough force to cause visible and unsightly damage.

Stress fractures from extreme shifts in temperature

The weather in the UK is not your friend. With your Audi A3 having to deal with the blistering cold and steaming hot at both ends of the spectrum, stress fractures will appear due to contractions within the glass of your vehicles windscreen.

Weather problems

Raging storms and howling blizzards may barely register as a blip on our radars anymore, but the fact of the matter is; these stormy events are doing more than just damaging our moods and adding to seasonal depression.

Tossed around tree branches and hail storms all contribute to the eternal erosion of our car’s glass. Lousy weather also distorts our field of vision, allowing for a greater chance of collisions and impacts.

Accidents / Collisions

Every driver’s (and passenger’s I suppose) nightmare. The dreaded collision, the battering of cars, the smashing of glass, the screaming, the crying, the invoices… an entirely hectic experience all around.

The result of these accidents is typically an entire windscreen replacement (repairs just won’t cut it, I’m afraid), and in severe cases – a total write-off.

What can I do to prevent cracks from appearing on the windscreen of my Audi A3?

It may be late at this stage if you already have cracks and dents, but working towards the prevention of future damage is something we can all do together.

Keep a clean windscreen

This is easy. Grime and dirty water on the windscreen of your Audi A3 will result in erosion and tainting of any small cracks and dents, leading to a faster deterioration of your car glass. A regular car wash or just a glass wipe-down every few days will prevent any issues in this area.

Special note: never use scalding water to clear your windscreen after frost and snow have covered its surface. This is a fast and easy way to suddenly crack or shatter your windscreen.

Steady and safe driving on the road

The best method to avoid any road debris from hitting your car is to drive carefully and be mindful of other drivers or pedestrians at all times. Keep a safe distance and refrain from texting while driving, and you should be able to avoid churned-up stones from the car in front of you, as well as any collisions or car accidents.

Make sure to have sufficient shelter for your car

As discussed earlier, leaving your car exposed to the mercy of the elements is a slippery slope towards damaging its special car glass.

Try to arrange covered parking, especially when your Audi A3 will be there for long periods. This will prevent any stress fractures from taking place. The shelter will also help protect against sudden storm debris or hailstones from hitting your windscreen.

Get your windscreen examined and repaired by proper technicians

We suggest habitually examining your car glass every couple of weeks like clockwork. Small dents and cracks are often overlooked until they become a serious issue. And it’s much easier and cheaper to repair these minor fractures than to replace the entire windscreen.

And when you do have your windscreen replaced or repaired, ensure it’s done correctly by professionals who have a good idea of what they’re doing. Crudely fitted windscreens are a future burden just waiting to happen.

Read more in our Audi series:
The Audi Experience: Luxury, Performance, and Comfort
Audi TT Windscreen Replacement Service

What are some features of the Audi A3 that interact with the windscreen?

MMany of these features add to windscreen replacement costs because they directly interact with the windscreen.

Here are some of the features that your Audi A3 has that could cause your replacement costs to go up.

Rain Sensor

A rain sensor is located behind the windscreen and the rearview mirror. It activates itself when any rainfall or heavy amounts of liquid comes into contact with the windscreen. It will then adjust and start the windscreen wipers automatically, thus helping the driver with any distortions in their field of vision caused by the falling rain and giving the driver one less to think about while driving.

Built-in antenna

This antenna is built specifically for the Audi A3 and is placed and attached so that the radio and satellite frequencies pick up more quickly and keep sturdily.

Camera on windscreen

A camera situated on a windscreen aims to detect and analyse any potential dangers that can occur on the road, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, lane lines, and any other potential obstacles. This camera can also detect potential collision risks, allowing autonomous emergency braking systems to act where necessary. In essence, the camera offers a real-time solution to all possible threats on the road – allowing for a safer and more enjoyable ride for all.

Grey sun strip

This band of grey stripe, also called a Sun Strip (covers 10-15 cm from the top and goes across the screen), helps lower the light level and prevent its intensity from blaring into your eyes while driving. It is closely linked with the windscreen and often is replaced with it in some cases.

This is a handy device to have around sunrise and sunset when the angle of the sun means it is most likely to shine directly into your eyes and make it difficult to see what’s on the road.

You can see how these features (from being so closely linked to the windscreen) would need to be replaced or worked around alongside the windscreen replacement, costing more in parts and requiring more refined expertise. This is why an Audi A3 with these features might cost much more than one without them.