Check visibility and damage
Chips and cracks can interfere with the view through a windshield. A technician should assess the damage and determine whether repair or replacement is appropriate. The type, size and location of a break matter; no single repair rule fits every windshield.
Follow vehicle-specific safety guidance
The windshield is part of a vehicle’s glazing and crash-protection system, but its structural role varies by design. Some frontal passenger-airbag designs involve the windshield. That does not mean side airbags inflate by striking it.
How airbags actually deploy
The restraint system signals an inflator, which produces the gas that inflates an airbag. Side airbags and curtain airbags protect alongside occupants, with locations and deployment requirements that vary by vehicle. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance and always wear your seat belt properly.
For more detail, read what windshield repair can do and what happens during windshield replacement.