Seasonal Care Tips for Your Windshield in the Okanagan Valley: Fall Edition

Nathan Dick
Sep 8
3 min read

Updated: Sep 29

A car windshield covered in autumn leaves, parked on a quiet road in the Okanagan Valley during fall

As the Okanagan Valley shifts into fall, it’s not just the leaves that change. Your windshield faces a set of challenges during this transitional season - many of which can go unnoticed until they become a bigger (and costlier) problem. Between sudden temperature drops, foggy mornings, and road debris from early storms, fall is an important time to check your car and give your auto glass a little extra attention.

Here are a few ways to protect your windshield this autumn, reduce your risk of cracks and chips, and head into winter with a clear view.

Watch for Falling Leaves - and What Comes With Them

The changing colours and falling leaves may be beautiful, but they can trap moisture, dirt, and sap on your windshield.

Left too long, this natural debris can:

Damage your wiper blades
Leave behind hard-to-remove residue
Encourage etching or staining on the glass

Our pro tip from the Shop: If your car is sitting under a tree, make a habit of brushing off the windshield daily and give it a proper clean once a week with a microfiber cloth and a gentle automotive glass cleaner

Handle Sudden Temperature Swings with Care

Fall in the Okanagan can start with a chilly morning and turn into a warm afternoon - a combination that can put stress on your windshield.

Glass expands and contracts with temperature shifts, especially when:

You blast the defrost on cold glass
There's an existing chip or nick

These conditions can cause small imperfections to spread into full cracks.

Personal Tip from the MasterGlass Team: If you have a chip, don’t wait for winter. Fall is the ideal time to get it filled before freeze-thaw cycles make it worse.

Stop by - we’ll check it for free.

Mind the Fog, Inside and Out

Fall moisture mixed with cooler temperatures often leads to fogged-up windows. On morning commutes, you’ve likely dealt with a foggy windshield, reduced visibility, and the safety risk that comes with it.

To prevent this:

Clean the inside of your windshield regularly - dirt and film hold moisture.
Use your AC and defrost together to remove humidity.
Keep a dedicated glass cloth in the glove box for quick wipes.

Wet Roads = More Debris

As summer shifts to fall and sunny days give way to falling leaves and leftover sand from the dry season, the roads become a gritty mess. This combination kicks up more debris than you might expect and increases the chance of small impacts, especially when driving behind trucks or on winding backroads.

Tip for our Okanagan Drivers: Leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead, especially on rural or forested roads. If you hear a “ping” from gravel, swing by - even tiny chips can be repaired quickly if caught early.

Fall Is a Check-In Season

Think of autumn as your annual auto glass check-in. Your windshield does more than just shield you from wind and bugs - it’s part of your vehicle’s safety system, supporting airbag deployment and structural integrity in the event of a collision.

Before the snow arrives, give your windshield: