The thought of being trapped can trigger immediate panic. Now, picture this: you’re stuck in your car, maybe it’s flipped over, or worse, sinking in water. It’s a terrifying scenario, thankfully rare. While vehicle submersions are less frequent, rollover accidents are significantly more common. Surviving any car emergency, especially one like this, hinges on staying composed, having a well-thought-out plan, and equipping your vehicle with essential car safety tools, including a Car Window Punching Tool.
The Reality of Car Escape Tools: Tempered vs. Laminated Glass
To help car owners make informed decisions about safety, AAA conducted a research report evaluating the effectiveness of several car escape tools in breaking both tempered and laminated glass. Their tests revealed a crucial distinction: only four out of the six tools tested could effectively shatter tempered glass, and shockingly, none could penetrate laminated glass. Even after repeated attempts and cracking, the laminated glass remained intact. Interestingly, the study also noted that spring-loaded car window punch tools outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows consistently.
This highlights a critical point: car window punching tools are designed for tempered glass and are ineffective against laminated glass.
The Laminated Glass Challenge: Why Standard Tools Fail
Why the difference? Tempered glass, commonly used for car side and rear windows, is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces upon impact. This is where a car window punching tool, with its focused force, can be incredibly effective. Laminated glass, however, is engineered for enhanced safety. It consists of two layers of glass with a plastic interlayer, making it significantly stronger and resistant to shattering. Its primary purpose is to prevent occupant ejection during accidents and offer increased security.
The challenge is that an increasing number of new vehicles are incorporating laminated side windows. AAA’s research indicated that approximately 1 in 3 of the 2018 vehicle models already had laminated side windows. This trend continues, meaning many drivers might unknowingly rely on a car window punch tool in a situation where it simply won’t work.
“To improve safety, more cars have laminated side windows – but a majority also have at least one window made of tempered glass,” stated John Nielsen, Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA. “Our research found that generally vehicle escape tools can be effective in an emergency, but only if drivers know what type of side windows they have, otherwise they could waste precious seconds trying to break glass that will not shatter.”
Know Your Glass: Identifying Tempered and Laminated Windows
The critical takeaway here isn’t to discard the car window punching tool, but to understand your vehicle’s window composition. Fortunately, determining whether your car has tempered or laminated side windows is straightforward. Simply look for a label in the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate “Tempered” or “Laminated.”
If the information is unclear or the label is absent, AAA recommends contacting your vehicle manufacturer for clarification. It’s also important to be aware that some vehicles may have a mix of window types, for example, laminated front side windows and tempered rear side windows. Knowing the glass type at each window location is crucial for emergency planning.
This label indicates the side window is made of tempered glass, making it breakable with a car window punch tool.
Choosing the Right Car Window Punch Tool and Using It Effectively
For vehicles with tempered glass, a car window punching tool remains a valuable safety device. AAA’s testing suggests spring-loaded tools are generally more effective than hammer-style tools for breaking tempered glass. When selecting a tool, prioritize ease of use and accessibility. Many spring-loaded tools come in keychain formats for convenient carrying, or can be mounted on the dashboard or steering column for secure and accessible placement within the vehicle.
It’s also vital to familiarize yourself with how your chosen car window punch tool works before an emergency. Read the instructions and, if possible, practice using it on a piece of tempered glass in a controlled environment (always wear safety glasses and gloves when handling glass). In an emergency, aim for the corners of the tempered window for the most effective breakage.
Emergency Preparedness: Beyond the Tool (S-U-R-E Method)
While a car window punching tool can be a lifesaver in the right situation, it’s only one component of overall car emergency preparedness. AAA emphasizes a comprehensive approach, urging drivers to:
Prepare Ahead of Time:
- Know Your Glass: Memorize whether your vehicle’s side windows are tempered or laminated and where each type is located. Identify tempered glass windows as primary escape points if present. Remember, standard car window punching tools won’t work on laminated glass.
- Keep a Tool Handy: Store a car window punch tool in an easily accessible location within your car. Ensure you are comfortable using it and have familiarized yourself with its operation.
- Plan Your Escape: Develop and communicate an escape strategy to all vehicle occupants. This pre-planning minimizes confusion during a stressful emergency. Also, create a backup plan in case the tool is unusable or ineffective.
If Trapped in a Vehicle, Remember the S-U-R-E Method:
- Stay Calm: Time is critical, but maintain composure to act effectively and ensure everyone’s safe exit.
- Unbuckle Seat Belts: Immediately release all seat belts and ensure everyone is ready to evacuate.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: Attempt to roll down a window first. If submerged, be aware that water will rush in rapidly once the window is opened. If the window is stuck and you have tempered glass, use your car window punching tool to break a side window. If you cannot break a window because it’s laminated, or if no windows are breakable, move to the back of the vehicle or locate an air pocket. Stay with the air pocket until the vehicle is fully submerged and the pressure equalizes, which may allow you to open a door. Note that hammer-style tools may be harder to use underwater than spring-loaded versions.
- Exit the Vehicle: Evacuate quickly and move everyone to a safe location away from the vehicle.
Call 911: Contact emergency services once safely out of the immediate danger, unless immediate escape is paramount due to fire or submersion.
“Knowledge is power and the more drivers understand about their car – like what type of glass their side windows are made of – the better prepared they will be in the event of an emergency,” Nielsen concluded.
For a comprehensive list of vehicles with laminated side windows, please refer to here. Understanding your vehicle and being prepared with the right tools and knowledge can significantly increase your chances of survival in a car emergency.
