How to Check the Date on Car Windows?
3 Answers
To check the date on car windows, follow these steps: 1. Look at the last digit of the glass model number. This digit represents the last digit of the year. You can determine the exact year based on the vehicle's manufacturing date. For example, if the vehicle was manufactured in 2007 or 2008, and the glass year digit is 8, it should correspond to 2008. The difference between the glass date and the vehicle's production date should not exceed 10 years. 2. The black dots on the glass model number indicate the month. If the dots are in front of the digit, it means the first half of the year, calculated as 7 minus the number of dots before the digit equals the month. If the dots are behind the digit, it means the second half of the year, calculated as 13 minus the number of dots behind the digit equals the month.
As an experienced daily driver, a friend recently asked me how to check the date on car windows. It's actually quite simple. Just look closely at the corners of the windows, where you'll usually find some small print and dots - that's the date code. For example, the two digits after the dot represent the year, so 'dot 23' means 2023. The dot itself stands for the month, with 'A' being January, 'B' February, and so on up to 'L' for December. The number before the dot indicates the production day. My own window shows '9 dot 23', meaning it was manufactured on September 9, 2023. Paying attention to this can help you determine if the window is original or has been replaced, avoiding surprises during repairs. If the glass ages and isn't replaced promptly, it may become more fragile while driving, compromising safety. I recommend regular checks, especially when buying used cars - taking time to examine these details can save you a lot of trouble.
As a car enthusiast, I always enjoy studying these small markings on vehicles. How to read the window date? Look for those tiny imprints in the lower right corner or edge of the window, commonly the DOT code. The numbers after the dot represent the last two digits of the year, e.g., dot 24 means 2024; the dot itself stands for the month code, with A being January, progressing to L for December; the numbers before the dot indicate the specific day. Different brands may have slightly varying formats, such as Japanese cars sometimes using a different system. Knowing this, you can easily identify whether the glass is new or old, preventing you from buying refurbished parts. My car's windshield is marked with DOT22B5, representing February 5, 2022. This can also be combined with safety marks like E-mark to verify if the glass is compliant. When replacing, remember to have the technician check if the dates match to avoid affecting warranty or insurance. Regularly clean the window edges and corners to keep the markings clear, which is crucial for driving safety.
