How to Check the Production Date of a Car's Windshield?
3 Answers
Method to check the production date of a car's windshield: There is a series of symbols and numbers in the lower left corner of the glass. On the line below, there are several small dots followed by numbers. Taking "...4" as an example, the number 4 represents the year. If the black dots are before the 4, it indicates production in the first half of the year. The calculation formula is "7 minus the number of black dots." For example, 7 minus 3 equals 4, so the glass was produced in April 2004. If the black dots are after the 4, it indicates production in the second half of the year. The calculation formula is "13 minus the number of black dots." For example, "4..." means the car's glass was produced in October (13 minus 3 equals 10). By checking the production year on the windshield, you can roughly estimate when the car was produced, as the car's production date is generally later than the glass production date.
I've been driving for over a decade and found that checking the windshield production date is actually quite simple. It's usually located in the corner of the large glass, such as the bottom right or left corner, with a series of small raised dots or numbers. The most common is the dot coding system, which uses dots and numbers to determine the date. For example, if you see a number like 9 with a dot, and there are three dots to the left of it, it means March 2019; four dots to the right would indicate October. This is mainly designed by glass manufacturers to identify the product's age. Sometimes you might see the date printed directly, like 2023/06, which is even more straightforward. Understanding this is important for us car owners, especially when buying used cars, as it helps determine if the glass has been replaced with original factory parts, avoiding scams. When checking, clean the glass and use a small scraper to remove dirt for better visibility, but avoid scratching it. If the production date on the glass is later than the car's manufacturing date after a replacement, it might indicate accident history. Just glance at it during regular maintenance to make it a habit.
As a young car enthusiast, I often study these little automotive details, and the production date on the windshield is actually super cool! It's usually a small dotted code located at the edge of the glass. For example, I've noticed that the number represents the last digit of the year, like '8' for 2018, and the dots around it indicate the month: dots on the left represent months in the first half of the year (each dot equals one month), while dots on the right indicate months in the second half. You can compare this across different cars and find that coding methods vary slightly by brand—Japanese cars tend to be more standardized. Why is this useful? Mainly for avoiding accident-damaged cars when buying used, or ensuring quality reliability when replacing a broken windshield. When I last replaced my windshield, I specifically chose one with a recent production date for added safety. I recommend checking it casually before driving—avoid direct sunlight for better visibility, and take a moment to inspect it in the shade. This tiny mark holds great significance and even makes for cool trivia to share with friends!
