How to Check the Production Date of Car Headlights?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to check the production date of car headlights: 1. Check the nameplate in the engine compartment: It displays the car's serial number, engine displacement, model, brand, and importantly, the specific production date. 2. Look for the small nameplate around the door seam: It clearly states the car's brand, model, and production date. 3. Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) below the windshield: The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the production date of the car. Additional information: Car headlights refer to the lamps on a vehicle, serving as tools for road illumination during nighttime driving and as signaling devices for various driving indications. They are generally categorized into headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc.
When tinkering with car repairs myself, I found that checking the production date of headlights is actually quite simple. Typically, there are some codes printed on the side or back of the headlight housing, such as the U.S. standard DOT code, followed by a series of numbers and letters. For example, in a marking like DOT HB4 23C02, '23C02' represents the 2nd week of 2023, meaning it was manufactured in early 2023. European cars might use an ECE code, where the numbers indicate the year and week. To check, use a damp cloth to clean the headlight housing and look for these small markings—this helps determine if the headlight is too old and deteriorating, which could affect nighttime driving safety. Usually, newly installed headlights have clear dates; if they're hard to read, the headlight might be old or have quality issues. It's best to check during regular car washes or simple maintenance and keep records to track replacement cycles easily.
