How to Check the Production Date of Car Windows?
2 Answers
The method to check the production date of car windows is as follows: 1. Number + dots format: The number represents the year, and the dots represent the month. Dots in front of the number indicate the first half of the year, and the month can be calculated by subtracting the number of dots from 7. Dots behind the number indicate the second half of the year, and the month can be calculated by subtracting the number of dots from 13. This method applies to 80% of vehicle glass on the market. 2. Number + small dots + large dots: The number represents the year, small dots represent the quarter (there are 4 quarters in a year, so the maximum number of small dots is 4), and large dots represent the month within the quarter (each quarter has 3 months, so the maximum number of large dots is 3). A few car models use this method.
I've been driving used cars for a long time and have extensive experience in checking window dates. There are small engravings in the corners of the windows, usually composed of numbers and dots. The number represents the last digit of the year, for example, 9 stands for 2019; the dots indicate the month, one dot for January, two dots for February, up to twelve dots. Sometimes the position of the dots varies, and European models might use a combination of symbols. Use a flashlight in dimly lit areas for better visibility, and wipe the area clean if it's blurry. Why check the date? A car with replaced glass might have been in an accident. When I was buying a used car, I checked a Ford and found the windshield dated 2017 while the car was manufactured in 2015—later, I discovered its replacement history. Learning this skill helps avoid scams and ensures matching the original factory date when replacing glass to prevent leaks, which is especially practical.
