How to Determine the Date on Car Glass?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to read the date on car glass: 1. Numbers + dots format. The dots can be either before or after the numbers. If the dots are before the numbers, this format is easy to read: the number represents the year, the dots represent the month. Dots before the number indicate the first half of the year, and the month is calculated by subtracting the number of dots before the number from 7. Dots after the number indicate the second half of the year, and the month is calculated by subtracting the number of dots after the number from 13. 2. Numbers + small dots + large dots. Reading method: the number represents the year, small dots represent the quarter (a year has 4 quarters, with a maximum of 4 small dots), and large dots represent the month within the quarter (a quarter has 3 months, with a maximum of 3 large dots). 3. First line: numbers + small dots; second line: large dots + small dots. Reading method: the number represents the year of glass production, small dots on the first line represent the month of the year (minimum 1 dot, maximum 12 dots). The second line represents the days of the month, with large dots representing 10 days and small dots representing 1 day. 4. NSG.M followed by three digits, where the first digit represents the quarter and the last digit represents the year. This format is rare, and Lexus is a common model that uses this method, representing Japanese quality with its unique glass date marking.
When I first got into cars, under the guidance of a seasoned friend, I learned some handy tricks to determine the production date of glass. There's usually a small code in the corner of car glass, like a number with dots. That number represents the last digit of the year—for example, 8 stands for 2018, and the dots indicate the month: if the dots are before the number, it's the first half of the year (January to June); if they're after, it's the second half (July to December). For instance, if you see an 8 followed by two dots, it means the glass was produced in August 2018. I found this method particularly useful when inspecting used cars. If a piece of glass has a date that differs significantly from the vehicle's manufacturing year, it might indicate accident repairs, prompting me to carefully check the body structure. In my free time, I often grab a small flashlight to inspect the glass, also checking for aging or cracks to ensure driving safety. These little tips are simple, practical, and something you can easily do yourself.
