How to distinguish the patterns between the front and rear windshields?
4 Answers
The front windshield features a fan-shaped symbol with three curved upward arrows, while the rear windshield has a rectangular symbol with three curved upward lines. The front windshield has an inclined central spray line, whereas the rear windshield has a rectangular central spray line.
The patterns on front and rear windshields can be distinguished mainly by their position and function. The front windshield pattern is usually at the upper edge, like a black border used to block sunlight, and won't appear directly in the driver's line of sight. Some also have grid areas for rain sensors. The rear windshield is noticeably different - patterns cover the entire glass, and you can feel raised heating wires by touch. When activating rear defogger in winter, current passes through those fine wires to heat the glass. Rear windshields often also have radio antenna lines. When parking, observe carefully: rear windshield patterns are denser and more symmetrical overall, while the front has just a simple dark band running across the top - easy to tell apart.
With twenty years of experience in car repair, I can distinguish the front and rear windshields by touch and layout. The rear windshield features a heating wire design—running fingers across it reveals distinct parallel raised wire patterns, with the heating wires connected from the fuse box at the bottom. The front windshield lacks such elements; its patterns are concentrated in the top black border for shading and UV protection, sometimes with the vehicle identification number printed in the corner. Additionally, the rear windshield often includes a metal antenna grid, while the front may only have a small embedded rain sensor area. During tinting, technicians always caution that the heating wire positions on the rear windshield require extra care, as improper handling can disable the defrost function. These unique functional designs help us quickly identify the two glass panels.
The pattern on the front windshield is mainly concentrated at the top edge, resembling the black brim of a sunshade, with width varying significantly across different car models. In contrast, the rear windshield is covered with functional lines, especially the densely arranged heating wires that resemble piano strings. Apart from the pattern density, when the heating wires are electrified, the glass emits a faint buzzing sound, and the defrosting effect is visible as the white mist dissipates. Modern car rear windshields also integrate FM antennas, forming a metal mesh within the glass. I remember one night while driving, the densely packed reflective lines on the rear windshield looked like a star chart under streetlights, while the front windshield pattern remained subtly hidden in the shadows.
