How to Identify the Production Year of Glass?
4 Answers
It is represented by numbers + dots. Dots before the number indicate the first half of the year, calculated by subtracting the number of dots from 7. Dots after the number indicate the second half of the year, calculated by subtracting the number of dots from 13. The number represents the year, small dots represent the quarter (up to 4 small dots), and large dots represent the corresponding month within that quarter. The number indicates the production year of the glass. The small dots in the first row represent the month of that year, and the second row represents the corresponding day of the month.
As a car enthusiast who frequently restores vintage vehicles, I find checking the glass production year quite straightforward. There's usually a DOT marking on the edge of car glass, resembling a combination of letters and numbers, with the last few digits indicating the manufacturing year. For instance, if it ends with '23', that means it was produced in 2023. If there's a dot before the number, it indicates post-2000 production. In my own car, I spotted '20', clearly marking it as a 2020 product. This proves extremely helpful when replacing glass - older glass tends to become brittle after a decade, posing significant risks at high speeds, so periodic checks can save both money and lives. It's best to inspect during routine maintenance rather than waiting for an emergency.
I've been driving for years and have developed the habit of checking the glass year when buying a used car. There are hidden codes in the corners of the glass, and those DOT symbols contain specific year numbers, such as the last two digits '18' indicating 2018. This is not a trivial matter, as glass strength decreases over time, making it prone to cracking during strong winds and heavy rain. I always remind my friends about this when helping them inspect a car. A quick check of the records can prevent safety hazards, taking just two minutes to avoid the expense of replacing the glass. Remember not to overlook this small detail—it directly relates to safety.
I have extensive experience in identifying glass manufacturing years. Look for the DOT code at the edge of the glass - the year is indicated by the last digits, where '23' corresponds to 2023. Regular checks can help prevent aging issues.
