How to Identify the Production Year of Vehicle Glass?
3 Answers
To identify the production year of vehicle glass: The number represents the last digit of the production year. For example, a '9' on the glass indicates 2019. If small black dots are in front of the number, subtract the number of dots from 7; if the dots are behind the number, subtract the number of dots from 13. The result gives the production month. Some glass may also have thick black dots after the production year and month, indicating the specific week of the month. For example, 5 dots represent the first week; 4 dots represent the second week; 3 dots represent the third week, and so on.
I've tinkered with car stuff before and found that the glass manufacturing year is actually pretty easy to identify. If you look carefully at the corners of the windshield or side windows, there's usually a small marking with a number followed by some dots. The number represents the last digit of the year, for example, '7' could mean 2017, and the dots indicate the month—one dot for January, two for February, and so on up to twelve dots for December. For instance, my car's glass has '8..' with two dots, which means February 2018. It's not hard to do it yourself; just use a clean cloth to wipe the glass surface and take a photo with your phone to zoom in for a clearer view. However, keep in mind that the glass year might not match the vehicle's manufacturing date, as a replaced windshield could have a fresher marking. So, when checking, it's more reliable to compare with the VIN or maintenance records. Regular maintenance can also prevent misreading, and developing the habit is always a good idea.
With years of driving experience, I've learned that the glass production year can be identified from the corner imprint. Numbers like '9' represent the last digit of the year, such as 2019, followed by dots indicating the month—one dot for January, simple and clear. Common issues in practice include dots being too small to see clearly or numbers being blurred and misleading. For example, three dots should indicate April, but if mistakenly counted as January, the year would be misjudged. My advice is to find a well-lit spot, gently wipe off the dust for a closer look, and take a photo for future reference. This trick is especially useful when buying or selling used cars—new glass markings might indicate refurbishment, and comparing them with the vehicle's production records can help avoid pitfalls. It saves time and ensures safety, so don't skip this step for convenience.
