
Cars' logos all have distinctive features. Mercedes-Benz: In June 1909, Daimler Company registered the three-pointed star as the logo for their cars, symbolizing mechanization on land, water, and air. In 1916, a circle was added around the star, with four small stars embedded at the top of the circle and the word 'Mercedes' at the bottom. Audi: The logo of Audi consists of four interlinked rings, representing the four companies that merged. These companies were originally manufacturers of bicycles, motorcycles, and small passenger cars. Volkswagen: The German name of Volkswagen, 'Volks-Wagenwerk,' means 'the car for the people.' The logo features 'VW,' the initials of the full name. Toyota: Toyota's logo of three ellipses has been in use since the early 1990s. The large ellipse represents the Earth, and the two perpendicular ellipses forming a 'T' in the middle stand for Toyota. Ford: The Ford logo uses the word 'Ford' in blue with white letters. Since the founder Henry Ford liked small animals, the designer made the word 'Ford' resemble a little white rabbit.

There are quite a few markings on a car. From my experience, the license plate is the most noticeable, usually located on the front and rear bumpers. Blue background with white characters indicates a regular vehicle, green background with white characters is for new energy vehicles, and yellow background with black characters is for trucks or special vehicles. The annual inspection sticker is placed on the windshield—small vehicles have it in the lower right corner, while large vehicles have it in the upper right corner, and it needs to be updated every year. The insurance sticker is mostly electronic now, but some places still require a physical one. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is usually found at the bottom of the windshield or on the driver's side door frame—a 17-digit alphanumeric code that can identify the model and manufacturer. The emissions sticker is important for inspections in some big cities and is placed in the engine compartment or door seam. Before driving, just take a quick glance at these markings to make sure they're intact and not damaged. That way, you won’t get fined for missing any—just make it a habit.

I pay close attention to vehicle markings. The VIN is crucial—it's hidden at the lower left corner of the windshield, using 17 characters to record manufacturing date, origin, and other details. You can download a decoder tool online to check specifics. License plate design also matters; reflective materials are now used for better safety, with colors indicating purpose—like green plates for eco-friendly new energy vehicles. Annual inspection marks aren't just stickers; some regions have switched to electronic tags linked to traffic management systems for easier queries. Labels in the engine compartment include emission standards like China VI and safety certification numbers, reminding me to maintain and inspect wear parts on schedule. These markings act like a car's ID—understanding their meaning gives me confidence in DIY maintenance or used car transactions, reducing the risk of being fooled.

I think vehicle markings are crucial for driving safety. Don't let license plates get dirty or obscured, otherwise traffic police may issue fines and it could affect identification. The annual inspection sticker should be placed on the front windshield position, ensuring it doesn't expire to avoid fines over a hundred yuan. Insurance markings have been simplified now but still require attention. Additionally, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the door frame must be clearly visible for quick traceability in case of accidents. Regularly check during car washes or rainy days to ensure they're not blurred, preventing unnecessary troubles in unexpected situations. Safety first, after all.


