You get in your car and drive to work every day. You fasten your seatbelt, start the engine, glance in your mirrors, and gaze out your windshield. The small black dots that line the top of your window are so familiar to you that you hardly notice them. They’ve likely been in every car you’ve ever driven. For what purpose are they used?
This speckled black gradient, sometimes referred to as a “frit” or the “dot matrix,” is baked onto every car’s windshield for safety reasons. Experts describe the actual function of the black dots here, along with what to do if they start to fade.
What are the little black dots?
“The little black dots on your windshield, including the black band around its perimeter, are called frits,” says Richard Reina, a lifelong automotive enthusiast and car blogger. Reina says the windshield glass in modern cars is bonded to its frame using a strong and long-lasting urethane adhesive that makes the windshield “a structural component of the vehicle’s body.”
To establish a strong bond between the glass, urethane adhesive, and windshield frame, the dots are baked onto the glass’s surface. They are positioned and baked in a halftone pattern, with smaller dots toward the outside, for aesthetic reasons as well. The gradient creates a delicate transition to the remainder of the glass.
Should you be worried if the black dots have worn off?
If you notice the black dots are starting to wear off, it’s important to have them replaced as soon as possible. “They’re there to hold the glass in place and keep it from moving around while the car is in motion,” says Craig Campbell, founder and CEO of Auto Parts Guideline. “Without these dots, the glass could become loose and eventually fall out of the frame.”
Although it’s unlikely that your windshield would outright fall out during a road trip or your Sunday errands, it’s still worth replacing the dots when they wear off. But this isn’t an easy DIY project if you don’t know what you’re doing. “The windshield’s black spots are an important feature, and you shouldn’t try to fix or modify them,” Reina says. It’s probably best to see a professional if you notice the dots wearing off.
When is it time to replace your windshield?
You might not need to replace your entire windshield if the frit has worn out. There are a few indicators, though, that it’s time for a completely new glass.
“It’s time to replace your windshield if there’s a crack in the glass. If the crack is blocking your view, covers more than half of your windshield, or extends to the outside edge, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as you can,” says Reina. “If not attended to, cracks are likely to spread and grow.”
Pitting, also known as sandblasting, is another indication that your windshield needs to be replaced. prolonged contact with sand, dust, and filth causes it. When driving in hail or snow, these particles can leave tiny scratches on the glass and produce a white haze around the edges.
Are you unsure if a windshield replacement is necessary? Campbell advises having an expert evaluate your car in that situation. When it comes to your car’s safety, it’s better to be cautious than sorry.
