Every day, you hop in the car for your daily commute.
You buckle in, turn on the engine, check the mirrors, and look out your windshield. You’ve done it so many times you barely notice the tiny black dots that line the top of your window. Every vehicle you’ve ever ridden in has probably had them. What are they for?
Also known as a “frit” or the “dot matrix,” this speckled black gradient is baked onto every vehicle windshield for safety reasons. Here, experts explain exactly what purpose the black dots serve, plus what you should do if they wear off.
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.”
The dots are baked onto the surface of the glass to create a secure connection between the glass, urethane adhesive, and windshield frame. They’re also there for aesthetic purposes, placed and baked in a halftone pattern, with smaller dots toward the outside. The gradient creates a subtle transition to the rest 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?
If the frit has worn off, you may not have to replace your entire windshield. However, there are a few ways to tell whether it’s time for a whole new piece of 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.”
Another sign you might need a new windshield is pitting, sometimes called sandblasting, which is caused by continued exposure to dust, dirt, and sand. This debris can make small marks on the glass and create a white haze around the edges when you’re driving in hail or snow.
Not sure if it’s time for a windshield replacement? In that case, Campbell recommends having your vehicle inspected by a professional. Better safe than sorry when it comes to the safety of your car.