People only just learning what the black dots on their car windscreen mean

09 February 2023 , 13:32

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Most motorists have never stopped to question why they're there (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It's something you see almost every day - but most people never stop to question why they're there or what they do. The small dots around a car's windscreen can easily go unnoticed even by those who have been driving for years.

Wondering why they're there, one Reddit user asked: "What are those little black dots that surround my windshield for?" It turns out they actually have a very important purpose - and without them, driving would be extremely dangerous. A statement on Autoglaze reads: "The black dots, or dot matrix, actually help distribute temperature evenly to lessen optical distortion or lensing.

They have a very important purpose   (Getty Images)

"This happens when the frit band (the solid black one) heats up much faster than the windscreen's glass, creating an optical distortion that makes either straight lines look curved or bowed inwards toward the centre.

"Those 'gradually sinking' black dots help lessen this phenomenon by dissipating the heat and spreading it out evenly."

But this isn't their only purpose as they also help "preserve the urethane sealant used to bond the glass to the frame", meaning your windscreen stays firmly glued in to place.

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The statement adds: "They serve as a contact point between the glass and car frame. They create etches on the surface, making them rougher so the adhesive can stick better to the glass.

"Frits are also there for aesthetic purposes. If you look closely, the contrast between the dark band and the transparent glass can look too obvious even when viewed from afar.

"Creating a halftone pattern or dot-matrix allows a gradual decrease in size, making the transition much more subtle and easier on the eyes."

Commenting on the revelation, one Reddit user said: " That is brilliant and simple. So simple that it isn’t believable but so believable that it can’t be that simple!"

Another user added: "Ok, that makes sense. But why is it on the windshield, rear windshield, and quarter glass, but not on the operable windows?"

A third user said: "I am stunned at the amount that I have learned about frit today."

Paige Freshwater