This is what the black dots on your windscreen actually do as they serve four purposes

You’ve probably seen them every time you get in your car, but never really thought about them: those tiny black dots around the edge of your windscreen.

They’re easy to overlook, but almost every car has them.

Even though they seem minor, these little dots are actually doing quite a bit.

But what exactly is their purpose?

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Well, these dots are called frits, and they’re part of a clever design built into your windscreen during manufacturing.

Made from black enamel, frits start as a solid band around the glass edge and fade into a dotted pattern called the dot matrix.

They aren’t just for show, as frits serve four important functions to keep your windscreen secure and looking good.

Firstly, frits are useful in helping adhesive stick better.

This is important because windscreens are glued to the car’s frame with a strong adhesive.

If you’re worried knowing that glue is used to secure your windscreen, just realize that it’s also used by Tesla to fix its Cybertrucks.

The solid black frit band creates a rougher surface, helping the glue grip better.

Basically, it’s kind of like giving the glass and frame a good handshake.

Secondly, frits help protect the adhesive from the sun.

While the sun is necessary for innovations like this solar-powered EV, sunlight can also damage the windscreen’s glue over time.

The black enamel blocks this light, working like built-in sunscreen to keep the adhesive strong and your windscreen firmly in place.

Frits also helps to reduce optical distortion.

Glass heats up in the sun, and the black frit band heats up faster than the clear parts.

This uneven heating can cause visual distortions, like bending straight lines.

The dot matrix helps spread the heat more evenly and prevents this effect, known as lensing.

Lastly, frits just make your windscreen look better.

Without the dots, the sharp contrast between the black edge and the clear glass would be distracting.

Frits smooth out that transition and make the whole view look cleaner.

So the next time you spot these black dots, remember they’re not just random.

They’re actually quietly making your drive safer, clearer, and just a little more stylish.

Of course, if your car doesn’t have a windscreen, like BYD’s futuristic Super 9, then that’s a different story.

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