Almost all cars are full of hidden features that are waiting to be discovered, with many drivers often looking straight past a great number of them each time they get behind the wheel.
One of the most common in modern vehicles is the multitude of shapes that are printed onto the windscreen, in particular the set of black dots.
Bordering the large section of glass, the thick border typically begins as a solid black line, before turning into a number of black dots that get progressively smaller.
When they first notice this border, drivers may think that these markings are simply printed onto the windscreen to give it a more distinctive appearance.
However, in reality, the collection of small dots play a vital role in making sure that occupants are safe in the event of a crash.
Officially known as ‘frits’, the small black dots of enamel that surround a modern car windscreen are baked onto the surface when the piece of glass is manufactured.
When the windscreen is attached to the vehicle using adhesive, the many frits can help to protect the sealant from harsh sunlight.
Without the dots, the adhesive risks being melted in the sun, causing the windscreen to easily fall out, particularly if the vehicle experiences a sharp jolt, such as going over a speedbump or hitting a pothole.
Similarly, the dots can also help to make sure that temperatures are even across the entirety of the windscreen to lower the chances of lensing.
A sharp rise in temperature in a certain part of a glass panel, lensing on a windscreen can cause a driver’s view of the road to become distorted, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Extreme temperature rises could also cause a vehicle’s windscreen to crack, leading to drivers having to fork out around £250 for a replacement to be fitted.
Finally, drivers may also notice that there are more black dots surrounding the rear-view mirror on their car, particularly if it is a new model.
Recently added to vehicles, frits are added around the interior mirror in a bid to block the sunlight from that area of the screen, preventing drivers from getting dazzled each time they want to look behind them.
However, no matter where they are located on the windscreen, motorists who notice any signs of fading among the frits should contact their local garage as soon as possible to prevent damage or accidents.
