Glossary
Below is a collection of auto glass terms, with pictures and descriptions for each one. If you need further assistance with your vehicle windows, call us today and we can help you.
Antenna
Thin metallic line located in or on the surface of the windshield. Similar to the defogger line on the back window. If your vehicle doesn’t have an exterior antenna, there is probably one in or on the windshield. However, a small number of vehicles have both. See Diversity Antenna below.
Diversity Antenna
Some vehicles have both a windshield antenna and an exterior antenna (for better FM reception.)
Electrochromic Mirror
An electrochromatic mirror automatically dims when it senses bright headlights. The easiest way to tell if you don’t have one is to look for a manual lever underneath the mirror.
Heads Up Display
Speed, signal and other driver information is projected onto the windshield. See owner’s manual to determine if you have this.
Heated Windshield
Look for very fine lines that run through the entire windshield. Or check the owner’s manual.
Heated Wiper Park
To determine if you have a heated wiper park, look for brownish lines running back and forth along the bottom 4 – 6 inches of your windshield. Or check the owner’s manual.
Mirror Bracket
A small metal bracket that secures the rearview mirror to the windshield. (In some vehicles, the rearview mirror is attached to the roof or dashboard.)
Night/Infrared Vision
Please check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure if your vehicle is equipped iwth infrared vision.
Paint Band
A black perimeter of ceramic paint, not to be confused with rubber or vinyl molding.
Rain Sensors
If you’re not sure you have a rain sensor, set your windshield wipers on ‘intermittent’ and then spray your windshield with water. If the wipers start up, you have a rain sensor.
Remote Start
If your vehicle has remote start, it usually has a start option on your key remote or fob, and the antenna may be a hard-wired button located and attached on the top right hand area of the front windshield.
Shadeband & Tinting
To check to see if you have a shadeband: a deep colored band across the top of your windshield.
Third Visor Frit
A third-visor frit is a dotted area around the rear view mirror that acts as a third sun visor to block out the sunlight from entering through the front windshield. Do you have a third center visor painted behind your rear-view mirror? Look for a pattern of small black dots that are 1″ – 3″ high and as wide as the mirror.
