Audi rear window replacement

What Audi rear window features mean

Tap a feature to see what it is, how to spot it on your car, and how it affects glass replacement. We confirm the exact match for your vehicle when you book.

• Antenna86

  1983–2026

  An aerial laminated into the windscreen or rear window restores radio, DAB or TV reception without a roof-mounted mast.

  What it means

  An antenna is a conductive print laminated into the glass during manufacture, typically used for radio, DAB (digital audio broadcasting) or television reception. It replaces the traditional roof-mounted aerial mast found on older vehicles. The antenna is integrated into the glass interlayer and connected to the vehicle's receiver unit via a connector embedded in the glass edge. This design offers a cleaner aesthetic, reduces wind noise, and eliminates the vulnerability of a protruding mast to damage or theft.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's roof — if there is no visible aerial mast, your car likely has a laminated antenna. You can also ask your dealer or service centre whether your windscreen or rear window carries an antenna print. The connector may be visible on the glass edge or inside the door frame trim.

  Replacement impact

  When replacing glass with a laminated antenna, the replacement must carry the matching antenna print and connector to restore reception immediately on fitting. Aftermarket or original-equipment glass with the correct antenna specification is essential; a plain replacement will leave you without radio or DAB signal. Our fitters verify the antenna specification during booking and source the correct variant before the appointment.

• Green64

  1983–2026

  Green tint reduces glare and improves visual comfort by filtering certain light wavelengths.

  What it means

  Green tint is a light-filtering coating applied to the glass during manufacture. It absorbs and reduces transmission of certain wavelengths of light, primarily to cut glare from sunlight and reflections. The tint is subtle — often barely visible to the naked eye — but measurably improves visual comfort during prolonged driving, particularly in bright conditions. It's a factory specification chosen by the vehicle manufacturer to balance daylight comfort with interior visibility and aesthetic consistency across all glass in the vehicle.

  How to tell

  The easiest way to check is to roll your side window halfway down and hold a piece of white paper behind it. Look carefully for a tint cast — green tint will appear as a subtle green hue compared to clear glass. Your windscreen will have the same tint as your side windows. You can also ask your vehicle's dealership or service centre — they'll have the original specification on file.

  Replacement impact

  Green-tinted replacement glass must match the original tint specification to maintain visual consistency across all windows and preserve the vehicle's interior aesthetics. Aftermarket OE-equivalent (OEE) green-tinted glass is widely available, though some vehicles may require original equipment (OEM) dealership glass if the tint specification is proprietary. Tint does not affect calibration, cure time, or installation procedure — it's a cosmetic and functional specification only.

• Solar Control41

  2000–2026

  Solar control glass absorbs infrared rays to reduce heat and improve cabin comfort.

  What it means

  Solar control is a coating applied to the windscreen that absorbs the sun's infrared radiation rather than allowing it to pass through into the cabin. This reduces solar heat gain, helping to keep the interior cooler and more comfortable, particularly in warm weather or direct sunlight. The coating is transparent to visible light, so it doesn't darken the windscreen or affect visibility. It's a passive thermal management feature that works continuously whenever the sun is shining on the glass.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's specification sheet or contact your dealership service centre to confirm whether solar control glass is fitted. Some manufacturers list it as 'solar control windscreen', 'heat-reflective glass', or 'thermal management glass'. It's a factory-fitted feature and won't be visibly obvious from outside the car — the coating is integral to the glass itself.

  Replacement impact

  Solar control glass is a factory-fitted specification. When replacing the windscreen, a solar control variant must be sourced to match the original. This is a standard glass type with no special fitting implications or calibration requirements. Cure and drive-away times follow normal windscreen bonding procedures. Confirm with your fitter that the replacement glass includes solar control to maintain the original thermal performance.

• Other Hardware31

  2003–2026

  Factory-fitted brackets and mounts bonded to the glass, pre-assembled and ready to fit without sub-assembly.

  What it means

  Other Hardware refers to factory-fitted brackets, mounts, connectors, or trim pieces bonded permanently to the windscreen or other glass during manufacturing. These are integral to the vehicle's design but do not activate or control a specific feature — they simply secure or position components like sensors, trim strips, or mounting points. Unlike feature-specific hardware, these items are passive structural elements. A replacement carrying Other Hardware arrives pre-bonded and ready to install without additional assembly or modification.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle documentation or ask your dealership service centre whether your windscreen or glass panel carries factory-bonded brackets or mounts. Visual inspection may reveal trim strips, sensor housings, or antenna mounts bonded to the edges or interior surface of the glass. Your original invoice or parts list will specify if Other Hardware is present.

  Replacement impact

  Replacement glass carrying Other Hardware must be sourced as a complete assembly — the brackets and mounts come pre-bonded from the supplier and cannot be transferred from the old glass. Installation is straightforward: the fitter removes the old glass and fits the replacement with its hardware already in place. No additional sub-assembly, bonding, or recalibration of the hardware itself is required. Fitting time is unaffected.

• Encapsulation30

  1992–2026

  Factory-bonded rubber or polymer trim means your replacement glass arrives ready to fit as one complete unit.

  What it means

  Encapsulation is a rubber or polymer gasket moulded directly onto the glass edges during manufacturing. The trim is bonded to the glass at the factory — either by injection moulding, PU robot extrusion, or adhesive bonding. When you need a replacement, the entire panel arrives with its trim already attached, so the glass and gasket are replaced together as a single unit rather than as separate components.

  How to tell

  Check your current windscreen or rear window edges. If you see a continuous rubber or polymer seal running around the perimeter that appears moulded or permanently bonded to the glass itself — rather than a separate trim clipped or screwed to the frame — your glass is encapsulated. Ask your dealer or service centre to confirm; they can also check your vehicle specification sheet.

  Replacement impact

  Encapsulated glass simplifies replacement because there's no separate trim to remove, refit, or source. The bonded gasket is replaced as part of the glass unit, which reduces installation complexity and potential leak points. Cure time and drive-away procedures remain unchanged. No additional sourcing delays — encapsulated replacements are stocked as complete assemblies by most suppliers.

• Alarm Wire27

  2004–2026

  A thin metal wire embedded in the glass forms part of your vehicle's alarm circuit and must be present in the replacement panel.

  What it means

  An alarm wire is a fine metal thread laminated into the windscreen or rear window glass as part of the vehicle's anti-theft or alarm system. Unlike heated-wire windscreens (which warm the glass), alarm wires carry a continuous electrical loop that detects glass breakage. When the glass shatters, the wire breaks and triggers the alarm. The wire serves no structural or visibility purpose—it exists purely for security detection.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealership service department whether your model includes an alarm wire in the windscreen or rear window. You won't see it easily from inside or outside the vehicle—it's laminated into the glass itself. If your car has an audible or visual alarm triggered by glass breakage (separate from motion sensors), an alarm wire is likely present.

  Replacement impact

  If your windscreen or rear window includes an alarm wire, the replacement glass must have an identical wire fitted to restore the alarm loop. This is a dealership-specification requirement and affects glass sourcing—aftermarket glass may not carry the wire, so OEM (original equipment) glass is often necessary. The wire itself does not affect fitting time, cure time, or calibration requirements. Confirm wire presence when booking so we source the correct glass variant.

• Dark Grey25

  1998–2026

  Dark grey tint on rear windows provides privacy and reduces interior heat and glare.

  What it means

  Dark grey tint, formally known as privacy glass, is a factory-applied tint created through a deep-dipping process during glass manufacture. The pigment is infused into the inner surface of the glass, darkening the rear windows (and sometimes rear doors) significantly more than the front. This reduces heat transmission, minimises glare, and obscures the interior from outside view. It's standard on the rear half of many modern vehicles.

  How to tell

  Compare the rear side windows and rear window (backlight) to the front side windows — the rear glass will be noticeably darker. Check your vehicle documents or ask your dealership service centre if you're unsure whether your car left the factory with privacy glass.

  Replacement impact

  Dark grey tinted glass must be sourced from the Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) or dealership to ensure colour and transmission match your vehicle's existing rear glass. The tint is integral to the glass itself, not a surface coating, so aftermarket non-tinted glass will look visibly mismatched. Replacement does not require any calibration and follows standard bonded-glass cure times for rear windows.

• Brake Light20

  1996–2026

  A brake light integrated into the rear window glass itself, requiring a matching replacement to reconnect the original lighting circuit.

  What it means

  A brake light integrated into the rear window glass is a lighting element built directly into the glass panel during manufacturing. Rather than using a separate lamp cluster mounted to the vehicle body, the light circuit is routed through conductive elements — typically a silkscreen pattern, wire network, or bracket assembly — embedded in or bonded to the glass itself. When you brake, this integrated light illuminates to warn following traffic. It combines functionality with design integration, reducing the number of separate components on the rear of the vehicle.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's rear window for a visible pattern of fine lines or wires running across the glass, usually near the top edge or spanning the upper portion. Look at your vehicle's manual or contact your dealer's service centre — they can confirm whether your rear window carries an integrated brake light. If you see a separate brake-light cluster mounted to the bodywork instead, your vehicle does not have this feature.

  Replacement impact

  The replacement rear window must carry the identical integrated brake-light pattern so the original lighting circuit reconnects without modification. The conductive elements — whether silkscreen, wiring, or bracket fittings — must align precisely with the vehicle's electrical connections. Using a standard rear window without this pattern would disable the brake light. We source the correct OE-specification glass to ensure a seamless fit and restore full functionality.

• Fitting Hardware20

  2000–2026

  Pre-fitted clips and brackets that secure the glass to your vehicle, supplied ready to bond as a complete unit.

  What it means

  Fitting hardware comprises the clips, brackets, mouldings and adhesive retention components that hold the glass securely in place on your vehicle's frame. When your replacement glass is supplied with fitting hardware pre-attached, it arrives as a ready-to-install assembly rather than as bare glass requiring separate hardware attachment during the fit. This streamlines the replacement process and ensures correct positioning and fitment.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's service history or contact your dealership service department with your registration number. They can confirm whether your glass comes with pre-fitted hardware as standard. Visually, pre-fitted hardware appears as clips or brackets already bonded or attached to the glass edges before it reaches the fitting technician.

  Replacement impact

  Glass supplied with pre-fitted hardware typically requires no additional labour to attach clips or brackets during the fit, reducing technician time at the vehicle. The hardware must be in good condition and correctly positioned for the glass to seal and function properly. If hardware is damaged during removal of the old glass, replacement or repair of that hardware may be needed before the new glass can be fitted securely.

• TV Antenna18

  2003–2026

  A TV-reception aerial printed into the rear window, typically for in-car entertainment systems.

  What it means

  A TV antenna is an aerial pattern laminated into the rear windscreen or rear side window to receive broadcast television signals. It's a separate system from the vehicle's radio or mobile antenna and is typically found in vehicles equipped with rear-seat entertainment systems. The antenna is printed directly onto or into the glass during manufacture, so when the glass is replaced, the antenna pattern must be reproduced on the replacement to maintain reception quality.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's specification sheet or handbook for rear-seat entertainment or TV tuner capability. If your car has a rear-seat entertainment system with a TV tuner, the rear window will have a TV antenna. You can also ask your dealer or service centre to confirm whether your vehicle has this feature.

  Replacement impact

  When the rear window is replaced, the replacement glass must include the matching TV antenna print to preserve reception. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) glass is typically required to ensure the antenna pattern is identical. The antenna is passive and requires no calibration or specialist procedures after fitting. Cure time for bonded rear glass is required; the fitter will confirm the drive-away time on the day.

• GPS11

  1996–2025

  GPS antenna built into the windscreen connects your sat-nav to satellite signals for reliable navigation.

  What it means

  A GPS antenna is laminated into the windscreen glass during manufacture, providing a direct aerial connection for your vehicle's satellite-navigation system. This integrated design offers better signal reception than external antennas and a cleaner aesthetic. The antenna print and electrical connector are engineered into the glass itself, allowing the navigation receiver to lock onto GPS satellites without interference from the vehicle's metal body or other components.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's handbook or ask your dealership service centre whether your windscreen carries an integrated GPS antenna. You won't see obvious external aerials or connectors on the glass itself — the antenna is laminated internally. If your sat-nav works reliably without a visible roof-mounted antenna, it's likely GPS-equipped.

  Replacement impact

  Replacement windscreens with GPS antennas must be sourced as OEM (original-equipment) glass to preserve navigation functionality. The antenna print pattern and electrical connector are specific to your vehicle's sat-nav system. Aftermarket glass without the antenna print will not support GPS reception. We confirm OEM availability when you book; lead times may be slightly longer than standard glass.

• Privacy11

  2007–2026

  Privacy glass is a darker tint applied to rear and side windows for passenger comfort and security.

  What it means

  Privacy glass is a factory-applied dark tint coating on the rear window and side windows (or a selection of them) to reduce visibility into the vehicle's interior. It serves two purposes: it helps protect passengers and cargo from the sun, and it provides visual security by obscuring the view of occupants and valuables from outside. The tint is integral to the glass itself — either applied during manufacture or as a permanent coating — and is not the same as an aftermarket film.

  How to tell

  Look at the rear window and rear side windows from outside the vehicle. If they appear noticeably darker than the windscreen and front side windows, the car has privacy glass. Check your vehicle documentation (handbook or service history) under 'glass specifications' or 'optional equipment', or ask your dealership service centre — they can confirm which windows have the tint applied.

  Replacement impact

  Privacy glass must be replaced with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) glass of the same tint specification. Aftermarket alternatives are available but may not match the original colour or darkness exactly. The replacement is a straightforward swap with no calibration implications. Availability is standard for mainstream models; lead time may be slightly longer for less common variants or older vehicles.

• Laminated4

  1994–2026

  Laminated windscreens hold together when they crack, staying bonded to an inner layer rather than shattering into dangerous shards.

  What it means

  Laminated glass consists of two glass panes bonded to a tough plastic interlayer, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB). When struck, the glass cracks but the interlayer holds the pieces in place, preventing the sharp shards that would scatter from tempered glass. This design prioritises occupant safety — the windscreen remains structurally sound even after impact, reducing the risk of ejection and keeping wind and weather out of the cabin. Laminated glass also provides sound dampening and blocks most ultraviolet light. All modern windscreens are laminated as standard.

  How to tell

  Look at your windscreen edge-on — you'll see a thin darker line (the interlayer) sandwiched between the two glass panes. Tap the glass gently with your knuckle: laminated glass produces a duller, more solid sound compared to the sharper ring of tempered side or rear windows. Your service manual or dealer can confirm, but all production windscreens are laminated.

  Replacement impact

  Laminated glass is bonded to the frame with structural adhesive, so cure time applies after replacement. Your windscreen is safety-critical — it contributes up to 30% of vehicle structural integrity and supports airbag deployment. The adhesive bond must fully cure before the vehicle is driven normally; your fitter will confirm the specific drive-away time before releasing the car. This is true whether or not your windscreen has camera or sensor features.

• Clear3

  1983–2026Calibration varies by vehicle

  Clear windscreen glass has no tint; most cars have a slight tint as standard.

  What it means

  A clear windscreen contains no added tint layer. Most modern windscreens incorporate a subtle tint (typically blue, green, grey or bronze) as standard to reduce glare, provide UV protection, and improve cabin comfort. A genuinely clear windscreen is the absence of this tint. Clear glass is less common than tinted variants and is sometimes specified for aesthetic or operational reasons, though the tint difference is usually imperceptible to the naked eye.

  How to tell

  Lower your side window halfway and hold a white piece of paper behind it. If you see a noticeable colour cast (blue, green, grey or bronze) in the side glass, your windscreen has the same tint. If the side glass appears colourless, your windscreen is likely clear. You can also ask your vehicle's dealership or service centre to confirm the windscreen specification in your service records.

  Replacement impact

  Clear windscreen replacement uses the same installation process as any other windscreen. No special calibration or extended cure time applies. Sourcing is straightforward — clear glass is widely available as an aftermarket replacement. Installation time and drive-away restrictions follow standard windscreen replacement timings. If your vehicle has ADAS features (forward-facing camera or radar), calibration may be required after replacement depending on your specific vehicle; we confirm this when we look up your car details.

• Coating2

  1994–2026

  Coated windscreens have a blue or purple tint and protect your car from UV rays and heat.

  What it means

  A coated windscreen has a special protective layer applied to the glass that appears as a blue or purple tint and often reflects a silvery-blue colour in bright sunlight. This coating is designed to reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and solar heat that enters the vehicle, helping to keep the interior cooler and protecting upholstery and dashboard components from UV damage and fading. The coating is integral to the glass and doesn't require any special maintenance from you.

  How to tell

  Look at your windscreen in bright daylight — a coated windscreen will show a distinct blue or purple tint and a silvery-blue reflection when the sun hits it directly. Check your vehicle's service booklet or window sticker (usually on the driver's door jamb), which may list the glass specification. Alternatively, ask your dealership or service centre to confirm whether your windscreen carries a UV or heat-rejection coating.

  Replacement impact

  When replacing a coated windscreen, the replacement glass must match the original specification — including the coating type and tint level — to maintain the same UV and heat protection and to preserve the vehicle's interior aesthetics. Original-equipment or equivalent aftermarket coated glass is sourced to specification. The coating is applied during glass manufacture; no post-fit treatment is required. Fitting and cure times are unaffected by the presence of the coating.

• Dark Green2

  2004–2026

  Dark green tint on rear and side windows is a factory colour choice, not a safety or performance feature.

  What it means

  Dark green is a factory tint applied to the glass during manufacture. It's purely aesthetic — a colour variant chosen by the vehicle designer to complement the body paint and interior trim. Unlike some tints that reduce solar heat or glare, dark green is decorative. Most vehicles have standard or light green glass; dark green is less common and typically found on specific trim levels or model years.

  How to tell

  Look at your rear and side windows from outside the car in daylight. If they appear noticeably darker or more saturated green than the front windscreen, you likely have dark green glass. You can also check your vehicle's specification sheet from the dealer or original documentation — tint colour is sometimes listed under 'glass' or 'exterior finishes'. If uncertain, ask your local dealership service centre.

  Replacement impact

  Dark green replacement glass must match the original tint colour exactly — a standard or light green windscreen will look visibly mismatched against dark green rear windows. Sourcing the correct variant can take slightly longer than standard glass, as it's less common. No calibration is involved with tinted glass itself. Fitting and cure time are unaffected.

• Grey2

  2007–2026

  Grey tint reduces glare and heat while maintaining a natural appearance — present on most modern windscreens.

  What it means

  Grey tint is a light, neutral coloured coating applied during manufacture to reduce solar heat and glare transmission through the windscreen. Unlike darker tints (bronze, green, blue), grey tint is barely perceptible to the driver and passenger — most people don't realise it's there. It's one of the most common factory tints on modern vehicles because it balances comfort (heat and glare reduction) with visibility and safety (minimal colour shift to the road ahead). The tint is integral to the glass itself, not a film applied afterwards.

  How to tell

  Roll your side window halfway down and hold a white piece of paper behind it. Look at the glass in natural daylight. If you see a subtle grey tone — cooler-looking than clear glass — your windscreen has grey tint. You can also check your vehicle's specification sheet or ask your dealership service centre. Grey tint is so light that many drivers mistake it for no tint at all.

  Replacement impact

  Grey tint is purely a manufacturing characteristic and does not affect windscreen replacement. The replacement glass is supplied with the same factory tint to match your vehicle's aesthetics and maintain heat rejection performance. No calibration, cure extension, or special handling is required. The tint is fused into the glass during production, not applied afterwards.

• Dark Bronze1

  2005–2011

  Dark Bronze is a factory tint applied to rear windows and doors for privacy and heat reduction.

  What it means

  Dark Bronze, officially known as Privacy Glass, is a tinted glass feature created during manufacturing through a deep-dipping process. The inside surface of the glass is dyed with dark pigment, giving the rear half of the vehicle a darker appearance than the front. This serves two purposes: it reduces glare and heat entering the rear cabin, and it provides occupants with greater privacy by limiting visibility into the rear passenger area from outside. It's a permanent feature of the glass itself, not a removable film or coating.

  How to tell

  Look at your rear door windows and rear window — if they're noticeably darker than your front windscreen and front door windows, you have Dark Bronze tint. You can also check your vehicle's specification sheet or contact your dealer to confirm whether Privacy Glass was fitted as standard on your model.

  Replacement impact

  Dark Bronze replacement glass must match the original tint level to maintain the vehicle's appearance and privacy. OE (original equipment) glass with the correct tint is essential — aftermarket untinted glass will look visibly lighter and won't provide the same heat or privacy performance. When we source your replacement, we confirm the exact tint specification for your vehicle to ensure a perfect match.

• Heated Rear Windscreen1

  2016–2026

  Heated rear windscreen with integrated wires clears mist and ice when you switch on the demister.

  What it means

  A heated rear windscreen contains fine heating wires embedded within the glass. When you activate the rear demister, an electrical current passes through these wires, warming the glass and melting ice or condensation. This feature is particularly useful in cold or damp weather, improving rear visibility quickly. The heating grid is integral to the glass and connected to your vehicle's electrical circuit via connectors at the base of the windscreen.

  How to tell

  Look at the rear windscreen from inside the vehicle — you will see a fine grid of horizontal lines across the glass, typically bronze or copper in colour. On the dashboard or steering wheel stalk, there will be a dedicated rear-demist button, usually marked with a windscreen symbol and heating lines. If in doubt, ask your vehicle's service centre or consult your handbook.

  Replacement impact

  Replacement rear windscreens with heated grids are widely available as original-equipment aftermarket or dealership parts. The new glass must include the factory heating grid and electrical connectors intact. The technician will reconnect the heating circuit to your vehicle's rear-demist switch. Heated rear windscreens are bonded glass, so adhesive cure time applies; drive-away time will be confirmed by the fitter on the day.

• Mobile Telephone1

  2004–2011

  Built-in telephone aerial in the rear window for older luxury vehicles with handset systems.

  What it means

  A mobile telephone system fitted to certain older luxury vehicles consists of an aerial and connector circuit printed or bonded into the rear window glass, paired with a handset mounted inside the cabin (typically between the front seats). The aerial enables radio transmission and reception for the in-car telephone. When the rear window is replaced, the new glass must carry an identical aerial print so the handset's electrical connector mates correctly and the system functions.

  How to tell

  Check whether your vehicle has a handset unit mounted between the front seats or on the centre console. If present, your rear window will have a fine printed pattern or metallic trace visible on the glass itself (usually near the top edge). Ask your dealer or service centre to confirm whether your model is fitted with a factory mobile telephone system; they can verify this from the vehicle specification.

  Replacement impact

  The replacement rear window must be an exact OE match with the identical aerial circuit printed into the glass. Aftermarket glass typically does not carry this feature. You will need to source the glass from the vehicle manufacturer or a specialist supplier holding OE stock. Fitting is standard; the handset reconnects once the glass is installed. Cure time applies as with any bonded rear window.