Smart windscreen replacement

What Smart windscreen 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.

• Green11

  1998–2024

  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 Control11

  1998–2024

  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.

• Vin Notch9

  2004–2024

  A printed VIN reference box along the bottom edge of your windscreen helps identify your vehicle's chassis number at a glance.

  What it means

  A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) notch is a small printed or etched box positioned along the lower edge of the windscreen that displays your vehicle's chassis number. This reference marking is a manufacturing and administrative feature, allowing quick visual identification of the vehicle without needing to consult documents. It's particularly useful for service records, insurance claims, and vehicle registration purposes. The notch itself doesn't affect the structural integrity or safety performance of the glass.

  How to tell

  Look along the bottom edge of your windscreen — typically in one of the lower corners — for a small rectangular box containing printed digits or characters. If you're uncertain, check your vehicle's service handbook or ask your dealership or service centre to confirm whether your model includes this feature.

  Replacement impact

  When your windscreen is replaced, the new glass will retain the VIN notch printed or etched by the manufacturer. This is a standard feature on replacement windscreens for compatible vehicles and requires no additional work or adjustment. The notch does not affect glass fitting, cure time, or any post-replacement calibration procedures.

• Rain Sensor6

  2004–2024No calibration after replacement

  Your wipers automatically activate when rain falls on the windscreen.

  What it means

  A rain sensor is a device mounted on or behind the windscreen that detects moisture and triggers the wiper system automatically. The sensor uses infrared light to measure water droplets on the glass surface and signals the vehicle's electrical system to engage the wipers without driver input. This feature improves safety in sudden downpours and reduces driver workload in variable weather conditions.

  How to tell

  Check your windscreen for a small sensor unit, usually mounted near the top centre behind the glass or at the base of the mirror. Look for a small dark component or lens. If your vehicle has automatic wipers that activate without you toggling the stalk, you have a rain sensor. Ask your dealer or service centre to confirm; they can check your vehicle records or wiper module settings.

  Replacement impact

  Rain sensors are non-structural elements and do not require recalibration after windscreen replacement. The sensor bracket or mounting may need careful removal and reinstallation to ensure it sits correctly behind the new glass. If the sensor itself is damaged during removal, a replacement unit may be needed. Your fitter will confirm the condition and refit or replace the sensor as part of the standard replacement procedure.

• Camera2

  2014–2024Calibration varies by vehicle

  A camera mounted near the rear-view mirror monitors the road ahead for lane-keep and traffic-sign features.

  What it means

  A forward-facing camera positioned in the windscreen header area (typically mounted on or near the rear-view mirror bracket) captures video of the road ahead. This camera feeds data to driver-assistance systems such as lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. The camera is a core component of modern ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and requires precise alignment after windscreen replacement to ensure these safety features function correctly.

  How to tell

  Look for a small dark triangular or lens-shaped component mounted in the black plastic trim area above the windscreen, typically centred near the rear-view mirror or slightly to one side. Your vehicle's handbook or infotainment menu may reference 'Lane Assist', 'Traffic Sign Recognition', or 'Autonomous Emergency Braking'. Ask your dealer or service centre directly if your car is equipped with a forward-facing camera system.

  Replacement impact

  Windscreen replacement on camera-equipped vehicles requires calibration of the camera system after the new glass is fitted. The exact calibration procedure—whether static (using a target board in a controlled environment) or dynamic (road-based)—varies by vehicle make, model, and year. We confirm the precise calibration requirement when we look up your specific vehicle. Calibration ensures lane-keep, sign recognition, and emergency-braking systems function safely. This may extend the fitting schedule and may necessitate workshop-based fitting rather than mobile attendance.

• Light Sensor1

  2007–2024

  Light sensors automatically turn your headlights on at dusk or in tunnels; the replacement windscreen must include the sensor bracket.

  What it means

  A light sensor is a small optical detector mounted on the windscreen or dashboard that monitors ambient light levels. When light drops below a threshold—at dusk or when entering a tunnel—it triggers your headlights to switch on automatically. This removes the need to manually operate the lights and improves safety by ensuring visibility when conditions darken suddenly. The sensor is typically mounted behind the windscreen's top edge or integrated into the interior mirror housing, where it has an unobstructed view of the sky.

  How to tell

  Check your vehicle's handbook or ask your dealer whether your car has automatic headlight control or 'auto lights' as a feature. If equipped, you'll see a symbol on the stalk or dashboard dial marked with a light-bulb icon or 'AUTO' setting. When you select this mode and the ambient light dims, the headlights activate without manual input. Not all cars have this feature; it's typically found on newer or higher-specification models.

  Replacement impact

  When replacing a windscreen on a vehicle with a light sensor, the replacement glass must include the correct sensor bracket or mounting point to preserve the auto-headlight function. The sensor itself does not require software calibration—it relies on physical positioning behind the windscreen's upper trim or within the mirror assembly. Ensuring the bracket is correctly installed during the fit is essential; if omitted, the auto-light feature will fail and cannot be restored without additional parts and labour.