How to choose protective glass for your car screen: the complete guide

The infotainment screen is one of the most used — and most expensive — parts of a car interior. In a few years it has grown from 6–7 inches to 12, 14 or even 30 inches, and next to it came the digital instrument cluster, the climate panel and screens for rear passengers. They all get scratched, covered in fingerprints and knocked by keys, rings and phones. Protective glass keeps them like new — but only if it is chosen correctly. Here is the complete guide.

Why glass instead of ordinary film

Thin plastic films scratch easily, yellow over time and can give the screen an “orange peel” look. 9H hybrid glass has a much harder surface, resists things from your pocket and stays clear for years. The oleophobic layer makes fingerprints easy to wipe off, and the thin profile keeps the touchscreen responsive.

Step 1: decide which screen to protect

A modern car can have several screens, each with its own shape and diagonal. The most common are:

• the infotainment display in the centre console — the most used and most exposed;
• the digital instrument cluster in front of the driver;
• the climate panel, on cars where the controls live on a screen;
• rear screens — headrest tablets, monitors or climate controls for passengers;
• special screens: camera mirrors, gear selectors, wide two-part panels.

In our catalogue every type has its own page, for example “display 14.2″” or “instrument cluster 12.5″”.

Step 2: find the right diagonal

The same car can have different screens depending on the trim package. For example, the BMW 3 Series F30 generation (2011–2019) has 6.5″ and 10.6″ displays, while the G20 generation (2019–2022) has a 14.2″ display; the Tesla Model Y 2025 → comes in 16″ and 16.5″ versions. You can find the diagonal:

1. in the car’s owner’s manual (the infotainment section);
2. in the car’s settings menu, under system information;
3. by measuring the visible area of the screen diagonally, without the plastic frame, and converting to inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).

Note: the size on a dealer’s website may include the bezel; the glass is cut for the display area.

Step 3: pick the right generation

The shape of the screen, its position and even the cut-outs for sensors change between generations, even when the model keeps its name. That is why our catalogue is organised by brand → model → generation → screen. An example: the BMW 3 / M3 has the generations 2005–2013 (E90), 2011–2019 (F30), 2019–2022 (G20) and 2022 → (G20, G81), each with different screens. If you know your body code (E90, F30, G20…), you will see it in brackets in the generation name.

You can start with the most searched brands: BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen or Tesla.

Step 4: glossy or matte?

The protection is the same; the difference is appearance. The glossy version keeps the picture as close to the original as possible, while the matte one reduces sun glare. We wrote a dedicated article: Glossy or matte: which one to choose?.

Common mistakes

• Choosing by model name, not generation — a 2015 display will not fit over a 2020 one.
• Mixing up diagonals of the infotainment screen and the instrument cluster (e.g. 14.2″ vs 12.5″).
• Ordering universal glass and cutting it yourself — edges and cut-outs rarely come out well.
• Fitting in dust — a single particle under the glass becomes a visible bubble.

Need help?

If you do not know the diagonal or cannot find your model, take your time: press “Call me back” on the site and we will call you, with no obligation to buy. You can also visit us in Chișinău (Balkan Hwy 14), where we fit the glass quickly, on the spot. Delivery details are on Payment & delivery.

The golden rule: brand + model + generation + diagonal + screen type. With these five details the glass fits exactly.