Car window question

16 years ago

My new Nissan Sentra didn't come with tinted windows. Dealer said they don't tint Sentra's.

So waited until just now to have them tinted, being as it has warmed up.

Paid $20 extra to have strip across top of front window so I wouldn't have to bother with the sun visor.

Well, I've noticed my front window was NOT tinted , except for the strip.

Stopped by shop and they said it's against the law to tint front window, except for the strip.

Now when I had my Toyota Camry, the windows came tinted with the car, and I swear the front windows were tinted.

So the question is: Is you front window tinted?

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Comments (16)

marygailv
16 years ago
From Google:

Florida Tint Law

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 28% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 15% of light in.
Rear Window Must allow more than 15% of light in.
ronm80
16 years ago
Alabama tint law
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/AL/
Sorry still don't know how to make a link.
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magic_arizona
16 years ago
It is against the law to put applied tint on the windshield, other than the strip across the top.

All autoglass comes tinted, either a blue tint, green tint, or bronze tint.On your old car, you could have had a different color windshield than you have now, which made it appear darker.
glenda_al
Original Author
16 years ago
My sides are 30% and back is a different number.
Strip is the darkest of all.

But I swore my front window in my Toyota came tinted.
marygailv
16 years ago
I forgot Glenda was Alabama, not Florida:

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 32% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 32% of light in.
Rear Window Must allow more than 32% of light in.
glenda_al
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay, thx, I guess I'm satisfied!
mimi_boo
16 years ago
Glenda, it's a safety thing. Both for you and for law enforcement.
glenda_al
Original Author
16 years ago
I know about the safety issues.
I got the tint that was WITHIN the law.

Just wondering why this car's front window wasn't tinted.
My sunroof did come tinted!

Thanks everyone!
golfergrrl
16 years ago
California law: no tint whatsoever on the front driver and passenger windows. Period.
When a cop approaches your car, he/she has to be able to see inside very clearly.
magic_arizona
16 years ago
Yes, you can have tint on the front driver and passenger doors in California.

HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN CALIFORNIA?

Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In California, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Back Side Windows Any darkness can be used.
Rear Window Any darkness can be used.
mimi_boo
16 years ago
I never said you weren't within the law.
glenda_al
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry, mimi, didn't mean mine was "not within the law".
I know what you meant :o)
Just curious about my tint job that cost $225. I'm satisfied now.
Thx for all the imput, ya'll!
nan_ar
16 years ago
My front window must be a color tint that came with the car( the bluish I guess) because it is slightly darker so the sun doesn't glare but still within the law.
golfergrrl
16 years ago
From the CHP...

Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?

The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

Here is a link that might be useful: CHP FQA page
magic_arizona
16 years ago
I did see that and apparently there is some confusion about California law but this is from the California Motor vehicle code sec 26708:

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:

(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.

(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.

(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet A rays.

(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the installing company and the material's manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material's manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer's instructions meets the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the material's manufacturer by full name and street address.

(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.

So, as long as it lets in at least 70 percent of the light, it is legal.

Here is a link that might be useful: California motor vehicle Code
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Can't tint windshield, except a few inches along the top, here.

Some door windows are so heavily tinted that it's hard to tell whether there are people inside. I think that's improper - as it must reduce the amount that one can see out of them.

Many rear and side windows here are heavily tinted.

As for sunroof tinting ...

... how many cars, trucks, snowplows, pedestrians, power poles, etc. do you see approaching you from that direction?

But ... if it's almost as opaque as metal ... why bother with all of the extra construction, with attendant costs?

Hey! Wait a minute! I have a sunroof - metal. Oh, yeah ... wind in your hair (if you have any). But not popular/useful in winter ... actually, I'd rather enjoy an (untinted) glass one in winter. But tinted in summer ... humans sure are hard to please! How about an exchangeable one?

ole joyful

Car window question

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