Hello everyone. I am a n00b to this site and have finally put in my order for a Silver AT Sport. They said 2-3 weeks wait, but I am expecting to wait a bit longer. I don't mind since this will give me a chance to increase my savings on my down payment. I am very excited!

On to my question: I have been trying to do some research on San Diego's (or is it CA statewide?) tint law and have had so many conflicting results. Some are saying it is okay to tint 7% on the front, while some have said that they have been pulled over by cops for having any amount of tint. Does anyone have an absolute answer to what can be done to the front windows?

I don't want to get pulled over for a dumb reason when I am just trying to block the UVs from turning me into a muffin.

Andy

 

It is illegal to have any tint on the front 2 windows of a car in california. I've been cited for it and various tint shops have told me the same. Anywhere else you want the tint is fine, regardless of how dark it is.
Tre

 

he speaks the truth. but I'm doing med all the way around. nothing too dark. just enough to help keep my black beauty cooler

 

www.windowtintlaws.com

 

tint the back as dark as possible and people will not see what you have inside the rear hatch area. It is the way Ive don it. It looks good. night time driving is dark.... send me private messege for pics.

 

mine are illegal in the front only...15% black all around...care less about what the law says

 

haha i got mine tinted at the dealership. i believe the front is 35% but the back doors and hatch looks darker

 

For all you owners with tint, did the tint shop have to remove the door panels in order to tint your windows?

Some say that's the best way because it allows access to the entire window thus a fully tinted window. Others have told me that they'll just pull back the rubber seal on top of the door panel. If it's the former, I'm a little reluctant to have someone remove the door panels and screw something up.

 

No. Tint' shops do NOT take off the door panel. They trace the tint on the outside and stretch it and everything. Then when they got the shape of the bottom n sides, they mount it ont he inside. Then they roll down the windows a little and cut the top edge of the glass. Then they close it and move on to the next one.

 

So here's what the guy did for me,,,
He told me any amount on the windows behind the driver is legal,,,
front side windows,,,
the law says no tinting,,,
BUT he gave me a wavier to sign ,relieveing him of responsibility, and he said he would go 30% (I think). so I did,,I can be ticketed but it's a "fix-it" ticket unless you have darker than 30% then he can give you a citation for being unsafe.

 

Appreciate the feedback.

 

Just to note that I have legal tinting by dealer and I'd say it is a boon. It really helps with security of your cargo and also as a thermal shield. Overall, I'm pleased to have my back windows thoroughly tinted.

 

Front window tint is illegal, but the chances of getting cited will be greater if your Fit is modified like lowered, rims, and exhaust. If it is stock looking with illegal tint it is very unlikely you'll get pulled over.

70% tint in the front will yield 1 out of 10 times of being pulled over.
35% tint in the front is 2 out of 10
20% tint is 3 out of 10
5% or limo is 4 out of 10.

So the darker you go the more likely you'll get pulled over.

 

im getting 20% all around... and cops around my area are cool about it unless you driving fast for no reason ...

 

I just got my windows tinted 20% and so far so good. I did get sweated but backed off probable cause my car is stock.

 

Yeah I got limo in the back and 16% up front. Cops dont seem to mind out here cuz they understand since its so freaking hot.

 

I chose not to put tint on the front windows because I got tired of getting nervous when I saw a cop. The last time I got pulled over for illegal tint the cop told me something interesting. If you get into an accident the other driver can use your illegal tint against you. They can claim that you caused the accident because your vision was reduced.

 

The tint shop I used had a computer machine that they just input the make and model of the car and it cuts out the windows shapes to perfection. They had never tinted a Fit before but they had the car in their data base so it was easy to do. I loved the results:
Cat :X

 

My tinting place removed my door panels. I've seen some applications that cut out the shape of the window, but then after a while, it will shrink a bit and you'll see an edge..

 

Man i cant believe how lucky we are here in South Africa! No one cares here how dark your windows are, they dont even care if the car is roadworthy or not. Didnt know you guys had such hectic laws over there. All our cops are worried about is speeding, how much money they can make off you (either by issuing you a fine or taking a bribe).