Windshield Tint?

[Magic88]

50% on the front, 20% on the front side windows, no issues with driving after dark.

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[KreeHBronco]

Here in California, you can only tint the top 4" of your front window and I think the driver/passenger side windows can go to 70%. Unfortunately for me, I get sunburned easy, so on my 2026 4dr, I went with 70% on the entire front and 55% on all sides using a high end ceramic tint (reduces UV & solar heating) so it really doesn't change the look of the vehicle. I am taking a chance, but to avoid having to wear gloves/long-sleeve shirts/long pants on long trips, it's worth it.

 

[Phil James]

Hey all,

Getting my front windows tinted to match the back.

Thoughts/feedback on getting the windshield done too?

Top 4 inches really helps. That's a tall windshield.

 

[T800]

The windshield isn't legal in CA, though neither are the front side windows. I have gotten a ticket for the side windows, but that was 20+ years ago. So not sure if they will still pull you over, or just add it on if they pull you over for something else.

I was pissed one time: Went to the police station to get the fix it ticket signed off after peeling the tint. Officer was on the phone. He put the phone down for a second and asked me if I had the tint removed. I confirmed, so he signed off the ticket without looking at it.

I'm probably going to get the front sides done, but not the windshield.

 

[CBNash]

FWIW...AI sez...
Yes, windshield tint is legal in Tennessee, but only as a non-reflective visor strip across the very top of the glass. You can legally apply tint to the area above the manufacturer's AS-1 line (or the top 5 inches of the windshield). Tinting below this line or applying full windshield tint is illegal. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Tennessee tint regulations to follow:

• Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint only.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light (35% VLT).
• Back Windows & Rear Windshield: Rules vary slightly depending on the exact source year/type, but generally must allow more than 35% of light or have no restrictions, provided the vehicle is equipped with both side mirrors.
• • Reflectivity: Mirrored or metallic finishes are banned.

For a full breakdown of the statute or to look into medical exemptions for other windows, check out the Tennessee Code on Window Tinting or the Tennessee Safety Support Website for official hardship permits. [1, 2, 3]

Thanks for all that info! Much appreciated!

 

[CBNash]

Here in California, you can only tint the top 4" of your front window and I think the driver/passenger side windows can go to 70%. Unfortunately for me, I get sunburned easy, so on my 2026 4dr, I went with 70% on the entire front and 55% on all sides using a high end ceramic tint (reduces UV & solar heating) so it really doesn't change the look of the vehicle. I am taking a chance, but to avoid having to wear gloves/long-sleeve shirts/long pants on long trips, it's worth it.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[T800]

Here in California, you can only tint the top 4" of your front window and I think the driver/passenger side windows can go to 70%. Unfortunately for me, I get sunburned easy, so on my 2026 4dr, I went with 70% on the entire front and 55% on all sides using a high end ceramic tint (reduces UV & solar heating) so it really doesn't change the look of the vehicle. I am taking a chance, but to avoid having to wear gloves/long-sleeve shirts/long pants on long trips, it's worth it.

I didn't believe the part about the side windows, so I looked that up. It used to be illegal, similar to the Windshield. That essentially is correct since OEM glass (not tinted) already meets the 70% (usually 70 - 85%) guideline. So tinting it anymore will make it illegal. The following example was given on Reddit:

The law states 70% minimum to be legal. Your stock glass ranges from 70-85%, which means adding any 70/80 window film will push it below legal. For example, if your stock glass (no film) is 75%...once you add a 70 film, the total VLT is around 52%, making it illegal. The only possible legal option is 90%, and only if your stock glass is on the clearer side in the 80s. 3M Crystalline 90 is a great film in this case. Now, do people in CA run illegal tint, including much darker tint, absolutely. Just depends on the cop you roll across. Some areas are more strict than others.

That said, I still plan to tint the front sides to get as close of a match to the rear as I can.

Does anyone know what the rear is? I'm estimating around 50 - 60%

Also tempted to do the strip on the front. Even though my wife thinks that 'looks stupid' lol. I'm more of a 'function before form' type, but I've been looking at vehicles that have tinted the front sides and don't see a lot of strips on the front.

 

[Z because X was taken]

I tinted the windshield and have no issue at night.

 

[T800]

I tinted the windshield and have no issue at night.

What percentage, and how old are you lol?

I had never noticed a problem with previous vehicles. Though my vehicle before last, I never got around to tinting the front roll ups. When I tinted my last vehicle (around 50% iirc), it took a few months to get used to it. Seems to be getting worse with age. I just turned 54.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Didn't want mine to match.

Did 35% on the front sides (max legal in AZ), and 20% on the rear and cap. Kind of wish I had gone down to 15 on those.

35% is actually kind of hard to see when turning onto dirt roads with no street lighting. Need to install so ditch lights for left and right turns.

 

[Boostedblues]

For what its worth. Here is my F250 with 50% ceramic om the windshield and my RS with 80% ceramic. Both have huge windshields. It helped so much with the heat wile driving. I could a huge difference and the hvac systems definitely didnt work as hard to keep me cool. Plus you would never know the RS has it. There is barely a visual difference.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

The windshield isn't legal in CA, though neither are the front side windows. I have gotten a ticket for the side windows, but that was 20+ years ago. So not sure if they will still pull you over, or just add it on if they pull you over for something else.

Windshield is illegal in every state (other than the top strip).

Cali allows 70% on front side, which is barely tinted.

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