I live where the sun gets pretty hot and I am concerned about sun damage to the interior. Does anyone know if the sun-filtering film that is permanently attached to the inside of the glass will do the job and are there any concerns, other than legal.
I highly recommend 3M Crystalline for front windows, mainly because it's very effective and legal for CA. You won't get the tinted "look" however because it's clear. Crystalline Automotive Films - Clear automotive window film for cars, trucks - Crystalline - 3M US Any tint for back windows and hatch will do. I recommend anywhere from 5-30%.
For anyone who cares, according to Toyota, the front windshield blocks 100% of UV light, so there's no reason to get clear (100%) tint on that window since it will not do anything that the windshield already does on its own. Most tint will block close to 100% of UV, so you can just tint the side and rear windows.
I believe that the side windows also block UV, close to 100%. So, tint is only useful if you want to decrease the amount of light getting into your car. Otherwise, the glass around the Prius is pretty good at blocking UV.
Found it: http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/61167-2010-prius-window-specs.html Yeah, so, basically, tint is really only for looks and cutting the amount of light into the car. The glass itself is plenty good at UV reduction.
Not true. Window tints keep the car cooler by blocking solar heat. Yes UV radiation is bad, but tints are still useful because you cannot feel UV energy.
I know that at least in Australia cars have had UV blockers in the glass for some time now. I know my photosensitive glasses never darken when I drive a recent model car but they do in my boat which has a glass windscreen and enclosed cabin.
My photosensitive sunglass lenses have always had problems behind windshields. Then I tried the new Drivewear Transitions lenses and was amazed how well they darken, even in the Prius. DrivewearWeb
