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Tinted Windows on Black Prius and California Laws

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by gsaliba, Oct 31, 2009.

  1. gsaliba

    gsaliba New Member

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    Hello,

    I would like to add tinted windows on my new black prius.

    According to California law, the rear windows can be any tint and the front windows (driver and front passenger) can be tinted as long as they let 70% light in.

    I was thinking of 35 level Tint for the rear windows.
    Anyone have any idea what level tint lets 70% light in?

    I really dont want to have 0 tint on my driver and passenger window and i dont want to have too much tint so I wont get a fix-it ticket.

    So, any Prius califronia drivers now what the best tints to get so the car windows will blend with 35 tint for rear windows and yet not bring too much attention from cops?

    Thanks!
     
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    When I saw my investment in Wet Okales seat covers was getting chewed up from UV, I went to these guys and got the Pinnicle 50 on all windows, except the winshield. There I used the Airblue 80. After 2 months of driving with the tint, no problems with fix-it-tics. It does STOP 99% of UV ON ALL windows and the Pinnicle 50 stops the IR heat from coming in by43%, and Glare reduction by44%.Heres the URL where I went, you can check out the tints they have. You can probably find someone in your area that handles the Pinnicle series of tints if you choose this option!!!

    Window tinting Orange County California products showcase Tint Plus
     
  3. trashcan

    trashcan Junior Member

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    hmm..u sure you are correct on the driver and passenger side tint? I got cited 2 times even with a 75%-80%. 1st time cited, didn't had enough time to remove the tint and got cited again before the 1st citation's expiration date. The CHP simply said NOthing can't be added to the driver and passenger side even if it's clear but the back can't be as dark as pure black. I don't have time to research that and just removed the front tint myself and got it signed off.
     
  4. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    I did not say it was legal, just that I used the lightest tint I could find. But I NEEDED UV protection!
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Unfortunately your 2010 Prius already comes close to the legal limit for tint on the windows (in CA) to either side of the driver. Adding even 70% tint will put you under the legal limit. That being said, you can often get away with 70% on top of a 70%-80% factory "tint" and be just fine as long as you don't have black interior and are very dark skinned yourself.

    For a more classy look I would go with the 70% front and either 35% or 50% on the rear doors and 15% on the rear window. I started off with 35% front and 5% rears but after 2 tickets I took off the 35% and went ot 70% and I've been ticket free ever since. My car is red and I have ivory interior.
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. drees

    drees Senior Member

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    What F8L said - get the lightest tint possible in front and you should be OK - but be prepared to pay a fix-it ticket if you get pulled over by the wrong officer.

    You can help avoid this by making sure you roll down at least both front windows if you are pulled over - it's always best to roll down ALL windows regardless if you are pulled over. Makes it easy for the officer to see inside and helps put them at ease.
     
  7. trashcan

    trashcan Junior Member

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    and be prepared for some racist officers. I got pulled over twice by the same shitty dog but he didn't pull over the one infront of me that is having a darker tint than mine.
     
  8. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

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    Cops will totally respond negatively to a person's image if they have had issues with "someone like you" before. They will respond based on how you are when they approach you....basically you are already being pulled over, don't BS, make things easy for them (like giving them a clear view, having PW easily accessible) but do not show attitude cause then they just want to bust your chops and will because they have a badge.
    I have 50% back and 20% front, nice look on silver and great protection for heat and fade.[​IMG]
     
  9. trashcan

    trashcan Junior Member

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    Oh..well. I didn't get upset or in any arguments with that public servant. I just asked what else I could put on for the driver and passenger side and he simply said NOTHING, only stock clear window per Cali law. The second time I got pulled over by the same cop, I simply showed him the ticket he wrote and said he alrady gave me a citation. He was laughing and couldn't remember he did that, but shit..it was only a week apart.
     
  10. ALL_600D

    ALL_600D New Member

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    Why would the back tint be lighter then the front tint? The percentage represents how much light is able to filter through. The lower the percentage, the darker the film. I think you have it backwards.