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I'm looking to tint the windows on my Millenium Yellow C5. I live in a very safe suburban town where the police have absolutely nothing better to do than pull over law abiding citizens. Therefore, a dark tint is a non-starter since I'll be pulled over within about 3 minutes. Any ideas on a tint number that is darker than stock, but won't get a ton of attention from the police? Pennsylvania does not allow any tint at all, but I'm told if you stay somewhat lighter you won't get harassed much. Thanks for any suggestions.
I'm looking to tint the windows on my Millenium Yellow C5. I live in a very safe suburban town where the police have absolutely nothing better to do than pull over law abiding citizens. Therefore, a dark tint is a non-starter since I'll be pulled over within about 3 minutes. Any ideas on a tint number that is darker than stock, but won't get a ton of attention from the police? Pennsylvania does not allow any tint at all, but I'm told if you stay somewhat lighter you won't get harassed much. Thanks for any suggestions.
A tint shop that does this on a regular basis should know what % of tint is legal in your state/city for the sides and rear glass.
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Here we are allowed to have a max tint of 35% on the front side windows - it is definitely darker than the stock glass but not so dark you can't see inside the car. It all comes down to how much you want to push the envelope if your local police force are aggressive in ticketing for tinted windows.
A tint shop that does this on a regular basis should know what % of tint is legal in your state/city for the sides and rear glass. :cheerus:
I called 2 tint shops and they basically said the same thing..."No tint is legal in PA, but don't worry, you won't get pulled over". I know that's not true, because the vast majority of my friends with tint have all received tickets. I'm just trying to figure out a good number that is darker than stock, but light enough that unless the cop is a true PITA they won't bother me. Pretty much just looking for anecdotal responses on lighter tint colors that don't seem to catch the attention of the police on a frequent basis.
Here we are allowed to have a max tint of 35% on the front side windows - it is definitely darker than the stock glass but not so dark you can't see inside the car. It all comes down to how much you want to push the envelope if your local police force are aggressive in ticketing for tinted windows.
Thanks...That gives me a little bit of a starting point. The police in my area definitely subscribe to the theory that dark tint = must give ticket and lighter tint = usually you're ok. I see dark tint cars pulled over all the time, but rarely ever see the light tint cars pulled, but only anecdotal evidence in the thread will make me feel like a certain % may provide some safety from being asked to provide a mandatory donation.
Have you experienced or known people to have that problem, or is it just speculation? I live in a very small neighborhood that has its own PD and if anyone gets pulled over for something, every car shows up. That said, I drive past that police station frequently and never had an issue. My last few cars weren't tinted because I knew I was going to sell them and didn't bother, my C5Z has no tint currently but it will once it gets warm again. Probably 20%, my parents have 5% and it's ridiculously dark.
I drove my Riviera with 20% tint all over town and past that police station even as a 16 year old in this car and never once was stopped for anything. Had that car for 8 years just like this and it had slightly louder pipes too, but maybe enough people think it's a grandma car that they paid no mind to it.
If you want to be on the safe side go with like 40% or 50%. Not sure exactly what is on my Maxima (see below) but this is legal tint. The above was illegal tint, but up to the cop on if they would stop you for it or ask about it. If all tint is illegal in your area, I'd think you could only get away with light stuff. I can't stand non-tinted with everything blinding and people gawking in at you, the below is the minimum I'd require to be worth tinting.
I've witnessed numerous dark tint cars get pulled over (like that Riviera) and the majority of my friends with dark tint have gotten tickets. None of them have light tint (like the Maxima in the picture), so I'm hoping if I go light I may be ok. What % do you think that Maxima is and what would be just one shade darker?
I live in PA, three of my cars have tint including the one I drive daily and I haven't had any issues in the 10+ years that I've owned cars with tinted windows. I would suggest going no darker than 35% in your case and perhaps something in the 40%-50% might suit you best if you're concerned about getting pulled over.
If people are law abiding..one wonders why police would be pulling them over?? Just to torment them!?!
They need the "donations" for the gorgeous new police station they are building. I understand pulling people over for excessive speeding, running a stop sign or red light, etc. Pulling people over for no reason other than tinted windows is a little excessive, IMO. While those individuals may be "breaking the law", I think relentlessly enforcing it only demonstrates there are too many officers and not enough productive activities for them to do. Unfortunately, rather than utilizing the correct solution (laying off officers as the payroll is absolutely bloated in my town), they justify their swelling ranks by harassing "law abiding" citizens like myself for ridiculous things like tint violations, etc. Not trying to get off topic with this response...just trying to learn more about tint and how I might be able get it without constant police harassment based on the experiences of others.
I bought the Maxima already tinted so I can only guess as to the tint darkness (so really anyone else's guess is probably fair game). I'm guessing it's 50%, so if you wanted darker but nothing too crazy I'd guess 40% would probably be what you'd be looking for.
Thanks. I may go with 40%. I don't think that looks too obvious, but gives it a better look.
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Originally Posted by Slo Yelo C5
Thanks. I may go with 40%. I don't think that looks too obvious, but gives it a better look.
I'd go with 35% as it almost seems some newer cars come stock like that.
But 40 is not so much different that its a nogo.
That plus factory tint should get you the look you want.
I had 40% done on mine and I love it. It is lighter than the 35% and since I went with the "ceramic" type tint it keep the heat out just fine down here in GA.
If you are really worried about the LEOs, there is even 80-90% available that will keep the heat out but not attract attention.
I live in PA, three of my cars have tint including the one I drive daily and I haven't had any issues in the 10+ years that I've owned cars with tinted windows. I would suggest going no darker than 35% in your case and perhaps something in the 40%-50% might suit you best if you're concerned about getting pulled over.
/\ This.
I have tint on all three of my vehicles. 15% on the vette and Accord and 35% on the Pilot. 35% is hardly noticeable outside but provides a fair amount of UV protection. It has a factory appearance as well.
They need the "donations" for the gorgeous new police station they are building. I understand pulling people over for excessive speeding, running a stop sign or red light, etc. Pulling people over for no reason other than tinted windows is a little excessive, IMO. While those individuals may be "breaking the law", I think relentlessly enforcing it only demonstrates there are too many officers and not enough productive activities for them to do. Unfortunately, rather than utilizing the correct solution (laying off officers as the payroll is absolutely bloated in my town), they justify their swelling ranks by harassing "law abiding" citizens like myself for ridiculous things like tint violations, etc. Not trying to get off topic with this response...just trying to learn more about tint and how I might be able get it without constant police harassment based on the experiences of others.
If someone breaks into your home, or vandalizes your car. If someone assaults you or one of your family members. Who you going to call for help...one of the "laid off" police officers?
If someone breaks into your home, or vandalizes your car. If someone assaults you or one of your family members. Who you going to call for help...one of the "laid off" police officers?
I live in an area where felonies rarely ever happen. To have a massive police force when the worst thing that normally happens in my town is a $5 theft of goods from the grocery store makes absolutely no sense. Sorry...I'm for normal taxes, not excessive local taxes just to keep building up the police force with more officers to combat those "serious" problems of tinted car windows and driving 43 mph in a 35 mph zone (yes--my friend recently got pulled over for just that and received a $125+ citation--what a joke). I'm glad they offer police officers lots of overtime in my area. Can't let those going 8 mph over the limit get away with it! They are a serious threat to everybody!
To be fair, speeding at any speed is up to the cop to let you go or cite for. The 25 and 35 MPH zones have a lot more scrutiny than the 55-80 MPH zones from what I've seen. Plus the kind of car you have and your demeanor are big factors. Friend of mine works with a lot of attitude-y young guys who drive GTIs, Subarus, Mustangs, etc. so they always whine about getting tickets when they probably don't get enough. I live down the street from a school and the number of idiots going way too fast is ridiculous. There are a handful of Fast and Furious wannabes who once they clear the bend in front of my house race to the next bend (I can only assume, but I've heard them wind out their gears, up shift, and wind out another - so they're going way too fast).
In my neighborhood and surrounding areas the speed limits are 25 MPH, if I was going 33 MPH they might well pull me over for it because it's almost all residential and small side roads with kids playing. Of course they're never around when those idiots come barreling down my road though...if it were up to me, I would mercilessly ticket these speeders around here. Some are young and need the lesson, but many are old enough that they should know better.
I'm probably just annoyed by the police in my area because I drive about 200 miles per week, and I would say I drive past a police car at least 60+ times per week. I'm not even exaggerating. And if I had to estimate, I would say I see a car pulled over at least 80%+ of the times I see a patrol car. If I lived in a dangerous area, that would make me feel safe. Considering I live in an unbelievably safe area, I just consider it harassment of citizens trying to get around. There is no reason I should see patrol cars each 3-4 miles driven in ultra safe suburban towns. And it's funny...the only town nearby which is dangerous (very dangerous for that matter), is the only spot I never see the police patrol. They sit on the main road on the wealthy side of town waiting to give tickets for tinted windows and such, and won't patrol the dangerous town nearby. I'm sure it's all just an oversight.
Help!! Tint suggestions...
