Damn Inspection
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 5
From: Joliet IL
I went with 20%, knowing that the law here in IL was 35%. I don't recall if I had them tinted the last time I had to have it inspected, so I'm not sure if they check for that during inspection. I'll just deal with the fine should it ever be an issue.
I do agree that it's difficult to see at night. I don't drive it after dark that much. When I do, I put the windows down.
I do agree that it's difficult to see at night. I don't drive it after dark that much. When I do, I put the windows down.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 455
Likes: 48
From: Athens GA
The new big thing in tint is "ceramic" tint. I seriously doubt there is any ceramic anything in it, but I will tell you right now that I have 40% on mine (let's 40% of visible light show through) and I am happier with that than any cheapo limo tint.
The limo tint seemed to act as a heat blanket keeping the heat in and radiating it through the windows. Sure, it looked cool, but down here in the south, we need stuff that actually keeps the heat out. In one of my engineering classes one group did an experiment on the effectiveness of three same brand tint. The limo tint actually heated a box up more. Light is absorbed by the black. I am considering having the tint torn out of my truck and going with this new lighter stuff in it.
Ohh, and I can see pretty good at night too.
The limo tint seemed to act as a heat blanket keeping the heat in and radiating it through the windows. Sure, it looked cool, but down here in the south, we need stuff that actually keeps the heat out. In one of my engineering classes one group did an experiment on the effectiveness of three same brand tint. The limo tint actually heated a box up more. Light is absorbed by the black. I am considering having the tint torn out of my truck and going with this new lighter stuff in it.
Ohh, and I can see pretty good at night too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,207
From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
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I have never had my windows tinted but I'm not opposed to it - especially in the desert areas like Arizona or Palmdale where the sun can almost set your seats and steering wheel on fire! I considered getting 100% tint on the rear window to deal with the super bright headlights on a lot of today's pickups and SUVs. For police pullovers, it's a must to lower front and side windows at least with hands on the steering wheel. Tell the cop a good story and maybe they'll let you off. Being LEO can be boring most of the time
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
Two days before I got my 04 Z the guy I got it from just had it tinted all windows super black he even sent me the warranty on it nice job and not cheap .. Felt bad ripping it off. I don't know what he was thinking .
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 1,156
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
The new big thing in tint is "ceramic" tint. I seriously doubt there is any ceramic anything in it, but I will tell you right now that I have 40% on mine (let's 40% of visible light show through) and I am happier with that than any cheapo limo tint.
The limo tint seemed to act as a heat blanket keeping the heat in and radiating it through the windows. Sure, it looked cool, but down here in the south, we need stuff that actually keeps the heat out. In one of my engineering classes one group did an experiment on the effectiveness of three same brand tint. The limo tint actually heated a box up more. Light is absorbed by the black. I am considering having the tint torn out of my truck and going with this new lighter stuff in it.
Ohh, and I can see pretty good at night too.
The limo tint seemed to act as a heat blanket keeping the heat in and radiating it through the windows. Sure, it looked cool, but down here in the south, we need stuff that actually keeps the heat out. In one of my engineering classes one group did an experiment on the effectiveness of three same brand tint. The limo tint actually heated a box up more. Light is absorbed by the black. I am considering having the tint torn out of my truck and going with this new lighter stuff in it.
Ohh, and I can see pretty good at night too.
and never had a problem keeps the heat out with no problems
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 57
From: Calgary Alberta
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I imported my car to Canada from Arizona where I believe tint is LEGAL.. When I got the out of country inspection done in Canada they wouldn't pass it until I ripped the tint off.
I plan on re-tinting the windows at some point, but I've received about 5-6 tickets in my younger days on previous other cars I've owned. They don't like tinted windows here in Canada
I plan on re-tinting the windows at some point, but I've received about 5-6 tickets in my younger days on previous other cars I've owned. They don't like tinted windows here in Canada
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 19
From: Peoria AZ
I got a warning back in December for my windows being too dark (bought the car already tinted) back and side windows are 7% according to the officer, but he said nothing about my windshield that was done at 35%. he let me off with a warning.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
In Pa, there is a safety inspection, and a mechanical inspection and in areas so designated an emission inspection.
A Pa State Inspection station can refuse to give a certioficate of compliance for anything they feel is a safety issue. Also window tint is still part of the safety inspection in Pa.
PA Motor Vehicle State Inspection Code
Ch. 45 75 Section 4524 (e)(1)
(e) Sun screening and other materials prohibited.
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle.
A Pa State Inspection station can refuse to give a certioficate of compliance for anything they feel is a safety issue. Also window tint is still part of the safety inspection in Pa.
PA Motor Vehicle State Inspection Code
Ch. 45 75 Section 4524 (e)(1)
(e) Sun screening and other materials prohibited.
(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 914
Likes: 182
From: Reidsville North Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21,315
Likes: 2,828
From: Nearby Mayberry in NC
Crowd Plow For Now
I've been running 20 in three cars..... no problems but I also take my car to a shop I know. They fake and charge me for the test as NCDOT has cameras in inspection sites now
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 390
Likes: 58
From: Columbus, OH
In PA the only thing that matters for the inspector is the REJECT IF sections, while it does violate the inspection code(70% is legal), the inspector may reject if they feel it is unsafe, but most leave it to the local barney fifes, never had an issue with staties, as we also let it be an "enforcement" item, we were more worried about the real safety issues from some of the crap on the roads...bald tires, worn suspension, brakes etc.
Check Glazing.
(i) REJECT IF any of the following apply:
(A) Approved safety glazing is not used in every windshield, window and wing.
(B) A sign, poster or other material whose design prevents a driver from seeing through thematerial, obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Under FMVSS No. 205, this restriction does not apply to the rear side windows, rear wings or rear window of trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.
(C) A sign, poster or other material, whose design prevents a driver from seeing through the material, xtends more than 3 ½ inches from the lowest exposed portion of the rear window, rear side windows or rear wings of a passenger car.
S
Check Glazing.
(i) REJECT IF any of the following apply:
(A) Approved safety glazing is not used in every windshield, window and wing.
(B) A sign, poster or other material whose design prevents a driver from seeing through thematerial, obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Under FMVSS No. 205, this restriction does not apply to the rear side windows, rear wings or rear window of trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.
(C) A sign, poster or other material, whose design prevents a driver from seeing through the material, xtends more than 3 ½ inches from the lowest exposed portion of the rear window, rear side windows or rear wings of a passenger car.
S
Last edited by Joepro95; Mar 7, 2017 at 08:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
In PA the only thing that matters for the inspector is the REJECT IF sections, while it does violate the inspection code(70% is legal), the inspector may reject if they feel it is unsafe, but most leave it to the local barney fifes, never had an issue with staties, as we also let it be an "enforcement" item, we were more worried about the real safety issues from some of the crap on the roads...bald tires, worn suspension, brakes etc.
Check Glazing.
(i) REJECT IF any of the following apply:
(A) Approved safety glazing is not used in every windshield, window and wing.
(B) A sign, poster or other material whose design prevents a driver from seeing through thematerial, obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Under FMVSS No. 205, this restriction does not apply to the rear side windows, rear wings or rear window of trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.
(C) A sign, poster or other material, whose design prevents a driver from seeing through the material, xtends more than 3 ½ inches from the lowest exposed portion of the rear window, rear side windows or rear wings of a passenger car.
S
Check Glazing.
(i) REJECT IF any of the following apply:
(A) Approved safety glazing is not used in every windshield, window and wing.
(B) A sign, poster or other material whose design prevents a driver from seeing through thematerial, obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Under FMVSS No. 205, this restriction does not apply to the rear side windows, rear wings or rear window of trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles.
(C) A sign, poster or other material, whose design prevents a driver from seeing through the material, xtends more than 3 ½ inches from the lowest exposed portion of the rear window, rear side windows or rear wings of a passenger car.
S
Last edited by Fcar 98; Mar 7, 2017 at 09:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
BUT any tint darker than 35% can and often will get you a ticket.......as will no front plate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I imported my car to Canada from Arizona where I believe tint is LEGAL.. When I got the out of country inspection done in Canada they wouldn't pass it until I ripped the tint off.
I plan on re-tinting the windows at some point, but I've received about 5-6 tickets in my younger days on previous other cars I've owned. They don't like tinted windows here in Canada
I plan on re-tinting the windows at some point, but I've received about 5-6 tickets in my younger days on previous other cars I've owned. They don't like tinted windows here in Canada
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 191
From: Wilmington DE
The best way around this I hear is to get a note from an eye doctor. I haven't personally done this but have friends that have
Last edited by SuperTom; Mar 8, 2017 at 10:57 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 455
Likes: 48
From: Athens GA
