Windshield Window Tint
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
The lawsuit issue is kind of an urban legend or myth when it comes to tinting windshields. Out of every person you've ever personally known, have they or anyone they've ever known ever been sued for a tinted windshield? Not likely. Sure, you can google it and try to pool for cases. But even after trying that, it's extremely rare, and those cases weren't even won. I agree, ridiculous dark tint on a windshield, depending when and where you're driving, may not be a very intelligent decision. However, the whole fear of civil lawsuits in cases of accidents is pretty much irrelevant. Tickets, that's a different story. But again, that depends where you live. If it were common, a google search would yield hundreds of not thousands of cases. But it doesn't.
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 12
Air Blue 80 clear tint on my truck windshield. Legal 
Not to be a party pooper, but my reason for not tinting my windows too dark let alone the windshield is due to liability reasons. Say, I am driving at night in the rain and hit a pedestrian. The police can impound my truck as evidence and the illegal tint could be used against me at trial (civil, criminal).
Not to be a party pooper, but my reason for not tinting my windows too dark let alone the windshield is due to liability reasons. Say, I am driving at night in the rain and hit a pedestrian. The police can impound my truck as evidence and the illegal tint could be used against me at trial (civil, criminal).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,439
Likes: 285
From: Somewhere Out There
The lawsuit issue is kind of an urban legend or myth when it comes to tinting windshields. Out of every person you've ever personally known, have they or anyone they've ever known ever been sued for a tinted windshield? Not likely. Sure, you can google it and try to pool for cases. But even after trying that, it's extremely rare, and those cases weren't even won. I agree, ridiculous dark tint on a windshield, depending when and where you're driving, may not be a very intelligent decision. However, the whole fear of civil lawsuits in cases of accidents is pretty much irrelevant. Tickets, that's a different story. But again, that depends where you live. If it were common, a google search would yield hundreds of not thousands of cases. But it doesn't.
The first thing we do in a traffic fatality is impound the vehicle, so there's no way to go back and peel off that evidence. People are very sue happy in my state. I guess it just depends on where you live.
Last edited by Patriot10; Jul 20, 2016 at 01:35 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 12
I understand how that works when it comes to fatal crashes. However, even still, in the sue happy area you reside, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find many cases involving personal liabilities based on any amount of windshield tint as it relates to ANY type of crash. The entire United States has become sue crazy. Windshield tinting has become fairly popular for a variety of reasons across the country. Yet, very few if any cases won. At least I can't find them. I agree that, in theory, you'd see more of this type of lawsuit. It just isn't the case.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,439
Likes: 285
From: Somewhere Out There
I understand how that works when it comes to fatal crashes. However, even still, in the sue happy area you reside, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find many cases involving personal liabilities based on any amount of windshield tint as it relates to ANY type of crash. The entire United States has become sue crazy. Windshield tinting has become fairly popular for a variety of reasons across the country. Yet, very few if any cases won. At least I can't find them. I agree that, in theory, you'd see more of this type of lawsuit. It just isn't the case.
As the earth gets hotter (climate change fear monger alert!), I think more people will go to darker tints and more will consider the windshield tint. Then, perhaps you may start to see liability suits for tinted windshields. I sure don't wanna be the first guy and the test case that goes to trial. But to each his own.
Last edited by Patriot10; Jul 20, 2016 at 01:48 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 602
Likes: 58
From: Detroit area and Nashville area What day is it? Between MI & TN
I did all windows. Most of my cars have the windshield tinted - Corvette has lightest other then clear, BMW has darker. No issues with police, no issue at night; especially with the corvette light tint on the windshield.
You can see by the photos how the light level outside and if the windows are up or down impact the 'perception' of how dark the windows are:
You can see by the photos how the light level outside and if the windows are up or down impact the 'perception' of how dark the windows are:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 314
From: PA
Here in PA if a cop wants to, they can pretty much tell you to remove your tint regardless of how light or dark it is if it's not factory applied.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Yes, it is true actually and has happened to many. However, a reputable tint company will take that into account. Some don't get it right, and then it's matter between you and LEO.
Last edited by Foosh; Jul 20, 2016 at 02:40 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
Check out Llumar Air 80 and 90 films. Nearly clear, but do an excellent job blocking solar energy and UV. I have the 90, which is legal in Texas.
Last edited by Kracka; Jul 20, 2016 at 04:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
Likes: 552
From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Same applies for tinting headlights, taillights and license plate covers.
And FWIW I'm not trying to be the "forum police". It's your car. Do what you want. Just trying to inform those that may not know.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 169
Likes: 36
From: Houston Texas
Any tint below the AS-1 line on the windshield is illegal, even in Texas. That being said a very light or clear tint shouldn't give an LEO a reason to pull you over for it.
Same applies for tinting headlights, taillights and license plate covers.
And FWIW I'm not trying to be the "forum police". It's your car. Do what you want. Just trying to inform those that may not know.
Same applies for tinting headlights, taillights and license plate covers.
And FWIW I'm not trying to be the "forum police". It's your car. Do what you want. Just trying to inform those that may not know.
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi...windowTint.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
Likes: 552
From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Sorry but your wrong. Read number five under windshield. Clear window tint/film is ok. The 70, 80, and 90% tints are so light they are hardly noticeable and would likely pose no problem unless you are a complete ahole!
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi...windowTint.htm
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi...windowTint.htm
Last edited by 2K14C7; Jul 20, 2016 at 06:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,439
Likes: 285
From: Somewhere Out There
Wicked looking Vettes in this thread
My Air Blue 80 clear windshield tint really does cut down on the heat. I use the "fingertip" test. I place my fingertip on the top of my steering wheel as the sun hits it and it is warm not hot. Would definitely recommend especially if you want some protection from skin cancer while driving.
My Air Blue 80 clear windshield tint really does cut down on the heat. I use the "fingertip" test. I place my fingertip on the top of my steering wheel as the sun hits it and it is warm not hot. Would definitely recommend especially if you want some protection from skin cancer while driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,439
Likes: 285
From: Somewhere Out There
Just read the Llumar website: the Air Blue 80 blocks 99% of "UV" light.
Looks like there's an even better film now, the Air Blue 90.
Last edited by Patriot10; Jul 20, 2016 at 10:28 PM.