I am thinking of tinting the front side windows 50%. I currently have 21% tint on the rear sides and rear windshield. Do you guys think I will have any problems with the cops if I have 50% tint up front? I just want some sun protection for myself while I drive. I live in California so hopefully I can get responses from California users and their past experiences. Thanks.

 

50% is good if you are paranoid about getting pulled over by cops... although I have 22% in the front myself
Granted, the 50% isnt going to block too much sun but it's a lot better than no tint at all already. You can consider the next level down (~35%) depending on how reflective the tint is. Honestly, if I were to tint my car again, I would go with 35% in the front and 22% in the back. But I have to say the tint lowers the temperture when parked under the sun by a good 5-10 F in the blazing california summer.

Hope this helps.

 

I think you have double check local state laws..

I'm also from SF area and know for a fact some guys getting "fix it" ticket for having front windows tinted.. (but I also don't know how much theirs were tinted then)

I don't know how much 50% tint varries from the original tint that comes on TL's .. if its too much of a difference.. you're just increasing your chances.. IMHO

 

You should check to see what's legal tint % for Kali. I'm in NYC and I tinted mine 20% all around (sides and back), except the front windshield. I believe NYC is 35% legal, but I thought 35% was too light. I might as well go with 20%. Let me tell you, 20% all around, if it's raining at night and u're driving, u best be very careful

 

Anything worth tinting is illegal for the front windows in CA. I had 12% on for a year before getting a fix it ticket, now no tint on the front as I haven't had time to get it retinted. I say go for whatever you want on the front, and just get it removed/reapplied every time you get a ticket (assuming it isn't too often).

It probably also depends on where you drive around....

 

i think the law is like 40%, i have 35's and ive had no problems for a few months. 35 is light imho, i want to get 30%

 

Keep in mind that the rear tint will make the front tint look darker. I have no tint on my front windows and with the 20% on the rear windows and back window it looks like the fronts are ~50%.

 

Any tints on the front windows are illegal in CA. I got pulled over a few times with my first gen TL. Probably because I had 20% mirror tint (very noticable). I'm pretty sure cops wont haggle you if you have 50%. You can still see through it easily compared to 20%. Getting the same percentage all around makes the car look alot cleaner IMO. If you know any cops you can always have them sign it off for you and pay the $10 fixing ticket/

 

yup, cali law states no tint on the front door glass. it's up to you, what you have done to the car and how you drive.

most tints offer protection from the sun already in terms of UV and heat rejection; heck you can buy clear tint! it sounds like you just want more privacy and that is your risk.

 

CA law says no front tint. I had 35% on my fronts and got pulled over by CHP after having it for about 2 years. Switched to 50% and haven't had any problems. That being said, 50% cuts out most of the UV, but still lets in plenty of light, so my car doesn't stay as cool as it used to when I had 35% all around.

 

I live in south bay and I have 40% front and 30% rear. So far so good. ***knock on wood***.
Watch out for female cops/chps. They tend to be pickier. I almost got pulled over one time but she decided to stop the car infront of my for "unsafe lane changes".

Good Luck.

 

In CA you actually are allowed to have some tint on the front windows, it just has to allow more than 70% of the light through. Which is basically nothing, but is different than no tint.

 

In my area the legal limit is 35% in front i believe, my previous car had 5% all the way around with no problems, and my TL has 15% all around and no issues so far. 50% seems almost like a waste of money IMO

 

I'm sure he wants the tints so he can get some privacy.

 

I Have 3% All Around Front Sides Rear Sides And Rear Im Tinting The Front 35% Or 50% Havent Had Any Problems Just Put Ur Windows Down If U See A Cop Usually They Just Pass By Without Noticing Unless They Stop Right Next To U And Are Really Bored

 

wait...so you have 3% all around?....that's really messed up...lol ....i have 15% on sides and 5% on back...it's borderline perfect....wouldn't mind 10% sides 3% rear....

 

Maybe this will help.

CA Tint Law Link

 

Get all the side windows tinted 35% and leave the rear at 20%.

I have 35% all around in my TL-S. The law in Illinois says no tint on the front side windows. I have not had any problems with the tint, even when I was pulled over for speeding.

I think using the same % tint on all the side windows would look better.

 

3% All Around Except The Front Windsheild Havent Tinte It Im Thinking 35% My Car Is Alwaysss Colldd I Live In Miami Its Always Hottt

 

I'm thinking of buying pre-cut tints and tinting the front side windows myself to save some money. Do you guys recommend me doing it myself? How was the level of difficulty and outcome? Anybody here try tinting themself?

 

20% ish good...not too dark...not too light

 

Tinting should be left to the professionals. Would not recommend buying the pre-cut, unless you are hard up for cash.

 

I have 35% on the front and rear sides and 20% on the rear.... With my black interior its almost impossible just to see inside the car!!!!