Can you drive a car with 50% window tint?

This blog will answer the following questions: Can you drive a car with 50% window tint? How to determine the correct percentage of window tint for your car? Should you get a window tint on the car? How to apply window tint on a car?

Can you drive a car with 50% window tint?

Yes, you can drive a car with 50% window tint. It allows for 50 percent of sunlight and does not affect the visibility of the driver. The window tint percentage is determined by the amount of natural light that can pass through. It is denoted in VLT % VLT stands for visible light transmission and in most countries, it is legal to drive with a 35% window tint on the car.

The legal limits for window tint also vary according to the state laws and which window is tinted. For example, there can be different window tint limits for the front and rear windshields.

The rear windshield and windows can be darker compared to the front as it will not impair the visibility of the driver. It can be illegal to apply window tint on the complete front windshield. Only 4 to 6 inches on the top are allowed.

It is important to check the local state laws and limits before deciding to tint the Windows of the cars. Luxury car manufacturers have special layers in the windows as well as windshields to protect the passengers from UV rays.

Luxury cars also use cameras and rain-light sensors for advanced driver assistance systems. Applying dark tint on the front windshield can cause malfunction of the assistance systems as the cameras cannot see clearly through the tinted glass.

The stock glass used by the car manufacturer is not 100 % clear. Usually, it comes with a 75 % tint on the Windows and a 6-inch tint on the front windshield. It is applied to keep the interior cool and protect the passengers from UV rays.

How to determine the correct percentage of window tint for your car?

The correct percentage of window tint for your car can be determined in the following ways:

• Use a window tint meter and check the VLT % of the stock Window. The stock VLT percentage is between 75-95 % and it is written on the windows.
• Select the appropriate VLT percentage for the window tint which will be applied on the stock glass.
• Multiply the VLT % of stock glass and the VLT % of the tint. As the stock glass is not 100% clear, the combination of the tint and the glass will be darker. 

For example, if the original window of the vehicle has a 75 % VLT or visible light transmission. Applying a tint with 20 % VLT will result in the final tint with a VLT of 15 %. This final value can be lower than the limit value allowed by the local state law.

Therefore, always select a tint with a higher VLT percentage. The most popular combination is the 50 % tint on the front windows and a 35 % tint on the rear windows. It allows good visibility for the driver even at night and the 35 % VLT provides privacy to the rear passengers.

Many manufacturers like Toyota and Nissan give the option of a privacy window to the customer at the time of buying the car. However, as a stock option, there is no tint applied to the windows or on the windshields.

Always use a professional service to apply the windows tint as it is precision work. It is possible to apply a tint on top of an already installed windows tint. There are no clearance issues in the window winder mechanism. If the film is not properly installed it can come off and get stuck in the mechanism when the window is operated.

Should you get a window tint on the car?

Yes, you should put a window tint on the car due to the following reasons.

• Climate control system

Installing a window tint reduces the load on the climate control systems. The air conditioning compressor draws power from the internal combustion engine in most cars. If the interior of the car is cooler then the compressor does not need to run for extended periods of time.

The time required to cool the interior of the car is also low as the cabin stays cooler than the outside temperature. The fuel economy of the vehicle improves compared to using the car without any tint on the window.

The passengers as well as the trim on the dashboard stay protected from the UV rays and direct sunlight. It increases the comfort of the passengers, especially in summer, and reduces the glare on the eyes.

• Car’s appearance

There are different types and colors of Windows tint available which can improve the looks of the car. Drivers can even use different banners on the front and rear windshields instead of plain tint.

The privacy of the passengers is also increased as it is not possible to see the insides of the car directly. The most popular Windows tint pattern is dark tint on the rear windows compared to the front. 

There is a slightly expensive alternative to do a nano-ceramic tint on the windows which offers heat rejection without affecting the visibility. Overall, cars with window tint look much better than the stock windows.

• Safety

Installing Window tint on the glass increases the safety if the vehicle is in an accident. The tint keeps the window or windshield glass together if the glass breaks. Although automotive safety glass is used for windows and windshields.

Shards of broken glass can fly around in a high-speed collision and can cause injury to the passengers. Window tint holds the broken glass together and supports the internal laminating layer of the glass.

 How to apply window tint on a car?

The procedure to apply Window tint on a car is given below:

• Clean the windows properly and ready the surface for the application of the tint.
• Cut the tint using a surgical blade in the shape of the windows and remove the tape.
• Carefully apply the tint on the inner side of the window, and use a hit gun from the outside to remove any bubbles.
• Do not operate the windows for 48 hours as this allows the tint to cure.

The rear windshield in the sedan can be complicated as the space is restricted, the tint can be rolled before it is applied to the glass to make the task easier. It is not difficult to apply the window tint but using a professional service ensures that no material is wasted.

Conclusion

This blog explains the various benefits of window tint and answers the question if it is possible to drive with 50 % window tint. The local state laws can change for the VLT % of the windows tint. Hence, select the appropriate tint before applying as the window tint cannot be reused.