Tag: tint

Posted on

Window Tint – Too Much Of A Good Thing

Q: I’m pretty sure that Washington has a regulation for how dark front passenger and driver side windows can be tinted. If so, why do I see so many vehicles with windows that are almost totally blacked out? Why is it not enforced since it is definitely a safety issue?

A: Window tinting is one of those cases where if a little is good, more is not better. And let me explain what I mean by “better.” People get their windows tinted for a variety of reasons, but when we’re talking about any modification to a vehicle, safety has to be the primary measurement determining what’s better. Dark windows might look more stylish, keep the interior of your car cooler when it’s parked in the sun, and increase privacy, but none of those things positively influence the core function of driving: getting safely to your destination.

Continue reading “Window Tint – Too Much Of A Good Thing”
Posted on

How Dark is Too Dark?

Q: How dark can window tint be on a car?

A: Maybe it’s about the heat. Maybe it’s about the style. Maybe it’s about the privacy. Whatever the reason, many people choose to tint the windows on their cars. Proponents of window tint point to several benefits; big surprise, I’ll start with safety. Window tint is a thin plastic film that goes on the inside of the glass. In a crash, this film can hold together broken glass that would otherwise fly through the car. By design, auto glass breaks into small chunks that are less likely to cause injury compared to jagged shards of glass from, say, a residential picture window, so while the tint film may help, it’s not as significant a safety feature as it first seems to be. Continue reading “How Dark is Too Dark?”