[Road Trip]

Not talking about the windshield, but the rest of the windows... Does anyone definitively know the percentage of tint (if any) that Mazda 3 windows come tinted from the factory.

Since there are now EPA fuel mileage "bonus calculations" for having a factory tint (less air conditioning compressor time), OEM's have been recently introducing a minor amount of factory window tint.

Thanks. Getting my windows tinted on Monday.

 

[lowincash]

Windows are very lightly tinted, probably 80% range. Not 100% sure tho

 

[edvb]

If I did it again I would go 35%! 40% is just a little clear after having it for a while. Pinnacle really reduces the heat even at 40%.

 

[Road Trip]

Sometimes just asking a question in a thread, and seeing one "response post," inspires me to dig further. First, and I should have put this in my OP, I am referring only to VLT ratio (visible light transmission), for there are often other window tint standards regarding reflectivity, etc.

So, re VLT, I just learned that most OEM's have a window tint of between 72 and 78, and the reason why it appears that no OEM has a lower than 70, is that that is the legal limit in some states.

Second, learned that to get a rough VLT percentage of how a window is tinted, you take the OEM tint, say 70 for ease of multiplying, and then if one were to choose a window film with a 20 VLT, you multiple the two (.7 X.2) to get a VLT of 14. As that method is very rough, the way many law enforcement and window tinting businesses measure actual VLT is by using a VLT meter.

Third, I just found a YouTube vid in which the person, with a meter in hand, said that Mazda uses 75 VLT window.

So putting all this together, to be legal in my state which requires a 35 on all side and rear windows, I would need to go with a film with a 47 VLT -- but of course no one makes that, and IMO a 50 VLT is not worth it to me (little change to the eye).

I live in a northern U.S. climate, so tint heat rejection is not my issue, but visual appearance and cutting some of the glare is what I am seeking. So I am going with a 35 tint, while technically illegal, probably resulting in around a net of 27 VLT.

However, I have learned one other major factor, that there a huge visual difference, even for the same VLT, on how dark is the vehicle's interior color, i.e., from the outside, windows with a 35 VLT with a black interior are going to look far darker than an identical car with a very light interior.

Pics next week.

 

[GerryB]

You sir, are correct. I have almond leather and a 35 tint and can still see the seats from the outside. It's all about perception when it comes to the human mind.
Honestly, if you end up with 27, I don't think you'll get hassled. Limo or drug dealer tint and yes, you'd be asking for it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Chimphappyhour]

"However, I have learned one other major factor, that there a huge visual difference, even for the same VLT, on how dark is the vehicle's interior color, i.e., from the outside, windows with a 35 VLT with a black interior are going to look far darker than an identical car with a very light interior."

I've been using this very same theory for "security" reasons for the last few cars and will only consider a black interior in all future cars. Black interior plus tinted windows and a black sheet can hide a lot from most prying eyes under most lighting conditions. If you're really looking in under strong light, then it can be seen by most but they have to be consciously looking.

 

[arathol]

So putting all this together, to be legal in my state which requires a 35 on all side and rear windows, I would need to go with a film with a 47 VLT -- but of course no one makes that, and IMO a 50 VLT is not worth it to me (little change to the eye).

I live in a northern U.S. climate, so tint heat rejection is not my issue, but visual appearance and cutting some of the glare is what I am seeking. So I am going with a 35 tint, while technically illegal, probably resulting in around a net of 27 VLT.

Have you checked with the installer about this, and have you looked at all of the Motor Vehicle Regs? Where I live its not only about light transmission of the installed film. There is also a requirement that the installer provides a sample of the tint to the MVD for testing and the tint has to meet standards. Documentation has to be provided to the customer stating that the tint meets those standards. A registered compliance sticker has to be placed on the window that is tinted by the installer.

In Oregon, 2015 ORS 815.221 of the motor vehicle codes says this:

(9) Each person who installs window tinting material in compliance with this section shall give the person who requested the installation a certificate stating:
(a) The name and address of the person who installed the tint;
(b) The light transmittance of the tinting material;
(c) The light reflectance of the tinting material; and
(d) That the total light transmittance through each window with the tinting material applied is not less than 35 percent.

So, if you have somebody do the tint, they are going to comply with the law as they will be held responsible if the installation is found to be not in compliance.

 

[darvetis]

My tint is at 40%, though I sometimes wish it was at 35% (like I had on previous vehicle). Had no idea about the certificate requirement here in Oregon, just sent email to my installer inquiring about that.

 

[Road Trip]

Our tinters will only give you a compliance certificate if what they do is 100% in compliance with the law. My installer (and probably 90% here) will install what the customer wants (even 20 VLT or even less if asked), but then will not give out a compliance cert. Our police officers are not going after tinters, but car owners for window tint violations.

Just as when I do a mod, I accept fully responsibility for what is done to my car. If my windows are found in non-compliance, I will remove it and have it replaced it at my expense -- or pay the ticket and keep taking my chances. I accept that when I deliberately do something not in compliance (window tint, aftermarket mod, go over the speed limit a few miles per hour), it's all on me.

Candidly, our police are not ticketing for anything unless darker than 20 VLT (if they even get around that). Not in disagreement that when someone is stopped for a moving infraction and starts mouthing off, that the officer might issue a second ticket for a window tint violation, but the rare times I am stopped I am polite and respectful, and our officers are similarly professional and fair.

Just yesterday was caught in my yellow Z06 in a school zone on radar, probably caught me at 21/22 MPH (20 MPH is the law here), and he gave me a thumbs up.

I do have a front plate because we now have intersection red-light-cameras, and lately speed cameras, and jurisdictions are strictly enforcing that state law.

 

[Stewie]

70% OEM

Anything above 35% is useless, might as well not have tints at all.

Most cops don't care but they tend to throw it in if you were doing something else like speeding

 

[darvetis]

70% OEM

Anything above 35% is useless, might as well not have tints at all.

Most cops don't care but they tend to throw it in if you were doing something else like speeding

Not useless to me, my car is noticeably cooler inside now, and it's much more difficult for people to see all the photo equipment I haul around. But to each, his own.