Question About Factory Tint
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: DE <---> NY
Question About Factory Tint
On the way home tonight stuck in some traffic I thought to myself, why do the factory tint seems to be on the rear side windows of only SUV's and minivans? I've yet to see any factory tint on cars. I know that Mercedes Benz has that light blue looking tint on some of their models but I'm talking about black tint though. Anyone have a reason or ideas as to why this is the case?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: none
I assume you mean all the rear windows? Only the 1999-2000 CR-V Limited had factory tints on the side windows only (which meant the rear window was "clear").
No idea. It's probably a stylistic thing (as well as they're larger vehicles so they can get pretty hot with all that glass).
Up here in Canada, Honda gave us a Civic Street Edition with factory tint. It was available for a year or two (I believe it was 2004-2005).
No idea. It's probably a stylistic thing (as well as they're larger vehicles so they can get pretty hot with all that glass).
Up here in Canada, Honda gave us a Civic Street Edition with factory tint. It was available for a year or two (I believe it was 2004-2005).
I think it is mostly to conform to all states laws. Places like California it is illegal to have tint on the front drivers and passenger's windows. In my state, 35% all around is okay, but vans and trucks can have the rear and side windows blacked out as long as they have two outside mirrors since not all vans and trucks have have side and rear windows anyway. I'm not sure what category SUVs fall under. I assume truck since that is what they used to be based on, but now days it could be car as well.
I believe the light blue glass on Mercedes is not considered tint but treated as clear glass so it is legal all around, but not sure on that.
I believe the light blue glass on Mercedes is not considered tint but treated as clear glass so it is legal all around, but not sure on that.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: NYC/ATL
I've always wondered why cars did not come with an option for the 2 rear doors and back window to be tinted, and the Mercedes tint can be ordered, it's just 50% MB blue tint, some guy on 300c forum took his black tint off for the blue.
I also would like to know how they tint the glass at the factory, is it just another layer of film sandwiched between the layers of glass
I also would like to know how they tint the glass at the factory, is it just another layer of film sandwiched between the layers of glass
I believe factory tint is just the same as tint you get yourself. It is a film and I have seen people remove it to upgrade to a higher tint.
Typically, higher models of a certain car does have tint on the rear windows. For example, the Toyota Sienna, the CE verison does not contain tint at all, while all the higher ones, LE and XLE has tinted rear and side windows.
Typically, higher models of a certain car does have tint on the rear windows. For example, the Toyota Sienna, the CE verison does not contain tint at all, while all the higher ones, LE and XLE has tinted rear and side windows.
I believe factory tint is just the same as tint you get yourself. It is a film and I have seen people remove it to upgrade to a higher tint.
Typically, higher models of a certain car does have tint on the rear windows. For example, the Toyota Sienna, the CE verison does not contain tint at all, while all the higher ones, LE and XLE has tinted rear and side windows.
Typically, higher models of a certain car does have tint on the rear windows. For example, the Toyota Sienna, the CE verison does not contain tint at all, while all the higher ones, LE and XLE has tinted rear and side windows.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 1
From: DE <---> NY
I assume you mean all the rear windows? Only the 1999-2000 CR-V Limited had factory tints on the side windows only (which meant the rear window was "clear").
No idea. It's probably a stylistic thing (as well as they're larger vehicles so they can get pretty hot with all that glass).
Up here in Canada, Honda gave us a Civic Street Edition with factory tint. It was available for a year or two (I believe it was 2004-2005).
No idea. It's probably a stylistic thing (as well as they're larger vehicles so they can get pretty hot with all that glass).
Up here in Canada, Honda gave us a Civic Street Edition with factory tint. It was available for a year or two (I believe it was 2004-2005).
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Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Houston, Republic of Texas
That roller shade is invaluable, even with dark tints. Even with limo tints on my Suburbans I used to carry a large fake-fur black carpet I would throw over valuables in the cargo area. Between the dark tint, the deep black and broken contours created by the "bearskin", I never experienced a break-in - even though I carried some pretty expensive equipment back there.
If you don't have a roller shade in your SUV, pick up a big piece of this cheap fake fur at a van shop or from J.C. Whitney. It doesn't look bad when rolled up, but just don't let it get wet . . . it will smell like a real bear . . . a dead one!
If you don't have a roller shade in your SUV, pick up a big piece of this cheap fake fur at a van shop or from J.C. Whitney. It doesn't look bad when rolled up, but just don't let it get wet . . . it will smell like a real bear . . . a dead one!
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Lexus Champion
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Yeah Nex, I mean the rear passenger side and then the rear window. One thing that came to mind just now was maybe the tint on SUV's and trucks are for protection from thieves. What I mean is since those vehicles don't have trunks, shopping bags and other stuff is clearly visible if you don't have tinted windows there. There are SUV's with that the sliding shade thingie in the back which shields your goods too. That's the only reason that comes to mind.
SUVs have a tonneau cover but I don't think minivans do. The Previa came with those brown tinted windows... I think the Blazer had tints back in the mid 90s? (I'm just trying to think who started this tinting business)
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 573
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I agree with the legal aspect of that.
However, I've seen lots of newer sedans around here that do have tint. It's actually put on by local tinters contracted by the dealerships. My friend's made thousands doing tint for a local Volvo dealer.
However, I've seen lots of newer sedans around here that do have tint. It's actually put on by local tinters contracted by the dealerships. My friend's made thousands doing tint for a local Volvo dealer.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
I had optional factory tints on my '82 K20 Suburban that darkened everything aft of the front doors. It was so dark the first week I had it my Dad backed it into a live oak tree one night and smashed the tailgate and rear window. Replacement cost of the rear glass alone was $1000 - in 1982!
That glass was dark enouth (in the days long before backup cameras), at night you had to roll down the rear glass in order to see what was behind you.
That glass was dark enouth (in the days long before backup cameras), at night you had to roll down the rear glass in order to see what was behind you.
On the way home tonight stuck in some traffic I thought to myself, why do the factory tint seems to be on the rear side windows of only SUV's and minivans? I've yet to see any factory tint on cars. I know that Mercedes Benz has that light blue looking tint on some of their models but I'm talking about black tint though. Anyone have a reason or ideas as to why this is the case?
Good question
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I had optional factory tints on my '82 K20 Suburban that darkened everything aft of the front doors. It was so dark the first week I had it my Dad backed it into a live oak tree one night and smashed the tailgate and rear window. Replacement cost of the rear glass alone was $1000 - in 1982!
That glass was dark enouth (in the days long before backup cameras), at night you had to roll down the rear glass in order to see what was behind you.
That glass was dark enouth (in the days long before backup cameras), at night you had to roll down the rear glass in order to see what was behind you.
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