[hongsc]

I have a metallic tint. I went conservative. Received a tint ticket that ended up costing me a little over $900 in the past (don't ask). I tinted the top part of my windshield with a ceramic tint. But should have tinted the entire windshield though. Very subtle.

[Fitz335]

Had my car in the San Diego area for almost a year with 35% tint on the front. The only time it's been an issue is when I was pulled over for speeding and the officer decided to give me a tint fix it ticket instead because I was in the service. He proceeded to tell me they are always looking for new people.

From 99% of the folks I know in SoCal that have tinted windows it isn't an issue until you get pulled over for a different violation.

I've rolled past CHP, Sheriffs, and SDPD and none have them have even payed a bit of attention to my tint.

[MCoupeInsanity]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

You'll understand when your car is parked in blistering SoCal heat.

Both of my cars are fairly dark in the back, but no tint up front, either on the windshield or side windows. It can be annoying in the heat, but I've learned to look for shade, and point the car's ass at the sun (with adjustment for time of day and how long I plan to be somewhere) when I park, to make sure the tinted glass is getting the brunt of it.

Had tints all around on my last car (except the front windshield, because that doesn't strike me as particularly safe) and I got tired of the limited nighttime visibility out the front side windows, and also didn't appreciate the occasional ticket I got for it.

[uberbeast21]

Originally Posted by E902009

So, knowing that in Cali it's illegal to have front windows tinted, what are you guys using for all the windows? I want to get my car tinted. Currently I'm thinking 30% on the rear doors and back window, then 50% for the front doors. Is 50% too dark to piss off the cops? My car is all stock, so it doesn't draw any attention. In the future, the most I'll do is wheels and possibly PE. Again, nothing noticeable.

I have black interior, so I need to get as dark as possible. Thanks for your help!

can't you just get the tint then if you get a fix it ticket for it just pay the fine and not fix it? thats what I do with my front liscense plate. I also have 30% side windows and 20% rear

[E902009]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. I think I'll probably go with 30 on the back and 50 on the front windows just to be on the safe side. The 3M ceramic tint sounds great, but is out of my budget. My car is always parked in my garage, and like most of you, I look for shade when I park. I think I missed the boat this summer, so I'll probably have it dne in the fall/winter, since tint shops usually are willing to discount the price when it's slow.

[fazman]

I don't believe the tint can be a primary offense to get you pulled over, but once they do pull you over for something like speeding... then they can get you on all those other minor things like no front plate, tint, etc...

So if you drive your car within the speed limit... then you won't have any issues

[Titanium3er]

Originally Posted by fazman

I don't believe the tint can be a primary offense to get you pulled over, but once they do pull you over for something like speeding... then they can get you on all those other minor things like no front plate, tint, etc...

So if you drive your car within the speed limit... then you won't have any issues

When I lived in NJ I was pulled over for front window tints as primary. Not sure if the cop was following procedure, but I wouldn't bank on not having to worry about tint if you're obeying all other laws.

Luckily here in FL I don't have that problem!

Edit: After googling it definitely looks like a primary offense in NJ. That said, I know some towns are more vigilant than others at enforcing it.

[Teeeg28]

My car is blacked out all the way and im running 3% in the back windows and 15% in the fronts haven't had any trouble yet! fingers crossed!

[jbnery6465]

I have 20% all around and haven't had any issues in San Diego. I've even pulled up next to a cop at a stop light with my windows up, they looked at me and didn't budge.

I honestly wish I could go a little darker like 10-15%. You have to remember that all the light coming in from the windshield will naturally make the front tints look lighter.

[Mardio]

Originally Posted by E902009

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. I think I'll probably go with 30 on the back and 50 on the front windows just to be on the safe side. The 3M ceramic tint sounds great, but is out of my budget. My car is always parked in my garage, and like most of you, I look for shade when I park. I think I missed the boat this summer, so I'll probably have it dne in the fall/winter, since tint shops usually are willing to discount the price when it's slow.

I have 35 in the back and 50 in the front. Two weeks ago got pulled over by CHP. He pulled me over just for the tint. He explained that 80 is the lowest you can go which is basically factory stock tint. He let me off with a warning and said next time I would not be so lucky. What a waste of time for both of us... should not complain I guess. Just be careful I would say.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by fazman

I don't believe the tint can be a primary offense to get you pulled over, but once they do pull you over for something like speeding... then they can get you on all those other minor things like no front plate, tint, etc...

So if you drive your car within the speed limit... then you won't have any issues

Not true, I was stopped by a CHP on the side of the road going up the 38 to Big Bear for tinted front windows, I've got 35%. I argued with the guy and he wrote me a fixit for no front plate and let me slide on the tint since I argued it was a legal shade and had paperwork to prove it(not true at all but best I could do). It's hit or miss depending on where you are. I used to have a client in Encino and if you parked on Ventura you would get no front plate tickets from the meter maid's.

I'd love to know how someone got a fixit ticket and did not have to have it signed off as corrected as started earlier in this thread. If it was a flat infraction then maybe but fixit no way, that's counter intuitive. I've had several fixit's on my bike and always had to halfazz some solution to fix the issue(mainly lights or lack there of, was a totaled Ducatti I bought as salvage and pieced together).

[CaliBMW86]

I have 30% all around living in the bay area.

[casmako]

driving in southern orange county for 7 years with 3 black on black cars, all with heavy tinted windows...have never been pulled over for them. They will tack it onto some other ticket if they're feeling like it

[fazman]

Originally Posted by Bobble

Not true, I was stopped by a CHP on the side of the road going up the 38 to Big Bear for tinted front windows, I've got 35%. I argued with the guy and he wrote me a fixit for no front plate and let me slide on the tint since I argued it was a legal shade and had paperwork to prove it(not true at all but best I could do). It's hit or miss depending on where you are. I used to have a client in Encino and if you parked on Ventura you would get no front plate tickets from the meter maid's.

I'd love to know how someone got a fixit ticket and did not have to have it signed off as corrected as started earlier in this thread. If it was a flat infraction then maybe but fixit no way, that's counter intuitive. I've had several fixit's on my bike and always had to halfazz some solution to fix the issue(mainly lights or lack there of, was a totaled Ducatti I bought as salvage and pieced together).

I think you answered my question and proved me right. The window tinting was NOT your primary offense, the no front plate was your primary offense. Once the officer has you pulled over for a primary offense then you are fair game for anything and everything else. Just like if you have something hanging from your rear view mirror, that's your primary offense and then all the other stuff is going to be your secondary tickets.

Yes you can get a ticket for parking on public roads with no plates, but you can't get a ticket for parking on a private road/driveway. That's why all my cars have a front plate because it's the lamest thing to get a ticket for (of course it looks ugly to have one, but why not just get one of those hidden plates that can pop out when you park).

[fazman]

Originally Posted by Titanium3er

When I lived in NJ I was pulled over for front window tints as primary. Not sure if the cop was following procedure, but I wouldn't bank on not having to worry about tint if you're obeying all other laws.

Luckily here in FL I don't have that problem!

Edit: After googling it definitely looks like a primary offense in NJ. That said, I know some towns are more vigilant than others at enforcing it.

Your probably right and I've just been lucky. So I guess the lesson here is I should get the F outta NJ as fast as possible Which is probably a good idea, hopefully by summer 2014 I can give NJ the finger and take my state taxes with me.

[Fitz335]

Originally Posted by uberbeast21

can't you just get the tint then if you get a fix it ticket for it just pay the fine and not fix it? thats what I do with my front liscense plate. I also have 30% side windows and 20% rear

Yes I did this with mine. Was almost $280 though, so some might find it to be more financially feasible to remove the tint, pay the $25-40 court fees, and then re-tint the windows. I just thought that was way too much of a hassle and my tint is professional grade. I don't like modifying the good parts of my car

[uberbeast21]

Originally Posted by Fitz335

Yes I did this with mine. Was almost $280 though, so some might find it to be more financially feasible to remove the tint, pay the $25-40 court fees, and then re-tint the windows. I just thought that was way too much of a hassle and my tint is professional grade. I don't like modifying the good parts of my car

whoa didnt think it was that much ive never gotten a tint ticket before the front liscense plate tickets i have gotten were 35$ i thought it might have been roughly the same

[E90_831]

I've had my windows pretty dark on my past two cars (including my 335i). On my last car I got pulled over during a rainy day for tinted windows. So far, so good. (knock on wood)

[MDecals]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

Stay away from Burbank, Glendale & Santa Monica. The police there will be glad to hand you a fix-it ticket like it's cool.

I got 20% all around and thinking of going 70% ceramic on the windshield. So far so good.

^This

[bjf66]

The law is similar in Vancouver, but Cali seems more lenient. I have given up on going with front window tints, seeing as cops here are trained to see even 50% tint, and may possibly removed it on the spot with their pocket knife, leaving your windows scratched and all.