Window tint in Michigan

ttvetdoc · 10-20-2008, 02:41 PM

I just picked up my '09 335xi and I had the tint guy at the dealership put 15% tint on all the windows. Although it is against the law in MI to have tint on the driver and/or passenger windows my CA didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I've only lived in MI for the past 2-3 months so I don't have a feel for how stringent they are on enforcing this law. Any fellow Michigan people with personal experience?

Back in a Subie · 10-21-2008, 02:58 PM

I have tinted my front windows on every car I have ever had (always lived in MI) and never have been pulled over for it. I was once pulled over for other reasons and the cop told me that it was illegal to have my front windows tinted, but only gave me a fix it ticket for my lights. Normally if a cop is walking up to my car, I automatically just roll down the window so they don’t even have to think about my windows, lol.

I guess it probably depends on where you are and what kind of day the cop is having and how polite you are to him/her, but honestly, they don’t really seem to care about tint, and if they do it will just be a fix it ticket more than likely.

Stinger · 10-23-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi330xi

I have tinted my front windows on every car I have ever had (always lived in MI) and never have been pulled over for it.

+1.

I even had a cop pull up next to me in traffic with my windows up and 35% full tint had the cop ask me to roll down my window. I thought for sure I was getting busted for the tint, he instead said "sweet car!" Now that was coolest cop ever. Happened right on Southfield road and 12 mile. Very cool.

Omni · 12-03-2008, 02:00 PM

One of my best friends has been ticketed twice for 20% tint on his driver and passenger windows. $90 each.

In my group, it's well known that in (West) Michigan it's common to get pulled over just for window tint...so either be prepared for a ticket or don't tint the front. This may not be (and probably isn't) the case in Eastern Michigan.

Back in a Subie · 12-04-2008, 08:47 AM

I lived in GR for 5 years, I was pulled over a hand full of times in my stay there (even arrested once >.<) and my window tint was never even mentioned, let alone a ticket for it. Worst I got (car related) were fix it tickets for tinted license plate cover and turn signals being the wrong color (who knew there was such a thing as "too amber")... I'm pretty sure you are rather safe with tinting your windows, of course it all depends on how bad of a day the cop has had, how big of a ass you are to said cop, and what ever else you may have been doing to garnish his attention.

BMWAutoXer · 01-28-2009, 04:32 PM

You should be fine, tinted for years in Oakland county and I only had a problem once in the city of Berkley. I paid it and went on my way - its cheaper than removing and reinstalling the tint. Other than that in all the times I've been pulled over only one other officer mentioned it and didn't write an infraction for it. I think your luck has more to do with how you were driving before being pulled over and how you handle yourself with the officer over anything else. If you're driving like a jerk weaving in traffic but they couldn't get a read on you for speeding expect a secondary offense ticket once they notice tinted windows. That type of thing.

Keep in mind even when an officer comes to the window with a chip on their shoulder, you don't know if they just got done being shot at and filling out 4 hours worth of state paperwork about the incident. Courtesy and co-operation go a long way with any officer, and I've yet to find the extra 10 minutes of my time to be worth 150+ dollars for a ticket.

10-20-2008, 02:41 PM	#1
ttvetdoc Enlisted Member 18 Rep 35 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Window tint in Michigan I just picked up my '09 335xi and I had the tint guy at the dealership put 15% tint on all the windows. Although it is against the law in MI to have tint on the driver and/or passenger windows my CA didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I've only lived in MI for the past 2-3 months so I don't have a feel for how stringent they are on enforcing this law. Any fellow Michigan people with personal experience?
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10-21-2008, 02:58 PM	#2
Back in a Subie Captain 81 Rep 834 Posts Drives: 15 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8) Garage List 2015 Subaru Outback ... [0.00] 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler [10.00] 2015 Subaru WRX STI ... [9.00]	I have tinted my front windows on every car I have ever had (always lived in MI) and never have been pulled over for it. I was once pulled over for other reasons and the cop told me that it was illegal to have my front windows tinted, but only gave me a fix it ticket for my lights. Normally if a cop is walking up to my car, I automatically just roll down the window so they don’t even have to think about my windows, lol. I guess it probably depends on where you are and what kind of day the cop is having and how polite you are to him/her, but honestly, they don’t really seem to care about tint, and if they do it will just be a fix it ticket more than likely. __________________ After enjoying 9 years with my BMW I am now Back in a Subie: formerly Mi330xi
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12-03-2008, 02:00 PM	#4
Omni Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 250 Posts Drives: E90 335xi 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (9)	One of my best friends has been ticketed twice for 20% tint on his driver and passenger windows. $90 each. In my group, it's well known that in (West) Michigan it's common to get pulled over just for window tint...so either be prepared for a ticket or don't tint the front. This may not be (and probably isn't) the case in Eastern Michigan.
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12-04-2008, 08:47 AM	#5
Back in a Subie Captain 81 Rep 834 Posts Drives: 15 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8) Garage List 2015 Subaru Outback ... [0.00] 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler [10.00] 2015 Subaru WRX STI ... [9.00]	I lived in GR for 5 years, I was pulled over a hand full of times in my stay there (even arrested once >.<) and my window tint was never even mentioned, let alone a ticket for it. Worst I got (car related) were fix it tickets for tinted license plate cover and turn signals being the wrong color (who knew there was such a thing as "too amber")... I'm pretty sure you are rather safe with tinting your windows, of course it all depends on how bad of a day the cop has had, how big of a ass you are to said cop, and what ever else you may have been doing to garnish his attention. __________________ After enjoying 9 years with my BMW I am now Back in a Subie: formerly Mi330xi
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01-28-2009, 04:32 PM	#6
BMWAutoXer No Cones 12 Rep 105 Posts Drives: F31 330 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MI iTrader: (0)	You should be fine, tinted for years in Oakland county and I only had a problem once in the city of Berkley. I paid it and went on my way - its cheaper than removing and reinstalling the tint. Other than that in all the times I've been pulled over only one other officer mentioned it and didn't write an infraction for it. I think your luck has more to do with how you were driving before being pulled over and how you handle yourself with the officer over anything else. If you're driving like a jerk weaving in traffic but they couldn't get a read on you for speeding expect a secondary offense ticket once they notice tinted windows. That type of thing. Keep in mind even when an officer comes to the window with a chip on their shoulder, you don't know if they just got done being shot at and filling out 4 hours worth of state paperwork about the incident. Courtesy and co-operation go a long way with any officer, and I've yet to find the extra 10 minutes of my time to be worth 150+ dollars for a ticket.
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