Texas window tint law

[rl168]

Anyone went above the texas limit of windows tint for the front windows? My new job has no covered parking and the summer heat is giving me a headache during the drive home. How likely will you get pull over due to tint?

[yaymitch]

I am legal all the way around, so can't really help as far as getting pulled over. Darker tint won't noticeably help when your car is parked in the sun as far as keeping it cool. Where tint is effective as far as interior temperature is while you're driving to keep your car cooler when the a/c is on. A front sunshade is awesome (an absolute necessity in Texas) along with tinted windows and will definitely help.

[SpaceGhost]

Get a front sun shade and set your automated vents to open 15 minutes prior to getting off work. This should help reduce the heat a small amount. Make sure your tint is a quality tint with good UV protection. SOme dealers skimp on this when they do tint prior to sale.

[acechardukian]

I have done 15 all around for 4 years and never been bothered at all by the police. It helps minimally vs lighter tint, but I'll take anything I can get in our summer heat. The tint film matters more in my opinion than the darkness for heat rejection. I'm in Dallas fwiw

[Vectors2final]

I went with suntek CXP.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/con...windowTint.htm

Windows immediately to the right and left of the driver that have less than 25% light transmission will fail inspection, regardless of the year model of the vehicle.

Sunscreening devices can be applied to the side windows to the right and left of the driver if the following conditions are met.

Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

[rl168]

Thanks all, appreciate the responses. I have a front sun shade, and it doesn't sound like darker tint will help, I'll probably roll down the windows and let it air for 5 minutes before I start driving

[wcw]

FYI, there's also a windshield film (Wincos) that greatly helps reduce the heat build up. You may want to consider doing this although I think it's pretty expensive...like $299. You can get it perfectly clear from what I understand. I'm in SA. Let me know if I can help steer you in anyway.

Also, as far as the OP question...I'm a retiring detective, but can tell you when I worked the streets as well as the highway many years ago I rarely checked a motorist's tint. We did have tint meters, but unless the motorist...uhhh, deserved more attention we typically left the tint alone.

[m4pewpew]

Originally Posted by rl168

Anyone went above the texas limit of windows tint for the front windows? My new job has no covered parking and the summer heat is giving me a headache during the drive home. How likely will you get pull over due to tint?

Got pulled over twice in one month, that was enough for me For a while cops were really aggressive about it.

Also, you might have a hard time passing vehicle inspection.

[wcw]

good point pew...completely forgot about state inspection. As far as certain agencies being aggressive about it, that's also a good point. I'll say here in SA not so much.

[SakhirM4]

I have 30% tint all around (I like the windows to match) and have 80% UV clear on the front windshield. I have never had the windshield done before and it is amazing on how much heat buildup it prevents. I highly recommend doing the windshield - it is legal in Texas as long as it is clear.

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have 30% tint all around (I like the windows to match) and have 80% UV clear on the front windshield. I have never had the windshield done before and it is amazing on how much heat buildup it prevents. I highly recommend doing the windshield - it is legal in Texas as long as it is clear.

Nice! Any issues with keeping the windshield clean? What do you use to clean it? Thanks in advance for your response.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

Nice! Any issues with keeping the windshield clean? What do you use to clean it? Thanks in advance for your response.

No issues with the windshield. The film is on the inside and just use a damp cloth and paper towel to wipe it off when needed.

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

No issues with the windshield. The film is on the inside and just use a damp cloth and paper towel to wipe it off when needed.

Cool, thanks. I knew it was on the inside. But for some reason I always get buildup or smudges on the inside of my windshield. Maybe cause I drive with windows down a fair bit. You have me thinking about getting this done now.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

Cool, thanks. I knew it was on the inside. But for some reason I always get buildup or smudges on the inside of my windshield. Maybe cause I drive with windows down a fair bit. You have me thinking about getting this done now.

It really makes a big difference. You can do 70% in Texas, but they only had 80% where I had it done.

[Miamiboyca]

Originally Posted by acechardukian

I have done 15 all around for 4 years and never been bothered at all by the police. It helps minimally vs lighter tint, but I'll take anything I can get in our summer heat. The tint film matters more in my opinion than the darkness for heat rejection. I'm in Dallas fwiw

Originally Posted by rl168

Thanks all, appreciate the responses. I have a front sun shade, and it doesn't sound like darker tint will help, I'll probably roll down the windows and let it air for 5 minutes before I start driving

I did just on over the legal limit and went with metallics for their increased heat deflection and never get bothered (3 cars and counting) Darker does make a difference just not as much as a better tint.

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have 30% tint all around (I like the windows to match) and have 80% UV clear on the front windshield. I have never had the windshield done before and it is amazing on how much heat buildup it prevents. I highly recommend doing the windshield - it is legal in Texas as long as it is clear.

Originally Posted by wcw

FYI, there's also a windshield film (Wincos) that greatly helps reduce the heat build up. You may want to consider doing this although I think it's pretty expensive...like $299. You can get it perfectly clear from what I understand. I'm in SA. Let me know if I can help steer you in anyway.

Also look into windshield tint - its very very light and barely noticeable but its a HUGE difference. Way better than a screen shield because it does not get hot like a windshield screen and you can get it for about $140 just the windshield. I use solarguard.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have 30% tint all around (I like the windows to match) and have 80% UV clear on the front windshield. I have never had the windshield done before and it is amazing on how much heat buildup it prevents. I highly recommend doing the windshield - it is legal in Texas as long as it is clear.

What tint did you go with? And where? Thanks!

[WinterScene]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have 30% tint all around (I like the windows to match) and have 80% UV clear on the front windshield. I have never had the windshield done before and it is amazing on how much heat buildup it prevents. I highly recommend doing the windshield - it is legal in Texas as long as it is clear.

Does this affect the HUD view at all, less bright?

[Miamiboyca]

Originally Posted by WinterScene

Does this affect the HUD view at all, less bright?

Nike, no affect at all. If anything it's a little crisper.

[WinterScene]

Originally Posted by Miamiboyca

Nike, no affect at all. If anything it's a little crisper.

Good to know- thank you. My car is going to be sitting out in the Texas sun for good 9-10 hours a day. I'm thinking of petitioning for the company to put in some of the overhead shades/umbrellas that a lot or car dealers are using, but don't hold out much hope.

[Miamiboyca]

The extra 140 was well worth it. It's effect is very noticeable especially when driving int the sun.

[funk74]

I don't think the percentage tint is as effective as getting a good material. I have a ceramic tint on my e90 and I can tell a huge difference between my car and my wife's car who just has regular tint. It's more about the amount of heat that is reflected/absorbed vs light.

[Miamiboyca]

Originally Posted by funk74

I don't think the percentage tint is as effective as getting a good material. I have a ceramic tint on my e90 and I can tell a huge difference between my car and my wife's car who just has regular tint. It's more about the amount of heat that is reflected/absorbed vs light.

I agree, first the quality of the tint, then the darkness.

Now to the important question - when do you get your car already?