One of the most common upgrades to a car is the addition of tint to its windows. Tinted windows can be either added as a factory option or can be installed by an aftermarket window tinting company. Along with a cooler appearance, tinted windows have several benefits for the occupants of the vehicle, including lower interior temperatures. There are also a couple of drawbacks to tinted windows, particularly if they are too dark.
The primary benefit of tinting the windows on an automobile is reducing the temperature of the interior. While this may not be as significant in the cooler seasons, or in a climate where it does not get that hot, it can make a big difference in a place where the weather is hot. A cooler interior means more comfort for the occupants of the car, and it also means that the air conditioning will not have to work as hard to keep the interior cool. Another benefit of blocking the sun's rays is the fact that the majority of the sun's harmful UV rays are blocked from entering the vehicle.
After the functional benefit of reduced interior temperatures comes the second most common reason people have their car windows tinted, which is the appearance. A dark tint, or even a lighter tint in an interesting, but subtle shade, can make a vehicle look more upscale. Window tinting is particularly popular on high-end luxury cars, though is also frequently used on custom and modified cars.
Other potential benefits of dark tinted windows include reduced glare from the sun and other light sources, as well as better privacy for the occupants of the vehicle. In case of an accident, the film that tint is made of can also prevent shattered glass from harming the occupants by holding it together.
A potential drawback of tinted windows is reduced ability for the driver and the occupants of the vehicle to see outside, a problem that obviously becomes worse the darker the tint is. While this may not be as much of an issue in bright sunlight, it can be become more problematic in dusky, low-light situations and at night. Reduced visibility, in turn, can create a potentially dangerous situations and can lead to car accidents.
The potentially limited visibility created by dark tint has led to laws being imposed that determine to what extent the windows on a car can be tinted. However, most states have different laws, so the owner of a vehicle should check with their local laws before having their windows tinted. Most laws have different requirements for the different windows on the car.
