5% Window Tint when travelling to the States?
 

I'm looking to tint my rear windows at 5%, but just found out that you can't have more than 35% on the rear windows in WA and OR which I travel to often. All my old cars have had 20% on the rear windows without any problems with the law down south. Have any of you had any issues with 5% rear tint?

My parents truck has 15% tint on the rear windows and never had a problem when going in the states. I see people in WA all the time with front and rear window tint. I know front window is illegal in BC (correct me if I'm wrong) but I'm not sure about WA. There's always the possibility of an American cop giving you a ticket just because you're Canadian :troll:

My old car had 5% tint on all the rear windows. Never had any issues. However, when crossing the border, the one time I forgot to roll down the window before I got to the customs guy's booth, it took longer to cross.

They searched my trunk and went tapping on all the doors to make sure there wasn't any drugs hidden in my doors and stuff, but then just let me go. Guess it's some stereotype thing they have against people with dark window tint. Everytime I crossed with windows wide open, I had no issues.

Hmmm, that's somewhat reassuring. I just don't want to get into trouble for something so small especially if I can just go the lighter option now :)

It's sort of like, would a police officer in BC ticket an Alberta car for not having a front plate or would they ticket someone from the states with front window tint?

I had 5% tint on my last car and only on the rear. It was a BMW and when I crossed the border they asked me to roll down my rear windows so they could see inside. The officer guy just peaked inside and then let me through without any problems.

I have 50% fronts and 5% rears and I travel down quite often as well.

Just be sure to roll down your rear window when crossing the border and you'll be fine.

I actually got pulled over a little over a month ago down in the states as well and the cop didn't mention anything at all about my rear tint.

To be honest I never actually knew it was even illegal in the first place until I googled it just now.

I had double 5% on my rears before and never had any issues when I crossed the border.

i had 5% on back 3 on my lude, never got a problem at the border, i got harrassed just for the car in general, but i dont think the tint was the main reason/cause. You're fine

I've never had any problems with 15% as long as the window was rolled down. I'm sure it would be the same with 5%

Alright, I'll think it over! It's not the border I'm worried about, it's the police ticketing for tint!

they won't ticket you , i honestly think front tint in the states = no one gives 2 cents lol i see so many cars down there with it. So rear windows tinted means = wait , u have tint ? :troll:

double 5%? lol you don't like being able to see out the rear window at night, do you. haha

5% over factory 20% on all 5 of my rear windows (SUV) cops never say anything in washington. I've been as far down as Oregon and passed multiple cops.

Cops/State troopers down in the states, in some areas, carry devices that can measure light transmittance though. If they wanna be hardasses they can. Just use common sense and you'll be fine, don't get pulled over for dumb stuff and they won't bug you

You're allowed to have 35% front tint in the states. Many Americans traveling to BC actually receive violation tickets.
Posted via RS Mobile

Of course that entirely depends on what state you're in.


Tith 5% tint, I'd be less worried about a ticket and more about being able to see...

Yeah, my friend has 5% tint and it doesn't seem too bad at night.
Posted via RS Mobile

I had 5% tint on my Mazda and I regretted it. It was kinda hard to see out the back at night. Basically if someone walked behind you or if some idiot decided to have no lights on, you really couldn't see. At night, all you can look for are lights. However, at least you don't get blinded by stupid trucks with improperly aimed HIDs when they are behind you.

Yeah, my friend has 5% on his Mazda 3. I had 20% on my lancer and it would look as if I had no tint on a sunny day. Swore that I would go darker if I were to redo it. I'll keep checking out cars on the street, seems like majority of people that do aftermarket tint do around 15-20%.
Posted via RS Mobile

Honestly, if you haven't done so yet and you can, go sit in your friend's Mazda3 at night and see for yourself how dark it is at night. Go to like a parking lot that isn't lit well or something and you'll see just how dark 5% is. If after that, you are still fine with it, then go for it.

The only reason I had 5% tint on mine was cause the mobile guy who came to do the tint ran out of 20% and I didn't really want to set up another appointment so I went with the 5%.

Yeah, I've sat in his car before at night time just on the dark street and it didn't seem too bad. I'm leaning towards 5%
Posted via RS Mobile