I live in Northern, VA and I drive a light blue 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid Manual which I bought last winter.

Given that the engine doesn't shut off with the A/C on at red lights which is all we seem to have here, I was wondering if having the side and back windows tinted would save some A/C usage and allow the enigine to shut down more often.

Although the car comes with tinted windows, I was wondering if really dark Florida-style tinting make a difference.

Thanks for you thoughts

Hmmm... not sure about the benefits, but be careful, I know that in NH anything but stock tinting can get your car towed...

4/27/08 612.1 miles @ 62.1 MPG with 110,000 miles on the Civic

First, welcome to the CLUB!

I can't help much on your technical question but I know the folks in the Civic forums probably know the answer.

With my 'older eyes,' I tend to like clear glass and just hunt for the shaded parking place. This often leads to more exercise and car washes.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

I live in South Texas and can tell you that window tinting does indeed help.

The most savings come not from allowing more frequent auto-stops (I found that the car will still warm up almost immediately and require a restart), but from the fact that you can set the A/C temp a little higher to achieve the same degree of relative comfort.... which means that your A/C compressor turns-on for a shorter period of time, putting less drag on the engine.

Additionally after a full day in a parking lot, the vehicle's interior feels less warm, meaning that you'll get to your comfort zone a little faster.

The U.S. has reached a point “where the priorities of Congress could become so distorted by politics” that it would turn its back on the next great global industry, clean power — Rhone Resch

I agree, I keep mine all tinted at 50% all around and it does make a difference in the summertime.

I tinted my 03 Civic with 35% (legal limit) - I didn't notice any big difference, but they seemed to help a bit.

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

So much for "live free or die".

Just do some research on what your state's max legal tint is, and then get it. Not only will you save gas by using the A/C less, but the upholstery will thank you for it as well.

I'll tell you my experience....

I tinted the front side windows to match the rears. The difference I found is that it wasn't really the ambient temperature of the cabin that changed.....rather it was the impact of the direct sunlight shining on me. In other words, when the windows were untinted or are rolled down, the sun beating on my arms and torso gets me quite hot. With the windows tinted and rolled up there is an obvious reduction in that heat. I especially notice it if the windows are partially rolled down....I can literally feel the difference on my skin where the tint stops and the direct sunlight starts.

The bottom line is this allows me to reduce the amount of AC I need to use.

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 22,909
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


457 Gallons of gas saved
That's 9,150 lbs less CO2

http://www.tintdude.com/itom.html

Here's a site that will tell you the legal limits for all states.