Just got my Prius and want to tint my window. What has everone else done. I live in SoCal so I want to keep cool.
Thanks

i went max legal on my insight. helps a bunch! just try putting your hand next to the windshield, and then next to the side window. assuming the sun is shining on both, you will feel a big difference in heat getting to your hand. takes a big load off the a/c, or lets you go without it at a higher temperature. both will save gas. keeps the car cooler when parked, too.

remember, it all comes from the tank!

2000 Honda Insight. Kenwood MP3 head unit, Blaupunkt door speakers, dual Cobalt amps, 3 MTX stealth subs, 4th very-high-mounted brake light, Sumitomo tires, yellow-top, hot induction air mod, tinted, SG2, MIMA, center armrest.


best tank 82 mpg

Good to know. I ordered max legal on my TCH, which I haven't gotten yet. Here in Austin, we need all the sun protection we can get.

According to this, the darker the tint, the hotter your car will be. That makes sense to me since the tint, which is on the INSIDE of the car, is absorbing the energy from the sun.

http://www.coolnlite.com/TintMyth.htm

I am pretty sure it is the infrared (IR) radiation that does most of the heating. If the window film is only absorbing the IR, it will get hot. It does not matter a lot if the film is on the inside or outside of the window because they are in good thermal contact with each other. If the window film reflects IR radiation, it will allow the inside of the car to be cooler. It does not matter much that the IR goes through the window to the film, is reflected, and goes back out the window. The window is mostly IR transparent.

A few web searches suggest that ceramic tint films are good at reflecting IR.

I have my windows tinted 30% front and back. I like it, and it really does help.
My sister got the max, darker in the back, and a strip across the windshield... it wasn't for me.

I had my front side windows tinted to match the rears (15%). Makes a big difference....at least when driving around town. You don't feel that hot sun on you. I assume it also keeps the vehicle cooler when parked in the sun and should help preserve the leather/trim/carpet etc.

-Tim

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



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

Question for those that have tinted windows - I've wanted to do this for some time. However in Seattle, getting tinted windows from the factory is not usually an option we have. I didn't investigate it much at the time of purchase, but I've never seen an 03 Civic with a factory tint up here. So, that leaves after market. I really don't like whatever folks do to apply a tint that leaves these very noticeable air bubbles. My Pilot has tinted windows, and they look manufactured that way - not some kind of film applied later.

So where did you all get your tinted windows, and what was the process? I'd be grateful to hear about your experiences - and costs. Thanks!

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

i had mine done at ziebart. not only does it reduce the glare, i really do think it feels cooler in there. i'm happy with the job they done, it's about as good as factory....

Best fill 66.7 MPG, best tank 801.5 miles


laurie, central minnesota

I had our Accord and Civic done in 3M cs on all windows 35% with Huper Optik's 30% on the sun roof. The strip across the top of the windshield on the Accord is 35% 3M cs at 4" wide. On the Civic the strip on the windshield is 20% 8" wide. All max legal in Okiehoma.

The Accord cost $265 the Civic $223. The Civic was cheaper because Im a repeat custmer.

Dont get cheapy tints. First comes the blue fade then the pink. Cheap dye tint is awful. Spring for better matrial. If you can afford to spend the money for the Huper Optik's or one of the other top of the line ceramic tints you wont regret it. I just couldnt shell out $400+ dollars each car to have the huper Optik's used thru out the car. But man is it nice on the sun roof. Heat rejection on the Huper and other ceramic tints is wonderful. The 3m is good,,, well better than most, plus it wont fade like the cheap dye tint.

Do the research and dont get chaep with tint.