1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

California tint law sucks! bye bye tints >_<

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Gilbert, Jun 13, 2008.

  1. Raider

    Raider New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2007
    103
    6
    0
    I would just get a second door glass for each door.

    Swap out after getting the fix-it ticket, then change back. Probably less expensive compared with removing tint, and re-applying.

    CA likes to also ticket for no front license plate. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a Ferrari with a front license plate but they sure can find my Prius without one.
     
  2. KandyRedCoi

    KandyRedCoi S is for Super!

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2008
    860
    4
    0
    Location:
    SoCal/AZ/NV
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    my prius has quite a dark tint and luckily have not been harassed here in LA . OC . and Riverside county i drive an avg of 100miles/day

    i hit the HOV and toll roads as much as possible...and knocking on wood while my fingers are crossed as i type this message

    best of luck
     
  3. drees

    drees Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2007
    1,782
    247
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Difference is that the Ferrari driver doesn't mind paying the $30 fix-it ticket - the Prius driver does.
     
  4. donee

    donee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2005
    2,956
    197
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi All,

    What you desert dwellers need is electrically variable tinting. So, it can be turned on when the car is parked. Halfway when driving on a sunny day, and off at night, driving in overcast conditions, or when the Radar detector goes off (ha!).
     
  5. KandyRedCoi

    KandyRedCoi S is for Super!

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2008
    860
    4
    0
    Location:
    SoCal/AZ/NV
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    ^lol, this isnt pimp my ride...J/K...when it get feasible enough for the consumer market then we will probably see more of that around town
     
  6. KayakerNC

    KayakerNC Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    399
    7
    19
    Location:
    Eastern North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hmmm. Photochromic windows (think Transitions Optical) that darken on exposure to UV radiation.
    When the cop pulls you over, just make sure you park in the shade.:spy:
     
  7. pmanza

    pmanza Fernsmom

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2007
    123
    2
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    F8L
    What does your shop charge for tint and what kind do you use? I am in Sacto and want tint.
    Thanks
    Fernsmom
     
  8. Gilbert

    Gilbert Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2007
    255
    15
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Well, i got my front window tints removed. spent 30 bucks and the guy took about 7 minutes to take them off
     
  9. sendconroymail

    sendconroymail One Mean SOB

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2008
    256
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Seems like a good idea. KITT had that type of tinting.
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    My shop is in Fairfield so I'm not sure you'd want to drive that far out of the way. I think last time I looked up the Prius it was around $255 for the entire car. We use LLumar tint which comes with it's own warranty as well as our labor warranty. If you came in from Priuschat though I'd have to let them discount it for you though. :) 707-422-2771 (I work Fri-Sat)

    If you want to stay near Sac you might give AAA Window Tinting a call. If they are the same business that used to be in West Sac then they do great work.

    [SIZE=-1]3233 Elkhorn Blvd # 2[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=-1]North Highlands, CA 95660[/SIZE]

    [SIZE=-1](916) 332-9299‎
    [/SIZE]
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    Nice! You must have had some easy to peel stuff on there lol. Sounds like he just hit you with the shops minimum charge. Good deal.
     
  12. pmanza

    pmanza Fernsmom

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2007
    123
    2
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Thanks F8L, I'll let my DH know the cost. We actually bought the car in Fairfield, they had the best deal so we drove for it.
    Fernsmom:rolleyes:
     
  13. greenjack

    greenjack New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2007
    10
    0
    0
    anybody know where to go for tinting in the Union City area? I'm from Washington, so this is pretty new to me. I just bought a used Prius and love the mileage and still learning from it, but the first thing I noticed is that a lot of sunlight comes through the front. It's been reaching into the mid 80s lately and looks like it's going to get hotter.
     
  14. Rest

    Rest Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2005
    1,210
    53
    2
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    When people come to this country popping off complaining about this and that in our country then, yes it is necessary. If you weren't born here and don't like it here, then go back where you came from.
     
  15. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    1,765
    14
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Are we supposed to assume from the title of the thread that you're in Union City, CA?

    If so, give a call to Sidney at Auto Mall Specialist in Fremont. I think it would be worth the short trip. He's not the cheapest, but he does good work. He's very popular with Bay Area drivers on other car forums, like those for Audi, Lexus and BMW.

    Auto Mall Tint Specialist - Professional Window Tinting. In Fremont, California.
     
  16. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2005
    871
    160
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    Rocky Mountain Tint in Fremont did a good job for me a couple years back.
     
  17. L.A.

    L.A. New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2008
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Hi All,

    CA does NOT allow ANY aftermarket tinting for:
    - Windshield
    - Front Driver's side and passenger's side windows
    :(

    Hope this can help.

    You can check this information at:
    CHP-Frequently Asked Questions of the Highway Patrol

    Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
    The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:


    1. The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
    2. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.
    The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.
    However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.
     
  18. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    389
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Ah, but you see... the CHP does not make these rules. They are tasked with knowing them and enforcing them. But this proves that they don't actually know them. The CVC is all that matters here. If your vehicle starts with clear glass (do any cars today come with clear glass) then you can add tint up to the limit stated in the CVC as long as it meets all the other requirements. If your factory glass is already close to the minimum transmissivity, you probably can't legally add more tint.

    The CHP can give you a ticket for anything they want. But it isn't against the law if the CVC says it isn't against the law.
     
    1 person likes this.
  19. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    389
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I can hook you up with a fantastic guy in Davis. He does all the dealership cars... and he's done my last three cars including the Prius (and my EVs!). He's the best tint guy I've ever worked with. I'm a bit... uh... particular. And he's the same way, so it works out well.

    Auto Trim Design - Davis Wiki

    If you call, definitely tell him that Darell the EV guy sent you!
     
  20. burnerx

    burnerx New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    32
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Got pull over this past monday driving my brother-in-law to the LAX airport... out of nowhere (as they usually do) the cop pulls me over from the carpool lane.

    Cop: I clocked you going @ 80 mph. I been following since Vermont (which is about 3~4 miles away from where I was pulled over)
    Me : I told him I have been in cruise control @ 75 mph for at least the past 10 miles on the 105 W.
    Cop: Well I am going to write you down for 75 because the speed limit is 65 right?
    Me : right, but there are other cars going just as fast.
    Cop: uh.. is your Front windows tinted? (said with a cop wearing his sunglasses)
    Me : yeah..
    Cop: Well you can't have tint in the front driver & passenger side. Did you know that?
    Me : No.
    Cop: I am going to give you a citation for the tint and a violation for speeding.

    I need help fighting this off!! this is the first time I got pull over for such nonsense...
    Anyone with better knowledge of the california driving & tinting law can help me out a bit ???

    I am planning to go to court to settle this.