There are plenty of benefits to having your car windows tinted—from the aesthetic appeal to the protection it provides against heat and UV rays from the sun; it’s a fantastic way to stay cool, especially on hot summer days.
While it’s true that there are several benefits to getting your windows tinted, there are just as many drawbacks as well. Here’s what we found out about the matter!
Reasons Not To Tint Car Windows
1. Getting Car Windows Tinted Is Costly
One of the drawbacks of tinting your car windows is that you’ll likely spend a small fortune to get it done.
For example, the average price for tinting services on a sedan would cost about $250 to $600 today.
However, this will only get you basic window tints that won’t provide as much heat protection.
Additionally, larger cars with bigger windows will need more tint and thus will cost more to install.
Therefore, the large upfront cost of tinting your car windows is a reason not to get it done.
2. Doing It Yourself Often Results In Poor Tint Installation
So, if getting your windows tinted professionally is expensive, wouldn’t it be better to simply do it yourself and save a few hundred dollars?
Technically, it’s possible to do the installation yourself, but it may not turn out the way it would if a professional were to do the tinting for you.
For example, if you were to install the window tints yourself, you might not apply the tints evenly, and this could leave your car windows unusable.
Also, a badly-done tint job could be more prone to cracking or bubbling faster than window tints installed by a professional.
For this reason, it’s better not to tint your car windows.
3. Car Tinting Can Lower Car Resale Value
Another reason why you should rethink getting your car windows tinted is that it may lower your car’s resale value.
Getting your car windows tinted, especially with dark tints, can cause your car’s value to depreciate faster than if you were to leave the windows as they are.
For the most part, this is due to dark tints not being appealing to most car buyers. Also, you may run into issues with the law if your state prohibits using window tints.
As such, it’s best to avoid applying tint to your car windows.
4. Higher Insurance Premiums For Tinted Cars
In addition to potentially decreasing your car’s resale value, getting your car windows tinted will likely increase how much you pay for insurance.
Generally, window tints are considered a modification to your vehicle, so you’ll have to pay an extra fee to have the tint insured.
Additionally, if you get tickets for illegal window tints, this will affect your insurance payments. Thus, leaving your car windows as they are and saving yourself some money is preferable.
5. The Tint Will Need Replacement Later
Aside from the points above, as with all things, your window tint won’t last forever.
Depending on how much sun exposure and usage your car receives, the tint on your windows will likely fade and lose effectiveness over the span of a few years.
Additionally, window tints can’t be repaired, and thus replacing all the tints will be necessary when they fade, or cracks and bubbles start to form.
As such, this will cost you additional fees to remove and replace the tints; another reason why you should skip getting your windows tinted.
6. Poor Tint Installation Leaves Residue On Car Windows
Another consideration is that removing tints from your car windows is tedious.
Often, people think that if you no longer want the windows on their car to be tinted, they can simply peel the tint away.
However, doing this tends to leave a sticky residue on the windows; this is the adhesive used to get the tint to adhere to your car windows.
Also, although the glue can be removed from car windows with steel wool and some chemicals, these can be dangerous if inhaled and leave scratches on your car windows.
Altogether, it’s better to avoid tinting your car windows.
7. Tinted Windows Attract Unwanted Attention
In addition to the added costs of tinting car windows, you need to consider that getting heavily tinted windows can draw unwanted attention to you and your car.
Extremely dark tints can draw more bystanders, even while some tint levels offer security and privacy against persons spying on you and seeing inside your car.
Additionally, the tinting on your car could catch the eye of onlookers or law enforcement more; the film turns into the reverse of what you desire when you tint it more than usual.
With that, because it appears to be concealing more things, even thieves could be more inclined to check out your automobile.
8. Harder To See Through Tinted Windows With Low Light
Another safety hazard that comes with tinted windows is that it makes seeing in the dark difficult.
While beneficial during the day to protect you from the heat and harmful UV rays, it makes it difficult to be able to see under low lighting conditions.
That said, this is because tints are made to block light from penetrating through the glass of your car’s windows.
As such, driving with tinted windows, especially at night or during a storm, is dangerous; it’s best to leave your windows as they are to avoid this.
9. Tinted Windows Obstructs View Of Rescue Workers
Tinted windows can also make it more difficult for EMTs and other rescue personnel to get to you in case of a car accident.
Normally, rescue workers need to get a visual of your condition, which can give them an idea of how to best treat you.
However, this makes it difficult to do their job properly if they’re unable to see you through your car windows.
Therefore, it’s better to not tint your car windows so that you can avoid this problem.
10. Dark Tints Prevent Eye Contact With Other Drivers
While protecting your eyes from the sun and shielding you from harmful UV rays is one of the main goals of window tinting, films can impair your eyesight on a foggy, rainy, or snowy day.
In low light situations, a hue that is too dark could make it more challenging for you to see your surroundings.
Also, crossing intersections and merging lanes are actions that tend to require appropriate signaling and eye contact with other drivers to avoid accidents on the road.
However, fellow motorists wouldn’t be able to determine if you’re about to move as they can’t communicate with you through the car windows.
Therefore, to prevent such issues, it’s better to not tint your car windows.
11. Most States Have Varying Laws On Window Tints
Finally, state-specific regulations on window tint are something to be aware of.
Additionally, the likelihood that you will encounter legal problems because of your tinted windows increases the darker they are.
Furthermore, it may be too dark for a police officer to see you through your tinted windows, in which case you’ll be fined and receive a traffic violation ticket.
As a result, having tinted windows may result in legal consequences.
To know more, you can also read our posts on Ford Focus radio not working, Ford ambient lighting not working, and why your car door won’t close.
Conclusion
There are several reasons you shouldn’t tint your car windows, and these mostly involve the high cost of tint installation and potential safety issues that can occur.
Additionally, tints deteriorate over time, can decrease the resale value of your vehicle, and increase the amount you need to pay for car insurance.
Therefore, the drawbacks of getting your car windows tinted outweigh the benefits, and it’s better not to get them done.