[V8] Tinted windows

Tue Feb 17 06:17:46 PST 2009

 This is a DOT law on the books for years.? You can tint behind the driver and pass seat to fully obscured (black paint if you so choose).? DOT laws say 4in down from the top of the drivers window and 4in down from the top of the windshield.? You tint the front side glass, in Chicago as of Jan 9 2009 it's a 250USD PARKING TICKET and a primary stop.? Police discretion, no light meter restriction specified.

Some states (CT/MA) don't allow any factory tint on glass even behind the passenger in new car sales.? However, they can't prevent you from buying a car with the factory tint in another state.? FYI, there are meters that accurately measure tint, so 'light' tint may or may not be busted, it really depends on how the state law is written.

These laws have been informally or randomly enforced, but it's an easy primary stop (PC), and a good revenue generator as well.? Many states have laws on their books that apply only to their own residents, MI is one, Illinois is not one.? I used to run very light tint on the front windows years ago, but have followed the restrictions increase over the last 10 years or so, and just figure it's not worth it.

Tom, sounds to me like you got the primary stop portion of the deal.? Remember too, tinted windows is not probable cause to search your car.? Make sure if that subject comes up (a nice question "do you mind if I look in your trunk?") doesn't change your right to say no, I do not want you to search my vehicle.

HTH

Scott J

-----Original Message-----
From: Ingo Rautenberg <ingo.rautenberg at gmail.com>
To: toml99 at todomundo.com <toml99 at todomundo.com>; v8-bounces at audifans.com; V8List Fans <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 6:57 am
Subject: Re: [V8] Tinted windows

Wow! Sorry 'bout that, Tom.  As to the tint, I believe you meant to say it was a 
"dealer-installed" option. Most southern States have liberal tint regulations, 
whereas the further north you go, the more trouble you get into. 

Ingo Rautenberg

-----Original Message-----
From: "toml99 at todomundo.com" <toml99 at todomundo.com>

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:37:59 
To: v8audi<v8 at audifans.com>
Subject: [V8] Tinted windows

Hey, saw some recent talk about tinted windows and had to chime in.   
My lago blue '90 has factory tinted windows and had always loved them  
and never gave them another thought.  Last spring, while driving from  
Park City,UT to Big Sky, MT, got pulled over on I-25 very near the  
exit  to Driggs ID(where I'd lived off/on for 7 years or so).   
Officer "Stadenko" immediatly pulls me out of the car and says "  
please stand  behind the vehicle sir"......He goes back in his car  
and runs my plates/license.......comes back out and when asked why I  
was being pulled over...says "you've got tinted windows sir, and they  
look like they might not be in compliance".   Before he deals with  
the tinted window issue, he states that, "after observing you out of  
the vehicle sir, I believe you might be under the influence of drugs/ 
alcohol, and would like to administer a sobriety test......(it's 3  
pm).....After asking him repeateldy about "why" he pulled me over in  
the first place, and what this actually was all about, he orders me  
back into my car, and pulls out my friend.......does the same to  
him.....THEN he pulls me back out and was very aggressive about the  
sobirety test, so I consented(totally sober, but just wanted to get  
out of there). He kept asking me how much weed was in the trunk"/ 
could fit a lot of weed in that trunk"/ "just tell me if it's a  
little or a trunkfull"...".I'll let you go if it's a little" I   
Passed, but was shaking like a leaf as I'm terrified about the power  
this "powerhungry individual" had.  (think Rambo 1)  He then say's  
"We'll need to test those windows now sir"....he get's out his  
"tintometer"(I joked that he only wanted to get in the back seat  
where the packs were)....I failed(21%)  He was adamant about the fact  
that these were "aftermarket tint's.  I now have a copy of the  
original bill of sale for the vehicle that shows the tinted window  
package(still fails in many jurisdictions)   Whole process took at  
least 45 min.  .The law in many states is "window tint must let in at  
least 35% of light".....Now if you look around the country, that can  
very by county(20-45%)!  Many juristictions on  known  "corridors"  
simply raise the % limit just to get a reason to get into you're  
vehicle(my problem)....My attorney friend said it's the best thing  
they've got going.......No probable cause required.....must check the  
tint.   Can't have people driving around with too much tint!  Anyway  
we were an hour late for our meeting(to do a repair in a 47 million  
dollar house@ the Yellowstone Club, and YES I did file a formal  
complaint with the district judge about the 5'7" P.O.S  
trooper........I got harassed again in Yakima,WA, later.   Soooooo,  
would I purposely tint a window in today's world....Never.....If you  
do, go light as possible, as you might be driving thru Winnemucca  
some day, and realize they've gone to 50%,'cause they  can.  I'm not  
a criminal, but hate to feel like one. My 2cents(or rather $500 on  
this issue.......Sincerely Tom
_______________________________________________
Audifans V8 mailing list
Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8

You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at http://audifans.com/shop/

_______________________________________________
Audifans V8 mailing list
Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8

You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at http://audifans.com/shop/