Aside from security reasons, having tinted windows can add a professional and sleek touch to your vehicle while keeping out unwanted UV rays, especially if you are in your car every day during summer.
When it comes down to car window tints, there are levels to the darkness provided, which measures the protection it can provide. Also, the darker the car window, the fewer people can easily see into the car, which is also cool in terms of privacy.
However, dark window tints can make it difficult for you to drive at night, especially in areas without enough light exposure. And, how dark a window tint is can be identified by the percentage.
The lower the percentage, the lower light can penetrate, and the darker the window film. Several recommendations and personal preferences range from 50% to 35%, and factory tint ranges between 15% and 20 %.
Suppose it is in your interest to go for a 5 percent window tint for your car, which means it is going to be really dark. In that case, you want to know if you will still be able to see through this at night, which we will look into right away.
Can You See Through 5% Tint at Night?
In short, No, a 5% window tint is the darkest a window tint can get. You will have a hard time seeing through it at night. That is also the main reason why in some states it is not allowed to have 5 percent tint windows in your vehicle.
At night, especially in areas that have no direct light shining around, you might need to roll down 5% tint windows to be able to see through.
Driving with a 5% tinted car window during the day might be all that difficult, but at night, you should not expect to see anything that does not have headlights.
I have even found out that several car owners who did 5% tint quite often than not recalled how they had to roll their windows down at night to see.
You can even have a feel of how dark it would be before fixing it to your car right there in the tint shop to know how barely you’d be able to see during the day, not to mention at night.
Nevertheless, those who are already used to driving with darker tint wouldn’t have a problem with 5% tint.
What does 5% window tint look like?
Also called ‘Limo Tint,’ 5 percent window tint, in simple terms, means that only 5 percent of the visible light will pass through the window film. This is very dark compared to higher tint percentages.
If you are not used to having tint, lights can be difficult to see when you start driving with a 5 percent car window tint. But some people use it comfortably, probably because they are now used to the view.
But, trust me, it’s insanely dark. Now, while this may appear to be an exaggeration, if you’ve not been in one or driven one before, the closest practical way to describe how trying to look out a 5% tinted car window at night is by holding a black shirt up in front of you!
Is 5 Percent window tint a good idea?
For one thing, a 5 percent tint should be the darkest tint you can get, and needless to say, this is illegal in most states as you might not be able to see through at all.
If you want the tinted look but don’t want to be completely dark, even at night, a 50% tint is a great option to go with because it will not only block almost half of the light from entering your car but also prevents UV rays and heat.
What percent window tinting is ideal?
You should be aware that the tinting of your windows is subject to regulations set by your state or territory. On what window tinting is ideal, one should also consider the need to comply with all legal requirements for window tinting.
Generally speaking, there should be a minimum visible light transmission of 35%, as stipulated in most states. But as for driver and passenger front windows, 50% tint is ideal, while 35% is commonly recommended for rear and side windows.
Conclusion on 5% Window Tint
All and above, you can surely go for the 5% tinted car window, but you will barely see through it at night, especially in a place where there is not enough light exposure.
If you are not used to driving with tinted windows, your first drive at night with a 5% tint can be scary, that you might have to drive with the windows down.
In addition, depending on the region you are in, there will be a particular law about how dark the window tint can be on your car and which of the car windows it can be applied to. And, the last thing you want is the cops perpetually flagging you down because your windows are too dark.
My candid opinion? The lowest you want to go should be 20%, or maybe 15% for most other people, because this level is still visible out of the back and sides, even at night.
What do you think? All and above, you can surely go for the 5% tinted car window, but you will barely see through it at night, especially in a place where there is not enough light exposure.
If you are not used to driving with tinted windows, your first drive at night with a 5% tint can be scary, that you might have to drive with the windows down.
In addition, depending on the region you are in, there will be a particular law about how dark the window tint can be on your car and which of the car windows it can be applied to. And, the last thing you want is the cops perpetually flagging you down because your windows are too dark.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
1 thought on “5% Tint at Night (Can You See Through it?)”
Comments are closed.