Auto window tinting is one of the easiest and most sought-after aftermarket jobs for vehicle owners who want to cut down on the direct sunlight, keep their cars cooler, or just want to improve the aesthetics. Regardless of your reason for wanting to tint your windows, there is a point where it becomes too much and can actually become a liability. How dark is too dark though? Here's a test that will help you out.

You Can't See Your Front Seat

Different states have different laws when it comes to auto window tinting. Most will allow the side and back windows to be darker than the front to allow for an extra measure of privacy, but your front window still needs to be reasonably lighter. Stand in front of your car and look inside. If you can't see the front seats and can't make out any objects that are actually inside the car, your tint is probably too dark.

The Reflection Is Too Bright

While window tinting makes for more shade inside the car, it actually reflects light away from the windows, making it brighter for people that are standing outside. This can cause real problems for people driving next to you or passing by you on the other side of the road, since the glare from your window tinting can blind them and potentially cause an accident. If the glare from your windows is too bright as you stand next to it, you need to fix the tint.

It's Hard to See Outside

This one is a no-brainer. If you can't see through the window very easily because of the window tint, then it's probably too dark. It may look awesome to have windows that are almost completely blacked out, but it also defeats the very purpose of having those windows there in the first place.

A Cop Stops You

Illegal auto window tinting is one of the easiest things for a cop to spot. They'll either notice the dangerous reflection off your windows or be unable to make out the shapes inside your car and possibly ticket you. In case you think this is a nit-picky law, for cops, dark window tinting carries a special kind of danger. More than one criminal has concealed a weapon on the inside of the car that the cop wasn't able to see because of the tinting, so before you argue with him or her about the stop, consider where he or she is coming from.

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