Is it acceptable not to apply film on the vehicle's front windshield?
5 Answers
It is acceptable not to apply film on the vehicle's front windshield. Not applying film has minimal impact on the car's usage and driving. However, it is recommended to apply film if possible, as it offers numerous benefits. Applying film to the front windshield can reduce the aging time of car interior components caused by harmful sunlight. Precautions for applying film: Impact on vehicle registration after applying film: Whether a new car with applied film can be registered mainly depends on whether the applied sun film meets the specified standards. Currently, the vehicle management departments mainly refer to the GB7258-2004 "Safety Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicles Operating on Roads" implemented in 2004. Requirements for film application by vehicle management offices: The driver's compartment must ensure the driver's forward and side vision. The visible light transmittance of the front windshield and other glass areas in the driver's line of sight must not be less than 70%. Mirror-reflective sunshade films are not allowed on any window glass.
Of course, you can skip the window film. Having driven for so many years, I know many car owners choose not to apply it mainly for simplicity and convenience, especially since the law doesn’t mandate front windshield tinting. However, I must remind you that the biggest issue without film is suffering in hot weather: direct sunlight makes the dashboard scorching hot, turning the car into a steamer, forcing the AC to max out and wasting fuel. The glare can also strain your eyes, blurring vision and increasing accident risks. That’s why I now apply a thin, high-transparency film to every car—it blocks some UV rays to protect skin without compromising visibility, making summers much more comfortable. Though the film costs a few hundred bucks, it saves energy and enhances driving comfort in the long run. When driving outdoors, never overlook small details—safety comes first!
I used to hesitate about whether to apply a front windshield film, thinking it was unnecessary. But after driving a few times without it, I changed my mind: going without film is doable, but you really suffer when you start driving in summer. For example, during that trip I took, my car without film was exposed to the sun all day—the steering wheel got so hot I could barely touch it, and even with the AC at full blast, waves of heat still hit my face. At night, the glare was too strong, making it hard to see clearly and increasing the risk of accidents. After applying the film, things improved significantly—heat insulation was much better, and it also filters out harmful UV rays. Now, this is the advice I give to my family: applying film isn’t mandatory, but it’s definitely worth it. If you choose not to, remember to get a sunshade with UV protection as a backup—don’t compromise driving comfort over small savings.
I believe it's completely feasible not to apply film on the front windshield, especially if your car's windshield already has UV protection from the factory. From professional experience, the main benefits of applying film are heat dispersion reduction and lowering the risk of UV exposure harming the skin. However, the advantages of not applying film include clearer and more natural visibility, saving on film costs, and avoiding subsequent maintenance hassles (such as bubbles or aging). I tried going without film for a year, but during hot weather, the air conditioning energy consumption soared. Eventually, I compromised and added a layer of film. Driving safety comes first; when the glass's own sun protection isn't sufficient, I recommend keeping a good-quality sunshade on hand for temporary emergencies.
My car has never had a front windshield film installed because the sunlight isn't intense where I live, and I've never had any issues without it. On long drives, the factory glass provides clear and comfortable visibility; in winter, I save the hassle of dealing with film removal. However, I must remind you that if you don't install film, you should consider the potential drawbacks: discomfort from heat radiation during hot summers, lack of UV protection which could harm eyes and skin (especially for children in the back seat), and higher electricity and fuel costs due to increased air conditioning use. My neighbor's car cools down noticeably faster after installing film, making driving much more comfortable. Ultimately, whether to install film or not depends on personal needs and regional climate; in areas with strong sunlight, I'd advise you to install it for safety and cost-effectiveness.
