Should You Leave a Triangle When Tinting Car Windows?
2 Answers
When tinting car windows, it is necessary to leave a small triangle on the front side windows. The main purpose of this triangle is to allow the driver to see the rearview mirror more clearly through the window, especially at night when low light conditions can impair visibility. Car window tinting offers seven major benefits: 1. Heat and sun protection. Tinting effectively blocks a significant amount of infrared heat. 2. UV protection. Medium and long-wave ultraviolet rays can penetrate thick glass, but window film can block most UV rays, protecting the skin and reducing interior aging. 3. Safety and shatterproofing. The base layer of the film is made of polyester, which provides excellent tear resistance and puncture protection. Combined with the adhesive layer, the film strengthens the glass, helping to prevent injuries from accidental breakage.
I've seen too many car owners struggling with this issue. Leaving the triangular area is mainly for driving safety, especially for clearer rearview mirror visibility during nighttime reversing and rainy days. However, full tinting does offer much better privacy and makes the entire car look more premium. If you have good eyesight and mainly drive in urban areas, full tinting isn't a big issue. But for those who frequently drive at night or have poor vision, I strongly recommend keeping the triangular windows. Also, a reminder: front side windows with light transmittance below 70% won't pass annual inspections now, while rear windows have no mandatory requirements. The darkness of the tint really shouldn't be chosen just for looks - driving with dark tints on cloudy days can be deadly. I once almost had an accident changing lanes in a friend's car with dark tints during heavy rain.
