What is Rear Side Privacy Glass?
4 Answers
Rear side privacy glass refers to the vehicle's side windows that are coated with a special layer. Here is some expanded information about rear side privacy glass: 1. Purchase: When selecting privacy glass, it is important to note that according to the safety standards for automotive safety glass specified in the "Technical Requirements for the Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles," the visible light transmittance of the windshield and other glass used in the driver's viewing area (the area used by the driver to observe the rearview mirror while driving) must be greater than or equal to 70%. No window glass may have mirror-like reflective sunshade film applied. 2. Compliance Inspection: Vehicle inspection authorities strictly adhere to national standards during inspections. Privacy glass that does not meet the standards will fail the annual inspection, rendering the vehicle unable to be driven on the road. In other words, if the car window film is particularly dark, black, or reflective, especially if the film makes the driver's compartment invisible from the outside, it does not comply with regulations.
Rear side privacy glass is a special type of glass installed by manufacturers directly on the second-row windows, making it difficult to see inside from the outside while maintaining clear visibility from the inside. I used to think this was exclusive to luxury cars, but now even domestic cars priced around 100,000 yuan have adopted it. It's more durable than aftermarket window films, which tend to bubble or fade after a couple of years. The most practical benefit is blocking UV rays in summer, reducing the interior temperature by at least 3-4 degrees Celsius, and preventing direct sunlight from shining into children's eyes during school runs. By the way, once my friend changed clothes in the car, and it was completely invisible from the outside—that's when I truly understood why it's called privacy glass. However, national regulations require front windows to have a light transmittance of at least 70%, so the front windows still need light-colored aftermarket films.
Simply put, it's the built-in sunshade of a car! The side and rear windows are embedded with a special metal coating that doesn't obstruct the driver's view through the rearview mirror but effectively blocks the sightlines of passersby. I particularly appreciate this feature when driving an MPV: elderly passengers in the back often fear sun exposure and suffer from motion sickness. Regular window tints don't provide enough heat insulation, and adding sunshades obstructs their view. The factory-installed privacy glass is a lifesaver—reducing glare and protecting the elderly's skin from the sun. However, it's worth noting that darker glass can make reversing in dimly lit garages a bit challenging, but newer models now come equipped with streaming rearview mirrors to address this issue. Surprisingly, during rainy nights, these windows offer clearer visibility than regular tints, as water droplets don't cause glare on the glass.
This is essentially the automotive version of one-way privacy glass! Last week, I accompanied my best friend for a vehicle inspection and finally understood the principle: a silver ion film is coated inside the laminated glass, achieving a sunlight reflectivity of 60%. My friend's seven-seater is equipped with privacy glass, which significantly reduces visibility anxiety for strangers in the third row. Tests show it blocks over 99% of UV rays, outperforming even baby sunscreen. Of course, there are drawbacks—during a rear-end collision, the traffic police had difficulty seeing the injured passengers in the back. It's advisable not to install dark tint on the windshield, as safety should always come first.
