I am new to MN and have a 2011 WRX hatch. I am considering tint but am curious what it would look like with full legal tint. Can anyone out there help me out with some pics?? Thanks, sorry if it was wrong place to post.
This is not true. I know having been pulled over twice (once local and one highway patrol). I have 35% and 18% on my car + factory tint. The tint you would have to get is technically less then 50% which is very light. The windows that you have already have some tint to them. So in the unlikely event that someone pulls you over with 50% tint (even though the law allows for 50%) you would register in the mid to high 40's due to the factory tint already on the window. IMHO - leave it alone if you are going to go legal.
yeah hatches are a grey area, its goofy, for instance i wouldn't call the HHR a suv but you can get them in a panel with no rear windows? but you can always get a prescription. i got 25% all around except the brow which is 15% never gotten any flack on my sedan. and if i do my prescription is valid to 2015
My tint on my sedan is reading at 40% (give or take a few). However, Chris at Flawless put a sticker on my window clarifying it as legal and 50%. Certain tints read darker than others. Chris also informed me you can go as dark as you want on wagons/hatches. Front windows are still 50%.
and i got mine done at sun control of MN but i've heard nothing but good things about chris at flawless
Another recommendation for Chris at flawless front ends. He does a hell of a job. The law states that you can't have a light meter read below 50% making 50% tint against the law here (tint + natural glass tint). Some cops might be pickier than others. I have heard of people getting away with the van (wagon) exception on wrx hatches and I have heard of others who have gotten bagged. I have 35% tint (roughly 30% overall) on my car (I have a prescription) on my coupe yet I have not been pulled over for tint. Looks like you are out in the western suburbs which is where most people get heat for tint. Honestly, if you want to avoid any issues, just get a prescription. That way you can get whatever tint you want.
And another recommendation for Chris. Set up an appointment with him to get your tint done, and he will help you make the best decision. IIRC, the law states that if there is no divider between the rear seats, and the rear cargo area, that the tint is unrestricted on the back windows. Chris can talk to you about how this if fought, etc. Personally, my STI came from Vegas and has net 10% on the rear windows/hatch and net 20% on the front windows. I don't daily drive it, but I do drive it around town sometimes. I have yet to get pulled over. (knocks on wood!) My DD Saabaru wagon has net 10% on the rear windows and my fronts are net 28%...also have yet to get pulled over. (knocks on wood again) To really be "safe", as Curran said, talk to your eye doctor about getting a prescription for tint. It still is not going to stop you from getting pulled over, but it will protect you from a ticket. Finally, there are a billion other threads on tint on MNSubaru, do some searching
I had 55 front, and 25 rear on my 12 wagon. I got pulled over for tint. The sheriff said it didn't matter that it was a hatch back. Only Factory tint is exempt from tint laws.
for all of you that are confused. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.71 subd. 4 that shows the full law and what is included and not included. Whats considered legal and not legal, hatch/van/truck etc is a matter of opinion at what the officer truly thinks is a "Van" or a "hatchback" since the law doesn't get that specific. so like everyone is saying don't chance it, if you want "illegal" get a prescription. what the state defines as a "van": Van. "Van" means any vehicle of box-like design with no barrier or separation between the operator's area and the remainder of the cargo-carrying area, and with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of three-fourths ton or less. If the manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity is not provided or not known, then the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating as indicated on the manufacturer's certification label must be less than 10,000 pounds. pretty broad if you ask me...
Again, been pulled over twice in my hatch. I can tell you that both of my encounters with the law said it was illegal on a hatch. I know people say "its a grey area" but the officers didn't think twice about it.
yeah and arguing it will most likely get you a ticket anyway. like i said, either keep it legal or get a prescription. so the man won't take your money!
a little off topic but I noticed that the Calhoun Tuesday meet up thread has no activity, is there a new spot?
