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meyersnole
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Meyersonle, if the car comes with 70% on the front windshield what is the benefit of putting on another layer of 70% film? I did put 35% on the top 5 inches of the windshield and that helps keep the sun off of me and out of my eyes but the dash still gets smoking hot, if I don't put up the sun screen.

I have had it put on the windshield of my last three vehicles. There is a tremendous amount of heat and damaging rays that come through. Factory tint, even dark tent like they put on the side and rear windows on SUVs doesn't do all that much to block heat. So, while you can't darken the tint on the windshield you can put film that blocks these rays.

 

Also, putting tint on the sunroof would often cause the glass to crack or shatter on a hot day. That was before they put tempered glass in them. In recent years manufacturers started using tempered glass in the sunroof. So check for tempered glass in the sunroof and you will be good to go. How often do you keep the shade closed on you sunroof because its just too hot? Install the 3m crystalline and you will be able to leave it open even on the hottest of days.

 

If you have ever noticed how much running the A/C cuts down on the EV range as compared to turning it off. I believe installing the 3M Crystaline, which specs out to block out more heat than the nearest competitor's ceramic tint, puts less heat load on the a/c which will improve your EV range.

 

All you have to do is drive around a week or so in this hot weather, then have the Crystaline installed. I promise you will kick yourself for having not used this tint on every car you've owned through the years.

 

Mark

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Meyersonle, if the car comes with 70% on the front windshield what is the benefit of putting on another layer of 70% film? I did put 35% on the top 5 inches of the windshield and that helps keep the sun off of me and out of my eyes but the dash still gets smoking hot, if I don't put up the sun screen.

 

I also asked the shop that installed my tint to put additional tint on my sunroof but they would not do so. Said it's not a good idea in AZ?

 

About a week ago I parked the car and decided I would roll the driver side window down so the car would be cooler when I got back in it. Bad idea! The sun was shining on the driver side and my black leather seat gave me quite a surprise when I sat down on it in my cut off shorts...ouch! The tinted windows DO keep the seats from getting too hot to sit on, if not the interior. Lesson learned.

I am pretty sure you were addressing Mark, even though you addressed the post to me. The only thing that I would add to Mark's post is to ensure that you understand your local regulations on tinting, especially the front window. Some states will allow you to tint as long as you allow enough light to penetrate, but many states like mine, North Carolina, will not allow tinting below the DOT ASA line. Even if its legal to put tint on the front window, you would not want to put 70%, that in addition to the tint that is there would make it difficult to see at night. I think the recommendation is 90% if you are going to do it.

 

For the best heat reduction on the sun roof, you should close the shade anyway so not sure what tint would do for you there.

 

One thing I would echo from Mark's post... a good tint will significantly reduce the heat. It is worth the investment. (When shopping for films, looks at the numbers).

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I am pretty sure you were addressing Mark, even though you addressed the post to me. The only thing that I would add to Mark's post is to ensure that you understand your local regulations on tinting, especially the front window. Some states will allow you to tint as long as you allow enough light to penetrate, but many states like mine, North Carolina, will not allow tinting below the DOT ASA line. Even if its legal to put tint on the front window, you would not want to put 70%, that in addition to the tint that is there would make it difficult to see at night. I think the recommendation is 90% if you are going to do it.

 

For the best heat reduction on the sun roof, you should close the shade anyway so not sure what tint would do for you there.

 

One thing I would echo from Mark's post... a good tint will significantly reduce the heat. It is worth the investment. (When shopping for films, looks at the numbers).

Oops. You're right, it was Mark. Sorry. Thank you both for your input though.

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I have never had tint installed on my cars, but I'm curious about the 3M Crystalline. How does the tint affect visibility on the front windshield? Can you tell it is installed? Any issues with night vision? Last question, can anyone post the cost for them to have it installed? I have no experience, like I said, but a ballpark is helpful. Thanks.

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The 3M Crystalline thing has me interested too.  Is it a 0 tint (clear and see-through) or is it very minor, or does it have different percentages, such as clear, up to limo tint?  I checked Michigan state laws and I'm only allowed to put tint on the rear doors and rear window, for driver and passenger side windows, 4" from the top, and same for the windshield (unless there's some Doctor's orders thing).  But if that stuff is completely clear... I may have to investigate this further.  Even though I have a white car, it still gets really warm in there on sunny days.

Edited by Russael
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I have never had tint installed on my cars, but I'm curious about the 3M Crystalline. How does the tint affect visibility on the front windshield? Can you tell it is installed? Any issues with night vision? Last question, can anyone post the cost for them to have it installed? I have no experience, like I said, but a ballpark is helpful. Thanks.

 

If you go back to the first page of this topic you will find where we were discussing tint -- Click here

 

3M makes wonderful products, but I do not have experience with that film, I installed a ceramic film (FormulaOne pinnacal), but not on the front windshield. That is not legal in NC.

 

If you do not make the tint too dark, then you will not have issues at night. Interesting point -- just because a film lets in less light does not mean it will let in less heat. Films are rated for both the amount of light that penetrates and the amount of heat rejected.

 

Cost can vary greatly, but in general for a quality film like 3m or FormulaOne you are going to spend over $300 but it should have a lifetime warranty. Cheaper films can be installed for as little as $100 and some of them last a considerable amount of time but typically will not have the same heat rejection properties.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just finished installing my Visual Garage shark fin antenna on my Energi.  They did a good job with the color match and the installation was pretty easy, but I needed my wife to help me get the fin lined up correctly.  I haven't noticed any significant signal degradation on HD or Sirius.

 

Here are some before and after pictures.

 

post-183-0-59513500-1374351241_thumb.jpg

post-183-0-27564500-1374351239_thumb.jpg

post-183-0-53182200-1374351240_thumb.jpg

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I have never had tint installed on my cars, but I'm curious about the 3M Crystalline. How does the tint affect visibility on the front windshield? Can you tell it is installed? Any issues with night vision? Last question, can anyone post the cost for them to have it installed? I have no experience, like I said, but a ballpark is helpful. Thanks.

 

 

I think the Crystalline is the best out there. I can't tell there is any impact on the night vision. If fact, I think you can see a little better. Perhaps is slightly reduces the glare. Also, the 70% has no visible difference in the darkness that I can tell. They have samples you can hold up to the light to see the actual amount 70% changes the light, no difference to speak up. There heat reduction on the Crystalline is incredible. 

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The 3M Crystalline thing has me interested too.  Is it a 0 tint (clear and see-through) or is it very minor, or does it have different percentages, such as clear, up to limo tint?  I checked Michigan state laws and I'm only allowed to put tint on the rear doors and rear window, for driver and passenger side windows, 4" from the top, and same for the windshield (unless there's some Doctor's orders thing).  But if that stuff is completely clear... I may have to investigate this further.  Even though I have a white car, it still gets really warm in there on sunny days.

 

Tint is the magic word.  DOT allows up to a 70% tint on the windshield. Many states don't allow any tint on the windshield below the top 5 inches. The 70% Crystalline has no visible tint. If you are really concerned, look for a 0% Crystalline. You can put film on the windshield, that is not a not problem, it cant have any visible tint. I have never had an issue with the 70% Crystalline.

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Nice http!  I wanted the Visual Garage Shark Fin antenna.  I just couldn't get myself to spend $90 for it.  I decided to try the Stubby and so far the reception is still great.  Installation couldn't be easier; unscrew the factory antenna and screw the Stubby on.

 

http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/The-Stubby-Antenna.html

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I know someone asked about body side molding for the 2013 Fusion.  This is the best photo I have seen so far.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAINTED-FORD-FUSION-BODY-SIDE-MOLDINGS-2013-/151083700648?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232d4a51a8&vxp=mtr

 

I can appreciate the functionality of the side molding, but in my opinion they seriously mess up the design of the car.

 

n

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  • 3 weeks later...

Based on a post in the hybrid forum, it noted that while the web site is down for renovation, you can send email to sales -at - visualgarage.com and give them make/model/year/color code and they will send you a paypal invoice (mine were $87 each, included shipping).  I sent email one evening, got email reply and invoice the next day, then got email about shipping 6 days later, and received fins in the mail 3 days later.  Installation is complete, below are pics.

Cars2_zpsbbde2a5f.jpg

 

Cars1_zps077feb11.jpg

 

Cars3_zpsb11279c8.jpg

 

Cars4_zps19223140.jpg

 

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  • 1 month later...

I have a funny feeling that we're never going to see a trunk liner for the Energi because the charger and compressor would be stored under that... plus the traction fans vent under there.  I haven't seen one for either the Hybrid or Energi.  Either that, or the companies that make liners aren't making them for the 'niche' market of the Hybrid and Energi.  Oddly enough, trunk liners do exist for the C-Max, but only the hybrid model.  The PHEV is left out on Weathertech's site.

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I like the berber front mats from qualitycarmats.com (should arrive on Monday).  The driver side mat is longer than the factory mat and should do a better job protecting. However, I did ask about an Energi trunk mat and got the following.  If more of us ask, it might move up in their queue...

 

Hello,

I have checked with the pattern specialist at the factory.  To date he does
not have a pattern for that make model year.  However, he has added it to
his "list" of vehicles to find so he may acquire a pattern.  Please check
back with me in a few weeks or if he emails me sooner I will contact you by
email also.


Thank you
Laura Clayton
Quality Car Mats
800-218-6287
laura@qualitycarmats.com
www.qualitycarmats.com

Edited by SD Diver
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