Glass's Ability to Block UVA/UVB?

[JMA]

My Tango Red CR-V EX-L AWD Navi is reportedly being built as I type this, and I need to know whether I should make arrangements for additional tinting. I have a sensitivity to UVA/UVB rays, and the doc says I should limit my exposure. I haven't had to go to extremes, but I'm wondering if I should add tinting to my CR-V. The 2008 brochure indicates that the glass is Heat-Rejecting Green-Tinted, along with Rear Privacy Glass. I'd appreciate it if someone in the know could please tell me what percentage of UVA and UVB rays are blocked by these two particular types of glass in my soon-to-arrive vehicle. Not sure if it matters, but I believe my vehicle is being built in Japan for delivery in Ohio. (Supposedly, East Liberty had a supplier issue, so production was picked up in Japan until the backlog of orders...it's a hot vehicle!!!...can be abated.)

[illegal]

I have a waiver for tint in virginia myself. The stock window will have a slight bit of protection built into the glass, (97%) so it will help with rays, but I would get a medical waiver like mine, and relly tint them. The car I just sold had limo (5%) in the rear, 35% on the sides, and entire windshield at 40%

[JMA]

I decided to call Honda and see if they could tell me the UV specifications on the glass, and after some research, a very helpful "Matt" said the only numbers he could find were the following: Green glass (would that be the windshield and driver and front passenger glass?) allowed 46% UV, and Absorption Glass (Dark Tinted in the back and cargo areas perhaps?) allowed 48% UV. This seemed backward to both of us, since it seemed like absorption glass would block much more than green glass. Matt called me back several times, but said that was as much as he could find out about it.

I finally took delivery of my CR-V almost two weeks ago, and haven't made it all the way through the owner's manuals yet, but I did find something relevant. There is a warning that metal-based tinting can seriously affect the reception of the navigation system. I was actually considering a ceramic-based tinting and left a message for Matt to see if he could find out whether that could have the same detrimental affect, but haven't heard back from him. Since the tinting cannot be easily removed once it's installed, I guess I'll pass for now.

[davos]

I think that you can also check with Honda if the offer auxiliary NAV antenna or antenna amplifier. A lot of GPS systems besides built-in antenna have a external antenna plug.

[JMA]

I finally got my V tinted in August with FormulaOne Pinnacle 15 for the front side windows and, originally, Classic 50 for the windshield. I went back in September and replaced the Classic 50 with Pinnacle 50 because the waves in the Classic film were enough to make a driver seasick! The Pinnacle isn't perfect, but is much better optically and rejects more solar energy than the Classic. (I had planned to get UVShield, but the installer talked me out of it because of waviness problems they had with other customers.) Pinnacle is a ceramic film, so it doesn't interfere with the electronics. I wasn't originally going to do the windshield, but after driving through my first summer with the car, decided it was needed...especially since I've developed a sensitivity to the sun. The darker tint on the side not only matches nicely with the rear factory tinting, but it also helps block more of the glare and heat. It makes the side view a bit dark at night, but no problems so far. Now I just need to avoid getting pulled over and, if I do, hope the police will accept my doctor's prescription. I also need to get the guys at work to quit calling it the gangsta-mobile! :rolleyes:

Other updates/observations:

I added small wide-angle mirrors to my side mirrors, since I couldn't adjust the factory ones out far enough to eliminate dangerous blind spots. These seem to eliminate the blind spots, but take some getting used to when judging how close the vehicles are. I pretty much figure if I can see a vehicle in the new mirror, it's probably too close for me to change lanes. The added mirrors are adjustable, but next time I will try flush mounted mirrors, since these seem to obscure too much of the factory mirrors, and it's a pain to re-adjust the right one unless I happen to have a passenger. (BTW, it still bugs me that the side mirrors can't be adjusted without the ignition turned on.)

I've put 9,000 on my V-hicle in the last 8 months and still have 30% of my oil life left. This not only saves me money, but helps the environment. Cool!

75% of my miles are on the highway, usually driving between 65 and 68 mph. I'm averaging about 25.5 mpg. Was hoping for more, but can't complain.

The morning after a 300+ mile trip to Michigan (and a temperature drop in the night), my TPMS light came on while heading to a wedding in a nearby town. Since all 4 tires looked fine (and remembering that Black Pearl had an issue with his), I ignored it. The light stayed on that day, but went out the next. It came on again a few days later, and it turned out that all 4 tires were 2# low. The temperature changes are probably what triggered the lower pressure. It seems like the system is a bit too senstive to me. Also, it sure would be nice if the system would indicate which tire(s) are low.

Does the paint seem unusually sensitive to scratches to you? I am extremely careful (some would use a harsher description) with my car, but a few small but fairly deep (into the tint) scratches seem to be showing up out of nowhere.

I am still very happy with my purchase. I've experienced no mechanical problems whatsover and no squeaks and rattles. Quality and reliablility are excellent so far.

That's all the news for now. Sorry I've been away for a while...work is keeping me busy.

[Black Pearl]

Great post as always. Good to hear from you again. Stop in more often, we miss you around here.

BTW, I didn't have an issue with my TPMS, that was GoGreen. I was the one without the sensors in my steel winter wheels.

If your tire cutaway light with the exclamation point comes on, it means you have a low tire. Don't wait for the light to go out, get your tires checked. It can happen a lot this time of year because the lower temperatures can lower the tire pressure.

Great to hear from you again. Check in more often, OK?

[JMA]

Thanks for the warm welcome back, Black Pearl. As you can see, I am alive and well and as verbose as ever! Sorry it's been so long since I stopped in, but things got busy, and I don't seem to have the ability to just drop in, submit a quick post, and be on my way. I start reading one thread after another, and before you know it, hours have passed! I'll try not to be gone for such a long stretch in the future. If there are any "must read" posts that I missed in the past few months, be sure to point them out to me...and before you know it, I'll be hooked again. (Actually, I already am!)

BTW, I forgot to mention that on the way to Michigan, with the cruise control set to 60 mph (yes, that is BELOW the speed limit...my husband with the light foot was driving), we were averaging well over 30 mpg. On the way back, with the cruise set at the speed limit (70 in MI & 65 in OH), the fuel economy dropped by about 5 mpg. So, I think the speed "sweet spot" for mileage might be around 60 mph. I know there is a specific thread for fuel economy, so I'll see how my highway experience compares with others.

Thanks for the correction and advice on the TPMS, Black Pearl. I did visibly check the tires after the light came on, and they all looked fine, so I disregarded the warning until I could conveniently check the pressure with a gauge. Since the light eventually went off, and then came back on a couple of days later (when the temperature dropped again), it appears that the light comes on when it senses the tires are 2 pounds under the recommended pressure...at least that's what all 4 were showing when they were checked.

I hope all is well with everyone. I'm looking forward to my first winter driving a 4WD! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! :)

Oh, I do have one question...when would I ever want to turn off the VSA...perhaps if I'm stuck in the snow/mud?

[Black Pearl]

Apparently the VSA can cut back the throttle and apply brakes to the individual wheels. If you are stuck in a snow bank or anything else, to get torque to the rear wheels, the front wheels have to spin. If the VSA gets in the way it can be braking and cutting back the throttle when you want the front wheels to spin so as to get more torque to the rear wheels. The other time you want the VSA off is when you are doing donuts, so that you are controlling the car. JMA if I was a betting man, I would lay money that you are an awful lot like me and have no interest in doing donuts.

If you do get stuck and turn off the VSA, remember to restore it when you get underway again.

As far as let it snow, when the damn V will shovel the crap, I will agree with you. As long as I have to shovel it with my blown out back, may it never snow again.

[JMA]

Sorry about getting excited about snow when you've got an aching back, Black Pearl. I think I'm still just a big kid at heart hoping for a snowday! You need to get yourself a good snow plow (or a neighborhood teen who wants to earn a few bucks) so you can enjoy playing in the snow again!

Yeah, you're right, I would probably never attempt a donut in my car. As wild and crazy as I get is to eat one in my car! Although, if I could drive someone else's car in a safe area, I wouldn't mind trying it! :D I think I missed that rite of passage as a teen...probably because I was always too afraid of damaging my parents' car (which I didn't get to drive much), and then couldn't afford to hurt my own!

Thanks for the "non-expert" VSA advice. What you say makes sense, and I'll keep it in mind, although I hope to never need it!

See...I told you I'd get hooked on this forum again! I'm supposed to be getting some work done around the house!