If your Tesla comes with a full glass roof, you are aware of how the sun penetrates the glass, raising the car’s temperature and, in some cases, fading the interior. This leads many to wonder whether they can tint a Tesla roof.
So, can you tint the roof of a Tesla? Yes, the glass roof of a Tesla can be tinted however needing to tint it depends on a few factors. All Tesla glass roof’s come pre-tinted from the factory to block UV and heat, but you can add additional tint if needed.
The glass roof on a Tesla is incredibly unique compared to other glass roofs, mainly due to it’s sheer size. Although it’s a beautiful feature, it can cause the interior of the car to get very hot in sunny conditions. Read on to find out all you need to know about tinting the roof of your Tesla.
» MORE: A Guide To Tesla Sunroof UV Protection
Can You Tint the Moonroof of a Tesla?
Yes, you can tint the roof of your Tesla. In fact, it’s incredibly common for people to tint the roof, side windows, back window, and even windshield of their Tesla. There are a few reasons to tint your windows, the most common ones being privacy and heat protection.
Tinting the side windows is typically for privacy, however tinting the moonroof is typically for heat protection.
While having a glass roof is a fun option, traditional cars have covers you can pull over to block the sunlight from entering for a reason: to keep the heat out. Tesla roofs do not have this option.
In certain areas with extremely harsh UV levels from the sun, a standard factory tinted glass roof may not provide adequate protection for the interior of your car. The cabins interior temperature will rise pretty quickly if you’re driving, or parked, in a sunny climate. Also, over time, the harsh sun can potentially fade the color on your dashboard and upholstery. Tinting the roof glass can help alleviate both of these problems.
» MORE: Should You Get a Model Y Roof Shade? [Read This First]
How Hot Does A Tinted Tesla Get?
Researchers at Arizona State University decided to test how hot cars get when left in the sun. After merely an hour in the Arizona heat, the interior of the car reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. The seats and appliances reached temperatures of 180 degrees and higher.
The cars used in this test both didn’t have tinted glass and were in Arizona, a notoriously hot state. This doesn’t change the fact that cars can get to unsafe levels of heat, especially on hot summertime days. Getting into one after leaving it for even an hour can be downright painful.
Tinting the windows of your car, and especially the roof where the sun is most prevalent, can reduce this temperature. Similar studies have shown that tinting your car can reduce the cabin temperature by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s a table showing the different temperatures your car can reach on hot days.
This study was done in Arizona, with an outside temperature of roughly 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
| The Car’s Cabin | Direct Sunlight | In Shade |
| Internal With Tint | 97 F | 89 F |
| Internal Without Tint | 116 F | 100 F |
This is by no means a full solution, as almost 100 degrees is still very hot. But that is where Teslas’ unique design comes in. By enabling “Cabin Overheat Protection” in your Tesla’s settings (or via the Tesla App), your Tesla will automatically cool the cars interior down if it reaches 105 F.
While you can do this on a non-tinted car, using the AC to cool the car will take significantly longer, and use more of your Teslas battery. A hotter car will make the AC work harder to cool it down. This means not having tinted windows, or roof, can require extra battery life just to make your car bearable to be inside of.
» MORE: Tesla Model Y and Window Tint [Read This First]
What Are Your Tinting Options?
In the world of tinting, there are many tinting options, but not all of them are meant to be applied to a Tesla vehicle. There are a few options that are significantly more popular than the rest and for good reason. Here’s a list of common tints for peoples Tesla:
- Formula One- Stratos
- Formula One- Pinnacle
- Huper Optik Ceramic
- 3M Crystalline Tint
These are the big three brands that most car expert sites agree on. Each one has excellent reviews, and some have different options within the brand to try out. Before you decide on a kind of tint, you should know what you’re looking for.
Some of the different options that will affect your decision are:
- The tint level – how light or dark the tint is
- The price point of the tint
- How much UV the tint blocks
3M Crystalline Tint
If you’re looking for a lighter, clearer tint, then the 3M Crystalline tint is the way to go. This is a high end, highly-reviewed product. This tint will provide adequate UV protection and blockage but is designed to be light in color. It won’t obstruct your vision at all. This means it also does little in terms of privacy looking into the cabin of your car, however.
Huper Optik Ceramic
The Huper Optik Ceramic is darker and more noticeable than the 3M, but it comes with more protection. It’s a bit thicker and darker and will keep the cabin of your Tesla a bit cooler. It’s options range on the darker side of tint.
Formula One
Formula One has a few styles of their own. Stratos is an exceptionally deep and rich colored tint. It is great at keeping out the sun and preserving privacy within your car. Pinnacle is the other common option from Formula One, and it is more of a stylish option. It does well to keep the light out but is about 10% lighter and has more color to it.
Whichever tint you pick, make sure to stay within the laws and regulations of your state or area. Some areas require a lighter tint than others, for visibility’s sake. If you’re unsure of the laws where you live, then they should be clearly stated on the state DMV website.
» MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Tesla SUV Roofs
How Much Does It Cost to Tint?
Tesla is a unique and beautiful car, with its own specifications. Because of this, you need to be careful with how your car is treated. This might cause things like tints to be a little on the expensive side compared to other cars. But the quality is well worth it, as some tint jobs come with a lifetime warranty.
Some forums and mechanic sites estimate that tinting an average car costs between $200 and $400. An expected cost for side windows and the back window for a Tesla might cost upwards of $800. This is before the glass roof is taken into account, which will cost around an extra $150, just under $1,000 total.
This price is estimated for a high-end, ceramic, tint job. More budget-friendly jobs will be closer to the $300 mark for side windows and back, $400 total with the roof.
So, if you are tinting only the roof of your Tesla, you should expect to pay around $100 to $150.
Tinting the windshield is also an option, but this changes based on the state. Some states have laws and regulations on whether or not you can tint your windshield, so read about your state’s law before tinting.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you do plan to tint your Tesla windshield as well, be sure to confirm that your tint installer is aware of the potential damage caused by water seeping into the dashboard during installation. Many tint installers use a Soak Shield Rope to prevent this potential issue.
Tinting the Roof Of Your Tesla
Yes, you can indeed tint the glass roof of your Tesla for added heat protection. The roof comes pre-tinted from the factory, but for those who live in a hot sunny climate, additional tinted is not uncommon. It’s common for Tesla owners to do this to help protect the inside of their car’s upholstery as well. A proper tint can prevent sun damage to the interior console and seating, as well as waste less battery by keeping the inside of the car cooler, just be sure you choose a good quality ceramic tint.