Which XPEL shade fits your Model Y, what Pennsylvania law says, and what the heat numbers actually mean
Most Model Y owners come to us with the same three questions: how dark can I go, how much heat will it really stop, and is it worth paying for the better film? Here is how we answer them at our shop in Malvern.
The short answer
For most Model Y owners, XPEL PRIME XR PLUS is the film to look at first. Tesla offers the same film through its own tint program, and it is the top of the PRIME line for heat rejection. The right shade comes down to how much privacy you want and how you want to handle Pennsylvania's rules, which we cover below.
How to read the heat numbers
You will see up to 96% quoted everywhere, including by Tesla. On XPEL's spec sheet, that 96% is infrared rejection, measured at one wavelength, 1025 nm. It matters, but it is not the same as total heat.
The number to compare is TSER, or total solar energy rejected. On XPEL's published spec sheet, XR PLUS runs from 71% TSER at the 5 shade to 52% at the 70 shade. Darker film rejects more total energy, and even the lightest shade still rejects 92% of infrared at that same measurement.
When you compare two shops or two films, ask for the TSER at the shade you are actually buying.
XR PLUS shades at a glance
Shade 5: 5% visible light, 71% TSER, 96% IR
Shade 20: 18% visible light, 66% TSER, 96% IR
Shade 35: 38% visible light, 59% TSER, 96% IR
Shade 55: 57% visible light, 53% TSER, 96% IR
Shade 70: 67% visible light, 52% TSER, 92% IR
All shades are rated for 99% UV rejection. Figures come from XPEL's published US spec sheet and carry a tolerance of plus or minus 3%.
What Pennsylvania law says
Pennsylvania's table for 1998 and newer passenger cars requires 70% light transmittance on the windshield, front side windows, rear side windows, and rear window. For trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles, the 70% requirement applies to the windshield and front side windows, with no requirement listed for the rear side windows or rear window. The table allows a measurement accuracy of plus or minus 3%.
That means the way your vehicle is classified matters, so check your paperwork. Film also goes on top of factory glass, which already blocks some light, so the final reading will be lower than the film's rating. Philadelphia enforces tint on moving and parked vehicles with a $100 fine, and it recognizes medical exemptions and manufacturer installed tint.
This is general information, not legal advice. Ask us before you book and we will walk you through your options.
Get a quote in Malvern
Acap Films is an XPEL certified shop at 249 Planebrook Rd, Unit 5, in Malvern, PA. Send us your year and trim and tell us how dark you want to go, and we will recommend a film and shade. If you are also protecting the paint, ask us to quote tint and paint protection film together.
