---
title: How to Set Default Tinted Windows for Vehicles
description: "Welcome to this guide on how to set **default tinted windows** for vehicles in **GTA V** and **FiveM**. This article explains where vehicle window tint is usually configured, how to apply it as a default setting, and what to check…"
url: "https://fivemsupply.com/kb-doc/general-vehicles/how-to-set-default-tinted-windows-for-vehicles/"
updated: "2026-04-26"
category: "General | Vehicles"
---

# How to Set Default Tinted Windows for Vehicles

Welcome to this guide on how to set **default tinted windows** for vehicles in **GTA V** and **FiveM**.

This article explains where vehicle window tint is usually configured, how to apply it as a default setting, and what to check if the tint does not appear in-game.

## 📘 Overview

If you want a vehicle to spawn with tinted windows by default, this is usually configured in the vehicle’s meta files.

In most cases, this is done through:

- `carvariations.meta`

Depending on the vehicle and setup, the exact result may also be affected by:

- the model itself
- existing vehicle mods
- spawn methods
- scripts that override vehicle properties

## 🛠️ Before You Start

Before making any changes, make sure you:

- create a backup of the original files
- edit the correct resource
- restart the resource or server after saving changes

It is also recommended to test the vehicle on a clean spawn after making adjustments.

## 📂 Which File Should You Edit?

In most cases, the default window tint is configured inside:

```
carvariations.meta
```

This file is usually located in the vehicle resource folder.

Example structure:

```
yourvehicle/
├─ stream/
├─ data/
│  ├─ vehicles.meta
│  ├─ handling.meta
│  └─ carvariations.meta
```

## 🔍 Find the Correct Vehicle Entry

Open `carvariations.meta` and locate the entry of the vehicle you want to edit.

It will usually look similar to this:

```
<Item>
  <modelName>yourvehicle</modelName>
  <colors>
    ...
  </colors>
  <kits>
    ...
  </kits>
  <windowsWithExposedEdges />
  <plateProbabilities>
    ...
  </plateProbabilities>
  <lightSettings value="0" />
  <sirenSettings value="0" />
  <livery value="0" />
  <windowTintLevel value="0" />
</Item>
```

## 🪟 Set the Default Window Tint

The line below controls the default window tint:

```
<windowTintLevel value="0" />
```

To apply tinted windows by default, change the value to the tint level you want.

Example:

```
<windowTintLevel value="3" />
```

## 📋 Common Tint Values

The available tint levels are commonly used as follows:

| Value | Tint Type |
| --- | --- |
| `0` | No tint |
| `1` | Pure black |
| `2` | Dark smoke |
| `3` | Light smoke |
| `4` | Stock |
| `5` | Limo |
| `6` | Green |

Example with darker tint:

```
<windowTintLevel value="5" />
```

## ✅ Example Setup

A full example vehicle entry may look like this:

```
<Item>
  <modelName>yourvehicle</modelName>
  <colors>
    <Item>
      <indices content="char_array">
        0 0 0 0 0 0
      </indices>
      <liveries>
        <Item value="-1" />
      </liveries>
    </Item>
  </colors>
  <kits>
    <Item>CVPI_LIVERY</Item>
    <Item>0_default_modkit</Item>
  </kits>
  <windowsWithExposedEdges />
  <plateProbabilities>
    <Item>
      <Name>VMT_FRONT_AND_REAR_WINDOW</Name>
      <Value value="100" />
    </Item>
  </plateProbabilities>
  <lightSettings value="0" />
  <sirenSettings value="0" />
  <livery value="0" />
  <windowTintLevel value="5" />
</Item>
```

In this example, the vehicle will spawn with **Limo tint** by default.

## 🔁 Restart and Test

After editing the file:

1. save `carvariations.meta`
2. upload or replace the edited file in your resource
3. restart the resource or restart the full server
4. spawn the vehicle again and test the result

Example restart:

```
ensure yourvehicle
```

If needed, do a full server restart to make sure the changes are applied correctly.

## ⚠️ Important Notes

- make sure you edit the correct `carvariations.meta`
- make sure the vehicle entry matches the correct `modelName`
- some vehicles or scripts may override default tint settings
- if a vehicle already spawns through a special script, that script may replace the default tint
- always test with a fresh spawn after making changes

## 🧯 Troubleshooting

### The tint does not appear in-game

Make sure that:

- you edited the correct vehicle entry
- the `modelName` matches the actual spawn name
- the edited `carvariations.meta` is the one being loaded by the server
- the resource was restarted after the change
- no script is overriding the window tint after spawn

### The vehicle still spawns without tint

Make sure that:

- the line `<windowTintLevel value="x" />` is present
- the value is not still set to `0`
- the vehicle is respawned after the edit
- no duplicate version of the vehicle exists on the server

### The wrong tint is shown

Try another tint value and test again.

Some vehicles may visually react slightly differently depending on the model and glass materials used.

## 🎧 Support Information

Unfortunately, support for this is very limited.

## ❓ FAQ

### Which file usually controls default tinted windows?

In most cases, this is configured in:

`carvariations.meta`

### What line should I edit?

Edit:

```
<windowTintLevel value="0" />
```

### What value removes tint?

Use:

```
<windowTintLevel value="0" />
```

### What value gives a dark tint?

A commonly used darker option is:

```
<windowTintLevel value="5" />
```

### Why does the vehicle still spawn without tint?

Usually because of one of these reasons:

- wrong file edited
- wrong vehicle entry edited
- resource not restarted
- another script is overriding the tint