Is a Car Dashboard Sunshade Mat Necessary?

[MarleyDella]

Installing a car sunshade mat has both advantages and disadvantages, and the decision to install one should be based on personal needs. Below is relevant information about installing a car sunshade mat: 1. Placing a sunshade mat on the car dashboard can protect it from direct sunlight and help absorb glaring sunlight. However, since the passenger airbag is located on the dashboard, an overly large sunshade mat may interfere with the normal deployment of the airbag in case of an accident. 2. Sunshade mats made of plush or rough materials can effectively block and absorb UV rays, but they tend to accumulate dust heavily and are difficult to clean thoroughly. Additionally, an excessively large sunshade mat might obstruct the air conditioning vents, affecting the driving experience.

[VonKimberly]

Having driven for over 20 years, I know all too well how scorching hot the dashboard gets in summer. A sunshade mat is absolutely necessary, especially for older car models. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause plastic dashboards to crack and fade, and the glare reflected onto the windshield can impair visibility. Last summer, I conducted a test: without a sunshade mat, the dashboard surface temperature reached over 70°C, but with a reflective mat, it dropped by 20°C. However, it's crucial to choose flame-retardant materials—I've seen cases where poor-quality mats caught fire from cigarette lighter sparks. Also, make sure not to block airbag deployment ports or sensors during installation; safety should always come first.

[Hattie]

Nowadays, new car dashboards are all about large screens, and putting a sunshade mat on them is like draping a cloth over a smartphone. I dare not casually place one on my car equipped with HUD, as the edges of the mat curling up could directly interfere with the projection. Moreover, many sunshade mats use hook-and-loop fasteners for fixation, and prolonged exposure to the sun can melt the adhesive particles, leaving marks that deduct points during a second-hand trade-in. If you really need sun protection, it's better to use a windshield sunshade when parked—its cooling effect is three times better than that of a mat. Don't fall for merchants' hype about UV resistance; car windshields already have a UV isolation layer. Dashboard sun protection is more about preventing aging than protecting people.

[MacMarcus]

For OCD car owners, the biggest benefit of a sunshade mat is actually dust prevention! The grilles of the air vents on the dashboard are impossible to clean thoroughly once dust gets stuck in the gaps. Since laying down a suede-finished sunshade mat, the cleaning interval for the center console area has extended from weekly to monthly. Opt for a grey suede material—it minimizes glare and looks premium. A word of advice: ensure the mat fits your car model when purchasing. I initially thought a universal one would work for my SUV, but it didn’t conform well around the A-pillars, shifting during sudden braking and jamming the accelerator—scaring me half to death. Now, I only buy custom-molded 3D versions designed specifically for my vehicle.