Is It Necessary to Place a Dashboard Mat?
3 Answers
It is not necessary to add a sunshade mat to the car dashboard, as it affects heat dissipation. The dashboard is a high-temperature area that inherently requires better heat dissipation. Adding a mat to cover it during hot summer months directly impacts heat dissipation. Moreover, the adhesive on the back of the sunshade mat can stick to the dashboard under prolonged sunlight exposure, making it difficult to clean over time. Here are more details: 1. Heat dissipation impact: The dashboard generates high temperatures and needs efficient heat dissipation. Covering it with a mat in summer directly hinders this process. Vehicle materials and production undergo strict testing, and sunlight exposure does not affect the interior. 2. Dust accumulation: When air blows onto the dashboard, dust from the mat can flow back and directly hit the face of front-seat passengers. 3. Simplicity is best for the dashboard: Comfort and entertainment controls like air conditioning and audio are arranged on the dashboard, which the driver interacts with frequently. The dashboard's design and layout affect both the car's comfort and the driver's experience.
As an experienced driver who drives frequently, I find it necessary to use a dashboard mat. My car is parked in an outdoor parking lot, and the intense summer sun causes the plastic dashboard to fade and crack over time, while also creating glare that affects driving safety. The silicone mat I use works quite well—it's anti-slip and heat-absorbing, keeping the interior cooler in summer and making dust cleaning easier. Some people worry that mats might block the airbag deployment area, but I chose a thin, vehicle-specific mat with precise dimensions to avoid this issue. For those who park under trees and deal with more dust, a mat prevents stubborn stains from accumulating on the dashboard. Though a high-quality protective mat may cost a few dozen yuan more, it significantly extends the dashboard's lifespan, making it well worth the investment.
I always worry about safety issues while driving, so I don't recommend placing random center console mats. If the mat is too thick or not properly secured, it may slide down during sudden braking and interfere with driving. More seriously, it could obstruct the deployment of the airbag beneath the windshield, increasing the risk of injury in an accident. I personally tried going without a mat for a few months, and while the dashboard showed slight sun marks, timely cleaning and maintenance were sufficient. Before choosing a mat, always check the vehicle manual to ensure it doesn't conflict with the airbag zones. In high-temperature summer regions, if you're concerned about dashboard aging, opt for an ultra-thin, breathable, and non-slip mat for added safety. Overall, prevention is better than regret—prioritizing safety means skipping unnecessary mats.
