Is it necessary to place a sunshade mat on the car's center console?
3 Answers
It is unnecessary to place a sunshade mat on the car's center console. If the sunshade mat used has bright colors, it can easily create reflections on the windshield, affecting the driver's visibility and potentially leading to safety hazards. Additionally, it can hinder heat dissipation. The center console generates high temperatures and requires good ventilation, especially during summer when the interior temperature is already high. Adding a mat can directly impede heat dissipation. Moreover, sunshade mats tend to accumulate dust. When wind blows onto the console, the dust from the mat can flow back and blow onto the faces of front-seat passengers. Most importantly, the mat might cover the passenger-side airbag, preventing it from deploying in an emergency, which poses a significant safety risk.
After being exposed to the scorching sun in summer, the car's dashboard gets so hot you could fry an egg on it, making a sunshade mat absolutely essential. My old car's dashboard turned white and cracked from sun exposure, costing over a thousand yuan to repair. A sunshade mat blocks up to 80% of UV rays, protecting the plastic parts of the dashboard from aging and preventing glare that could affect driving. When choosing a mat, opt for flame-retardant materials and secure it with clips instead of adhesive to avoid the danger of it flying off while driving. Remember to remove and clean it every three months, as accumulated dust can scratch the dashboard surface. However, before installation, check the airbag locations—some cars have side airbags hidden in the dashboard, so make sure not to block them.
There's no need for these fancy accessories at all. Car manufacturers conduct high-temperature tests during R&D for the dashboard, and it won't fail under normal use for ten years. Sunshade mats can trap heat and affect cooling, causing electronic components to overheat and malfunction more easily. My family's two cars haven't used them for seven years, and the dashboards are still in perfect condition. If you really need sun protection, applying a high-quality front windshield film is much more effective. Moreover, over time, these mats can deform and block air vents, and discovering cockroach eggs hidden underneath when cleaning dust is just awful. These so-called 'must-haves' are just marketing gimmicks to trick people into buying.
