Should You Apply a Screen Protector to Your Car Display?
4 Answers
It depends on usage. It's not necessary, but if the screen has high reflectivity, it's recommended. Below are relevant details: 1. Dashboard LCD Screen: This is just an intuitive display that provides feedback when pressing controls on the dashboard. This LCD screen cannot be used for navigation and only displays some basic information. 2. Parking Sensors: They can clearly show distances on the central control LCD display. There's also another type of central integrated display that combines navigation, DVD, and reverse camera functions. This type has broader features, clearer and more direct display. The former is simple, practical, and inexpensive, while the latter is clearer and easier to read but more expensive due to factors like brand and integration level.
I'm the kind of person who takes extra care of items inside the car—even the cup holders have rubber pads. Applying a screen protector to the car's display is absolutely necessary, especially for touchscreens. A friend's car screen didn't have a protector, and after frequent use with fingernails, it developed fine scratches that became very noticeable under sunlight. I use an anti-glare tempered glass protector, which significantly reduces fingerprints, and I can wipe the screen directly with a wet cloth without worrying about scratches. Nowadays, high-definition protectors can achieve up to 95% light transmittance, so they don’t affect navigation visibility at all. If the original screen gets scratched, replacing it at a 4S shop can easily cost thousands, while a protector priced at just a few dozen bucks can last two to three years. However, be careful not to buy those cheap, low-quality protectors—I tried one that started bubbling after just two days and had poor transparency with a yellowish tint.
Last time when I helped a friend inspect a used car, I noticed vehicles with heavily scratched screens suffered severe depreciation. I'd recommend all owners to apply a screen protector—it's like buying insurance for your interior. But choosing the right film matters: tempered glass works best for touchscreens against scratches, while matte films suit models with severe glare issues. Remember to spray anti-static solution before application, otherwise dust particles will cause bubbles. Factory screens with oleophobic coating are actually quite scratch-resistant, but for frequent long-distance drivers like us where phone mounts clamp onto screen edges, a single metal contact can cause permanent marks. Honestly, a $20 investment for three years of worry-free usage offers far better value than smartphone screen protectors.
My experience is that touchscreens must have screen protectors. Last time at the car wash, the attendant used a low-quality towel to wipe the screen, and within a few swipes, it developed micro-scratches. For regular non-touch screens, it might not matter, but for vehicles like Teslas that rely entirely on screen controls, going without a protector is not an option. Nowadays, there are protectors with blue light filtering, which makes night driving easier on the eyes. It's crucial to have the protector applied by a professional—attempting a DIY job will likely result in misalignment; I once wasted three protectors trying it myself. Also, for modified cars, be cautious as overly thick protectors might not fit into the decorative frames. Truth be told, car screens are far more fragile than phone screens, and the repair costs could cover a decade's worth of screen protectors.
