Will the Car Dashboard Get Damaged by Sun Exposure?
2 Answers
Car dashboards can get damaged by sun exposure. Car dashboards are made of plastic materials, some are soft-touch plastics, while others are hard plastics. For hard plastics, sunlight can easily cause refraction, affecting the driver's visibility. If exposed to the sun for a long time, high temperatures may cause hard plastic materials to release harmful gases, which are bad for health, and may even lead to cracking or aging. Additional information: 1. Plastic car dashboards: Prolonged sun exposure may cause cracking due to inconsistent thermal expansion and contraction between the inner and outer layers, leading to fissures over time. 2. Soft-touch plastic car dashboards: The surface of soft-touch plastics is not very smooth, providing a certain tactile feel, and light is diffusely reflected. However, it is still best to use a sunshade mat to cover it, which not only keeps the dashboard clean but also effectively avoids glare.
Exposure to sunlight on the car's center console can indeed cause some damage, which I have personally experienced. As a long-time car owner, I've seen many center consoles develop issues due to prolonged sun exposure. Plastic components are prone to aging and fading, while high temperatures can cause interior materials to warp or crack, affecting both aesthetics and durability. Leather parts may become brittle, peel, or even emit unpleasant odors, compromising driving comfort. Electronic screens exposed to prolonged sunlight may suffer from pixel malfunctions or unresponsiveness, leading to inaccurate information display. I recommend avoiding parking in direct sunlight whenever possible, using sunshades or choosing shaded spots, which also reduces the burden on the cooling system and extends the lifespan of interior components. Regular dusting during maintenance can prevent accumulation and worsening of issues. While such damage may not seem major, accumulated repairs can be costly, making prevention the more economical choice in the long run.
