C7 Dash Mat
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
C7 Dash Mat
I live in Arizona where the sun is relentless. I'm currently having my 3LT dash replaced and would like to avoid having to repeat the process. I'm thinking that for everyday use, a dash mat may be the way to go. I've done some searching on this site and can't find any information or opinions specific to dash pros and cons or recommendations. I've found a few brands that sell custom mats for C7's but would like to get some opinions and experiences from the membership regarding fit, quality or if it's even worth doing. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,864
From: Virginia
The dash mats I've seen look as bad or even worse than the 3LT shrinking/cracking dashes.
Do you use a sunscreen when car is parked?
I'm not convinced that it's totally a sun/heat issue as if you search through the abundance threads on the subject you will find a lot of garage queens that have had little exposure to sun have shrunk/cracked dashes.
Do you use a sunscreen when car is parked?
I'm not convinced that it's totally a sun/heat issue as if you search through the abundance threads on the subject you will find a lot of garage queens that have had little exposure to sun have shrunk/cracked dashes.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Jul 18, 2021 at 11:47 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,864
From: Virginia
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,348
Likes: 3,319
Hopefully the upgrades/changes they made to the 3LT dash will prevent you from having the problem again.
I suspect a dash mat would get just as hot and would transfer the heat to your dash in any event.
As Kevin suggests, I would use a sun screen when parked in the sun.
Good luck!
I suspect a dash mat would get just as hot and would transfer the heat to your dash in any event.
As Kevin suggests, I would use a sun screen when parked in the sun.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 2,153
From: Schaller Iowa
I echo Kevin and Elk's suggestion for a sun shade. I recently did the Black Hills trip and had a sun screen I'd gotten from a CF member. I had the car parked for a few hours midday and when I got in the dash was very cool to the touch compared to the rest of the interior. IMO it's money well spent.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 54
From: oviedo fl
Check on tinting the windshield. They have Llumar Air 80 Series film clear tint the will reduce heat and is legal. Did my windshield, does not wash out your HUD.
Llumar Air 80 Series Film
Automotive Car Window Tinting
While other films employ very dark tinting to achieve similar levels of heat rejection, our Windshield Series of films are light enough to not restrict driving visibility while providing the maximum amount of heat and UV protection from the sun. Their optical clarity and low reflectivity will not interfere with night driving.Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Tinting is a good suggestion but not practical here in Arizona. We don't get much rain and consequently the roads are a rock minefield. Windshield and front end rock chips are almost an everyday occurrence. You learn very quickly the distance to leave between you and the vehicles ahead, if at all possible, to avoid flying rocks If a windshield lasts more than 3 years you probably don't drive much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
I'll add this (and just my opinion). I hypothesize you either get a good or defective 3LT dash. Mine crapped out within the first year. GM required a 3LT replacement for it to be covered under warranty. 4 years no issues and I park in the sun a lot. Not saying film and a sunscreen is a bad idea. Should help. But I think if you do get a defective dash its just a matter of time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
I agree, it really is a crap shoot Fortunately, Rick at Earnhardt Chevrolet (shameless plug) is taking good care of me. He had to order 3 dashes before he got a perfect unit. Time will tell on durability and that's why I'm trying to look into preventative measures now.
Last edited by AZRenegade; Jul 18, 2021 at 12:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 830
Likes: 293
From: Loveland Ohio
Tinting is a good suggestion but not practical here in Arizona. We don't get much rain and consequently the roads are a rock minefield. Windshield and front end rock chips are almost an everyday occurrence. You learn very quickly the distance to leave between you and the vehicles ahead, if at all possible, to avoid flying rocks If a windshield lasts more than 3 years you probably don't drive much.
so you say in AZ you have to have windshields replaced every 3 years? thats crazy!
Last edited by raisinjack; Jul 18, 2021 at 12:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Yep, sure do. I currently have tinted glass on my Stingray. My issue is having to get it done each time I get the windshield replaced. It's a pretty common issue here in AZ. I might look to see if they offer pre-tinted windshields next time around.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Rain in AZ is seasonal and lately pretty rare. Consequently, the roads don't get washed off like they do back East. I'm originally from Pittsburgh where windshield replacement was rare but front end alignments were a routine maintenance issue due to potholes. What happens down here is that petroleum products and small rocks build up on and around the road surface and cause issues. It's common knowledge among motorcycle riders that for the first 20 minutes of a rain storm the roads aren't to be trusted. The oil that has been absorbed into the road surface between rain showers percolates to the surface and can cause traction problems until the sustained rain cleans the driving surface. I love the state but there are conditions specific to the environment than need to be dealt with. No different than any other state.
Last edited by AZRenegade; Jul 18, 2021 at 12:59 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 617
From: Houston Texas
Can l a state inspection/registration sticker be applied to it, and removed the next year without damaging it?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Would dash mats not interfere with passenger side airbag deployment when needed? They also look tacky as hell IMHO.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Tinting is a good suggestion but not practical here in Arizona. We don't get much rain and consequently the roads are a rock minefield. Windshield and front end rock chips are almost an everyday occurrence. You learn very quickly the distance to leave between you and the vehicles ahead, if at all possible, to avoid flying rocks If a windshield lasts more than 3 years you probably don't drive much.