Ford Dash Cover

FAQs—Ford Dash Cover

1. The passenger-side heater of my Ford isn’t working and I can hear a clicking sound coming from behind the climate control. A friend told me that the dash cover could be blocking the system’s sensor. Has the dash cover something to do with it?

No, it’s unlikely that the clicking sound is caused by your Ford dash cover obstructing a sensor. The sensor positioned on the dash won’t affect the operation of the fan as it kicks in only when inside temperature needs to activate the climate control system when it is in "Auto" mode to keep it at a preset level. The sound might be caused by a bad relay, regulator, or fan motor and not by a dash cover obstructing the sensor. The best way to solve such issue is to do more thorough DIY troubleshooting or to bring the car to a professional mechanic and have the heating system checked to find out what the culprit is.

2. There are unsightly cracks appearing on my dashboard lately. Can a dashboard cover help prevent further cracking?

Your dashboard may be manufactured from substandard plastic that can’t stand up even just a few short years of regular use. Though the dashboard cover can’t help solve the existing cracks, it can conceal them to help save your interior’s appearance. And yes, the cover can prevent future cracks from appearing as it shields the dash from UV rays and other damage-causing elements, preventing them from directly getting in contact with the dash.

3. Why is my new Ford dash cover not conforming to the shape of my dashboard even if it was designed for my vehicle year, make, and model?

There are really cases when the new cover doesn’t go smoothly with the contour of your dash even if it was especially designed for that particular vehicle make and model. But, you just have to bear with it for a few days particularly during the cold season. The colder the temperature is, the longer it will take for your dash cover to fit the form of your dashboard. During summer it may just take a short while since the heat getting through the windshield can somehow soften the cover’s material, making it easy for you to make it fit over the dashboard.

4. Are there recalls concerning dashboard cracks? Got a few on my Ford truck, which is just less than half of a decade old, so I’m wondering if there have been instances when recall was put in place due to dashboard issues.

It depends on the issue with the dashboard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regards dashboard cracks as a cosmetic issue, so it doesn’t make it eligible for a safety defect investigation. There has been a dash-related recall for some Ford vehicles in 1977 involving 250,000 units of 1975-77 Econoline vans. These vehicles were recalled because their plastic dashboards could crack up or fracture during a collision, and the sharp pieces "could contribute to occupant injury."

5. I want to protect my dashboard from cracks and other forms of damage, but I’m serious about my goal of not adding too much weight to the vehicle to maintain the performance of my upgraded brakes and suspension. What type of Ford dash cover would not add extra weight to my ride?

There are fabric dash covers that are, undoubtedly, lightweight. But if you want serious protection for the dash, go for molded dash caps that can be fitted over the dash for excellent protection against all sorts of damaging elements. You can choose caps that are made from thick, durable ABS plastic as they offer excellent protection despite being lightweight.

6. I will install my new Ford dash cover in the coming days. Any tips in making the cover fit perfectly and adhere well into the dash?

Assuming that you’ve purchased a perfect-fit cover for your dashboard, the very first thing you should do before deciding to put it in place is to make sure that the dash surface is totally free of dust and dirt. The tape or the adhesive that comes with the cover won’t adhere well if the dashboard is too dirty and dusty. It shouldn’t be too hot, either, and your dash shouldn’t have newly applied polish or vinyl protectant as these factors also reduce the ability of the adhesive to stick well into the surface. Before attaching the cover, make sure your ride is under a shade or in a covered garage and the dash surface is cool and clean.

7. When choosing a Ford dash cover, I got attracted to the one with smooth carpeted surface. What benefits can I get if I go for this product, except of course for good interior appearance?

Don’t forget that the dash receives the heat that gets through the windshield, and too much heat on the dash surface will surely be dispensed throughout the interior, making it uncomfortable. The good thing about a carpeted dash cover is that its surface is much less reflective and its several layers of material makes it possible for the absorbed heat rays from the windshield to dissipate throughout the cover, minimizing the heat radiated into the cabin compared to covers with just one layer of semi-smooth surface.

A worn-out dashboard can be unappealing and reduces your vehicle's value as well as your personal satisfaction. With a good-quality dash mat, you can protect your dashboard from damaging elements and give a stylish appearance. Whether to offer protection or to give a fashion statement, a Ford dash cover can give you several benefits.

Dust and dirt protection

When road dusts stay on your dash surface constantly, your dashboard will eventually crack especially when you use inappropriate dash cleaners and polishers as the heat and oils in these products create splits when combined. Your Ford dash cover can prevent this damage from happening by containing the dusts between the carpet fibers. During your regular interior maintenance, you can just vacuum the cover.

Ultra violet protection

Being constantly exposed to sunlight's ultra violet rays, your dashboard will show signs of fading that will not go well with your vehicle's interior and, at the same time, will give a deteriorated look. A good-quality dash mat can serve as a shield to protect against the harmful rays and can keep the vehicle's interior looking bright.

Heat protection

High temperatures cause the air molecules in your dashboard to expand, splitting the surface into cracks. Because the dashboard is a medium for heat, it reflects the heat throughout the vehicle, making your steering wheel too hot to hold, the belt buckles scorching hot, and seats like hot plates. You may opt for a soft dash mat because this is less reflective and has many layers of material. This soft dash cover scatters the heat across its hairy surface while covering the dashboard and keeping it cool. This way, less heat is also retained, resulting in conservation of cooling energy and resources.

Stylish interior

Your Ford dash cover also shows a fashion statement. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of style, material construction, colors, and fitment options to match your vehicle's personal style and look. For a refined luxurious feel, a suede dash mat can offer you this benefit while a fabric dash cover provides an easy way of cleaning and maintaining. On the other hand, carpet mats and hard dash shields are great for long-lasting use.

Quick interior enhancement

If your dashboard is already faded or damaged and you are looking for a quick way to bring back the beauty of your dash and interior, a dash cover can give a new look to a worn-out or scratched dashboard in just a few, quick installation steps. There are stock dash mats that may be a perfect fit for your Ford vehicle. However, if you want a seamless and professional-looking installation, you may want to get a custom dash cover instead. The custom dash covers take in the curves and silhouettes of the dashboard as well as the other features such as vents, speakers, and sensors. You do not have to drill or hammer in any holes as these custom covers come with special adhesives or tapes that provide sturdy and stable attachments to the dashboard.