glare in 2016 LX
Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
From: Pa
Impossible to say what the dealer may or may not have done unless you can compare your car to another that was known to be not "treated" somehow by the dealer. Or you can ask the dealer what they did to your car pre-delivery, and decide for yourself whether they are being truthful or not.
Maybe there is some reliable product out there that you can apply like ArmorAll, but that dries to a truly flat finish. But this would be risky, because once applied who knows what happens to it long term, and how the hell can it be removed if it doesn't behave the way you like, without destroying the dash.
Maybe there is some reliable product out there that you can apply like ArmorAll, but that dries to a truly flat finish. But this would be risky, because once applied who knows what happens to it long term, and how the hell can it be removed if it doesn't behave the way you like, without destroying the dash.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 22
From: Maine
I ordered a SuedeMat from DashMat online somewhere for $38 IIRC which cut the glare quite a bit, but at high sun you can see the mat a little bit- The "original DashMat" might be a little better
It kinda messes up the light sensor when the sun is at certain angles, but that's not a big deal at all.
Those covers are fit exactly and hug all the trim, even covers the silver tops of the vents perfectly- I'd recommend any 3rd gen owner get one- just buy a little extra velcro to mount it to the dash and all it's crevaces
It kinda messes up the light sensor when the sun is at certain angles, but that's not a big deal at all.
Those covers are fit exactly and hug all the trim, even covers the silver tops of the vents perfectly- I'd recommend any 3rd gen owner get one- just buy a little extra velcro to mount it to the dash and all it's crevaces
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,545
From: SoCal, CA
In fact, unless you look at the rear view mirror you can't tell what color Fit you happen to be driving! It's the first car I've ever owned where I can't see anything forward of the windshield!
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Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 140
From: cincinnati oh
I ordered a SuedeMat from DashMat online somewhere for $38 IIRC which cut the glare quite a bit, but at high sun you can see the mat a little bit- The "original DashMat" might be a little better
... Those covers are fit exactly and hug all the trim, even covers the silver tops of the vents perfectly- I'd recommend any 3rd gen owner get one- just buy a little extra velcro to mount it to the dash and all it's crevaces
... Those covers are fit exactly and hug all the trim, even covers the silver tops of the vents perfectly- I'd recommend any 3rd gen owner get one- just buy a little extra velcro to mount it to the dash and all it's crevaces
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 385
From: SoCal
Well played sir. I don't get the whole glare thing. But then again, I never believed in the Easter Bunny, the Chicago Cubs, or Military Intelligence.
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,545
From: SoCal, CA
After watching the materials sit on the shelf for a couple of weeks I decided to get to work.
I made a paper pattern of the dash top that extends from the windshield base back to the edge of the glare shield/ AC vents on the left and the edge of the air bag compartment on the right. It extends toward the little windows on each side, but not so far as to cover the vents. I cut holes to match the side window defroster on the right and the main windshield defroster.
Once satisfied with the shape I transferred it to black felt and cut it out. My care with the pattern paid off as the felt fit the dash perfectly!
I was concerned that there were some wrinkles caused by the flat fabric not conforming with the curves of the dash top. After the first couple of days, the wrinkles flattened out and it now conforms well to the dash top. It stays put without any fastening at all!
So, does it work? Absolutely! I tried folding back one corner of the felt and at high sun angles the difference is marked. The reflection of the stock dash makes the outside view look hazy. The flat black felt doesn't reflect at all and the outside view is crystal-clear! The only reflection I see are those of the defroster grille at the base of the windshield but that is below my line of vision and pretty much unavoidable.
Total cost: $8.00!
I made a paper pattern of the dash top that extends from the windshield base back to the edge of the glare shield/ AC vents on the left and the edge of the air bag compartment on the right. It extends toward the little windows on each side, but not so far as to cover the vents. I cut holes to match the side window defroster on the right and the main windshield defroster.
Once satisfied with the shape I transferred it to black felt and cut it out. My care with the pattern paid off as the felt fit the dash perfectly!
I was concerned that there were some wrinkles caused by the flat fabric not conforming with the curves of the dash top. After the first couple of days, the wrinkles flattened out and it now conforms well to the dash top. It stays put without any fastening at all!
So, does it work? Absolutely! I tried folding back one corner of the felt and at high sun angles the difference is marked. The reflection of the stock dash makes the outside view look hazy. The flat black felt doesn't reflect at all and the outside view is crystal-clear! The only reflection I see are those of the defroster grille at the base of the windshield but that is below my line of vision and pretty much unavoidable.
Total cost: $8.00!
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,465
From: Portland Or
FYI, if you buy really nice wool felt(Non synthetic..) , Its possible to form it semi rigid by soaking hot water, laying in place, it will shrink some usually, small sandbags work good to hold it to shape, same process a hat shop uses to block a high grade mens hat. Once it drys its pretty stiff.
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,545
From: SoCal, CA
That's a good idea. I used synthetic felt (much less expensive!) and find that it is supple enough to conform well with the dash. The only part that is unruly is the narrow strip forward of the defroster vents. I might just cut that portion out as it does not contribute to glare reduction.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,421
From: Upstate New York
I even remember the owner's manual for my '96 Neon cautioning against using any "plastic shine" products on the dashboard.
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,545
From: SoCal, CA
You are correct in that it is due to the steeply angled windshield and deep glare shield underneath. My other cars have more upright windshields so I haven't gotten used to that "hazy glare" effect caused by reflection of the Fit's glare shield.
Regardless of whether one is used to this or not, I don't think that anyone would object to better visibility through their windshield! Adding the black felt glare shield cover has made driving at high sun angles much more comfortable.
Regardless of whether one is used to this or not, I don't think that anyone would object to better visibility through their windshield! Adding the black felt glare shield cover has made driving at high sun angles much more comfortable.
New Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Maybe you just keep your windshield very clean.
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