Hello! I've heard that the dash on the generation 3 TLs are notorious for cracking. Advice on how prevent this problem?

 

Advice is to search the forums. Plenty of advice.

 

I searched it manually and it kept saying one or more words could not be matched properly or something.

 

This is a search that brings up what you are looking for -

https://acurazine.com/forums/search....rchid=15339256

Here are two results of the search but there are tons more.............

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...board+cracking
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...board+cracking

 

how to prevent it?

keep the car garaged at all times.
obviously the harsh weather elements cause it to crack, ie: extreme heat, extreme cold.

 

Google is your friend: "site:tl.acurazine.com dash crack prevent"

 

I think this is about the only way. I bought my car used with 200K on it and the dash is in immaculate condition, no cracks at all. The interior looks excellent overall, which leads me to believe it must have been in a parking garage and not exposed to the elements.

I don't think it was cared for exceptionally since the exterior looks like a turd. They had a clear bra on it which protected the paint where it was at, but the entire front end is covered with crows feet, which shows a lack of protection. I doubt the owner cared for just the interior and neglected the exterior, so I say just luck of parking in a covered area.

 

I tried to prevent it...failed miserably. I now put up my sun shade without fail and crack the front windows (I have window visors) if it's not parked in the garage.

edit: I should have mentioned that I had it replaced.

 

I use a sun shade when parked outside.

 

I use a sun shade when parked outside, too. Using the shade combined with a quality conditioner for the dash would be our only chance.

 

^^^Conditioner won't stop it. Unfortunately...it's some new age environmentally friendly material Honda used on our dashes that make it weak.

 

I even think conditioner accelerates or makes it more prone to crack.

mild soap and water will do just fine.

 

I use aerospace 303. I dont know for sure if it helps any but it does have spf 40. Been useing it in the TL for years, no cracks for me (yet).

 

it's a design or stress issue, short of a dash redesign, you are pretty much SOL

 

I just use a damp micro fiber towel

 

I was told once to use A303, then another time NOTHING but water on a rag. I don't believe either...they tried to hide behind the old armorall 70's issue...

If my replacement dash goes again, I'm doing a cover and never giving it a 2nd thought.

 

OP, I have no clue:

10.5 years and zero cracks. Never used a protectant on the dash. 4 years in the Louisiana heat, 6 years in the North Dakota siberian winters.

Always used a sunscreen on the windshield. And I have Huper Optik ceramic tints which greatly reduces the interior heat.

I'm more inclined to think heat is the major culprit.

 

 

I think both of you are right. Mine spend it's first few years outside in the Vegas and Phoenix summers with no tint. It's since spent the rest of it's life with tinted windows (but not the windshield) and in the garage at home and covered parking at work and of course, I park it so that the sun never hits the dash at any point of the day, only the rear end.

The was one tell-tale event that makes me think it's a stress/design issue triggered by heat. One day I had to drive it out to our field location and I was almost late so I had to park it on the edge of the covered parking. When I got in at lunch, half of the dash had been hit by sun, the other half was in the shade. The passenger side airbag area was distorted. It was obvious the dash was under a great deal of tension. I was too afraid to drive it or turn the AC on. I moved it to another spot that had opened up where it was completely in the shade. I left it there and took a company vehicle to lunch because I was afraid a bump would be enough to cause a crack. I think mine was as close as it could possibly get to cracking without actually cracking that day. I could see the outline of the airbag cutout perfectly and the dash even had a dimple. I don't know, maybe if it's going to be in the sun make sure the whole thing is in the sun?

I don't know what can be done besides keep it out of the sun. Maybe don't use all of the bolts when replacing it so it won't stress so much lol.

 

I have tints and use a heat shield sunscreen and it still cracked in same airbag area like most others. Its really just luck for those who haven't had their dash crack. I wouldn't bother to replace the dash unless you are going to resale it soon.

Least they don't rattle like the RSX dashs in the winter. Those things sound like Styrofoam rubbing on a wall.