Acuramon

So after seeing the first crack appear on my dashboard, I purchased a cover. Before deciding which one to buy I looked all over for one that has holes already cut out for the tweeters and the speaker in the middle (not sure what that's called). No luck. It seems that all the covers I came across cover up all the speakers. One manufacturer (not the one I chose) claimed that, even though their's covers up the speakers it doesn't affect the sound at all.

My cover just came in yesterday and I installed it but I didn't have much time to see if there was a difference in the quality of the sounds from the speakers. The cover looks great and I'm happy with it but I am wondering if I need to cut holes. What has been some of your experiences? Did your sound quality suffer or not? Was anybody able to find a cover with the holes pre-cut?

6spd-GERCO

Hey Acuramon, sorry to hear about your dash, my dash cracked as well and I tossed on a cover on it like yourself. I did noticed that the sound from the tweeters was muffled but otherwise it wasn't bad and I got used to it. I did turn the center speaker adjustment up a tad. If you cut holes for the covered speakers it will sound better. It's a personal preference.

erdoc48

I have a Dash Designs Dashtex cover- no change in stereo sound at all, so I wouldn't worry too much about loss of sound.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

I don't remember what the dash cover that has the center channel and tweeter cut out is called but I remember it looked really ugly.

I have a dash cover and I don't notice any difference at all with the sound quality, but than again I'm not a audiophile to notice the slightest changes.

Acuramon

Thanks guys. Yeah, I think I will leave it the way it is. I was driving all day today and didn't notice any difference in sound. I think it will look ugly if I tried to cut my own holes. I just hope the dash doesn't continue to crack. Even though it's covered I still hat the thought of it getting a lot worse.

justinduhhh

u dont need a dash cover just cuz your dash is cracking... take care of the vinyl and it wont crack ever...
condition codition condition

Jackass

If the vinyl is already cracked...it is too late to condition. There are members on here that have always properly cleaned/conditioned their dash and it has cracked. There are members who have never/rarely conditioned their dash and it hasn't cracked.

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

What if I told you that it's nothing about condition, condition, condition and more of a defect, defect, defect.

Welcome to the site.

And prepare for your dash to break at some point as well.

Acuramon

Not true. I know people who have religiously taken care of their dash and it still cracks. It's a well known fact that the cracked dash problem is a factory defect. In some cases Acura has partially paid for replacement but from what I hear it's pretty much hit or miss... mostly miss with getting assistance. Also as our TL's get older there's less of a chance Acura will do anything.

I've only had my car for 5 months so I don't know the history of how well the dash was taken care of before that time but I don't think that makes a difference anyway. There was nothing I could do to stop it from cracking.

justinduhhh

well f*** me lol ,,
now im gonna be worried every bump i hit my dash is gonna split in 2 like a piece of lumber!
whoever designed it was probably one of those dragonballz card players

klene259

I was just reading about this the other day but couldn't find the thread to link. People have cut holes for the tweeters before and it looks good but it seems to only be possible if you have aftermarket tweeters because they have a lip above the dash vs stock tweeters that are sunken in and flush with the dash. As far as precut holes coverlay makes a ABS plastic dash cover that has holes already cut into it.

Hope this helps! If you have a chance post some pictures of your dash cover

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

hahahahaha

Rockstar143 can also chime in. He had his dash replaced not too long ago, maybe a year or less...and you can already see the outline of the passenger air bag. Not to say that it's going to crack in the near future, but it probably will down the road. You're better off getting the cover than having it replaced.

Chad05TL

I have something like this. They are 2 round sun shields. When you twist them, they collapse. And shrink to 1/2 the size and I stick them between the seat and console. Anyway, they cover the whole windshield and it blocks more heat because they lay close to the windshield. So, no sun hits my dashboard AND the car stays cooler because the gap between the windshield and the sunshield is so close there is less air to heat up, and it doesn't heat up so fast. Both of which are better for your front dash panel. So, you dont really need a dash cover.

TL_FL

I've been using the sunshades since bought my TL in Jul/2005, got cracked anyway, probably postponed it for longer than other owners. Acura offered a "goodwill consideration" which for me is unacceptable, $800; car owners are supposed to spend some money with mechanical maintenance, tires, batteries... not keeping a "luxury brand" car from falling apart (also cup holder, door upholstery coming out, passenger window not working, hood struts, etc...). My last Acura/Honda.

catmx

has anyone tried this dash cover? http://www.carid.com/2005-acura-tl-d...-15321172.html

Will Y.

I believe so-- see post numbers 1238+ in https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/cracked-dashboard-04-tl-688828/.