We are yet to enter dry season and my 06 avalon dashboard is already cracking. I know it's a common problem with avalon,GX470,Rx330, 4runner and solara. I do not want to fold it with leather like I did with my 07 camry. After a sunny day and I put on the ac, I hear cracks but see none. By the following morning the cracks become evident. I have not cleaned any of my dashboard with any detergent. Please does anyone know what I can do to prevent the cracks from growing. I really want to arrest them where they are. Thanks.

More.

Redressing that dash board is the only way out. There might be other opinions which I maybe farfetched from. A very skilled pperson who is competent knows how best to go about it. Same thing I experience on RX330. Just bought a sunlight protector for now. A client of might recently fixed his same Rx330 and the job was beautifully done.

Allows allow room for ventilation. Don't wind up ur glass completely

mayor2013:
Redressing that dash board is the only way out. There might be other opinions which I maybe farfetched from. A very skilled pperson who is competent knows how best to go about it. Same thing I experience on RX330. Just bought a sunlight protector for now. A client of might recently fixed his same Rx330 and the job was beautifully done.

what does the sunlight protector look like?

chukel:
what does the sunlight protector look like?

Its just spread across the windscreen to protect heavy sunlight ray. Can't be used while driving so as not to block your vision

Those cracks are caused by excessive heat on the dashboard which is forced to suddenly cool down when you turn on your AC system.

To prevent the expansion of the cracks for newly discovered fine cracks, get a good superglue, locate the leading edges of the cracks at either ends, push some glue fluid under them and hold till they're cured.
For prevention of cracks, dont wind up fully, get an aluminium type windscreen foil cover and place on the windscreen and park in shaded areas.
Wind down your windows, wait for 3-5min, then turn on your AC from the lowest fan speed and increase it to your desired temp within 7-10min before winding up fully.

Seems the dashboard is out of plasticisers, there are some car interior detailing products which contain plasticisers. Plasticisers help keep vinyl supple and thus prevent cracks. I started using one this year, though I don't have any cracks on my 03 Accord, so I can't for sure say if my particular product works, but from theory it should. The product I use is made by shield. Will get a pic tomorrow.

Thanks Kingreign for the insightful post.

kingreign:
Those cracks are caused by excessive heat on the dashboard which is forced to suddenly cool down when you turn on your AC system.

To prevent the expansion of the cracks for newly discovered fine cracks, get a good superglue, locate the leading edges of the cracks at either ends, push some glue fluid under them and hold till they're cured.
For prevention of cracks, dont wind up fully, get an aluminium type windscreen foil cover and place on the windscreen and park in shaded areas.
Wind down your windows, wait for 3-5min, then turn on your AC from the lowest fan speed and increase it to your desired temp within 7-10min before winding up fully.

king thanks a lot. Will meet meet you on Whatsapp. Does this superglue stuff really work? Any particular superglue? Cos I feel it will make the whole thing messy. I have tried keeping my glass down by 5mins. By the time I put on the ac, the next thing I heard was kraa, kraaa. I just knew I would see new cracks by morning and so it was. I will post what I saw online.( a YouTube video).

chukel:
king thanks a lot. Will meet meet you on Whatsapp. Does this superglue stuff really work? Any particular superglue? Cos I feel it will make the whole thing messy. I have tried keeping my glass down by 5mins. By the time I put on the ac, the next thing I heard was kraa, kraaa. I just knew I would see new cracks by morning and so it was. I will post what I saw online.( a YouTube video).

you can put the superglue under the vinyl via a small syringe at the apex of the tear/crack.

Dashboard care product with plasticiser

Piyke:
Dashboard care product with plasticiser

How much?

Piyke:
Dashboard care product with plasticiser

piyke, where can one get this?

kingreign:


How much?

chukel:
piyke, where can one get this?

I got it at an everyday supermarket in Owerri. I trust they have branches at Abj. It sold for NGN480. If you don't find it anywhere I think I saw it once on Konga but was priced at NGN900 or so.

Use a dash cover tailor made for your vehicle to cover the crack and reduce heat exposure:

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?searchType=global&N=0&Ntt=2006+Toyota+Avalon+Dash+Cover

heat! heat!! heat!!!

If you park your car in the sun...get a sunscreen to block sunlight entering the car thru the windshield. Also do not wind up the windows all the way...just leave a little crack at the top where you may barely squeeze a pencil. If not, the inside of the car becomes very hot....hotter than outside and that causes the dash to become brittle and crack /fade. I usually treat mine with ehmmm.... cheap body lotion mixed with petroleum jelly/vaseline! Works for me...keep the dash black and new looking!

Please, I use this same kind of car. Toyota Avalon 2005/06 model . My dashboard showed MAINT REQR'D for some weeks now. It has refused to go after I serviced the car & changed the oil.

As above... use a sun screen.... one to fit your model car.... and never wind the windows all the way up especially when the car will be in direct sunlight. Leave just a small space ... just enough that the tip of your small can squeeze through. To treat the dashboard... I usually use petroleum jelly/cheap body lotion/hair cream/ any oil based product... keeps the ehmmmm.... leather looking brand new and moist!

dyrocks204:
Please, I use this same kind of car. Toyota Avalon 2005/06 model . My dashboard showed MAINT REQR'D for some weeks now. It has refused to go after I serviced the car & changed the oil.

You need to read your owners manual.