The Dashboard Carpet Conundrum Continues

I’m having an increasingly difficult time understanding why so many automakers are obsessed with trying to get drivers to sport carpet on their dashboard. The random and seemingly useless patch of shag carpet in the Nissan Cube is undoubtedly senseless, but it’s not nearly as bad as the terrible looking carpet dashboard covers that are available on an outrageous number of websites.

The one thing that the dashboard covers have going for them is that unlike the shag in the Cube, there is purpose for their existence. The reasoning is extremely weak, but at least the manufacturers attempt to provide an explanation. According to one of the websites, the carpet covers “protect your dashboard and add a stylish accessory simultaneously.”

First of all, having a dashboard that resembles the exterior Mutt Cutts van from “Dumb and Dumber” could possibly be the furthest thing from stylish, and secondly why does the dashboard need protecting? Save for the occasional parking pass, dust is typically the only thing that ever touches the dashboard. I’m pretty sure that it’s more than capable of taking care of itself.

The websites also claim that carpet covers “cut glare and interior heat,” but if added visibility and a comfortable cabin can only be achieved by purchasing a carpet dashboard cover, I think I’ll stick to the sweaty Stevie Wonder look.

Just check out the carpet cover pictured above. Who is really going to pay $40 for that? You could get the same result by picking up a couple of sample squares at any carpet store and hot gluing them to your dash. Granted, the dash cover pictured is an older model, but there really haven’t been any ground-breaking upgrades to the current covers that I’m aware of.

I think it’s best to just keep the carpet on the floor where it belongs.