Camry Dashboard Melts in Qld Heat!!!

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Sunscreen across the windscreen and the front two windows down even 5mm makes a noticeable difference inside the cabin on hot days.

Was I the only one, after reading this, that had a mental image of a person getting out of their car with a pump pack of Banana Boat in their hands, pumping some on the outside of the windscreen and then smearing it all over the place?

Oh, ok

[Ford17]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

These are my thoughts, seems very convenient that a car being detailed gets a melted dash. I'd say its his excuse to not admit fault for using a product which may have caused or contributed to this happening.

A car being detailed would have been sprayed with water when washed (a proper detailer wouldn't wash out in the sun either), doors would have been left open while detailing the inside of the car, sprays would have been applied to the dash - in other words, all things which would have kept the car cooler than one just parked in the direct sun, doors shut and no water sprayed onto it. So really, any Camry in that area which wasn't used that day should have an even worse melted dash?

Yes, but

- The detailer was a mobile service, so would have only been able to work in the environment as provided by the customer.

- Not sure if anything sprayed on the dash would really have been a catalyst to the whole thing physically melting?

- Any car sold in Australia should be able to meet the local conditions.

[Ford17]

This story might have been posted previously:

Perth woman bakes cupcakes inside her hot car

Mentioned the inside temperature would have been around 70 degrees plus, on a 42 degree day.

The cakes baked, but the dashboard presumably didn't melt.

[GasoLane]

So how many old timers would remember when some cars came with no rear speakers ?

And the ones you bought at the Car accessory place melted on the rear parcel shelf

[mik]

i remember as a youngster popping ants with the sun power and a magnifying glass(terrible child ) , no doubt the sun refracting through a windscreen at the right angle would cook a dashboard, i always use a sunshade front and back no matter what the car. .

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by SYZ

Melbourne yesterday 42.7°C... I'd be guessing Camry's dashboards would be slowly flowing out the fresh air vents?

First bolt-on for me with any new car is a dash mat.

My EA's dash cracked even with a dashmat!

[TUF_302]

Im waiting for Hulk to tell us how the Aurion has a superior dash compared to the camry, and how it would melt the sun not the other way around

[Brazen]

That's why if I know I'm stopping somewhere for more than 20 mins, I walk around the car a couple of times wrapping all the windows in alfoil.

Been doing that for 15 years and have never had a problem with cracking or melting plastics.

[Peter B - CV8]

Originally Posted by Brazen

That's why if I know I'm stopping somewhere for more than 20 mins, I walk around the car a couple of times wrapping all the windows in alfoil.

Been doing that for 15 years and have never had a problem with cracking or melting plastics.

Also a good way to "foil" prospective car thieves... boom tish

[CyberWasp]

The Aurion is too fast for the sun light to hit it, so doesn't have this problem.

[commodorenutt]

This is an issue, and Toyota are replacing them - even on cars out of warranty.

Just in the last month 2 of our previous company cars, that were bought off-lease by the drivers, both started to get shiny patches on the dash where they went soft in the sun. They are both over 5 years old, and past warranty.

All the owners had to do was go to a dealer, take some photos (at the dealer), which were then sent to Toyota HQ, and the approval was given to change it over. A week later, drop the car for a day, and the entire dash was changed over at no cost - on both the >5 year old Camrys. The service manager told them it was quite common, but the new dashboard is made with a different polymer, that has a higher melting point.

That's great service compared to what we've come to expect from various car brands & dealer networks.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

Im waiting for Hulk to tell us how the Aurion has a superior dash compared to the Camry, and how it would melt the sun not the other way around

As a newbie, is there something I need to know about this oft-referred-to user "Hulk"? I've seen his name pop up more than a few times, and was just wondering why he's so well liked [sic].

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by SYZ

As a newbie, is there something I need to know about this oft-referred-to user "Hulk"? I've seen his name pop up more than a few times, and was just wondering why he's so well liked [sic].

you weren't there man

Just a serial forum pest who used to make some rather....... interesting threads and give some very interesting replies

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by SYZ

As a newbie, is there something I need to know about this oft-referred-to user "Hulk"? I've seen his name pop up more than a few times, and was just wondering why he's so well liked [sic].

http://www.fordforums.com.au/member.php?u=2327764
enjoy! he has also come back a few times with different usernames.
we have 2 current posters that i think are him.

[SYZ]

Checked out his threads, and noticed that around 50% of them were locked. Oh dear. Send in the clowns?

Incidentally, I can't stand people who invariably have done everything you've done except in a bigger and better way, apparently know more people than you'll ever meet in a lifetime, seem to have insider knowledge that even the experts can't access, and whose unmodified car always manages 30Kw more than any of its unmodified peers and quicker 1/4 dashes—even without a time slip!

Does he work for Toyota by any chance?

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Polyal

As a Victorian who has recently moved up north all I can say his that the majority of QLD'ers love a whinge.

Its really not that hot...yes its as humid as hell but there are many parts of Australia, including Tassie, that gets hotter.

I have been wanting to say that for ages.

Humidity is where it's at. Hop out of the shower. Towel won't dry you off because you won't stop sweating.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

you weren't there man

Just a serial forum pest who used to make some rather....... interesting threads and give some very interesting replies

And still persists. About 10 other (now banned) names have been used

[Ford17]

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

This is an issue, and Toyota are replacing them - even on cars out of warranty.

Just in the last month 2 of our previous company cars, that were bought off-lease by the drivers, both started to get shiny patches on the dash where they went soft in the sun. They are both over 5 years old, and past warranty.

All the owners had to do was go to a dealer, take some photos (at the dealer), which were then sent to Toyota HQ, and the approval was given to change it over. A week later, drop the car for a day, and the entire dash was changed over at no cost - on both the >5 year old Camrys. The service manager told them it was quite common, but the new dashboard is made with a different polymer, that has a higher melting point.

That's great service compared to what we've come to expect from various car brands & dealer networks.

Topic issue is settled then - it's a known manufacturing fault.

Any idea what the old and the new melting points of the Camry polymer would be Commodorenut?

[superyob]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

And still persists. About 10 other (now banned) names have been used

Pray tell Mr GasOlane, what Hulk hunting weaponry have you at your disposal? Does the crucifix and a good dose of garlic still work...

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by superyob

Pray tell Mr GasOlane, what Hulk hunting weaponry have you at your disposal? Does the crucifix and a good dose of garlic still work...

I believe that Mr GasOlane may have recruited some others to help with the hunting.....

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by superyob

Pray tell Mr GasOlane, what Hulk hunting weaponry have you at your disposal? Does the crucifix and a good dose of garlic still work...

The lures used in my Avatar comprises of some XR6 Sprint with a dash of XR8 Sprint.

Seems to work quite well

[Express]

Originally Posted by superyob

Pray tell Mr GasOlane, what Hulk hunting weaponry have you at your disposal? Does the crucifix and a good dose of garlic still work...

The lure

[castellan]

Just a bad batch of plastic would be why the dash had melt.

The new green way in the future will be a Hemp dash.

[blueoval]

Does this new melted dash offer better aerodynamic advantages for the 0-100 sprint in 5sec? Surely this will be a good talking point at the next neighborhood bbq.

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by Ford17

Topic issue is settled then - it's a known manufacturing fault.

Any idea what the old and the new melting points of the Camry polymer would be Commodorenut?

That's something I don't know. But we can guess from infra-red temps I've taken of my FG dash in the sun that 70°C-75°C would probably be around the lower limit

Originally Posted by castellan

Just a bad batch of plastic would be why the dash had melt.

The new green way in the future will be a Hemp dash.

It's funny you mention green.

I was told by someone I know in plastics manufacturing (where this issue is well known) that the main reason for the change in polymer was to reduce energy consumption, by not having to use as much heat in the manufacturing process. But it backfired when real life showed the lack of R&D. They changed to a higher melting point (more energy in manufacturing) but more resilient in the Aussie sun.