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Windshield reflection of dashboard lights, what to do?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Toyotatrader, Feb 9, 2015.

  1. Toyotatrader

    Toyotatrader New Member

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    There's an annoying reflection in the windshield of the dashboard lights at night. What have any of you done to get rid of it? I put my neck gaiter on the dash and it was great help, but not very permanent.
    The
     
    #1 Toyotatrader, Feb 9, 2015
  2. enviroprius

    enviroprius Junior Member

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    I'm curious of the responses here. I've always dimmed the dash lights but there is still a reflection. Hoping someone has a good fix.
     
    #2 enviroprius, Feb 10, 2015
  3. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    Google dash mat and see if something like that would not work for your needs. I have one on our Honda Odyssey and it works well. I never semi-permanently attached it so that I could clean it and the dash more easily. Also using low luster vinyl protectant products can reduce/minimize glare. Our Pri is not my daily driver so I have limited night driving experience sorry.
     
    #3 M in KC, Feb 10, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's been a lot of paperboard and duck tape solutions...
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
  5. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    I wonder if some type of semi-opaque window cling attached to the lower glass would reduce the glare.
     
    #5 Yakoma, Feb 10, 2015
  6. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    I put a small strip of thin black foam from a mouse pad down there, and that took care of it. Otherwise, dim the dash display. It will last longer and really does not need to be as bright as the default.
     
    #6 Doc Willie, Feb 11, 2015
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  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Are you tall? Does it go away if you slouch a bit?

    My GenIII and another brand car do the same, due to a reflection that is blocked by the top dash lip for drivers under roughly 6 feet tall. If I slouch a bit, I can eclipse it, but at that cost of increased back discomfort. The optical geometry of your GenII may not be identical.
    Some flat black fabric does a similar job for me.
     
    #7 fuzzy1, Feb 12, 2015
  8. ozarkretiree

    ozarkretiree Member

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    At the risk of asking the obvious - are you using the dimmer?
     
    #8 ozarkretiree, Feb 13, 2015
  9. Toyotatrader

    Toyotatrader New Member

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    I found the dimmer switch the other day. I like the black foam from a mousepad suggestion. Sounds perfect, I'd like to wear my neck gaiter again soon.
     
    #9 Toyotatrader, Feb 13, 2015
  10. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    I noticed the same on my 2008. It was a reflection from the projector window for the speedometer cluster. At my height in the seat, the reflection was right where I looked through the windshield. I inspected the area in the dark with the dash lights on one night and noticed some dust accumulated around the edges of the projector window. I was able to Q-tip some of it away and reduced the reflection somewhat, but it was still visible. Just resigned to not noticing it after a while.
     
    #10 AzWxGuy, Feb 14, 2015
  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Whats a neck gaiter?
     
    #11 edthefox5, Feb 14, 2015
  12. rifis

    rifis Junior Member

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    #12 rifis, Feb 14, 2015
  13. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    It's like a pull-over or zip-up piece of insulating fabric to cover and protect the area of chin to chest that may be exposed to inclement weather.
     
    #13 AzWxGuy, Feb 14, 2015
  14. Toyotatrader

    Toyotatrader New Member

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    Just Google neck gaiter and you will get pictures. It is worn instead of a scarf around your neck for warmth. Basically a tubular shape of material that you pull over your head. Mine is currently lying flat on my dash and providing a non-reflective surface to eliminate the windshield glare from the speedometer light.
     
    #14 Toyotatrader, Feb 14, 2015
  15. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    They live in Gainesville, FL...they're usually red.

    Go Dawgs!
     
    #15 Yakoma, Feb 14, 2015
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  16. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Never seen one before.
     
    #16 edthefox5, Feb 15, 2015
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