Dashboard (Dash Panel)

It hides wiring, the heater box and the cross-car beam that supports the steering column. Rattles and squeaks often come from clips and trim inside it. Replacing a heater core can mean removing much of the dashboard. Many dashboards are made with a soft-touch upper surface and harder plastics lower down to balance cost and feel.

A plastic or foam-covered moulding is fixed to a steel cross member, with components clipped and screwed behind it.

Cracks from sun damage are common on older cars in hot climates; a sunshade helps. Do not fit objects or phone mounts over the passenger airbag area.