Thinking of buying a new Panda lounge. Love the style of the new Panda and recently had a road test, however driving into the sun I encountered horrible reflections of the dashboard heating vents in the windscreen. So annoying as I really like the car and want to own one, however I couldn't live with the problem I have outlined. Anyone else come across this problem? Does it apply to all the latest Pandas? any ideas to cure the reflections?

A pair of polarised glasses will totally eliminate the problem.
I've found the panda fine with regard to reflections. It's certainly better than a Citroen C1, and 100 times better than a Renault Zoe which is downright dangerous. People have been making cloth dash top mats for that car in an effort to solve the problem with that car.

Ventnorman said:

Thinking of buying a new Panda lounge. Love the style of the new Panda and recently had a road test, however driving into the sun I encountered horrible reflections of the dashboard heating vents in the windscreen. So annoying as I really like the car and want to own one, however I couldn't live with the problem I have outlined. Anyone else come across this problem? Does it apply to all the latest Pandas? any ideas to cure the reflections?

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It's not something I've noticed in my Mum's 4x4. If that reflection bugs you, don't have the heated screen as those wires do bother me once I notice them!!

Best advice is usually you'll get used to it & eventually ignore it.

Do I gather it's not the whole dashboard top that's reflecting, just the vents? Black velvet cloth on top of the dash is the old trick to absorb reflections, but if it's just the vents you'll be looking for something to cut those reflections - I can't picture what they look like, but can you put something over them, or ( ) paint/coat those with something non reflective? If you do suffer from reflections don't ever polish the dash top either.

The problem is the angle of the screen coupled with the distance from the screen. Does it get better if you move your seat (back & forward, up & down, or the backrest angle), as that might be an easy solution? :idea:

Hope you find a solution, as it would be a real shame to let that put you off the car.

dealer has probably used a high gloss dasah cleaner, if you use a matt dash cleaner you wont have this problem

The reflections are there, nothing to do with the dealer polishing the top of the dash - and they can be very distracting. Advice about ignoring them is well meant but not helpful. Polaroid lenses seem to be the only solution, my wife has them and they do cut the reflection very substantially.

babbo_umbro said:

The reflections are there, nothing to do with the dealer polishing the top of the dash - and they can be very distracting. Advice about ignoring them is well meant but not helpful. Polaroid lenses seem to be the only solution, my wife has them and they do cut the reflection very substantially.

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have you tried something like Sonax Matt Finish Dash Cleaner?

How about having that part of the dash flocked ? Like race cars have .

dave said:

have you tried something like Sonax Matt Finish Dash Cleaner?

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So far I've only tried squinting. Flock is definitely out - don't want the car to be like a Shanghai brothel. (I imagine.)

babbo_umbro said:

So far I've only tried squinting. Flock is definitely out - don't want the car to be like a Shanghai brothel. (I imagine.)

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I think it must be a fiat thing. Ive never had a problem before. But after reading this thread , i went for a drive this afternoon and all i could see was the top half of the dash reflecting on the windscreen.

Fiatpuntomk2b said:

I think it must be a fiat thing. Ive never had a problem before. But after reading this thread , i went for a drive this afternoon and all i could see was the top half of the dash reflecting on the windscreen.

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Our son has a Chevrolet something-or-other - Punto-sized - and it's even worse on that.

Thanks everybody for the feedback. We have never had this problem on our two previous pandas so very disappointed that this has effectively stopped me from buying the new model:bang:

Decided to keep my six year old Doblo which I bought new. Without doubt this car must have one of the best windscreens ever for viewing the road ahead, OK it has the slipstream of a brick but you can't have everything!

Fiatpuntomk2b said:

I think it must be a fiat thing. Ive never had a problem before. But after reading this thread , i went for a drive this afternoon and all i could see was the top half of the dash reflecting on the windscreen.

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Never really noticed it myself. Must be something to do with my seat height/angle....also never notice the heated screen elements unless I really look hard. The one thing that really does distract/annoy is the blue main beam lazer!

Yeah, I always used to notice the glare in the windscreen on our old Panda. All you could see on a bright day was Panda Panda Panda Panda Panda Panda Panda...all in different directions.

As deeyup says though, polarised sunglasses will probably do the trick.