Do you remember sticking a car mount to your dashboard to see it drop a few hours later? You're not alone. Although most products are labeled "universal," the fact remains that not all car mounts are compatible with all dashes. With rough surfaces to steep angles, dashes are all shapes and substances — and that determines how your car mount holds up.
Here, we will explain why a mount is or isn't compatible, problematic dashboard models, and where to find a mount that is appropriate for your vehicle's interior. If you already bought a mount or just want to compare, this will help you make a better decision.
Then why is a dashboard so difficult when you first begin?
What Makes a Dashboard a Challenge for Your Car Mount?
While most dashboards appear very similar at a glance, once you begin affixing things to them, the distinction comes immediately into focus.
Some are flat and smooth, making it easy for a mount to adhere. Others are curved, textured, or even padded with a soft black leather and will have mounts sliding around, popping loose, or failing to adhere in the first place.
Material and Surface Texture
Dashboards are most often built of vinyl, plastic, or rubber-like materials. A few have a textured or a leather-like finish that looks grand but is problematic for car mounts. It creates less adhesion or suction, especially for adhesive or suction cup mount-dependent vehicles.
Shape and Curvature
If your dashboard is curved or sloped, the angle could prevent the base of your phone mount from sitting level. That could lead to poor grip or undesirable mount angles that are in your way or that are uncomfortable for your phone.
But now that we know that dashboards are problematic, are the mounts themselves any better? Do all the mounts profess to work anywhere—and do they?
Do All Car Mounts Work on Every Dashboard?
The short answer is no. While most are "universal," that simply means they work for a majority of cell phones, but perhaps not dashboards.
Some factors may influence whether your car mount will end up staying in its place.
Dashboard Heat Exposure
Car interiors heat up very soon when they are exposed to the sun. If your mount is fixed by adhesive or a sucker, extreme heat may loosen its grip. This is why mountings become loose during the summer season, even when fixed properly.
Texture and Finishes
Some of the dashboards are finished or smooth, so the adhesives will not adhere. Others are oily or dusty and will also not have the mounts adhere.
Phone Dimensions and Weight
Thick phones are harder on the mount. If your dashboard is sloped or your mount is weak, your phone will pull it away from you, even if it sticks in the beginning.
If the car mount wasn't successful, that's alright. It mayn't be the mount that's failed, but the incorrect type for your dashboard. It's time to look at the various varieties of car mounts and where they perform the best.
Types of Car Mounts and the Dashboards That They Support
All phone mounts are not the same. There are a variety of suction types, the magnet type, and the clip-on type that go into the vents or cup holders. This is how each operates and where it excels.
Suction Cup Mounts
These also have a suction pad that is designed to stick to smooth surfaces. They work very well when you have a dry windshield or dashboard.
● Ideal for: Smooth, flat windscreen or dashboard surfaces
● Not for: Patterned or leather dashboard covering surfaces, body curves
Adhesive Pad Mounts
These will merely affix to the dashboard with a double-sided tape or a sticky pad. They are usable for slightly textured surfaces, but will have trouble affixing to easily heated dashboards or dashboards finished in a leather-like finish.
● Ideal for: Smooth surfaces, gentle textures
● Not suitable for: Leather dashboard trimmings, extreme temperatures
Vent and CD Slot Mounts
Vent mounts attach to your air vent slats, while CD slot mounts attach inside your car's CD player (in the unlikely event that you have a CD player). These mounts bypass the dashboard altogether.
● Ideal for: Cars that have large air vents or CD grooves
● Incompatible for: Thin,-rounded vents or vents that are set too far apart
Magnetic Phone Holders
Magnetic mounts are easy to use and have a slender appearance. Most will require a metal plate to be affixed to the rear of your phone. Magnetic mounts commonly utilize adhesive pads that adhere to the dashboard or are vent-mounts.
● Ideal for: One-handed driving aficionados who want a rapid driving solution
● Non-applicable for: Phone cover or non-metal plate phone devices
At this point, you might be wondering: how will I know which of these will truly work in my vehicle? Well, let's talk about how to find that out.
How to Know If a Car Mount Will Work in Your Car
Prior to purchasing a car mount, simply take a glance at your dashboard. It will save you time and money. It's that easy.
Note the Surface Material
Run your hand along where the mount will go. Is it smooth and hard or bumpy and soft? The easier the surface is to run your hand over, the better it will accommodate a suction or adhesive mount.
Try the Grip
If you already have something that has suction (e.g., a GPS or a phone mount you have in the past), test it where your new mount will be to see if it sticks. If it moves around or loosens itself, it is not the correct surface.
Consider the Mounting Position
Do you prefer the phone higher, lower, or nearer the steering wheel? Will the mount get in the way of your air vents or infotainment screen? The response to these will enable you to shortlist the ideal type of mount for your setup.
Even when your dashboard is tricky, you have choices for bypassing it. I'd like to go over a few of the simplest remedies for troublesome dashboards.
Struggling with a Difficult Dashboard? Here’s What to Try
Some dashes simply will not play nicely with stock mounts. But that doesn't necessarily mean all your choices are gone.
Incorporate a Mounting Disc or Plate
Most of these mounts have a thin piece of metal or plastic disc that you attach to the dashboard. The mount will adhere to the disc but not the dashboard. This is a perfect solution when you have a textured surface.
Try a Different Kind of Mount
If your adhesive or suction mounts are yet to perform, a cup or vent mount might do the trick. They bypass the dashboard altogether and have a firm grip.
Think about a Cup Hold or Windshield Solution
Mount attachments for the windshield often have greater suction strength and fewer issues accommodating the dashboard contour or texture. Cup holder mounts are also a decent choice if you prefer your phone lower in the vehicle.
So what are the take-home lessons for all this?
Final Words
The search for the ideal mount is about more than buying the first mount that catches your eye when browsing the web. Dashes are unique, and so are the mounts. If your dash is smooth or slanted or textured or has a leather finish, there's a mount designed that will suit your needs.
Here’s what to remember:
● Check your dashboard panel and shape first
● Align the mount type to your vehicle's interior compartment.
● Employment of mountings or alternate placements when necessary
● Do not assume that "universal" will be effective anywhere.
Here at GRXplore, we're here to guide you to the perfect vehicle mount for your vehicle. If you're unsure which is the correct mount for your dashboard, or if you have struggled to find a mount that will remain secure, feel free to contact us.
Do you need recommendations for the perfect vehicle mount or have questions?
We're interested in your feedback. Contact or chat with us, and our friendly staff will bring out a mount that actually fits your dashboard and secures your phone.
FAQs
Q1: Is any dashboard car mount usable for my dashboard?
Not always. While most vehicle mounts are called "universal," dashboard surfaces differ in their construction, shape, and texture. Vehicle mounts will struggle to adhere where the dashboard is textured or curved.
Q2: What is the top type for a textured dashboard car mount?
Mounts that utilize a mounting disc or grip adhesive pads tend to perform better when the surfaces are rough. A cup or vent mount holder is also a setup you might want to try.
Q3: Why is my car mount slipping off?
It may be because of heat, dashboard texture, or a sloped area. The suction cups and the adhesives may slide off in warm conditions or on textured surfaces.
Q4: Are vent mounts better than dashboard mounts?
Vent mounts are good for trucks or vehicles that have sturdy horizontal vents. They avoid damage to the dashboard but may hinder airflow or accommodate all vent styles.
Q5: Can you use a magnetic phone mount on any phone?
Yes, but your phone or phone case needs a metal plate for the magnet to work ideally.
