Touchscreens in our car dashboards used to be a sign of luxury. Now they’re the primary way most of us control everything while we drive — from the temperature and radio to the navigation system and even our mobile phone.
This reality can pose a problem if something goes wrong with your screen, as in this owner’s story. When his car’s central display stopped working on a road trip, he was left in frustration without many convenience features like Bluetooth and his backup camera. For now, in most cars, speed, fuel, and other gauges are on a separate, non-touch display. And while many functions, like climate controls, can still operate with buttons, often the only way to control the audio system and navigation is through the entertainment screen.
As electric and autonomous vehicle markets grow, touchscreens will become even more integrated into car systems. So how do you properly care for them?
Structure
Before we talk protection, it helps to know the weaknesses.
Most multimedia car radios use resistive touchscreens. This type of screen is made of two thin plastic sheets coated with a conductive film and separated by a thin air gap. When you touch the screen and compress the air gap, the two layers make contact, completing a circuit and sending information to the computer system.
You can accidentally damage these screens by scratching or denting the outer layer, which can cause the system to register it as a permanent touch or fail to register a touch at all. Moisture between the layers will also damage the screens, which can happen from spills or using too much liquid when cleaning the screen.
Protection
People buy screen protectors for their phones, but do we need to protect the touchscreens in our vehicles? Yes, but for different reasons.
While the biggest danger to a phone or a tablet is being dropped, that obviously isn’t as worrisome in a car. However, car touchscreens are still vulnerable to scratches, cracks, dirt, and other damage. When a touch-sensitive surface is damaged, it affects the underlying technology that relays the messages, which can disable specific parts of the screen or the entire system.
You can buy a screen protector for your car screen, like the ones used for phones, but there are drawbacks. Those screens can react poorly to extreme temperatures of car interiors. They can also cause glare and distortion, since you can’t change the angle at which you view your car screen like you can your phone.
Another option is a protective coating that bonds to the screen’s surface. A coating provides long-term protection against damage and dirt without interfering with visibility or function.
Cleaning
Since their main purpose is to be touched, screens will inevitably get dirty. Keeping the screen clean is important for visibility and preserving the touch sensitivity that allows screens to function. However, as we discussed previously, using too much liquid, pressure, or anything abrasive when cleaning can damage the screen.
The best way to keep your touchscreen clean is buffing it with a good microfiber cleaning cloth. If you have to use cleaning fluid, spray it lightly on the cloth, not directly on the screen. Avoid using unapproved cleansers (check your vehicle owner’s manual) or rough materials. If you use a cleansing wipe instead of a dedicated microfiber screen cloth, make sure you get a fresh wipe for your screen. Using the same wipe for your screen that you used on the dashboard or door handles can transfer debris and scratch your screen surface.
Conclusion
Your car’s touchscreen is now a necessity, not a luxury. Repair or replacement can be expensive and, depending on availability of parts for your make and model, can often take weeks. Caring for your system by properly cleaning and protecting it will save you money and help retain the value of your vehicle.