Dashmats - Interfere with GPS? [have searched]

[Sir Lancer-lot]

Hi,

Planning to get an OEM dash mat prior to summer hitting and wondered if they effect the GPS signal (which apparently is under the dash according to the manual).

Says not put anything on the dash....but not sure

[SAM-24A]

Don't put anything on the dash .... That makes absolutely no sense ....

If a Dash Mat is going to disrupt the signal to a GPS unit hidden under the dash ... then what about the Dash itself, Roof & its lining above that.

I, as have many others have a Dash Mat & factory GPS in our MMCS ..... never had a problem or got lost because of it.


Sam .....
Merlinised MIVEC AspiRe 2.4L
Merlin Inspired Variable Engine Control

[Momengah]

This might be feasible... I studied this stuff in Uni. The main factors that affect GPS is overhead coverage. So if its really cloudy or you've got trees overhead tunnel's etc, you can lose GPS signal. the only other way to have GPS signal affected is by being in between skyscrapers and the reflective surfaces bouncing the signal a bit.

So it all comes down to where the GPS antenna is. However if its as you say that it's under the dash then in all probabilities it is strong enough to receive the signals through a dash mat. sorry just a guess here really... guess it doesnt help

[Sir Lancer-lot]

Perhaps too many layers weakens the signal I'd reckon....the less the better I suppose....anyhoo I reckon I'll get one anyway for the summer months at least..

[Fitter]

If it was metal lined then no. As its fabric u should be fine. Directly above the dash is the windscreen, that's why the metal of the roof and the wiring above the roof lining don't effect gps

[Graham]

I had a dash mat with MMCS (Which I'm assuming you have if it's in the manual?) and I didn't have any signal issues, no matter where I was it always worked really well in pinpointing my location.

I always thought that the GPS antenna would've been in the top of the car somewhere perhaps near the auto rain/headlight sensor or rear antenna.

[Tin_Pusher]

According to this pix from a post sometime back, the GPS antenna is fitted under the dash, looks like about halfway between the front of the dash and the windscreen. Someone who has had the dash apart can confirm this. It is not under the square patch near the windscreen vents. That is something to do with the climate control.

[Sir Lancer-lot]

Have had the new dash mat on for a few days now and had no issues.....it's pretty thin in any case so unlikley to be an issue....

[richo7502000]

Im an Avionics engineer for an airline and I can tell you that, A GPS signal, although fairly weak in strength is in the 1.5 GHz range....Which is that high a frequency so that means, it can pass thru anything except thick Steel and concrete. So a dash mat will make 2 fiths of F/All difference to your signal levels mate!
So enjoy the new dash mat with little fear of wrecking your GPS.

[Mizta B]

It's all good - I have an OEM dashmat also and absolutely no problems with the GPS / MMCS unit
Cheers Chris ....

[The X]

Im an Avionics engineer for an airline and I can tell you that, A GPS signal, although fairly weak in strength is in the 1.5 GHz range....Which is that high a frequency so that means, it can pass thru anything except thick Steel and concrete. So a dash mat will make 2 fiths of F/All difference to your signal levels mate! So enjoy the new dash mat with little fear of wrecking your GPS.

+1 on that. Have a look at someone's standalone GPS unit, have a look at someone's phone. can you see the GPS antenna? No. Why because as pointed out above it will penetrate even plastic.
So 1 extra layer of porous fabric is not going to make any discernible difference to the receive levels.