I am new to these and Love Mine, just got it Saturday, And yes my dash was hot also! The Heat comes from the Radiator!, and Fan blowing toward the compartment! THE only shield is the plastic wall! No insulation or deflectors so the heat is blowing on it all! I am going to look for some type of insulation foil based that sticks to Line mine! On Vehicles cars and all have metal and insulation on what would be considered the fire wall.