Car seat covers are a popular way to protect vehicle upholstery and customize the interior. These covers are generally designed as “slip-on” models, intended to be installed directly over existing seats without requiring removal of the seats or upholstery. Installation typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes per front seat and can be completed by the vehicle owner. This article details the installation process, common issues encountered, and necessary modifications based on information provided in installation instructions.
Understanding Car Seat Anatomy
Before beginning installation, it is helpful to understand the terminology used in the instructions. Key components of a car seat include:
- Headrest: The adjustable upper section of a low-back seat.
- Backrest: The middle section of the seat providing back support.
- Bolsters: The sides of the backrest that offer support when seated.
- Seat Bottom: The cushioned portion of the seat upon which the occupant sits.
- Seat “Break”: The gap between the backrest and the seat bottom.
Understanding these terms will aid in following the installation guidelines and troubleshooting potential issues.
General Installation Procedure
The installation process generally involves fitting the cover over the seat, securing it with straps, and adjusting for a proper fit. Due to the wide variety of seat styles, specific steps may vary. The provided documentation suggests consulting vehicle-specific installation instructions when available. Installation videos are also available to assist with the process and address common problems.
Front and Middle Row Installation
Installation of covers on front and middle row seats involves several steps. Initially, the cover is placed over the seat. The headrest portion of the cover may require adjustment to align with the headrest posts. If the headrest post openings do not align, the cover may need to be slid around by tugging on the sides of the backrest.
For seats with flaps covering the seat “break,” these flaps must be opened by unhooking clips or hooks located on the underside of the seat. This allows access for the seat cover straps to be threaded through and secured to the underside of the seat bottom. The straps should be positioned above any rails or electric seat motors to prevent interference. Excess material should be tucked between the seat cushion and plastic molding.
Rear Row / Back Seat Installation
Rear seat cover installation follows a similar principle, but presents unique challenges. The longer piece of the cover, with additional curvature in the upper corners, corresponds to the backrest, while the shorter piece with less curvature is for the seat bottom.
When installing the seat bottom portion, any extra material should be tucked underneath the seat, similar to folding a sheet under a mattress. For covers lacking pre-made holes for seat belt buckles, a small cross-shaped opening (or a slit for sheepskin covers) must be carefully cut using a sharp instrument, and the material tucked under the plastic molding. This modification will not void the warranty, but altered covers become non-returnable.
Addressing Common Installation Issues – Front and Middle Rows
Several common issues may arise during front and middle row installation. These include:
- Headrest holes not lining up: Adjust the cover by sliding it around the backrest until the headrest post opening aligns with the post holes.
- No holes for headrest posts: If the cover lacks pre-made holes, carefully cut a small cross (or slit for sheepskin) in the material, tuck it under the plastic molding, and replace the headrest.
- No opening to pass straps through to seat bottom: Open the flaps covering the seat “break” by unhooking the retaining clips.
- Controls on side of seat bottom are not accessible: Tuck the seat cover in between the seat cushion and the plastic molding.
- Leg extensions of sport seats do not extend: Universal and semi-custom fit covers do not accommodate leg extension movement; custom-made covers are required for this feature.
Addressing Common Installation Issues – Rear Rows
Rear row installation also presents specific challenges:
- Cover not fitting properly: Ensure the backrest and seat bottom covers are not reversed. The longer, more curved piece is for the backrest, and the shorter piece is for the seat bottom.
- Cover too wide / long: Tuck any excess material behind the backrest.
- No holes for headrest posts: Similar to front seats, carefully cut openings for the headrest posts if they are not pre-made.
Modifications and Considerations
The documentation highlights that some modifications may be necessary during installation. These include:
- Cutting openings for seat belt buckles: If the cover lacks pre-made holes for seat belt buckles, a small opening must be carefully cut.
- Cutting openings for headrest posts: If the cover lacks pre-made holes for headrest posts, a small opening must be carefully cut.
- Cutting openings for backrest release levers: If the cover lacks a slot for the backrest release lever, a small slit must be carefully cut.
- Cutting openings for seat belt guides: If the cover lacks a slot for the seat belt guide, a small slit must be carefully cut.
It is crucial to exercise caution when making these modifications, as altered covers become non-returnable. The documentation advises using a razor and tucking the material under the plastic molding after making the cuts.
Strap Installation and Security
Proper strap installation is critical for a secure fit. Straps should be threaded through the gap between the seat bottom cushion and the plastic molding, with any excess material tucked in. The straps should be positioned above any rails or electric seat motors. Tension the straps as tightly as possible to eliminate slack. For seats with electric motors, the straps may loosen with seat adjustments, but this will not harm the electronics.
Center Armrest and Backrest Limitations
The documentation notes limitations with semi-custom and universal fit covers. These covers do not allow for movement of the center armrest in the backrest, nor do they allow for individual sections of a split bench backrest to lay down separately. Custom-made covers are required for these functionalities.
Conclusion
Installing car seat covers is generally a straightforward process, but may require some adjustments and modifications depending on the vehicle and cover type. Understanding the anatomy of a car seat, following the installation instructions carefully, and addressing common issues proactively will ensure a secure and aesthetically pleasing result. While modifications such as cutting openings for buckles and headrests are sometimes necessary, they should be performed with caution, as altered covers are typically non-returnable. Utilizing available installation videos can further assist in a successful installation.