Seat covers are one of those things that you don’t think about until you need them especially when you have kids or you drive through hinterlands. And, when you do need them, it can be hard to know which type is best for your car.
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using seat covers in your car and help you make the decision that is right for you!
Pros of using seat covers
There are several reasons why you might want to use seat covers in your car. They include
- Protection from wear and tear
- Keeping your car clean
- Adding comfort
- Protecting from the sun
Let’s take a closer look at each of these tips!
1. Protection from wear and tear
The first advantage of using seat covers is to protect your seats from damage. If you have kids or pets, you know that they can be tough on upholstery. Kids by nature are messy and pets can shed. Seat covers can help extend the life of your car’s seats by protecting them from spills, stains, and scratches.
I quite remember the time when I had to get new seat covers for my car after my puppy ruined the old ones. Not only did it save my seats, but it also saved me a lot of money!
2. Keeping your car clean
Another advantage of using seat covers is that they can help keep your car clean. If you’re someone who is always on the go, you know that it’s easy for your car to become a catch-all for all of your belongings. Seat covers can help prevent this by providing an extra layer of protection between your things and your upholstery.
This is especially helpful if you have kids or pets who are prone to making messes in the car. By using seat covers, you can easily remove any messes and keep your car clean.
3. Adding comfort
Seat covers can also add an extra layer of comfort to your car. If you live in a cold climate, seat covers can help keep you warm on chilly days. In the summer, they can help keep you cool on hot days. And, if you have a long commute, seat covers can help make your ride more comfortable.
I prefer to use seat a seat cover that is padded for extra comfort on long car rides. It makes a big difference!
4. Protecting from the sun
If you live in a sunny climate, seat covers can help protect your upholstery from fading. The sun can cause seat upholstery to fade and become brittle over time. By using seat covers, you can help extend the life of your car’s seats.
Also, If you have leather seats, you will notice how hot it becomes during summer. Yuck! A seat cover can help protect you from getting too hot.
5. Resale value
Finally, If you are thinking of selling your car, Good seats can help increase the resale value of your vehicle. This is because potential buyers will see that the seats are in good condition. And with good seats means a clean and well-kept car. Imagine going to a secondhand dealership to buy a car and you open the door to see a bad seat! You would probably not buy the car, right?
On the other hand, if you have seat covers, you can easily remove them before selling your car. This will help show potential buyers that the seats are in good condition.
Now that we know about the importance of using seat covers, let’s take a look at the potential downside as well.
Cons of using seat covers
Now that we’ve looked at the advantages of using seat covers, let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages.
- Difficult to install
- Can be uncomfortable
- Can impede airbag deployment
- Can be dangerous in a car accident
As you can see, there are some drawbacks to using seat covers. Let’s take a closer look at each of these disadvantages.
1. Difficult to install
One of the disadvantages of seat covers is that they can be difficult to install. This is especially true if you have a car with complex seats (like bucket seats). It can be hard to get the seat covers to fit correctly and they might not stay in place. I would suggest getting a seat cover like Waterproof 600D Fabric Car Seat Covers for Non-Slip Backing Mesh because they are easy to install and have straps or other fasteners to help keep them in place.
2. Can be uncomfortable
Another disadvantage of seat covers is that they can be uncomfortable. This is because they can add an extra layer of thickness between you and the seat. This can make it difficult to get in and out of the car and can make the seat feel harder. If you are looking for comfort, I would suggest getting a seat cover that is made of a soft material like velvet or microfiber.
3. Can impede airbag deployment
Another disadvantage of seat covers is that they can impede airbag deployment. This is because the seat cover can get in the way of the airbag deploying correctly. If you are in a car accident, this could be dangerous.
My grandfather had a seat cover that did this. He was in a car accident and the airbag was deployed, but the seat cover got in the way and it didn’t deploy correctly. Luckily he wasn’t seriously injured, but it could have been much worse.
4. Can be dangerous in a car accident
Finally, seat covers can be dangerous in a car accident. This is because they can get in the way of seat belts. If you are in a car accident, you want the seat belts to work correctly so that you can be properly restrained.
I have seen seat covers that have straps or other fasteners that go over the seat belt. This could be dangerous because it could prevent the seat belt from working correctly.
So, should you use seat covers in your car?
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using seat covers in your car. You will need to decide if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for you. I think that seat covers are a great way to protect your car’s seats and keep them looking good for a long time. However, you will need to decide if the disadvantages are something that you can live with.
Keep reading to find out about the different types of seat covers and how to choose the right one for your car.
Types of seat covers
There are a few different types of seat covers that you can choose from, depending on your needs. The most popular types are made from cloth, leather, or vinyl.
- Cloth seat covers are the most popular type. They’re generally inexpensive and easy to find. You can find them in a variety of colors and patterns.
- Leather seat covers are a good choice if you’re looking for durability. They’re also easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than cloth seat covers.
- Vinyl seat covers are a good choice if you’re looking for durability and ease of cleaning. However, they can be more expensive than cloth seat covers.
How to choose the right seat cover for your car
When you’re choosing a seat cover for your car, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
- Compatibility
- Type of material
- Easy to clean
- Safe
1. Compatibility
The first thing you should keep in mind when choosing a seat cover is compatibility. You need to make sure that the seat cover will fit your car’s seats. Most seat covers come in a universal size, but it’s always a good idea to double-check before you buy. To check the compatibility simply measure your car’s seats.
2. Type of material
The next thing you need to consider is the type of material that you want your seat cover to be made from. As we mentioned before, the most popular materials are cloth, leather, and vinyl. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. I would suggest choosing a leather seat cover because of its durability. Check out this cool Black Panther Luxury Faux Leather Car Seat Cover I found on Amazon.
3. Easy to clean
Another thing to keep in mind is how easy the seat cover is to clean. You will want to choose a seat cover that is easy to wipe down and clean. As mentioned earlier if you have kids or pets, you might want to consider a seat cover that is easy to clean. I would suggest choosing a leather or vinyl seat cover because they are both easy to clean.
4. Safe
Finally, you will want to make sure that the seat cover is safe. Seat covers can be dangerous if they get in the way of seat belts or airbags. I would suggest choosing a seat cover that does not have any straps or fasteners that go over the seat belts.
Final Thought
In conclusion, I suggest you should use a seat cover in your car to protect your seats and keep them looking good for a long time. However, you need to decide if the disadvantages are something that you can live with. I think that seat covers are a great way to protect your car’s seats and keep them looking good for a long time.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you.