What are Car Seat Covers and How to Get the Right Fit?Seat Covers For Cars: Comfort, Protection and Fit Explained

 

Car seat covers serve three purposes well: they keep the original carpeted fabric from getting damaged, they make the areas more comfortable and they give the interior a little freshen up. The essential one is to select a custom fit set that is in a material that is appropriate to your driving. For more than 25 years, CalTrend has been a seat cover specialist, creating a seat cover for each model car and manufacturing them in Southern California.

Why are car custom seat covers longer lasting than universal car seat covers?

seat covers  with universal fit can provide some protection, but may not be comfortable. According to CalTrend, the custom covers fit a vehicle's shape to prevent them from sliding around and getting away from the seat. This is important because open spaces in upholstery are susceptible to punctures, wear and fading which you don't want.

Well, that's where the value retention bit comes in, too! Maintaining excellent condition of the upholstery contributes to a vehicle's value, appearance, and comfort for many years, according to CalTrend. A custom seat cover for vehicles is like a layer of insurance for the seats, allowing the original material to last longer as the seats get daily use.

What are the most important fabrics for comfort?

Fabric selection is most noticeable in the comfort level. CalTrend suggests velour, MicroSuede, faux leather and NeoSupreme are comfort materials for commuters and road trippers. When worn with a fit that's just right for your particular car, they're designed to ensure that every ride is enjoyable, regardless of the number of miles on the odometer.

If you're a long-driving type, begin there. When shopping for car seat covers, it's easy to get caught up in appearance first and foremost, but the feel against your back and legs is what will determine the satisfaction you feel after only a few months. A soft fabric can be used to coordinate with your ride home, and then a color to coordinate with your interior.

How about durability and rough weather?

Others have a harder time on the road. CalTrend says that neoprene, DuraPlus canvas and CORDURA provide good resistance to tearing, water and dirt. The company recommends waterproof suits, such as neoprene, NeoSupreme or DuraPlus, so that wet gear and sandals don't get to your original seats when you go to the beach or camp near a lake.

Suppose a college student has a Honda Civic and on weekends he goes surfing and brings home with him a damp towel. The Honda Civic waterproof listing set would take care of that! It's a straightforward situation, demonstrating the importance of matching fabric with habits when purchasing auto seats.

What kind of cars does CalTrend include?

It's a wider list than many would imagine. In its car category, CalTrend lists the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Subaru WRX and premium versions such as the Audi A5, BMW 328i, Lexus IS350 and Porsche Boxster. This also extends to minivans and VWs.

If your model is not listed, visit CalTrend's Shop By Vehicle page, which includes UTV, SUV and truck categories. Even so, sedans and compact cars have plenty of choices and each collection is a two piece design with the specific car in mind, not a generic product of the three. Please check your year, make and model prior to order.

How do the numbers look for customer satisfaction?

CalTrend has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on the site, based on 2,680 reviews, with 83 percent of reviewers rating it 5 and 13 percent rating it 4. The company also claims that it is the quickest turnaround company in the seat cover industry. Those numbers aren't the final say on your own research, but they do help to reveal a consistent pattern when you're looking at seat covers for your cars from various manufacturers.

How to expect install and shipping?

Does not require any tools to install. The covers fit over original upholstery and the headrest covers and some armrest covers are included in your set. CalTrend's comparison page states that shipping should take five business days or less, and their standard ground shipping offers free shipping to the lower 48 states. If you're thinking about getting a car that needs a facelift before a trip, those details will come in handy.

Is there any extras and styles to take into account?

The upgrade need not be limited to the seats. CalTrend says its covers can be used in combination with dash covers, floor mats and steering wheel covers, plus it offers a universal child car seat protector mat and seat belt pads. They work together to allow you to freshen up an entire cabin with a single supplier.

Style comes into play. New fabrics are continually added, such as Houndstooth, Plaid and faux leather Viper Sport, and the high-end selection includes Faux Leather Diamond, Carbon Fiber and SuperSuede. Quilted or carbon seats for car are a purposeful design option for sporty cars such as the Subaru WRX or Volkswagen GTI.

Is it worth spending on seat covers for cars?

Yes, for most drivers. Car seat covers for existing seats are an excellent way to keep seats you already have out of the upholstery shop, improve comfort and refresh the interior of your vehicle. Select the fabric that suits your lifestyle, check it into your model and check the warranty! These pieces put together will provide you with ample value for a relatively simple upgrade.