How to Make Car Seat Covers Fit Better

How to Make Car Seat Covers Fit Better [Follow Just 7 Steps]

Have you become hopeless about finding the correct fit for your car seats? We’ve all been there, and it’s incredibly frustrating. But, before you give up for the last time, stick around with us because we know how to make car seat covers fit better.

Yes, you read that right!

It’s always a pain to find the best material and quality for car seat covers, but what’s worst is that sometimes even the most hyped and reviewed brands fail to have the finest fit. So, what to do? How to protect your car seats from their ultimate demise? Hold your horses!
We will discuss it all. So, without further ado, let’s see how you can get a snug fit cover for your car seats without the struggles of tugging or pulling.

How To Make Car Seat Covers Fit Tight

The general way to get the best snug fit is to tuck and tie down all the straps of the seat covers. Ensure to run your hands and straighten the creases before the final installation. However, even this simplest way sometimes wouldn’t give you a tight or snug fit. Thus, keep reading to know more about how to make car seat covers fit better!

How Do I Keep My Seat Covers From Sliding?

How Do I Keep My Seat Covers From Sliding

Ever felt yourself slipping even though you have covers on your leather seats? I have, and seriously, it has to stop! Here are a few ways you can try to stop this issue once and for all.

  • Strong Fastenings

The first rule that users mustn’t compromise on is the strength and sturdiness of the straps and buckles that seat covers provide. Once the fasteners are firm and tight, with adequate grip, it will prevent passengers from slipping.

  • Non-Slip Liners

Seat covers with non-slip liners have settings under the seats that conform to the highest snug fits. Due to the non-grip feature of the seat covers, they automatically prevent slipping.

  • Non-Slip Mats

Most of the faults of the slips are due to the non-grippy resistance on your feet. You can stop sliding once the seats are non-slippery but also when your feet are secure and gripped.

  • Cables & Ties

Another underlying reason for the slips is when your seat covers aren’t tight enough in the middle and top sections of the rear seats. Users can use extra cables or ties to tighten it further.

How to Make Car Seat Covers Fit Better: 7 Easy Process

Do All Seat Covers Fit All Cars

Now that we’re through some of the basics, let’s dig in deeper to know how to make car seat covers fit better, shall we?

Front Seats

  • Step 1: 
    Start by taking off the headpiece. Cover the back rest section and slide the cover down. Pull the tassels through the front part and tie them together.
  • Step 2:
    Cover the base section with the seat cover and hold it down nice and tight. If the fit is too loose, you might want to go back and undo the tassels from the usual Velcro attachment. Loop it through the D-ring on the seat cover’s opposite end and stick it to the tassel. Ensure that this connection is as tight as possible.
  • Step 3:
    Slip the headrest back on, connect the straps tightly, and experience the best fit.

Rear Seats

  • Step 4:
    Similar to the beginning of the front seats, remove the headpiece from the rear ones to get started.Start with the back support and glide the cover down nice and tight. Pass the tassels behind the back support safely and tightly attach them around the sides. There are multiple tassels on the back support, so ensure to secure them all as tightly as possible, separately.
  • Step 5:
    Once done, pull over the base seat cover and attach it to a snug fit.
  • Step 6:
    Now, the rear seat cover’s base doesn’t come in velcro material like the front. Instead, they have generic tassels to accompany the attachments, which will run down the seats. Go ahead, and secure those at the bottom and side of the seats.
  • Step 7:
    Lastly, place back the headrest and tie the velcro straps as needed.Here’s one last tip; every time you lay down the seat covers, ensure to run your hands over them to eradicate creases and uneven overlays before finally tying the knots and securing the seat covers. This gives off a much tidier look and a high snug fit.

How Do You Tighten a Car Seat Cover? Why Can’t I Tighten My Car Seat

How Do You Tighten a Car Seat Cover

If you’re confident that you’re tugging hard enough on the car seats for a seamless fit and it’s still failing to deliver, here’s what you can do.

  1. Install the bottom portion of the cover seats and tightly tuck in all the corners.
  2. Locate the portions where the seat buckles and headrest posts are underneath and make a small incision using scissors. Tuck in all the leftover excess materials tightly.
  3. Remove the headrests and install the top part of the seat cover. Tie down the straps tightly.
  4. Attach some hooks on the backside of the back rest’s seat cover straps. Connect the hooks to one another and repeat this process for all the hooked straps for the highest snug fits.

Most parents face a loose car seat even though the covers are installed correctly. This inability can be due to obstructions within the mechanism or the cushioning.

Thus, to tighten infant car seats, parents must eradicate the seating cushion, grasp the buckle pad and remove it. Unfasten the locks, lower the frond edges and lift the cushion. As the cushions release, pull the buckle pad through the cushions to readjust.

How Are Universal Seat Covers Fixed?

How Are Universal Seat Covers Fixed

Honestly, dealing with a universal cat seat cover with poor fitting is no different than the others. You need to follow the basic 7-step process that we discussed earlier.

However, even then, if you notice that the fit is somewhat underwhelming, you will have to make a few incisions above the buckles and headrest posts that may be underneath the seat covers temporarily. After the incisions, tuck in the excess material around these areas tightly for the most refined finish and fix.

How Are Car Seat Covers Made?

Manufacturers utilize heavy-duty machinery to make seat covers. However, users also employ a few DIY methods to make their covers.

First, they purchase the cloth seats of their choice. Next, they measure the fabric according to the entire seats. And lastly, they use machines or hand-stitches to sew the material into a cover. The crucial element is the straps, which must have proper elasticity and stitch to the cover’s sides.

Types of Car Seat Covers: Which Type of Seat Covers Are Good For Car?

Which Type of Seat Covers Are Good For Car

Now, there are endless materials to choose from for your car covers. But, which is the best? First, let’s see the most-used materials and then boil down the best choices.

  • Velour
  • Suede
  • Sheepskin
  • Saddle Blanket
  • Neoprene
  • Leather
  • Ballistic Nylon

The best alternative for users is sheepskin covers, which are the warmest for colder regions. But, they’re also highly comfortable and luxurious. Since sheepskins are expensive, velour and neoprene alternatives are great too.

Neoprene has unparalleled waterproof and dirt resistance abilities, whereas velour is highly comfortable due to being extra-soft. So, it’s more of a trade that you’ll do while purchasing one material over the other.

Do All Seat Covers Fit All Cars?

Generally, universal seat covers fit most cars. But the case may vary if you own an exotic, rare, custom, or classic car model. Universal car seat covers are super affordable than custom-tailored ones. Thus, all seat covers don’t fit all types of cars, but most universals do.

What Does Universal Fit Mean for Car Seat Covers

Universal fit means that the seat covers’ design fits many car seat types. The ‘universal’ term is used literally here as they provide a snug fit for any car model type as if they were custom-tailored. Sometimes they act as a protective cover around car seats rather than owning the tightest fit that most custom seat covers have. But universal covers also have the approval of installation in all cars.

Do Universal Seat Covers Fit All Cars?

how to fit universal car seat covers

Generally, universal seat covers fit most cars. However, if you own custom sports, exotic, or classic car model, you will not find a universal fit. Thus you’ll need a customized car seat for that. On the other hand, truck and universal car seats are cheaper.

Universal seats fit wide measurements of car seats. They’re not too tight and work as a defensive drape.

10 Best Universal Car Seat Cover Comparison

In this journey of knowing how to make car seat covers fit better, we can’t fall behind by not suggesting a few top-tier performing products. So, here is their feature comparison, so you have a clearer picture.

Brands Feature Comparisons
EKR Leatherette PU leather, snug fit,7 colors, microsuede inserts
Black Panther Car Seat Covers Faux PU leather, 6 colors, breathable material, rubber granule fabric
FH Group Seat Covers 9 colors, universal fit, breathable material, adjustable straps, pocket storage
PIC Auto Mesh Universal Car Seat Faux leather, stylish patterns, high-quality breathable, stretchy fabric, comes with 1 rear, 2 front low and 5 head covers
West Llama PU Leather Car Seats Leather, for front seats, water-resistant PU leather, easy 10-minute installation
Covercraft Carhartt Seat Save Heavy-duty duck-weave fabric, sun and dirt-resistant, equipped with seat airbags
EKR Custom Fit Car Seat Cover 4-layer construction, high durability, breathable material, secure fit, quality zippers and buckles
FH Group Ultra Comfort Car Seat Cover Faux leather, non-slip and high density foam, silicon interior, elastic trim edges
Front Seats Shear Comfort Custom Cordura Seat Cover Cordura shear material, 3 adjustable headrests, heavy-duty waterproof material
Coverado Car Seat Cover Waterproof nappa leather, luxury design, universal fit, superior protection, easy-to-install

 

Difference Between A Custom Seat Cover And A Universal Seat Cover?

Custom seat covers have specific applications and measurements. Since it caters to a particular car type and model, it’ll fit their curves and edges and become one. It gives off a perfect OE look that users love. Custom covers are made just for you and your car and have a strict no-return policy.

On the other hand, universal covers fit a wide array of seat styles and car models. They don’t necessarily have the best snug fit every time, thus might require some tweaks here and there. They function as a protective barrier rather than a tight, tailored fit.

How To Buy Car Seat Covers

How To Buy Car Seat Covers

Now that we understand most of the basics let’s get down to what you need to consider before purchasing a car seat cover. Here are top three simple notes to remember.

  • Material: There’s a wide range of materials to opt from in car seats. Consider your region, the weather, humidity, and budget before settling on a material.
  • Color: Now, this is important as most of us are adamant about finding the exact shade of seat cover that will not diverge too much from the original seats.
  • Comfort: Some car seats are durable, breathable, comfortable, sturdy, or all. Now, it boils down to your preference in choosing the focus feature.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Car Seat Covers?

Usually, professional shops may charge around $100 to $800 to install a custom seat cover, depending on the material, car type, etc. In contrast, you can get the job done by a professional within $200 to $300 if it’s a store-bought, universal cover.

How to Install Universal Seat Cover

How to Install Universal Seat Cover

Worried about replacing or installing the seat covers? Don’t! Simply follow these steps.

  1. The first step is to untie each of the tassels and remove the old seat cover.
  2. Next, if your front seats have airbags, install the covers through the right side. Sizes 60 or 60/25 can glide over the headrest without an issue. However, if you’re using sizes 30 or 30/45, you’ll have to detach the headrests first.
  3. Pull over the new covers on and over the seats before pulling the bottom half over the base.
  4. Locate the straps underneath the seat and poke them through its back. Now simply hook or fasten the straps.
  5. Finally, fit the headrest covers and replace it atop the seats, and voila!

What Are Your Options If the Universal Seat Covers Don’t Fit Your Car?

What Are Your Options If the Universal Seat Covers Don’t Fit Your Car

Let’s say, even after a million tries, your universal cover isn’t fitting well. What are your other options? Let’s take a look!

  • Adjust the car seat or take advice from the manufacturer on its adjustments.
  • Utilize a plastic screwdriver to adjust the cover and resettle it for the best fit.
  • Unzip and move around the cover for a better adjustment.
  • Always purchase a cover based on your car’s seat measurements.
  • Get a custom seat cover!

What’s The Best Way to Ensure That My Seat Covers Fit Perfectly?

We’re well aware that custom-made covers will fit like a glove. But, often, when universal covers fail, the best way to go around it is to utilize hooks or clip-on along with the tassel ties. Sometimes when the ties loosen up, the only way to a perfect fit would be extra hooks that users attach at the back of the seats.

Safety Of Custom Fit and Universal Seat Covers

Let’s face it; sometimes, inexpensive car seats are the way to go. Although universal seats have applicability limits and are not for vehicles with airbags, they still provide undivided protection.

Manufacturers design seats with side impact protective mechanisms whereas, in custom covers, the design only applies to a specific car type with mounted seat airbags.

Moreover, it’s a big no-no to drive around with seat covers that bunch up beneath the seat for safety and uncomfortable reasons. Therefore, the best-fitted shape and size are necessary.

Final Thoughts

So here are two mistakes that you must avoid; purchasing a cover that’s too big or small. Excess material doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have extra clothing to tie around. And, a smaller cover doesn’t necessarily always mean a snug fit.

So, how to make car seat covers fit better? Follow our simple steps! Moreover, it’ll help a fortune if you commit to extensive research hours before purchasing a seat cover. Even with the best brands, the quality and fit can sometimes be all over the place.

Now, just because the fit may be inadequate sometimes, don’t let this demotivate. Car seats, when installed perfectly, can provide top-tier protective qualities – which, let’s face it – is a must-have!

About the author

Michael H. Smith

Michael is the lead content creator for Wheelspick.com. As a car enthusiast and based on his real life experiences he is sharing his opinion about various automotive vehicles and parts. So you can get the best experience! Happy reading.

About The Author

Michael H. Smith

Michael H. Smith

Michael is the lead content creator for Wheelspick.com. As a car enthusiast and based on his real life experiences he is sharing his opinion about various automotive vehicles and parts. So that our reader, can focus solely on buying best gadgets for their automobile and get the best products reviews and guide experience!

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