When putting little loves in the car their safety is of the utmost importance. As parents, their safety is our #1 job – and to do our job we need to know about all of the products out there that help us do our job better. Looking back and seeing them snug and warm in their car seat is so sweet with their cute little sleeping faces but instead of packing out their car seats with a pile of blankets (which is unsafe) parents have two solutions for keeping children warm in their carseat during the cold winter months #1 the Buckle Me Baby Coat (we’ll talk more about this later) and #2 a car seat cover.
Is a car seat cover safe?
Are car seat covers safe? – The short answer is no. Car seat manufacturers advise parents not to use any product in the car seat if it isn’t made by the manufacturer. “There are a lot of aftermarket products that don’t meet flammability standards,” says Walker.
Do seat covers affect airbags?
Q. I recently purchased a five-year-old Lexus RX SUV. It is a great vehicle, and I want to keep it for a long time. The driver’s-side seat has some wear, and I want to preserve it. I was thinking seat covers, but this vehicle has side airbags. Is that a concern when putting on seat covers? A.
It really depends on what you are putting on. Most slip-on seat covers shouldn’t have any effect on the airbag, since they are very stretchy. If you are installing custom-fit seat covers, look for the type that are designed for seats with integral air bags. Just like the seats, they have seams that are designed to break away when the airbag deploys.
Depending on the seat condition, spend a little time with leather conditioner designed for car interiors. This will help extend the life of the interior.Q. I recently purchased a Mini Cooper that is just over 10 years old. It generally runs great, but it is really dirty inside.
I’m not sure what they used this car for, but in some places it looks like dried mud. Any ideas how to clean it without going to a specialty shop? A. You may be tempted to just hose out the car, but that will cause mold and mildew. Start with vacuuming any loose dirt; use a soft, dry brush to loosen any accumulated dirt.
Once you are through the heavy dirt, it’s time for some deep-cleaning. There are plenty of commercial cleaners, but I have had good luck with dish detergent mixed with warm water. Apply more suds than water, using a brush to work in the soap. Rinse and repeat.
Again, limit the amount of water, and wipe and vacuum (use a wet/dry shop vacuum) as you keep cleaning. I have found microfiber cloths work best for wiping clean.Q. I have a nine-year-old Subaru with 400,000 miles on it, so it’s obviously time for a replacement. I would like to do something with it other than junk it.
Is it donation-worthy, and is there a charity you recommend? A. When donating a car, it makes sense to donate to an organization that supports your values. It has been my experience that some donation sites are more businesses than charities. I would start with cardonationwizard.com,
This website has prescreened charities and also has quite a bit of helpful information. One of my favorite places to donate newer vehicles is a local vocational school. The students, with the help of their instructors, can always learn from these vehicles. Your nine-year-old Subaru has airbags, antilock brakes, a computerized engine-management system and a non-traditional (horizontally opposed) engine and drivetrain system.Q.
I recently saw a Volkswagen pickup truck. It wasn’t an old Rabbit, but a newer car. I really like the look of it. Any idea what it was? A. What you saw was most likely a homemade kit. There is a company that started in Massachusetts and now has moved to Rhode Island that produces kits to turn Volkswagens, Dodge Chargers and several other vehicle into to “Utes.” The company is Smyth Performance ( smythkitcars.com ).
Should you put seat covers on a new car?
Protection – Buying car seat covers for a new car ensures protection against damage, dust and dirt giving one’s car a brand-new look and feel to it. The foremost reason to buy seat covers for a new car is to protect the original car seat cover fabric,
Are seat covers worth getting?
What Are Car Seat Covers? – Car seat covers prevent stains, spills, crumbs, dust, dirt, and debris from marring the cloth or leather seating surfaces in your vehicle. In addition to mess protection, the benefits of buying seat covers for your car include:
Easy to clean either with a damp cloth or by removing and placing in the washing machine.Slower depreciation as you maintain your car’s factory condition.Customized appearance that enhances the style of your vehicle.
Parents and pet owners can especially benefit from seat covers that ward off pet hair, sticky fingers, and messy spills.
Do seat covers make car seats less safe?
What Makes Car Seat Protectors Dangerous? – Before I can answer what it is that makes car seat protectors dangerous, we first have to ask ourselves IF they’re dangerous. The answer to that is.there is no definite answer; it all boils down to what type of car seat you have.
Here, let me explain. If you were to ask any CPST ( Child Passenger Safety Technician ) if car seat protectors are safe, they would tell you it depends on where you get it from. The reason being is because some car seat manufacturers produce their own brand of car seat protectors, and then there are a lot of third-party companies out there who make them as well.
But, what’s dangerous about that? Well, if you purchase a car seat protector from your car seat manufacturer, chances are that it’s been crash-tested to ensure that it’s safe to use. Accessories that are made by car seat manufacturers have to be crash-tested because they’re held to much higher safety standards than third-party companies.
So, buying a car seat protector from your car seat manufacturer isn’t dangerous, but buying one from an aftermarket company is. Most third-party companies that claim that their accessories are safe to use have no way to back up what they claim because they haven’t crash-tested their products. If they have, that doesn’t necessarily mean that their accessories are safe to use because they haven’t been tested with your child’s car seat, so there’s no guarantee that it’ll be safe to use these accessories with your child’s car seat.
That’s one of two reasons why car seat protectors can be dangerous. The second reason why car seat protectors are dangerous is because they can interfere with your car seat installation. Car seats are designed to fit directly against your vehicle seat, but a car seat protector can get in the way of that and can easily mask incorrect car seat installation.
Why do people cover their car seats?
They Help Babies Sleep – On a bright day or on a well-lit street, getting your baby to peacefully drift off to sleep at naptime can be a challenge. A car seat cover dims light, giving your baby a cozy cocoon amid the bustle of everyday life. Used appropriately, infant car seat covers provide warmth, a sense of security, a shield from sun and wind, and necessary privacy to discourage intrusive admiration.
How do I know if my seats have airbags?
As vehicles are becoming more advanced, we are finding technology where it never was before. Sometimes it is in plain sight, such as infotainment systems, GPS, and a head-up display. However, sometimes it is concealed in places one may not expect. Let’s take a look at automotive seats, they do far more now than just provide a comfortable place to sit.
- Seats now may have an occupant classification system (OCS), airbags, haptic feedback (vibrating seats), or heated and cooled seats.
- These systems typically go beyond simple switches and relays and rely on control modules and computers to make them function.
- Since the late 1990’s, passenger vehicles were beginning to come equipped with airbags integrated into the seats.
Since then, the use of seat airbags in vehicles has steadily increased, and they can now be found on most vehicles. Although mostly found in the front seats, some OEMs offer them in rear seats as well. In the event of a side impact, these airbags are designed to offer protection to the head, the torso, or both.
- The seat airbags may be used independently, or in conjunction with side curtain airbags as part of the side airbag system.
- In the event of a severe enough side impact, both the seat and curtain airbags will deploy at the same time.
- Identifying if a seat is equipped with an airbag is typically straightforward.
Look for the words “Airbag” or “SRS” on a tag sewn to the side of the seat or embossed on a plastic trim piece of the seat. Care must be taken to ensure the seat airbags are not obstructed. If seat covers are used on a vehicle with seat airbags, they must be specifically designed to not impede or change how the airbag deploys.
Due to the complexity of these systems, many of the functions are computer controlled. This means that diagnostics and repairs are more in depth. However, this also means that DTCs may be set if there are any malfunctions. A scan tool will be required to pull these trouble codes and diagnose any issues.
It is important to know if a vehicle is equipped with these features, what parts are used in the system, and where they are located. This will enable you to check for proper operation to ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair. Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful: A Video Tour of the RTS Portal: OEM Restraints System Part Replacement Search What’s In A Seat
How do you know if your car has side airbags?
2009 Chevrolet Impala You thought you got a great deal on a nearly new vehicle that was used as a company car. Yet weeks or months later, you find out that it doesn’t actually have the side bags on board. With any luck, you’ll find that out before serious accident or injury, or before signing on the dotted line in the first place.
This could happen to you if you’re not careful. If you look at a late-model used car that was formerly in a rental fleet, there’s a chance that it won’t have side airbags—even if it’s a model for which side or side-curtain bags were listed as standard equipment. Last month, rental giant Enterprise Rent-A-Car admitted that it had ordered a total of 66,000 Chevrolet Impalas from General Motors, saving $145 on each vehicle for deleting the side bags.
Potentially, tens of thousands of additional GM vehicles—potentially 200,000 or more are affected, according to a source cited by the Detroit News, including the Chevrolet Impala, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet HHR, Chevrolet Cobalt, and likely the Pontiac G5 as well.
GM isn’t alone in this; among other automakers, Chrysler has also offered an airbag delete option in the past on several models. The Impala was an exceptional blunder for Enterprise as it’s emerging that the rental-car company promoted the Impala as having side bags. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles sold for duty in rental-car fleets or company fleets potentially lack these side airbags; now those vehicles are finding their way back into the used-car market and aren’t always being properly labeled as not including this feature, which would otherwise be standard.
Last week, General Motors, which had taken some unreasonable heat in light of the Enterprise debacle, commendably has said that it will no longer offer fleet buyers the option to skip side airbags on its 2010 models. Thorax side airbags were newly standard—adding to the already standard side-curtain airbags—on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 
2009 Chevrolet Impala So if side bags are a must-have—as they should be—how do you make sure that any late-model used vehicle you’re considering has them? Brian Goebel, a GM spokesman, suggested that shoppers simply look at the side pillar of the vehicle in question.
Do seat covers affect heated seats?
Will Seat Covers Make Heated Seats Lose Effectiveness? – Just like anything that comes between you and a hot object, seat covers will slightly affect the effectiveness of your heated seat system—but you may not even notice. The only thing you might notice is that the seats heat up more slowly or become less hot with seat covers on.
Should I cover my car leather seats?
Leather seats are a fantastic feature in a vehicle because they are generally easy to maintain, and a lot of people agree that they look nicer than cloth. If you recently purchased a vehicle with leather seats or just researching for a car you already own, you may be wondering how to properly care for your leather seats.
- Mainly, do my leather seats need to be covered? We’ve researched this to help you provide the best care for your car’s leather interior.
- While you can certainly purchase seat covers for your vehicle to cover the leather, it really isn’t necessary in most cases.
- The leather on the seats in your vehicle is durable and will last a long time if you simply care for it properly.
Keep reading to find the answer to some of the most asked questions when it comes to caring for the leather on your vehicle’s seats. In this article, we discuss protecting your seats from UV rays and other weather conditions. Next, we look at how to soften tough leather, how to keep your leather seats from getting sticky, and things to keep off your leather seats. 
How long do car seat covers last?
Whether you are using your car for long drives, adventures, carrying heavy materials or for family trips, seat covers easily become grungy. As in any lifestyle activity, hygiene is important to secure and changing your car’s seat cover is a part of your auto-hygiene.
You might say an upholstery cleaner will do it but how about when your seat cover chips or torn? What if your kids will suddenly chew on these chips? Changing your seat cover does not only ensure the convenience of your passengers but it also ensures their safety. With these, the question is, how often must car seats changed? Is There a Standard Period for Changing Car Seat Covers? Essentially, car seats only last for five to seven years after they were factory manufactured.
As a matter of fact, you can check the expiration date of your car seats in the car manual. You must put into mind that just because car seats last this long, car seat covers should be held this long too. Generally, car seat covers according to most auto-repair shops must be changed at once in every one and a half years for maintenance or of course as the need arises like when there is already peeling, foul smell or fading colors.
In changing weather conditions, molds might easily sneak up in the edges of the car seat covers staining the covers and making them less hygienic. There are many reasons to change seat covers but mostly because of car maintenance like protecting the car’s original upholstery and extending the life of the car seats themselves.
Nevertheless, for more aesthetic purposes like changing the car’s original interior or adjusting the seating comfort of your passengers, you may change your car seat covers as frequently as possible but you have to choose very well the car seats apt for your car’s model, age and seat style.
Hence, part of changing the seat covers is also choosing what fits your immediate car needs better. What Fabric Should You Use? Choosing between fabric or leather covers is often the dilemma. Fabric car seat covers are beneficial maintenance-wise or aesthetically speaking. Given its different textures and patterns, it will give your car a more fun look plus it does not easily tear or wear out.
Moreover, fabric has greater resistance to temperature change thus, your car seat will not be too hot to seat on when it is summer and not too cold to rest on during winter. On the other hand, leather seats could be beneficial too. In terms of maintenance, leather seat covers are easier to clean since you could just wipe the dirt or dust out plus it does not easily stain and when it does, the stain will not be too obvious.
What seat cover is best for hot weather?
What Criteria To Consider – To find car seat covers that will stay cool when temperatures rise, look for ones made with breathable materials and/or constructions. While individual materials will vary from cover to cover, some great options include neoprene (which is durable and waterproof) and cotton terry.
How much do new car seat covers cost?
How much do seat covers cost? Seat covers can cost anywhere from $25 to $250. Sheepskin covers or leather covers that follow the curves of the seats can cost $500 to well over $1,000.
Are car seat covers in winter safe?
8. Car Seat Covers Should Only Go On Top Of The Seat – Car seat covers are safe to use as long as they don’t have a layer that goes underneath your baby or between your baby and the harness straps. Make sure that your baby’s face is uncovered to avoid dangerous rebreathing of exhaled air.
Can babies breathe with carseat canopy?
Car Seat Canopies Doing so makes it impossible to monitor your child’s breathing or pick up on visual cues, in addition to cutting off his access to fresh airflow which can lead to re-breathing, overheating and suffocation.
Can you put a blanket under a car seat?
We know having your baby was love at frost sight. But now that winter is here, it’s important to make sure your little one is safe at all times – especially in the car. Winter typically means bundling up your baby and children to keep them warm in the cold.
- However, when it comes to putting them in their car seat, bundling can be dangerous.
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is a general rule that bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of the car seat.
- Layering your baby in thick or puffy coats before getting in the vehicle can actually prevent the car seat from working properly.
There are different guidelines for putting your baby in a car seat in the winter. The Mother Baby Center is here to share the safest way to bring your little ones wherever you go.
