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 |  | Universal Fit: $10-$70 each |  | Semi-Custom Fit: $100-$300+ per row |  | Custom Fit: $200-$1,000+ per row |
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Seat covers protect the vehicle's upholstery from spills, rips, friction, harsh sunlight and other damaging elements, or they can cover up damage that has already occurred. There are three types -- universal-fit for general styles of car seats (bucket, high back, low back, high headrest, low headrest, bench, split bench, etc.), similar to one-size-fits-all clothing; semi-custom covers that are mass-produced following patterns designed to fit similarly-sized and -styled seats in a range of vehicles, like off-the-rack clothing; and custom seat covers made-to-order to fit a specific seat style in a specific year, make and model of vehicle, similar to custom-fit clothing from a tailor.
Typical costs: | - Universal-fit car seat covers typically cost $10-$70 each or $40-$150 for a packaged set, depending on the size and style, the quality of the materials, and whether the closures are Velcro or zippers; some packaged sets also include rubber floor mats.
- For example, AutoZone charges $25 for a low-back bucket seat cover[1] in simulated leather and $40 for a bench seat cover[2] for a truck. Amazon[3] sells a polyester-fabric combo set with two front-seat covers, two rear-seat covers, four headrest covers and four rubber floor mats for $53.
- Universal-fit seat covers made with high-end materials can cost $75-$200 or more apiece. For example, at several retailers, the Overland Universal Sheepskin Seat Cover[4] costs $185.
- Semi-custom seat covers typically cost $100-$300 or more per row, depending on size and style, and the choice of materials such as neoprene (like a wetsuit), nylon, velour, leather, suede or tweed.
- Expect to pay $200-$1,000 or more per row (depending on the size, style and choice of material) for custom seat covers that are made-to-order to fit a specific seat style in a specific year, make and model of vehicle; these covers should match the exact dimensions of the vehicle's seat, including any headrest, arm rests or ergonomic controls, and they should not obstruct a side air bag. They may be produced by the original vehicle manufacturer or, more typically, a company specializing in car seat covers.
- For example, AutoAnything.com charges $226 for a quilted back bench Canine Semi-Custom Cover[5] and $343 for its Canine Custom Cover[6] ; both are water-repellent and lined to stop pet hair, claw marks or "accidents" from harming the vehicle's upholstery, but the custom model will be a more exact fit than the semi-custom cover. And AutoAnything charges $500 each ($1,000 per row) for a custom leather bucket seat cover[7] .
Related articles: Upholstery for Cars, Auto Detailing, Painting a Car, Window Tinting, Chrome Wheels
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What should be included: | - Universal seat covers are fairly easy to slip onto the car seat. Typically the headrest will need to be removed to install the cover. AutoAnything.com provides a quick overview[8] of the steps to install standard covers on bucket or bench seats.
- Semi-custom and custom seat covers typically require submitting information about the vehicle, and then they are shipped or, for custom covers, they are manufactured and shipped, usually arriving in a couple of weeks. These covers are generally a tighter fit than universal models, but are still relatively straightforward to install. Eagle wool provides a video demonstration of the manufacturing steps[9] and seat cover manufacturer SCC Northwest Manufacturing provides a video demonstration of custom seat cover installation[10] .
Additional costs: | - An auto upholstery shop may charge $100-$800 or more to install customer-supplied custom seat covers; this may include adding batting or foam if needed, plus checking the springs and repairing them as needed.
Discounts: | - It's possible to make a car seat cover[11] for the cost of several yards of fabric plus fabric rope or elastic.
Shopping for a seat cover: | - Universal seat covers are generally available from auto accessory stores, auto parts stores like AutoZone[12] ; big box discount stores like Target[13] ; online retailers like Amazon[14] ; and other automotive departments.
- Semi-custom and custom seat covers can typically be ordered through retailers like AutoZone[15] , Costco[16] or Sears[17] ; auto accessory specialists like AutoAnything[18] or AutoAccessoriesGarage[19] ; or direct from the manufacturer, like Coverking[20] or Shear Comfort[21] .
- Examine the vehicle and make a list of the seat styles and location, such as two front bucket seats with adjustable headrests and a rear bench seat; folding seats will require separate covers for the top and bottom. Think about how the vehicle is used, and the type of wear on the seats; fabric seat covers may be machined washed or dry cleaned, depending on the fabric, while leather and vinyl seats are usually wiped clean with a damp rag, and are less likely to stain. eBay provides a car seat cover buying guide[22] .
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External Resources: | - www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Auto-Expressions-Enzo-tan-seat-cover/_/N-4ac...
- www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Auto-Expressions-Rockport-black-and-grey-tru...
- www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005XPG8K8/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=automotive
- www.overland.com/Products/RugsCovers-1156/SheepskinCarSeatCovers-1163/UniversalShe...
- www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/61A2329A0A0.aspx
- www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/61A2333A0A0.aspx
- www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/61A5937A0A0.aspx?
- www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/how-to-install-seat-covers.aspx
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH8ezTck3VY
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=roYCppz8Bz8
- cars.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Make_Car_Seat_Covers
- www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Truck-Accessories/Seat-Cover-Universal/_/N-2...
- www.target.com/s?searchTerm=seat+covers+in+automotive&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallp...
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=sea...
- www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Seat-Cover-Custom-Back/_/N-9vuld?filterByKeyWord=c...
- www.costco.com/Coverking-Custom-Fit-Seat-Covers-3-Different-Materials-To-Choose-Fr...
- www.sears.com/automotive-seat-covers-custom-fit-seat-covers/s-1206817565
- www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/10A52289.aspx
- www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/
- www.coverking.com/c-6-custom-seat-covers.aspx
- shearcomfort.com/
- www.ebay.com/gds/car-seat-covers-buying-guide/28484/g.html
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