A seat cover can protect your vehicle’s seats from dust and debris and add a layer of padding for comfort. Some are breathable and some have anti-slip features to keep them from shifting during driving. They can be temporary or permanent, and they can protect your car from the elements, as well as stains, oil spills, and pets. You can even buy seat covers that are designed to match the color of your vehicle, or come with logos from major auto manufacturers.
Many seat covers are made of cloth, and some are padded for extra comfort. Some are waterproof and can be washed like normal clothing. They can also be made of other fabrics, such as neoprene—the material that is used to make divers’ wetsuits—which is durable and water-resistant, but not very breathable. You can also find covers made from leather, which is expensive but offers a high level of durability.
Some seat cover fabrics are treated with coatings to improve some performance characteristics, and this can be important for a number of reasons. For example, a silicon-based finish can be applied to reduce the risk of weft distortion in woven fabric, which can affect seam strength and abrasion resistance, and it can prevent the onset of pilling.
Other factors to consider when buying seat covers include the price, compatibility with your vehicle’s safety features, and aesthetics. For example, late-model vehicles with side airbags integrated into the seatbacks require a special type of cover that will allow the airbag to deploy. You should also be sure that the cover is compatible with heated or ventilated seats, and that it will allow cooling air to pass through.