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Can Car Seat Covers Be Used on Heated Seats? Expert Answer

As winter approaches, car owners with heated seats may wonder if they can use car seat covers without damaging the heating system. The truth is, using car seat covers on heated seats can provide various benefits, such as protection from spills and stains, increased comfort and style, reduced wear and tear on the original seat covers, and improved vehicle resale value.

However, there are risks involved in using car seat covers on heated seats, such as the potential for fire hazards, decreased heating system effectiveness, damage to the seat cover, and interference with airbag deployment. This comprehensive article will explore using car seat covers on heated seats, covering everything from the benefits to the risks and maintenance requirements.

Benefits of Using Car Seat Covers on Heated Seats

Car seat covers are a cushion for car seats, especially those that have been heated to provide comfort. They help protect car seats from the hot surfaces and abrasive surfaces found on a vehicle, which means that car seat covers can be used regardless of whether or not an infant seat is installed in the vehicle. Car Seat Covers are made of fabric and come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Car Seat Covers can also be used with plastic seats, though they may provide more protection than those designed for metal or leather seats.

Different Types of Covers

Several types of car seat covers are available on the market, including universal fit seat covers, custom fit seat covers, and heated seat covers.

1. Universal Fit Seat Covers

Universal-fit seat covers are the most basic type and use a one-size-fits-all approach. They are a budget-conscious option for protecting car seats, though they may not offer the same protection level as customized or heated seat covers. The best universal fit seat cover option is made of leather or faux leather and can be purchased in various colors.

2. Custom Fit Seat Covers

Custom-fit seat covers are designed to fit a specific make, model, year, and style of vehicle with precision. They can be purchased in vinyl or leather and are designed to use existing seatbelts as belts to thread through holes in the cover.

3. Heated Seat Covers

Heated seat covers are designed to fit seats previously installed with an under-seat heating system. They are made of high-quality fabric and protect the wild part of the seat from all kinds of damage, such as spills, stains, and wear. The benefit of using heated seat covers is that they do not interfere with the heating system’s operation or effectiveness.
Choose to install a heated seat cover on a vehicle previously equipped with an anti-theft or security system. It may be necessary to remove this system for the heating element in your car seats to work properly.

Can You Use Car Seat Covers on Heated Seats?

Some manufacturers include a heating system with all-new car seats, while others may only offer heated seat covers for older models of their vehicles. If you plan to use a heated seat cover on an older car, it is important to find out whether your vehicle’s heating system can be disabled before purchasing a heated seat cover. Suppose you do not contact the manufacturer before purchasing your heated seat cover. In that case, they will provide instructions on how to disable your vehicle’s heating system before installing your wild seat cover.

There are many benefits to using a heated seat cover in a vehicle, but there must be sufficient space for the heating element and the wiring system behind it. Because heated seat covers do not infringe on the car’s electrical system, they are safe for any car model or vehicle. However, once you have purchased heated seat covers or plan to use them, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s installation instructions before installing your body. If you want to help understand how a heated seat cover works and is installed properly. In that case, our Car Seat Cover Heaven team offers free installation consultations for any car seat cushion, including universal fit seat covers, custom-appropriate seat covers, child safety seats, and more.

Risks of Using Car Seat Covers on Heated Seats

There are several risks associated with using car seat covers on heated seats, such as the potential for fire hazards, decreased heating system effectiveness, damage to the seat cover, and interference with airbag deployment.

1. Fire Hazards

Heated seat covers contain a heating element designed for cars with car seats. The heating element is usually located underneath a heated seat’s plastic or vinyl covering. If there is a fire or electrical short in the area behind where it is installed, the possibility of fire and injury increases greatly. In addition, the heating element has often been installed inside a plastic or vinyl covering, meaning more time is spent cleaning up and drying out the melted plastic or vinyl. In most situations, it is advisable to consult an expert in car seat safety before installing a heated seat cover.

2. Decreased Effectiveness

Some manufacturers of heated seats claim that their heated seats are not affected by car seat covers. However, some studies have shown increased effectiveness when heated seat covers are used. In these cases, the heating elements can become clogged with debris from the car seats, leading to decreased efficacy of the heating system for certain vehicles.

3. Damage to Seats

Car seat covers are typically made with fabric and are designed to be lightweight and absorbent. Since they are not intended to protect seats from the elements, they are only sometimes the right option for protecting car seats. In cases where it is still necessary to use a heated seat cover on a seat, try to find one that has been designed specifically for the heating system in your vehicle and is made out of fire-resistant materials.

4. Decreased Airbag Deployment

When children are in car seats, moving around during an accident or emergency in their vehicle becomes cumbersome. Vehicles are equipped with airbags that deploy to protect those children to help any children who may have been in the car seat when it was involved in a crash. Since heated seat covers are used when heat is more beneficial than protection, they can interfere with the proper functioning of an airbag during an accident.

5. Interference with Seatbelt Function

Heated seat covers can interfere with the function of seatbelts by preventing the harness from making any tensioning adjustments during an accident. If you have a wild seat cover installed, you must remove the belt or risk injury due to an inability to secure a child in the seat properly.

How to Choose the Right Car Seat Cover for Heated Seats?

Choosing the right car seat cover for heated seats is crucial to ensure safety and optimal comfort. When selecting a car seat cover, you must consider the best options available for your vehicle. Many heated seat covers are sold with a minimum of a two-year warranty, but after that, you should consider purchasing a contract from the manufacturer.

While there are a few benefits to heated seats, like comfort and accessibility, some risks are associated with using a heated seat cover on your vehicle, such as decreased heating system effectiveness and fire hazards. Your preference may lead you to use a wild seat cover, but choosing them is up to you.

Is it Safe to Use Seat Covers on Heated Seats?

Using seat covers on your heated seats will depend on your vehicle, the seat cover, and the heating system installed in that car or truck. Because different vehicles have different heating systems, it is important to ensure these systems are compatible with a car seat cover before using one. While using a car seat cover for heated seats has some benefits, such as comfort and accessibility, there are some risks associated with using heated seats, such as decreased heating system effectiveness and fire hazards. In general, you must follow these recommendations:

1. Ask a mechanic or ensure your car seat cover is compatible with your vehicle before using one.
2. Make sure to clean and dry your heated seats after use so that the heating system can retain its effectiveness.
3. If you have purchased heated seat covers or plan to use them, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s installation instructions before installing your cover.

Conclusion

Using car seat covers on heated seats can provide several benefits, but risks need to be considered. Choosing the right type of car seat cover, ensuring compatibility with the heating system, and following the installation and maintenance instructions are essential to ensure safety and optimal comfort. It is also important to monitor the heating system’s temperature regularly to avoid any potential hazards.

Ultimately, with proper research, selection, installation, and maintenance, using car seat covers on heated seats can enhance the driving experience while protecting the original seats and increasing the vehicle’s resale value.