Protecting your Tesla seats with custom seat covers is an excellent way to enhance both the comfort and longevity of your vehicle’s interior. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of luxury or simply want to keep your seats pristine, installing seat covers is a straightforward process that can be done at home. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to ensure a perfect fit and a seamless installation.
How to Install Tesla Seat Covers
Preparation steps before installing Tesla seat covers
1:Clean the seat: Make sure the surface of the seat is clean and free of stains to avoid affecting the fit and aesthetics of the seat cover.
2:Check the size of the seat: make sure the size of the seat cover fits the Tesla seat, and cut the seat cover if necessary.
3:Prepare tools and materials: including seat cover, scissors, ruler, eraser and other tools.
4:Steam Treat Seat Cover: It is recommended to steam treat the seat cover before installation to better fit the contours of the seat. Be careful not to use a heat gun.
5:Remove seat accessories: e.g. seat belts, headrests, etc. for easier installation of the seat cover.
6:Check the condition of the seat: Make sure the seat is not damaged or loose and repair it if necessary.
7:Wear protective equipment: Wear gloves and other protective equipment during operation to avoid scratching or damaging the seat.
Step-by-step guide for Tesla seat cover installation
Preparation: make sure the seat is clean and dust-free, have the seat cover and necessary tools (e.g. scissors, velcro tape, etc.) available
Installing the Main Driver's Seat Cushion
First, remove the Velcro strip from the back of the cushion, taking care that the plastic tube welds face outward.
Turn the cushion inside out, aligning the bottom seam with the contour of the seat and then slip it back in.
Next, use a squeegee to tuck the torn strip of Velcro all the way into the seam on the side of the seat.
Tuck the plastic tubing and the edges of the cushion all the way into the seat seam to ensure that the cushion does not slide or shift when in use.
Finally, tuck the excess leather from the end of the cushion into the gap between the seat back and the seat.
Move to the back of the seat and undo the elastic straps on the left and right sides of the fender to reveal the leather that was previously tucked in.
Pull firmly with both hands for a snug fit. Once tightened, use the two Velcro strips on the front of the cushion as snaps to secure the backrest in place.
After attaching the cushion, make sure there is no empty space at the top of the headliner and tuck the bottom leather into the backrest gap.
A metal hook-and-loop fastener is threaded through the elastic band and hooks onto the spring at the bottom of the seat, and the installation of the main driver's seat cushion is complete.
Installation of the passenger cushion
The passenger's cushion is installed in the same way as the main driver's seat, but note that the zipper of the cushion is located on the inner side, and you need to differentiate between left and right when installing it, so as not to affect the normal use of the airbag.
Install the rear seats.
Remove the cushions by first pressing the white plastic buckles on the bottom of the seat and pulling the seat upward.
Remember to loosen the two speed limiting sockets before removing the seats.
Align the seat stitching to back-sleeve it in, then secure the side panel cheeks of the second row backrest.
To install the backrests, pull out the cushion allowance and tighten, then secure with Velcro.
At the same time, adjust the position of the seat belt socket to ensure that it does not interfere with the normal use of the seat belt.
Finally, gently press down on the seat's buttock position, push the seat belt socket in after aligning it with the position, and gently press down to finish resetting the seat.
As a final step, use a small squeegee to fine-tune the installation of the entire cushion and make sure everything is in place.
Common issues during Tesla seat cover installation and solutions
Airbag Impact:
Installation of seat covers may interfere with the proper functioning of the side airbags in the front seats because the airbags are usually located inside the seats, and the presence of the seat covers may impede the release of the airbags, or even prevent the airbags from deploying, increasing the potential hazard.
Solution: Avoid installing seat covers on seats equipped with airbags or choose seat covers specifically designed to be compatible with airbags.
Installation Complexity:
The installation process for Tesla seat covers is complex, especially for the front seats, and requires careful alignment of the buckles and seat belt slots.
Solution: Watch the installation video tutorial to ensure you understand all the steps and precautions before installation. Gloves are recommended to avoid scratches, and the seat covers should be steam treated prior to installation for a better fit.
Size Mismatch:
Some seat covers may not fit all models perfectly, especially Tesla models of different years.
Solution: Choose a seat cover designed for a specific vehicle model and make sure the size and shape match. If you purchase universal seat covers, you will need to make your own adjustments to fit your vehicle.
Interference with upholstery cleaning and maintenance:
Seat covers may impede the cleaning and maintenance of the interior, especially the air vent locations under the rear seats which are prone to dropping items.
Solution: Clean the seat covers regularly and ensure that they do not block air vents or other important functional areas.
Electrical System Interference:
Improper use of seat covers may cause the Tesla's power adjustments to activate unintentionally, compromising driving safety.
Solution: Avoid placing any unapproved covers or decorations on the seats and ensure that the seat covers do not interfere with the vehicle's electrical system.
Child Seat Compatibility:
Tesla built-in child seats need to be installed correctly, and seat covers may interfere with securing and using the child seat.
Solution: Ensure that the child seat is properly installed and meets safety standards before installing the seat cover.
Water Resistance:
Some seat covers are waterproof, but they may not completely prevent liquid leaks.
Solution: Choose high-quality waterproof materials and regularly check the sealing of the seat cover.
Post-installation maintenance tips for Tesla seat covers
Pre-installation Preparation:
CLEANING THE SEAT: Wipe the surface of the seat with a soft cloth and warm water to remove dust and stains and make sure the seat is dry.
Measure the size: Cut the right size of seat cover according to the width, length and thickness of the seat.
Prepare tools: scissors, ruler, wet towel, etc.
Installation Steps:
- Place the seat cover face out on the seat, align the zipper direction and attach the velcro.
- Use a tool to press down on the edges of the seat cover to ensure it is flat and wrinkle free.
- Adjust the seat cover position to fit snugly on the seat surface, gently stretching the cover to fit the seat if necessary.
- Secure the cover: Use the seat belt to secure it, or use the hooks and zippers on the cover.
Caution:
- Avoid scraping or scratching the seat cover with sharp objects.
- Organize the seat cover regularly to avoid wrinkles and keep it neat and beautiful.
- Be careful when cleaning the seat cover to avoid scratches, we recommend using a mild detergent and a soft sponge or flannel.
Maintenance advice:
Regular cleaning: use a damp towel to gently wipe the surface of the seat cover, avoid using acidic or alkaline cleaners.
Avoid direct sunlight: Avoid direct sunlight when parking to prevent discoloration of the seat cover.
Check fixing: Make sure the seat cover is firmly fixed to avoid affecting the use.
View Video
Call to Action
Installing seat covers on your Tesla is a simple and effective way to protect your investment and enhance the appearance of your vehicle. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a perfect fit and a professional-looking result. Whether you’re protecting against everyday wear or adding a touch of luxury, seat covers are a great addition to any Tesla. Enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that come with well-protected seats, and keep your Tesla looking its best for years to come.
