Seat Cover Review

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Aug 12 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]301958[/snapback]</div>

As I remember it, there is a flap on the factory covering on the back of the seat that you undo by reaching under the seat and finding where a strap from it on each side attaches to the S-shaped wire supports underneath. By pushing forward on the clip at the end of that strap on each side, you can then pull up the factory covering. Then you can install the straps for the seat cover ... from the front, it either attaches to the S-shaped springs under there or connects to each other, I don't remember. But releasing that flap made it pretty easy to figure out. There's also a side to side strap that goes under the seat, and it took some poking with it to get it to go between the factory seat cushion and the plastic trim on the sides, but I was able to run it underneath.

Then I think you can put on the seat back, push it through the crack at the seat cushion from the front side and secure it, then put the factory flap back and then the seat cover back "velcros" to the flap underneath. I think that's how it works!
[/b]

Thanks for the fast response!

I discovered the "release-able" straps for the factory seat back cover beneath the seat bottom, and I got the bottom piece of the new cover secured with no problem. The problem is securing the seat back piece. There is a strip of "hook" Velcro on the bottom piece near where it tucks between the seat bottom and back, and the front of the seat back piece, with its "loop" Velcro, connects to that easily enough. There is also a "loop" Velcro strip on the bottom flap of the rear of the seat back piece that looks like it could also be designed to fit to the "hook" on the bottom cover, but the flap is much too long to fit snugly. It looks like it is the right length to wrap under the seat bottom and connect somewhere beneath the seat, perhaps to the flap of the factory cover as you described, but that would only work if it had a strip of "hook" Velcro.

Hope this makes sense. Any ideas?

Jim

[riva]

No answer to my Eudura fabric question?

Perhaps someone can tell me the difference between seat covers that are fitted for airbags vs ones that are made for seats without airbags? It seems the Ebay store is only offering Prius covers for seats with airbags.

I sent an email to the ebay (exactseatcover) staff asking if they offered seat covers without the airbag pocket, and they responded saying I'd have to purchase those directly from the the exactseatcover's website. The price is around $79 plus shipping if I order directly from their website.

I don't believe the my seats have airbags, since Im not seeing an
emblem on the side of the seat. Right? There is a side airbag curtain, but it comes from above the window.

[dancekat59]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Aug 12 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]302153[/snapback]</div>

The problem is securing the seat back piece. There is a strip of "hook" Velcro on the bottom piece near where it tucks between the seat bottom and back, and the front of the seat back piece, with its "loop" Velcro, connects to that easily enough. There is also a "loop" Velcro strip on the bottom flap of the rear of the seat back piece that looks like it could also be designed to fit to the "hook" on the bottom cover, but the flap is much too long to fit snugly. It looks like it is the right length to wrap under the seat bottom and connect somewhere beneath the seat, perhaps to the flap of the factory cover as you described, but that would only work if it had a strip of "hook" Velcro. [/b]

I've never been able to figure this out either and have just let the back flap hang down. Even so, I still feel that these seat covers are an incredible value.

[fshagan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Aug 12 2006, 10:04 AM) [snapback]302153[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the fast response!

I discovered the "release-able" straps for the factory seat back cover beneath the seat bottom, and I got the bottom piece of the new cover secured with no problem. The problem is securing the seat back piece. There is a strip of "hook" Velcro on the bottom piece near where it tucks between the seat bottom and back, and the front of the seat back piece, with its "loop" Velcro, connects to that easily enough. There is also a "loop" Velcro strip on the bottom flap of the rear of the seat back piece that looks like it could also be designed to fit to the "hook" on the bottom cover, but the flap is much too long to fit snugly. It looks like it is the right length to wrap under the seat bottom and connect somewhere beneath the seat, perhaps to the flap of the factory cover as you described, but that would only work if it had a strip of "hook" Velcro.

Hope this makes sense. Any ideas?

Jim
[/b]

I think mine does "velcro" (is that a verb?) to the factory seat back cover flap. I'll have to check when my wife gets back from the store! (She loves to drive the Prius on the weekends).



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(riva @ Aug 13 2006, 09:04 AM) [snapback]302545[/snapback]</div>

No answer to my Eudura fabric question?

Perhaps someone can tell me the difference between seat covers that are fitted for airbags vs ones that are made for seats without airbags? It seems the Ebay store is only offering Prius covers for seats with airbags.

I sent an email to the ebay (exactseatcover) staff asking if they offered seat covers without the airbag pocket, and they responded saying I'd have to purchase those directly from the the exactseatcover's website. The price is around $79 plus shipping if I order directly from their website.

I don't believe the my seats have airbags, since Im not seeing an
emblem on the side of the seat. Right? There is a side airbag curtain, but it comes from above the window.
[/b]

There is a hole/flap in the cover on the outboard side at about shoulder height. It wouldn't hurt to have the hole and flap there if you DON'T have seat mounted airbags, but it is noticable. And I think the seat cover puckers there.

I saw some Wet Okole seat covers on a Prius the other day, and they look a thousand times better, so I think anyone buying these has to determine if they are finicky about appearance or not. For me, saving $300 on seat covers was worth the lower quality look. These are great for the price, but remember, these are cheap seat covers! I'll take some more pics this afternoon, so people can see them after a few months of use. I think they are a good deal, and look fine.

[Catskillguy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(riva @ Aug 12 2006, 09:54 AM) [snapback]302092[/snapback]</div>

To Fshagan and others - Thanks for the information. I'll probably be ordering a set of the Exact fit seat covers.

To Catskillguy or anyone that knows- Any comments about the Endura fabric compared to the Velour?

How long do they usually take to arrive? Thanks again.
[/b]

I ordered the 'Endura', but they shipped the velour. When I asked why, they said that was all they would come in... The endura is a bit more nylon/canvas' feeling. The velour has been fine in the 5 months they've been installed.

[Jack Kelly]

...and mine took about 2 weeks to arrive.

[riva]

To Catskillguy, Fshagan and Jack Kelly - Thanks for answering my questions.

Does anyone know if package #3 includes airbags in the seats? I don't see an emblem on the side of my seats, but there is an airbag curtain above the side windows. Anyway, if I don't have seat airbags, I'll probably be ordering directly from the exactcovers's website. The price is still pretty reasonable at $79.00.

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(riva @ Aug 13 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]302545[/snapback]</div>

No answer to my Eudura fabric question?

Perhaps someone can tell me the difference between seat covers that are fitted for airbags vs ones that are made for seats without airbags? It seems the Ebay store is only offering Prius covers for seats with airbags.

I sent an email to the ebay (exactseatcover) staff asking if they offered seat covers without the airbag pocket, and they responded saying I'd have to purchase those directly from the the exactseatcover's website. The price is around $79 plus shipping if I order directly from their website.

I don't believe the my seats have airbags, since Im not seeing an
emblem on the side of the seat. Right? There is a side airbag curtain, but it comes from above the window.
[/b]

I can't tell you anything about alternative fabrics. What e-bay had and what I received was velour.

Not having air bags in the seats, I did the same thing you did: e-mailed the vendor via their e-bay link for clarification. But their response to me was different than the one to you. They responded with the e-bay item number to order. It was interesting to note that the description of that item indicated it was for cars with side air bags (as all of the e-bay items appeared to be). So I figured I'd order that item based on their guidance. If it worked, great. If not, they would get it sent back. When I processed payment via PayPal, I made a note in the "Note to seller" (or whatever it says) box: "My car has NO side air bags." Lo and behold, I received seat covers without the hole for the side air bags.

As opposed to Jack Kelly's experience, mine arrived in 3 days, via FedEx.

As far as the install and my earlier question about the rear seat back flap, pending information from fshagan to suggest a better approach, I have improvised by tucking the excess flap through the crack between the seat back and seat bottom, up inside the front flap. This means I can't re-attach the flap for the factory cover back beneath the seat bottom again as fshagan described. So I just tucked its straps into the factory pocket on the rear of the seat back to keep it up and out of the way of the seat cover flap. On the whole, the cover fits well, and it looks good except at the bottom of the back of the seat. It doesn't look bad there, but it's just not as clean looking as the pics fshagan originally posted.

I have two other options I might choose to pursue, depending on insight from fshagan: 1) Call the vendor for advice, the thought of which has been a little underwhelming, given the inconsistency of their customer service reported here; or 2) Have my significant other, who likes to sew, sew some elastic straps with hooks to the bottom edge of the flap to hook beneath the seat in a fashion similar to the factory cover.

As others have suggested, I still think these covers are a good value given their price. Again, they look good, and the beige color is very close to the factory color.

Jim

[Jeannie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Aug 13 2006, 09:24 PM) [snapback]302752[/snapback]</div>

...and mine took about 2 weeks to arrive.
[/b]

Package 3 has side airbags - only package 1 doesn't for 2006.

[riva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Aug 14 2006, 09:43 AM) [snapback]302950[/snapback]</div>

Package 3 has side airbags - only package 1 doesn't for 2006.
[/b]

Hi Jeane- I thought so, but I haven't been able to find the airbag emblem on the seat anywhere. When I called the dealership, I was told if there was no emblem on the side of the seat, that meant there was no airbag installed in the seat. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place.