How to Change Your Car’s Seat Covers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Disclaimer: Please note that when replacing your seat covers, we recommend installation by a professional. But as many of our customers replace the seat covers themselves, here are a few quick tips on the tools you’ll need, the step-by-step process, and some helpful insider tricks to make sure you have a smooth installation experience. 

In this blog, we will go through how to change your car’s seat cover on your own. Different car seat covers have unique features based on the manufacturer, the model, the power option, and so on. However, in this blog, we plan to provide an overview of the general process of removing your old seat covers and replacing them with new ones. At DSA Seat Factory, we believe this can be accomplished with the right tools, and a bit of patience, making it a manageable task for many car owners with some experience in DIY projects. 

There are a few things you need to do before attempting to replace your seat cover. 

1. Choosing the right seat cover 

The first step is to find the right seat cover for your beloved car. In another blog, we discussed the advantages of OEM replacement covers over custom-fit options. Make sure you read that blog before choosing a seat cover and head back here.

At DSA Seat Factory, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, exact-match OEM replacement seat covers that will bring back the beauty of your ride’s first days, keep the resale value of your car, and make your driving experience enjoyable again. We have thousands of models available, but not all of them are listed on our website. If you can’t find your model, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to assist. 

Note: After you make your purchase at DSA Seat Factory, you are requested to submit your vehicle identification number (VIN) and photos of your seats. This is to make sure we send you seat covers that are a 100% match to your original ones including material, colour, and perforation.

2. Gathering the equipment that you are going to need

After you have purchased your new replacement seat covers, you need to prepare everything you need before the installation. The right tools are essential to get the job done properly.

• Safety gloves and glasses 
• Socket wrench or drill/impact driver with a variety of sockets to remove the seats from the car (for most cars the bolts are 10-15 mm)
• Plastic pry tools to remove plastic trim around the seat
• Metal pry tools to remove the seat cover clips attached to the frame (a flathead screwdriver will also work)
• Cutting plier, hog ring plier, and hog rings (if your seat cover requires hog rings) 
• Utility knife or scissors to trim the sides of your seat cover to make way for the power controls, etc.
• Spray glue (if you need to transfer the heater from your old cover or repair the seat foams)
• Steamer to revitalise your foam cushion
• Hair dryer or heat gun to get the wrinkles out (use heat gun with great caution)

Park your car in a safe, well-lit area. Remove any personal items from the seats, and let’s start the process. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Replace Your Car’s Seat Covers 

Step 1: Take “before” photos

Before you dive into the car removal project, grab your phone for a few “before” photos! Taking clear pictures of your car seat from different angles and during different steps is important. These pics can act as your before-and-after photos, and you’ll see how your car’s interior has transformed. Also, they will come in handy when you want to install the seat back into your vehicle in step 10. 

Step 2: Remove the seat from the ride

This is one of the most important steps of our process, so take your time. 

1. Turn off your vehicle and take out the keys from the ignition. Disconnect the battery. This is crucial before you detach any wires or disconnect the airbag. If you fail to disconnect the battery, warning lamps may be lit after reinstalling the seat. You may need to visit an authorised mechanic to fix the issue. 
2. Slide the seat all the way back using the seat adjustment lever. This will give you access to the two front bolts, which you can then unfasten. 
3. Then, slide the seat all the way to the front. Unfasten the two back bolts. Most car seats are secured to the vehicle by four bolts. 
4. After you have unfastened all four bolts, place your seat in a mid position, not too far back and not too close to the steering wheel. Make sure the seat back is in a neutral position. 
5. To disconnect all the wires, first raise the car seat for better access and disconnect all the connections, including the heating system, airbags, power buttons, etc. All of these have unique sockets and connection types, so don’t worry, there won’t be any mistakes when you are re-wiring them. However, do take some photos for future reference.

Pro tip: For vehicles with seat heaters, identify how the heating element is attached. There are two primary configurations:

• Foam-mounted: If the heating element is on the seat foam, no additional disassembly is required for removal. Keep it as is. 
• Seat cover-mounted: In some cases, the heating element may be attached directly to the seat cover. This means you should detach the seat heater during removal and attach it to the foam of the seat cover with foam adhesive. Depending on the car seat model, we send replacement covers with pre-installed after-market heaters. Note that the connectors for these after-market heaters may not be the same as for your vehicle’s. In that case, you have to replace the after-market connector with the original one. For inquiries about compatibility with your specific car seat model, contact us at DSA Seat Factory. We’re happy to help!

6. If there’s a side panel attached to your car’s seat, remove it using a Torx or a Phillips bit. Unscrew everything and remove the panel. There might be a couple of power connections behind the panel, so make sure you remove them using a flathead or a plastic plier. 

7. And finally, disconnect your airbag in 3 simple steps:

1. Battery disconnect: As we mentioned before, always disconnect the vehicle’s negative battery terminal to prevent accidental airbag deployment. Wait at least 15 minutes to allow capacitors to discharge fully.
2. Access the airbag module: Locate the airbag control module (usually under the dashboard or driver’s seat). Consult the service manual for its specific location.
3. Identify and disconnect the airbag connector: Find the wiring harness that connects to the deployed airbag. It’s typically yellow with a unique connector to prevent accidental disconnection with other systems. Once the system is deactivated, disconnect the airbag connector from the control module. Note the location and orientation of the connector for proper reassembly.

With all connections to the seat disconnected, now you can start removing the bottom seat cover. Find a sturdy location to place it for easy access so you can continue working on it.

Step 3: Remove J-clips from the seat frame or pan

Wear your safety gloves and use your flathead screwdriver (or a plier) so that you can remove the J-clips that hold the seat cover from the seat frame. Be very careful with the sharp edges on the panel as they can cut your hand. 

Once you have removed the J-clips, peel off the old seat cover from the sides first and then from the front. Once you have all the sides up, you can move on to the next step. 

Step 4: Remove the seat cover from the foam cushion

As a first step in this part of seat cover removal, you’ll need to identify its attachment method to the underlying foam cushion. There are three primary configurations:

1. Velcro: This method offers the simplest removal. While firmly holding the foam down with one hand, carefully peel the cover away from the foam with the other. Go slowly and bit by bit as you don’t want to rip the foam off. No additional tools are necessary.
2. Clips: This method is also straightforward, but requires a bit more precise manoeuvring. Locate the clips and use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry them open while simultaneously pushing the corresponding seat cover attachment for release.
3. Rods and Hog Rings: Some seat covers use metal rods secured with special fasteners called hog rings. To remove the cover, you will need a dedicated hog ring removal tool(cutting plier) to detach the rings before proceeding with rod and cover removal.

Step 5: Check the foam elasticity

The underlying seat foam plays a critical role in both comfort and seat cover longevity. Proper foam support makes sure the new cover fits well and maintains its shape over time. To evaluate the foam’s condition, you can perform a simple elasticity test.

Apply firm pressure directly to the exposed foam and observe its response. Does the foam spring right back up? If the foam rebounds quickly to its original shape, it likely retains good elasticity and provides adequate support. However, a slow rebound, or as we call it “a pancake seat” suggests potential wear and loss of elasticity.

In these cases, you should also repair the foam as it may be necessary for optimal and long-lasting seat cover performance. Fortunately, however, for some minor wear issues, techniques like steaming can be used to potentially repair or strengthen the existing foam. 

That’s why, at DSA Seat Factory, our replacement seat covers are designed with these challenges in mind. We understand the importance of a supportive foundation, which is why we include an additional 1 centimetre (1/4 inch) of high-quality foam padding attached to every seat cover. This extra layer not only brings back your seat’s comfort but also makes a perfect fit and a longer lifespan for your new cover. 

Step 6: Instal the new seat cover 

Firstly, turn the cover inside out for a better attachment. Patience is key when installing the new seat cover, so take your time during this step. 

Similar to step 4, there are three main attachment methods to install your replacement seat cover: Velcro, retainer clips, and hog rings. Here at DSA Seat Factory, we provide replacement covers that replicate the attachment style of your original seat cover perfectly.

Velcro: For a Velcro-attached cover, the process is straightforward. Simply align the cover and firmly press down on all the seams to guarantee a secure and wrinkle-free fit. For the smoothest results, it’s better to start with the Velcro in the middle and then continue with the side ones.

Clips: If your cover utilises retainer clips, locate the corresponding plastic strips on the cover. Hold the plastic strip and press down firmly on both sides of each clip in the foam cushion until you hear a snap that confirms a secure connection.

Pro tip: Older seats with pancake foams may have warped frames, causing the clips to not attach perfectly to the frame. In these cases, you can use zip ties or hog rings (depending on your cover) for a secure fit.

Rods and hog rings: Hog ring attachment requires dedicated hog ring tools. Thread the edge of a hog ring through the fabric that attaches the plastic strip to the seat cover. Press down firmly on the ring until it reaches below the designated bar in the foam, then squeeze the pliers to close the ring securely around both the plastic strip and the bar. Tada, your hog ring is secured. Now, go on with the rest of the bar. 

Step 7: Attach the J-clips back in

After your new seat cover is attached to the foam, flip the seat over and tuck the seat cover into the main frame. Just as you started with the sides and finished with the front, now you want to do the opposite. Begin by attaching the centremost front clip and work your way outwards towards the corners.

Use a smooth, rolling motion to firmly engage each clip, securing the new seat cover to the pan perfectly. Repeat this process for the back and sides of the seat cover. Massage in the cover replacement to reduce wrinkles as you go. 

Pro tip: If the frame is damaged or the J-clips have a slight size difference that prevents a tight fit, zip ties can secure the cover directly to the frame or bridge the gap for a secure fit. Simply take your zip ties, thread them through the J-clip slots, and tighten them for a tight fit. 

Step 8: Trim out the sides and re-attach the side panel 

Use a fabric marker or chalk to outline the areas you will be cutting for side panels. Make a small initial cut with your knife or scissors. Be careful not to go too deep. For now, just create a small hole from which you can work.

Now, gradually refine it, checking the side panel or controls constantly. Remember, just like a haircut, you can always remove more, but adding back is impossible. If you need extra flexibility, carefully trim the attached foam padding if needed. Be careful not to cut into the seat cover.

Once the cutout is perfect, pass the control connections through and reattach to the panel. Secure the panel with screws, then reattach any removed controls. Congrats, you have successfully reattached the side panel. 

Step 9: Steam out any remaining wrinkles

Use your palm to gently massage any minor wrinkles or areas where the fabric or leather seems slightly off-centre. This hands-on approach can often take care of small imperfections.

Once everything is in place, take a steamer to gently remove any wrinkles that might have snuck in during the reupholstery process. A light steaming should be enough to make the seat cover looking nice and smooth.

If stubborn wrinkles persist, you can use a heat gun on a low setting, but keep it moving to avoid burning the material. Hair blow dryers can also help if a heat gun is not available.

Step 10: Install the seat back in

First, use an extra pair of hands to lower the seat back into the car, aligning the holes with the seat bolts on the floorboard. 

Slide the seat all the way forward and then back to access the electrical connections you disconnected earlier. Reconnect all the wires and plugs. Each socket is unique, so it is not possible to miswire. However, the photos you have already taken may come in handy here. 

Double-check that all electrical connections, including seat airbags if your car has them, are securely fastened. A warning light on the dashboard or malfunctioning seat after installation could mean a missed connection.

Once everything’s reconnected, return the seat to its upright position and tighten all the bolts that secure it to the floorboard. Don’t forget to reattach the seat belt and make sure it’s properly fastened for safety.

Step 11: Take some “after” photos and show us 

With everything back in place, take a moment to admire your reupholstery masterpiece! Snap some “after” photos to capture your handiwork. Feel free to share them with us – we’d love to see and share your reupholstery success story!

Step 12: Aftercare

Now that your seats are rocking their new look, here’s how to keep them looking fresh for miles to come:

• Regular Checkups: Inspect your seat cover replacements regularly to catch any signs of wear and tear before they become bigger problems.

• Cleaning Routine: To keep your seats looking sharp, try to have a regular cleaning routine that removes dirt and grime from your car seat covers. 

• Sun Protection: Park in the shade whenever possible, or use sunshades to protect your seats from harsh UV rays that can cause fading.

Bonus tips for reupholstery success

We know changing your car’s seat cover on your own can be tricky at first. Proceed in a leisurely fashion and follow these simple steps to avoid any hiccups. Here are some extra tips: 

1. Take your time: Don’t rush the process, especially during removal, to avoid ripping the old covers or damaging the car’s seat frame. 

2. Work methodically: Remove and install the covers one section at a time to avoid confusion.

3. Use a helper: An extra pair of hands can be helpful, especially when reinstalling the seats.

4. Watch video tutorials: If you’re a visual learner, you should try searching online for video tutorials of other users on how to change car seat covers specific to your car’s make and model. YouTube is a great place to start!