[millerjerr]

Seat covers

I recently installed Charcoal Sheepskin covers on my 05EX(from Shear Comfort Ltd. www.shearcomfort.com and the difference in comfort is amazing, particularly in hot weather. I just returned from a 5500 mile trip to the west coast and enjoyed them very much. They have velcro flaps for the airbag release.

 

[super_fly]

new costco coverkings arrived & are installed

Received them last week, installed over the weekend.

I like them.

Install was pretty straight forward although the last little strap was a bit of a pain. Very comfortable (especially in shorts) and I think they look pretty nice.

I'll take a couple of pics later and post them.

Very pleased for $140.

 

[lizzurd]

Here is an image of a side bag that has popped in what to me appears to be a 2006 E.

Does the Honda seat cover obstruct the airbag? I don't know myself.

 

[King of Canada]

Here is an image of a side bag that has popped in what to me appears to be a 2006 E.

Does the Honda seat cover obstruct the airbag? I don't know myself.

I don't think so. The edge of the seat cover runs along the front seam of the seat. It literally only goes over the base of the seat where you sit, and the front where your back goes.

 

[scanrps]

Mine are the same as the picture on H&A's site. They don't cover the whole back at all, only about three or four inchies down from the top. You can see it clearly in the pic.

There are other factors involved, which may affect the airbag
operations (ie like the opds sensor in the pass seat).

Honda has this warning in the instructions:
Never install the neoprene seat covers on seats
equipped with side airbags. Failure to follow this
precaution can reduce the effectiveness of the side
airbag, resulting in serious injury or even death in
the event of collision.

 

[busterdesigns]

I used to have a Samurai with no AC and experienced similar problems. Bought some beaded seat covers and it worked great. Much more comfortable than you'd expect.

 

[doryman]

Seat Covers: Wet Okole, A review

I know that the Element seats are waterproof/stainproof, etc..., but I'm a big messy guy, I'm wet and muddy a lot, and I just like to have seat covers on my vehicles. So, after pouring through the forum and reading all of the comments about the various seat covers, I decided to go ahead and buy myself a pair of Wet Okoles for my front seats. I installed them this weekend, here's my review so far:

1) I don't live near one of their shops, so I ordered over the web. The web page was very clear, informative, and easy to use considering all of the options that must be considered before ordering a custom made seat cover. Grade: A

2) They called the next day after I placed my order, to confirm and clarify my order. Grade A+

3) It took an entire month for the covers to arrive. So, if you're in a hurry, or impatient, watch out! Luckily, they took so long to arrive that I entirely forgot that I had ordered them, thus when they came, it was a pleasant surprise. Grade: B-

4) Upon inspection, I found that all parts and pieces were there and that they were, in fact, the correct parts. Grade: A

5) Installation Instructions: The instructions were not specific to the Element and, in fact, the seat covers are a pain in the arse to put on. A few, Element-specific instructions/tips would have been a big help. Grade: C-

6) Technical Hotline: I had a problem with the driver's side front seat cushion cover installation and had to call for technical advice. I was able to talk to someone right away, but they really weren't that much help. It truth it wasn't their fault. The fact of the matter is that it's a pain to install the front seat cushion and it involves a lot of swearing, skinned knuckles, and time. They were helpful in letting my know, over the phone, that the seat covers were, indeed, a pain in the arse to install! Grade: B

7) Ease of Installation: I suggest at least two beers and then don't do the installation within ear-shot of young children. I never could get some of the straps buckled, but I'll try again once my knuckles stop bleeding. Grade: C

8) Fit: Well, not exactly a glove fit, but pretty damn close! Grade: A -

9) Looks: Sweet! Grade A.

10) Side Airbags: I do have side-air bags, and the Wet Okoles have a slit in the seat cover that will presumable, and hopefully, allow the airbag to expand. Grade: I'll let you know.

Finally, one of the reasons I like seat cushions is that you can take them off and wash them. Not so with these. Once on, you'll never want to take them off. Not because they're so beautiful but because you'll never want to go through the experience of putting them on again. Wet Okole suggests that you wash them in place.

 

[FParsons]

5) Installation Instructions: The instructions were not specific to the Element and, in fact, the seat covers are a pain in the arse to put on. A few, Element-specific instructions/tips would have been a big help. Grade: C-

7) Ease of Installation: I suggest at least two beers and then don't do the installation within ear-shot of young children. I never could get some of the straps buckled, but I'll try again once my knuckles stop bleeding. Grade: C

I just discovered this yesterday - doing the front seats on a 2008 Element. I swore up a storm and I did actually end up with bloody knuckles! I spent close to three hours and only got about 1/2 of it done! I can't believe they didn't provide some more instructions! It's insane!

I wanted to ask you: I was just barely able to do the bottom seat covers (actually two of the straps still aren't fastened 'cause I lost one of the clips and another pulled off) I looked at the seat back covers: how did you install these? Any pointers? The reason I ask is because it looks like the original seat cover gets in the way of the straps for the Okole ones. The bottom of the original seat covers continues underneath the seat and the other end is attached with springs to the underside of the seat. I don't see how you're supposed to attach the straps of Okole cover (through the point where the seat bottom and back meet) - it looks like you have to modify something to get the original seat cover out of the way.

Did you have to modify or cut anything? How did you get the straps to the seat back fastened?

Any information is appreciated before a go for round two of this battle. If I'd known it was this difficult, I probably wouldn't have bought them...but I can't return them so I'll do my best with them.

Apart from that, they really are beautiful!

-- Francis Parsons

 

[doryman]

No, you don't have to modify or cut anything. First, by sliding the seat all the way forward you'll create a gap that helps ease the strap through. I can't remember exactly how it worked, but one strap goes under that fabric and one strap goes between the fabric. Hard to describe, but the seat fabric is attached with velcro behind the seat (near the floor) and you can rip the velcro apart to get a hand in to pull the straps around. Anyway, you'll figure it out. I had the same reaction that you had until I slid the seat forward and undid the velcro.

It's dark and raining outside right now, so I didn't look too closely. If you don't figure it out with the very lame tips that I've given, I'll take a closer look during the day when it's not pouring rain!

I also lost a clip when I was trying to fasten the bottom cushion, so I don't have all of the straps fastened either!

 

[doryman]

The seat back cushion cover is MUCH easier. Shove the seat forward. It will create a gap. You can then slide the back rear straps under the seat, then reach around from the front (you'll have to slide the seat forward a bit), and clip them to the where the real seat cover connects to the springs. The straps that go between the rear back cushion and seat cushion just slides down between the seat fabric and can be grabbed from the front too.

 

[sobamaflyer]

Actually Decent (Cheap) Seat Covers

So I wanted to try out the idea posted here about adding a layer of foam under a set of aftermarket seat covers to try and make our park benches more comfortable.

But being a cheap a$$ sometimes I didn't want to drop the $100-300 for one of the "good" seat covers to try this out. Let me insert I'm not a fan of seat covers, nothing put on top is generally as well finished as what the factory intended......but there are always mitigating circumstances.

I really didn't like anything in the $30-40 range I found at the local Pep-Boys, so after a morning spent on the internet I decided to buy these from an ebay seller. The description leaves a LOT to be desired and if not for their much more expensive other sets that show the same graphic and tout that they are specifically patterned and sown for your car would I have pulled the trigger.

Exact Fit Seat Covers - There is a link to their ebay store as I'm sure if I just posted the link to my item it won't work in a week or 2.

What I got was a set of very thick velour (I wanted the "endura" (canvas?) ones they mention in the ad but it's not exactly clear if this is a choice and apparently it's not) Covers, they fit very tightly over the stock seats and if I had to guess they made the pattern from the Honda available set. I ended up unbolting the seats to get the underside strapping on there, tight and concealed easier.

I waited a week to post this so I had a small amount of live with them time. The foam thing didn't work out for me, save for a small piece I left at the small of my back for a bit of lumbar support which does help. It just made the seats puffier but somehow more ackward and uncomfortable.

So I'm saying if you have cracked seats, or just like covers to protect the factory these seem to be a pretty nice and fairly inexpensive choice. Could they be better? I'm sure, but not sure how really and still be removeable seat covers. I'm still not used to the fact that you don't slide across them to get in as well (the velour grabs at your clothes as you slide in). I do VERY MUCH like that as the Honda available ones they are clearly meant to not mess with the side air bags, and the color matches very nicely!

Sorry, completely forgot, I got them for $35 from the ebay seller. They have full sets front and back for as much as $1xx and if I could get the Canvas Material for a few $ more in retrospect I'd have done that but......

 

[retox]

Costco $avings on Coverking seat covers

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11229049&search=coverking&Sp=S&Mo=5&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=coverking&Ntt=coverking&cm_mmc=BCEmail_AprMailer-_-Focus-_-13-_-CoverKingCovers&ec=1&No=5&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
Just thought I'd share, I know I'm tempted to get the red/black to go with my Rallye Red 05' EX :detective:
Cover king sells these same covers for $150 on their ebay store with free shipping... save $10 more if a Costco member
Limited Time Offer:

Valid for orders placed April 5, 2010
through April 25, 2010.
While supplies last.

1 Row

Online price
$169.99
**Less-$30.00
YOUR COST
$139.99

2 Rows

Online price
$329.99
**Less -$60.00
YOUR COST
$269.99

3 Rows

Online price
$499.99
**Less-$100.00
YOUR COST
$399.99

 

[goldenretriever]

GT Seat Covers Review

I recently purchased a set of front and rear GT Seat Covers for my 2010. I choose to go with light grey with dark grey inserts. Grading is totally my personal opinion (everyone has their own). Pics are below.

Cost/Grade: A, Comparable to Wet Okole and all other similar seat cover manufacturers.

Shipping/Grade: A+, Considering that these are not off the shelf and custom built to order, it took 6 days from the time of order to the arrival at my doorstep.

Quality/Grade: A, Stitching and material all appear to be of the best quality. I looked at all the of the seams and can't find anything wrong. There is no colored piping, just reversed folded over seems.

Material/Grade: B+, color could have been a bit better. I don't think that the light gray really is light gray, it could be argued it's almost blue. As for water repellant, nothing penetrated after letting a puddle of water sit for 15 minutes. Note 1, the material doesn't stretch a millimeter. Note 2, I cut myself installing the front and some blood sat on the seat for about 10 minutes, long enough to dry (it was a thin layer). It came right out with just water and a rag.

Instructions/Grade: F, While I understand the cost implications associated with producing unique instructions for each of every vehicle someone ordered a set of covers for, but what was provided was totally worthless. You might as well not even send them. I had to figure it out on my own (not a big deal as I am an engineer).

Ease of installation/Grade: C, I imagine with all of the various seat covers, they are all a PITA to install as they are all tight. Not being tight would not look good when installed. Rears where easy to install but should be done with the seats out of the vehicle. Front where done with the seats in the vehicle, but really would have been easier out of the vehicle. Getting under the fronts to pass the seat back and seat bottom as it wraps/ties together was a HUGE challenge. Also the interference between the stock seat back cover as it wraps under the seat makes it a bit difficult to install the wrap around feature for the seat bottom. I was not able to disconnect the stock attachment springs. It's doable but takes some time to figure it out.

Couple of complaints:
Fronts - there is a mistake in the pattern. There is no cut out for the seat beat to retract into it's location in the seat bottom. I had to cut a slot in the material (not visible from the outside) otherwise the material bunched up on the belt and the belt won't retract.

Rears - there is another mistake in the pattern. There needs to be a cut out slit where the hinge slips between the cover and it can velcro together (shown below). I wasn't about to try to remove the seat back from the seat bottom just to install the cover. It just cut out this to slip on both sides of the hinge. It velcros together.

Both F & R - Because the material doesn't stretch and it's tight, the seat back attachment at the bottom isn't connected via the provided velcro. It just won't stretch.

Side air bags - there is a side airbag cut out in the seat. I assume that they have done their homework and it will not prevent the airbag from deploying.

Overall. B- to C+ Based solely what I see on the site, I think I'd go with Wet Okole, especially if you want them to look good for the bling bling factor. I am all about function over form, so it doesn't matter much to me. I am good with them.

Questions, let me know (I don't think I missed anything). Thanks!

J and H

 

[goldenretriever]

A couple of pics.

 

[goldenretriever]

More pics............

 

[goldenretriever]

Another one..............

 

[goldenretriever]

The last of them.. installed.

 

[gryhoundz]

seat covers from car cover planet?

Has anyone tried these seat covers from car cover planet?
I have a 2004 EX with side air bags so I thought these in the neoprene would be a good choice?

http://www.carcoverplanet.com/2004-honda-element_neoprene-seat-cover.html

 

[pastycrab]

These are the same as CoverKing seat covers. If you search around lots of folks here have them and like them. I bought a neoprene set from Auto Accessories Garage for about the same price, maybe less. They fit well and match the colors in the E nicely (I got black with Charcoal inset). They're worth the money for sure.

 

[Type X]

Yes, cracking seat covers. How about those OEM seat covers? they're less than half the price of the custom covers, and the custom covers appears to be fraught with installation problems and customer service issues.

Has anyone out there tried the OEM covers? they're pretty spiffy-looking....but are they garbage?

any info welcome. thanks.

ps: desert play is my passion (interior dunes, not beach dunes), and no wet dogs or dog claws to worry about (just cats screaming from their carriers)

I installed the oem neoprene covers on our 04 element, my dad had ripped the oem seatcover.

All in all they are nice, cover about 95% of the seat, the sides do tend to "roll up" , like when you get in the car they roll towards the center of the seat since they dont cover the whole seat, just the front fascia

If that doesn't make sense lemme know and i'll take some pix