Mats in the car are needed not only to protect the salon from dirt, but also to create beauty, comfort. The range of mats is huge, you can choose with your preferences. In this article, read about mats made of different materials, their choice, as well as about caring for them.
The characteristics of floor mats depend on the material from which they are made and the features of molding. Here are the main types of mats presented in auto stores.
Rubber mats
The most practical and budget option. Mats do not move on the floor, as on the reverse surface they have spikes. They are durable, moisture resistant, easy to clean.
The disadvantages of such mats is a significant mass and smell at elevated ambient temperatures. In bad weather, water accumulates in them, slopping under your feet. In the cold, frozen shoes slide even on ribbed rubber.
More practical car mats made of NBR rubber. The material is wear-resistant, does not deteriorate from aggressive influences, elastic even at a negative ambient temperature. It is easy to clean and wash, and the cost is quite affordable.
Such mats lie well on an uneven floor, if necessary, they are easy to cut to the desired size. On the reverse side there are spikes that do not allow it to move on the carpet in the cabin.
PVC (“silicone”)
They are not permeable to moisture and do not absorb it. Their design is far from ideal, but they protect the interior of the car from water and dirt. You can carefully pull them out of the cabin and drain the water.
At a negative ambient temperature, they harden and can crack. If there are no spikes on the back of the mats, then they significantly slide on the floor and axe. These mats are affordable. You can replace them after each rainy season.
Mats with sides – the most popular
This type of car mat is the most common. Water in bad weather does not go beyond the sides of the mats and does not fall on the upholstery. Usually the height of the sides is not more than 5 cm.
The disadvantage of mats with sides is the fact that they do not always look aesthetically pleasing. Also, over the edges of the sides, you can catch a heel.
Cellular mats – color for every taste
Made of ethylene vinyl acetate. In structure, such mats resemble honeycombs, and their colors are different. Cells are the main feature of such mats. All the garbage and dirt from the shoes settle in the cells and are not covered throughout the cabin.
The disadvantage of such mats is that they are mined under sharp heels and are more suitable for a flat floor.
Some cellular mats have Velcro to fix to the carpet. It is better to choose models without them, it facilitates the process of digging the mat out of the cabin, splashes of water and dirt will not fly into the face after a jerk.
Pile mats – an eternal classic
They are pile homogeneous and with pile on a rubber basis. Most often they are included with a new car. Pile mats have a beautiful look, they are perfectly combined with the upholsy of the cabin, absorb moisture well. On such mats, the legs do not slip.
It is inconvenient to use them in bad weather, as they absorb moisture well and smell of dampness.
But the choice of these car mats is huge. It is worth giving preference to models with a greater thickness. This applies to mats for the trunk and interior.
There are combined rubber mats with the insertion of a pile element, which can simply be removed and cleaned. It is not recommended to wet the reverse side of the mats, otherwise they will leave traces on the carpet of the salon.
Leather mats – quality and status
Products made of genuine leather look great. They emphasize the status of their owner. Mats are durable, last a long time, reliable, do not deteriorate from the effects of heels. You can choose leather mats for a car of a certain brand or universal.
You can order mats with a single design of seat covers and upholstery. The lack of leather mats in their high cost.
Eco-leather mats – nice design
They are distinguished by durability, reliability, they have a pleasant appearance, the cost is lower than that of mats made of genuine leather.
The disadvantages of eco-leather mats are that gradually they are covered with scratches and cracks from sharp heels, metal objects. If the surface layer is partially stripped off, the underlying tissue base is visible.
Fabric mats – cozy velour
These mats are often included with a new car. They are pleasant in appearance, well retain moisture and dust, legs do not slide on them. If they are regularly dried, they will not deform at a negative ambient temperature.
With regular use, fabric mats quickly lose their original appearance. Often such mats are made of velour.
3D mats – universal
These mats consist of several layers connected by special technologies. They have a pleasant appearance, they well protect the cabin from pollution and moisture. They perfectly skirt the unevenness of the floor in the car. In addition, 3D mats can be operated at any time of the year.
Caring for them is easy. The price of mats is justified by their quality.
The disadvantages of mats include partial absorption of moisture. This means that you need to dry them and there is a risk of an unpleasant odor.
5D mats – reliability and durability
These mats are becoming increasingly popular. Their name is associated with a multi-layer structure. Mats are very strong, durable, wear-resistant. They provide good heat and noise insulation. Over time, the top layer of mats loses its appeal.
Floor mats care
Even practical and hard-wearing car mats need care, so there are a number of rules for their use:
- Do not dry washed rubber mats in the sun, otherwise they will become stiff and cracked. It is better to wipe them with a rag and lay them on a prepared place in the cabin.
- Many types of car mats are destroyed by chemical liquids (such as brake fluid or acetone). Therefore, protect them from these aggressive substances.
- Take the mats out of the interior from time to time and shake them out or wash them with water. Otherwise, they will be worn out to a hole under your feet from sand and stones.
- Get behind a wheel only in comfortable low-heeled shoes or without them at all. You may change your shoes on purpose in the car. This way the driver will be comfortable pressing the pedals, and the mats won’t suffer.
- The pile mats are cleaned with brushes and vacuum cleaner, and sometimes they are washed.
Installing the mats
Putting mats on the floor is not difficult, but there are nuances to the job. In 2009, Toyota recalled about 4 million cars and suffered huge losses because of the car mats. The mat was touching the gas pedal with its edge, which caused 13 car accidents and the death of 5 people. The reason for this was the factory mats were not properly matched to certain car models.
Toyota then developed special instructions for proper installation of the mats. They are fixed with clip hooks that keep the mat from shifting under the pedals. It is recommended to keep an eye on the serviceability of these hooks.
Here are a few more tips for installing floor mats safely:
- If the mats are not original and there are no eyelets on them, it is recommended to make the holes yourself and fix the mat with clips.
- After installing the mat at the pedals, check that all of them are pressed fully and that the mat is not obstructed.
- Choose mats that have locking studs on the back so they do not move around on the car floor.
- Do not place car mats on top of each other, as the top one will slip anyway. It is better to change mats according to the season and use them separately.
From the experience of many drivers, it is known that the original mat is the best. It completely covers the floor of the car and does not allow the upholstery to get dirty. If you need one mat for a long time, it is better to choose a leather one.
Taking care of your car pay attention to the mats in it. Clean and wash them regularly, thus keeping the interior clean and tidy. From the many mats you can choose the most suitable and beautiful. The main thing is to install them so that the car ride is safe.
