Gotya Covered’s Tips: How Do I Install 4WD Seat Covers with Ease

If you’ve invested in Gotya Covered’s durable 4WD seat covers, you’ve taken the first step in protecting your vehicle’s interior from the wear and tear of off-road adventures. 

But to get the most out of your new seat covers, proper installation is key. 

Whether you’re fitting seat covers for the first time or need a refresher, our guide walks you through the process step by step, ensuring a snug, reliable fit that doesn’t compromise your vehicle’s functionality.

Why does proper installation matter?

Correct installation ensures that your seat covers fit securely, providing maximum protection for your seats. 

A well-installed cover will shield your seats from mud, spills, and UV damage, whilst retaining access to your original seat features including buttons, levers and adjustments.  

Furthermore, correctly installed covers will allow for safe deployment of seat fitted airbags, and provide access to ISO fix anchor points for when installing child car seats.

By following our tips, you’ll also prolong the lifespan of your seat covers, ensuring they stay put and look great for years to come.

Preparing for installation

The first step in any 4WD seat cover installation is preparation. Taking a few moments to prep your vehicle will make the fitting process smoother and more efficient.

1. Clean your seats

Dust, dirt, and debris can interfere with the fit of your seat covers and may even cause unnecessary wear over time. Before installation, use a vacuum or a soft cloth to clean them, and wipe down the surfaces if needed. This not only ensures a clean finish but also prevents grit from scratching the underside of the cover or your seat material. Remove any items from seat pockets.

2. Adjust your seats

Move your seats to a position that gives you the best access to all sides. For instance, reclining the seat back slightly or raising the seat base may make it easier to slide the covers on and secure fastenings.

3. Remove the headrests

For most installations, removing the headrests will give you a clearer path to fit the seat cover over the backrest. Don’t worry—our seat covers are designed with dedicated headrest covers for a seamless finish once reattached.

Step-by-step installation guide

With your vehicle prepped, it’s time to install your seat covers. Follow these steps to ensure an excellent fit of your Gotya Covered seat covers. 

1. Fit the seat back cover

• Start by sliding the seat back cover over the top of the seat, ensuring it aligns with the contours of the backrest.

• Pull the cover downward, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go.

• If necessary, reattach the headrest after the backrest cover is partially in place. This allows you to ensure a snug fit without leaving gaps around the headrest posts. Then slide the cover all the way down. (The cover should be a good tight fit).

• Make sure the seams of the cover are lined up with the seams of the seat.

Why this step matters: A properly aligned backrest cover not only looks great, but also ensures that side airbags (if present) remain unobstructed. We’ll cover this in more detail below.

2. Secure the bottom flap

• Locate the front bottom flap of the seat back cover and push it through the gap between the backrest and seat base.

• From the rear of the seat, pull the flap tight and attach it to the Velcro inside the rear of the cover.

Why this step matters: This flap secures the cover in place, preventing it from slipping during use. It’s particularly important for off-road driving, where movement in the vehicle can be more dynamic.

3. Install the seat base cover

• Slide the seat base cover over the cushion, making sure it doesn’t obstruct any levers or buttons.

• Wrap the side flaps around the seat base and secure them tightly to the centre flap using the attached Velcro.

• Some of our designs may not have side flaps and instead use a “tuck in” side border. This is to be tucked in behind the side plastic trim of the seat. Any side to side straps are also to be tucked behind the plastic and fasten securely under the seat.

• If the cover includes straps, thread them underneath the seat, avoiding seat tracks and mechanisms. Pull the straps tight and secure them to the opposite side.

• For covers with joined cushions and backrests, thread the straps through the seam and fasten them underneath the seat.
  
  TIP: When tightening the front to back straps, recline the seat forward and make sure the seam where the back and base are joined is pushed all the way back into the seat. This will give the best fit and make sure no area of the cushion is exposed.

Why this step matters: A properly installed seat base cover ensures maximum coverage and prevents the cover from shifting during use. Clearing levers and tracks is essential to maintain the full functionality and safety features of adjustable seats.

Special considerations for seats with airbags

Modern 4WD vehicles often come equipped with seat-fitted airbags for added safety. Our seat covers are specifically designed and tested to accommodate these features, but proper installation is crucial.

Ensuring airbag compatibility

• Check for the airbag-certified tag and opening on the seat cover. This is to be positioned on the side of the backrest nearest the door.

Note: Some newer vehicles are equipped with a Dual driver airbag / centre airbag. The driver seat cover has openings on both sides of the cover, as well as two “Airbag Certified” tags.

• During installation, align the cover so the opening is positioned correctly. This ensures the airbag can deploy safely and unobstructed in the event of an accident.

Why this step matters: Airbags are a critical safety feature, and any obstruction could compromise their effectiveness. Gotya Covered seat covers are rigorously tested and certified by the leading crash test facility in Victoria, Australia for airbag compatibility, giving you peace of mind when you’re on or off the road.

Final seat cover adjustments and tips

Once all parts are installed, take a few extra moments to perfect the fit and check functionality.

1. Smooth and tighten

Go over each cover, smoothing out wrinkles and ensuring all straps, flaps, and Velcro are secure. A tight fit not only looks better but prevents the cover from moving during use, so you get the full benefits of your seat covers.

2. Test seat functionality

Adjust your seat to confirm that levers, buttons, and tracks are accessible and operational. For vehicles with heated or cooled seats, test these functions to ensure they work as expected.

Gotya Covered seat covers are designed to work seamlessly with your seat’s features. Testing functionality features of your seats during installation saves time and avoids potential issues later.

3. Monitor and re-tension

Over time, your seat covers will mould to the shape of your seats, improving their fit. Periodically check the straps and Velcro fastenings and re-tension them if necessary.

Regular adjustments keep your seat covers secure and in excellent condition, even with daily use and off-road wear and tear.

Our troubleshooting tips

If you encounter any challenges during installation, here are some quick fixes:

• Loose fit: Double-check that all straps and flaps are tightened properly. Ensure that the seams of the cover are lined up with the seams of your seat. The initial fit may feel slightly loose, but this will improve as the covers settle and wear in.

• Obstructed levers or buttons: Ensure the cover is positioned correctly and adjust as needed.

• Straps interfering with seat tracks: Rethread the straps to avoid crossing over moving parts.

For persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly support team who are here to ensure you get the most out of your new seat covers. 

Enjoy your Gotya Covered seat covers

Properly installed Gotya Covered 4WD seat covers not only protect your vehicle’s interior but also enhance its appearance and functionality. By following these installation tips, you’ll ensure a secure fit that stands up to the demands of off-road adventures while maintaining the comfort and safety features of your seats.

Ready to hit the road? With your new seat covers installed, your vehicle is equipped for whatever the trail throws your way. Keep these tips handy for re-tensioning or future installations. For more information, head over to our dedicated fitting instructions page.