Seat covers for cars with side airbags: how to choose and fit them
Many cars built in the last 15 years or so have side airbags hidden inside the front seats. You can't see them, but they matter when you choose seat covers. A regular cover stretched over the side of the seat can sit right over the spot the airbag needs to come out of. This guide explains how to check your seats, which of our covers to choose, and how to fit them properly.
How side airbags in seats work
A seat-mounted side airbag sits inside the outer edge of the seat backrest, on the door side. In a side impact it inflates in a fraction of a second and bursts out through a seam in the seat's upholstery, between you and the door. Anything that covers that seam tightly can get in the way. That is why seat covers for these seats need an opening on the side, rather than being sewn closed all the way around.
How to check if your seats have side airbags
- Look for a label. Seats with side airbags usually have a small tag sewn into the outer side of the backrest that says "SRS Airbag", "Airbag" or "Side Airbag".
- Check your owner's manual. Look in the airbag or safety section. It will tell you where your airbags are and whether the manufacturer allows seat covers.
- Look for armrests. If a front seat has a fold-down armrest attached to the backrest, a standard cover won't fit over it either.
- Still not sure? Email a photo of the side of your front seats to support@raianasvibes.com and we'll help you work out which option to order.
Which Raiana's Vibes seat covers to choose
Our printed car seat covers (front pairs and full sets of 4) come in two front-seat versions. When you choose your set, pick the option that says "WITH integrated airbags and/or armrests" if your front seats have side airbags or armrests, or "WITHOUT integrated airbags and/or armrests" if they don't.
The "WITH" version has a sewn slit along the side of the backrest cover. The slit sits on the outer side of the seat so the cover isn't stretched closed over the airbag seam, and so an armrest can come through on the inner side.
Please note: our faux suede front seat covers (set of 2) don't come in an airbag version. They are not suitable for seats with side airbags, built-in seat belts or armrests. If your seats have any of these, choose one of our printed seat cover sets with the "WITH integrated airbags and/or armrests" option instead.
How to fit them properly
- Find the airbag label on the outer side of each front seat before you start.
- Line the slit up with the outer side of the backrest, where the airbag label and seam are. Make sure the opening sits over the seam, not to the front or back of it.
- Don't add anything over that side. No pins, tape, extra straps or a second cover on top.
- Check it again after the covers have been on for a few days, and every time you put them back on after washing, as covers can shift with use.
Our step-by-step video shows the rest of the fitting: how to install our car seat covers.
What about the rear seats?
Our rear seat covers don't have an airbag opening. In most cars, rear side airbags (where fitted) are in the door or the roof lining rather than the seat itself, but some vehicles do have them in the rear seats. If your manual or a seat label shows airbags in the rear seats, please don't cover them.
Always follow your car's manual
Every car is different. If your owner's manual says not to fit seat covers to seats with side airbags, please follow it, even if a cover has an airbag opening. And if your airbag warning light ever comes on, have your car checked by a mechanic or dealer.
Quick answers
Do I need the airbag version if only one front seat has an airbag?
Yes. Choose the "WITH integrated airbags and/or armrests" option for your front covers. The slit won't affect the fit on a seat without an airbag.
Will the slit make the cover look different?
Only slightly. The slit runs along the side of the backrest, so it's barely noticeable from the front of the seat.
Can I cut a slit in a cover myself?
We don't recommend it. A home-made cut can fray, sit in the wrong place or stretch closed. Order the version made for airbag seats instead.
I ordered the wrong version. What can I do?
Email us at support@raianasvibes.com as soon as you notice. Orders can be changed within 6 hours of ordering, and after that we'll help you with the options under our refund policy.
Ready to choose a design? Browse all our cute car seat covers, with options for seats with and without side airbags.