Underneath a car seat is a hub of cables and connectors that tend to be confusing and sometimes intimidating. You’ll understand what we are talking about if you’ve ever had a reason to remove your car seat. In this article, we’ll try to shed light on what the connectors under car seats are for.
Connectors under car seats include seat belt sensors, side airbag connectors, and a connector that compiles the wiring harness from the backrest.
Since many people don’t have a reason to look under their car seats, chances are you have no idea what’s under your car seats. If you ever find yourself looking under your car seat, what you are about to learn here will come in handy. So, continue reading.
What’s It Like Under Car Seats
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are a number of cables and connectors under car seats. The exact type and number of cables you see will depend on the make and model of your car. However, it’s kind of standard to see some types of cables and one of these is the yellow cable/connector which is connected to the side impact airbag inflator.
Many manufacturers use yellow color for cables connected to the side impact airbag inflator and you should be careful not to tamper with these cables/connectors when removing your car as you can accidentally deploy the airbag it’s connected to.
Some car models also have sensors that detect if there’s someone in the seat. And in such vehicles, you’ll find cables connected to the sensors under the car seats. You may also find a connector that compiles the wiring harness from the backrest under your car seat.
find the schematics or wiring diagrams of the car.
You can find the wiring diagrams of a car in the owner’s manual or in a separate wiring diagrams manual. However, for a wiring diagram to have any meaning to you, you need to learn how to interpret it and we’ll be explaining this below.
Understanding A Car’s Wiring Diagram
Understanding a car’s wiring diagram isn’t rocket science many people think it is. It’s actually very simple once you have a grasp of the basics. To understand the wiring components of your car, you will need a wiring diagram.
To interpret a wiring diagram, you need to identify the circuit you are interested in. After all, there are several circuits and electrical components in a car. Then use the legend or key to identify what the symbols in the circuit mean.
A typical circuit has five basic parts and these include the power supply, fuse, switch, load, and battery. Once you get a hang of these components, interpreting a wiring diagram is going to be a breeze.
Car Seat Maintenance
Your car seat can make or break your driving experience. Everyone would love a comfortable and well-maintained car seat when driving to their destination, right? But it takes some maintenance to keep car seats in top condition especially if your car seats are made of leather.
Leather is generally considered a premium or luxury material and many people are willing to pay extra for it. If your car is made of leather, then you need to take maintenance more seriously since leather is more susceptible to sun damage and everyday wear and tear.
Below are tips for maintaining your car seat:
Clean Your Car Seats Occasionally
Clean your car seat with a clean piece of cloth and soapy water every now and then. If the seats are made of leather, use cleaning it conditioning spray products that are specifically designed for leather materials. You’ll find no shortage of such products on the market. Find one with good reviews and go for it.
Cleaning spray for leather consists of gentle again removers that are easy on leather and gently remove stains while protecting the leather.
Remove Loose Dirt And Contaminants
Over time, dirt, crumbs, and other contaminants will accumulate in your car seats and in the interior of your car as a whole. And a good way to get rid of loose dirt and contaminants is to use a portable vacuum cleaner. When using the vacuum cleaner, be sure to focus on the areas between cushions as dirt tends to accumulate more in those parts. It’s also more difficult to clean the aforementioned areas.
Scrub Car Seats And Wipe Away Excess Products
The type of material you use to scrub your car seats is important as some materials can scratch the seats depending on the material they are made of. A microfiber towel should then be used to wipe the seats.
Cost Of Replacing Or Repairing Car Seats
The cost of repairing car seats depends on the extent of damage, the material of the seat, and the make and model of the vehicle. For minor repairs, you can expect to spend anywhere between $70 to $400 depending on the cost of materials and the area you live. The hourly rate in your area will also affect your total expenses as some upholstery shops charge as much as $100 per hour.
If the damage is more significant, for example, a large split seam, you’ll have to spend more as larger tears require heavier machinery and more time. In a situation like this, the repair cost can go as high as $600 or $700.
Replacing the entire material of the seat is a significant material depending on the material you go for. Installing aftermarket leather on car seats can cost as much as $2000, the actual cost depending on your area and the upholstery shop you are using. But you can expect to pay a significant sum of money, especially if you want quality materials.
