Treat Your Feet to New Floor Mats

DIY

Interior

Guides

Gary Lieber

February 17, 2016

Gary Lieber

February 17, 2016

Today’s vehicles come standard with a lot more features that used to be costly options. But one item continues to be mostly optional: floor mats. Dealer-installed floor mats can be pricey, with limited styles and questionable quality.

Here’s the good news: eBay sellers offer floor mats that fit every taste, need and budget - opens in new window or tab.. Here’s what you need to know.

Carpet Floor Mats

If the style of your interior is important, then go with a carpet floor mat. They are available in a wide variety of fiber types—including polypropylene, nylon yarn, and natural materials like sisal and even wool. For the best durability and stain resistance, floor mats that use synthetic materials are your best choice. Other considerations are the thickness of the woven carpet pile and the type of backing.

Carpet thickness is measured by the weight of the carpet fibers, ranging from about 18 to 48 ounces. Higher weight corresponds to a thicker carpet, with most carpets falling in the mid-range of about 20 ounces. The carpet backing should be heavy enough to keep the floor mats’ shape, and keep the mats laying flat—providing a barrier so that water, mud, and spills don’t penetrate to the vehicle’s carpet.

Carpet floor mats are available in an array of colors and shades, and can be matched to your car’s carpet color. Or you can consider a contrasting color. Carpeted floor mats also allow for embroidery customization and personalization. Whether it is your favorite team’s logo, or your vehicle’s model name—or even your initials. Let your imagination run wild.

All-Weather Floor Mats

If style is not as important as toughness, then all-weather floor mats are for you. The biggest reason to use all-weather floor mats is that they trap liquid, including snow, ice, rain, muck, and spills. The raised lip around the edge of the mat and its traction grooves form a barrier. Many floor mat manufacturers take pride in how many cups of liquid can be held back.

All-weather mats are typically made from a rigid molded thermoplastic or softer rubber. This type of mat is easy to clean and can be easily removed while safely holding the spillage that was collected. (Deep grooves can make cleaning rubber mats a bit more difficult.)

All-weather mats also offer the ability to be customized with car logos or designs reflecting enthusiasm for your favorite sports team.

Custom Versus Universal

Most floor mats are available either as a custom-fit manufactured specifically for your vehicle or in a universal mat fit for a wide variety of vehicles.

Custom-fit mats use the manufacturer’s design specifications. They conform to every contour of the floor—trapping the maximum amount of mess. As you might expect, custom mats are also the most expensive.

Floor mat safety — Regardless of the mat type, make sure they are properly secured to the floor.

Universal or semi-custom fit mats are designed for a wider variety of vehicles. Usually they are designated by vehicle segment, such as compact, full-size, truck, or SUV. They generally don’t offer as much coverage as custom mats and, for all-weather versions, often don’t offer side lips. These mats are commonly made of lower quality materials, but usually offer cost savings.

For all floor mats, make sure that they can be secured to the floor with clips or factory floor-posts. Safety is paramount: use the clips or posts to make sure mats don’t interfere in any way with gas or brake pedals.

About the author

Gary Lieber

Gary Lieber is a regular contributor to the eBay Motors Blog, Clean Fleet Reports, and MyRideIsMe.com. His Porsche 911 is a multiple Concours winner including Top 911 at Porsche Parade in 2005 and 2015. His Volkswagen GTI has been tricked out with engine management upgrades and style enhancements not commonly available on this side of the pond.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.