How to Fit Car Mats Quickly & Easily

Fitting a car mat should be a 2-minute job and with our help you can get it done even faster - like a pit-stop pro.

We always look to make our car mats as easy as possible to fit, and sell them with installation guidance.

We’re going to share a bit of that installation guidance with you today, covering some of the commonly searched questions about car mat installation.

Which way do car mats go

For front seat mats, you will usually be able to work out which way they go based on the side that has a cutout.

So generally the side that looks a bit flatter tends to be the ‘back’, or closest to the chair that a driver or passenger is sitting on.

The side that has a bit cut out either goes into the footwell and underneath the pedals, or up the little footwell slope which is under where your glove compartment is.

Obviously words only go so far, so we’ve also added some images to make things a bit easier for you to visualise.

How to stop car mats from moving

If you’re wondering how to stop car mats from sliding, you should make sure that first and foremost you’re getting a custom cut mat specific to your car’s make and model.

Ideally you’ll also have a footwell with clips, which will keep your car mat in place.

If you’ve got the right car mat, the clip will slot into the fixing on the mat and that will stop any slipping and sliding. Most modern cars have clips in the driver and passenger footwells. Simply push the mat firmly onto the clip until you hear a click, that way you know it is fully secure.

However, some cars do not have clips, which then begs the question, how do you secure mats in-place?

For the most part, as rear and passenger mats slipping isn’t as much of a safety risk, you probably don’t have to secure them. But, if you have no driver mat clips or you have little ones that are prone to spilling things, you can secure them in place;

How to stick car mats down

When securing car mats without clips, you can stick rear mats down with velcro strips or double-sided carpet tape which can usually be picked up from places like Amazon.

We would recommend going for velcro as anything sticky could damage the footwell, which could make your interior look a little more weathered come resale time.

What car mats fit my car 

As we have already covered briefly, the best way to reduce slipping is to get a car mat that properly fits your footwell.

While there are universal options that should fit and are handy for those looking for an interim replacement, the mats you need to ensure proper fit will be specific to your car.

 So here are the details you need to get a perfect-fit car mat

• The make (i.e. VW)

• The model (i.e. Golf)

• The version of the model (i.e. Golf GTI)

• The year (i.e. 2012)

Or, you can use the handy registration plate tool on our website which can pull all of that information for you. We highly recommend this and many of our customers find this much quicker and easier. It also ensures all angles are covered and you haven’t forgotten any details.

While it may seem like a minor detail, the year is very important. For example here is a 2007-2015 Volkswagen Passat car mat next to the more recent model mats, as you can see the outlines are quite different.

Out with the old: getting rid of your old mats

When it’s time to replace your car mats, removal should be quick and straightforward. Most modern car mats are secured with clips, making removal as simple as possible.

How to remove car mats

Begin by checking if your mats are secured with clips. 

These clips usually twist or pop out easily and it’s a case of gripping the clip firmly and either rotating it a quarter-turn or gently pulling upwards. 

Once the clip is released, lift the mat out of the footwell.

For mats without clips, simply grasp the edges and lift them carefully out. 

Make sure to be careful as some mats will be stuck down with Velcro and a quick yank could damage the footwell. This is the perfect time to give your car a quick hoover/vacuum, after all, you’ll want to lay your new car mats down on a clean surface so they look their best.

Disposing of car mats

Generally car mats will fall under general waste, however there are ways to recycle and reuse old mats. We’ll write a blog on this shortly.

What are the best car mats

The best mat for you will depend on what you need and whether it’s a bit of luxury or some rubber durability.

But in terms of the best mats for proper fit, the best fit will always be a custom fit car mat.

Order one today with Finest Car Mats, or reach out to us if you have any questions.