We'd like to thank Don Elfrink of AutoMatStore.com for his contributions here at LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News. Don's expertise in the auto industry is a welcome addition to our blog. Don's artlicles will be a regualr addition to our automotive news blog so register now so you don't miss any of his great aricles and information.
Here at AutoMatStore.com we
know floor mats play an important role in your vehicle. They protect the
carpeting underneath as well as the metal beneath the carpet from water, dirt,
debris and odors. Every car should have a good set of car mats..
However, those mats can sometimes pose threats to your safety if installed or
used improperly. Consider the situation with Toyota a few years ago – when
vehicles began accelerating on their own, the company blamed ill-fitting floor
mats and sticking gas pedals. Do your floor mats pose a risk to your safety?
Below, you’ll learn more straight from the owner of a company that creates
personalized car mats about how you can protect yourself.
- Check factory mats. Many factory floor mats now come with
an eye and hook securement system to prevent the mat from moving forward
and affecting the brake or gas pedal. Make sure that the eye (grommet) and
the hook are in good condition. The eye will be on the floor mat itself,
and the hook will be a plastic piece affixed to the carpeting under the
mat. Make sure you keep the hook through the eye at all times to ensure
that the mat does not move forward and impede your ability to brake or
accelerate.
- Be ware of the backing. The backing on your floor mats is very
important. If you flip that mat over, you should find a rubberized surface
with extruded rubber nubs. Those nubs are significant – they’re designed
to dig into the carpeting and prevent the mat from sliding forward or
backward. If you notice that many of the nubs are missing (they can become
brittle and break off over time), it’s time to replace those floor mats
with newer options. When selecting new floor mats, opt for a set that has
good backing to ensure that the mats stay in place.
- Check the fit. While you might think that one floor
mat size will fit most cars, that’s not really true. While there are
“universal” mats out there, it’s better to opt for a set that is made
specifically for the vehicle you’re driving. A mat that is too large (for
instance, using a truck mat in a compact car) can roll or slide, impeding
your ability to brake or accelerate. Floor mats that are too small for
your vehicle won’t offer the protection that your carpeting and
floorboards need.
- Don’t simply throw them
out. Given the ways that
ill-fitting floor mats can affect your safety, you might be tempted to go
without them altogether. However, that’s not a wise idea. Floor mats are
used for good reasons. They offer important protection for the carpeting
underneath your feet. For instance, when you drive, you place your toes
and upper portion of your foot on the gas or brake. However, your heel
rests on the floor. Over time, this will wear a hole in the carpeting.
Floor mats protect your carpet from that demise. Additionally, a good set
of floor mats will protect your carpet from dirt and water on your shoes
and help keep it in good condition for years to come.
- Be careful when buying
new floor mats. There will come
a time when you have to replace your old floor mats. They do wear out over
time, and knowing a few important tips will ensure that you get the right
quality mats. First, go to www.automatstore.com
to discover a quality mat that fits your car – you want to buy a brand
that’s recognized for quality. You also want to ensure that the mats are
constructed from sturdy material – good quality rubber and carpet are the
hallmarks of decent mats. Check the back for grip before you buy, and if
you’re buying carpeted mats, make sure you match the interior carpet color
of your car.
Floor mats might seem
inconsequential, but they’re an essential consideration. With the tips above
from Don Elfrink, owner of www.automatstore.com, you should be able to stay
safe while protecting the interior of your vehicle.
Don Elfrink is the
owner and operator of AutoMatStore, an auto flooring company based out
Columbia, Missouri. Before AutoMatStore, Elfrink was the operator of an automotive
production site. AutoMatStore focuses on all-weather, logo, carpeted and molded
car mat.
http://test.skimlinks.com
http://test.skimlinks.com
