[Proph]

Due to the nature of my job I have strangers driving my car all day and so I bought a set of car seat covers to protect the upholstery. They require that I remove the head rests to install them but I can't figure out how to, any ideas please?

 

[oldskool]

iirc theres a button on the side of the headrest to allow them to move - never tried taking mine completely off though so not sure if the button allows that

 

[Paulch]

iirc theres a button on the side of the headrest to allow them to move - never tried taking mine completely off though so not sure if the button allows that

Hi

It did in my old Astra.

Cheers

Paul

 

[joe.bloggs1]

I have coat hangers on my headrests. My dealership told me they dont come off anymore. They are only height adjustable. They believe its down to some safety thing. They used to be able to come off as they had a small button u used to press in. It was difficult but manageable. I have shopping bag hooks that i cant use now because the headrests dont come off. Thankfully i could use my hangers.

 

[astramaster]

Impossible to remove? :lol: Nothing is impossible!

Headrest was easy to remove on Astra H... But with Astra J and K is a little different because of the active headrest mechanism.
Here you have some instructions on how to remove it:
http://www.astraownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?121715
http://workshop-manuals.com/vauxhall/astra-j/seats/technical_service_bulletins/loose_missing_broken/active_headrest_triggered/
http://workshop-manuals.com/vauxhall/astra-j/seats/seat_hardware_trim_and_upholstery/repair_instructions/driver_or_passenger_seat_head_restraint_replacement/

 

[Proph]

Thanks astramaster, you manage to find 3 different explanations and yet I'm not confident of any of them lol. Also I read fitting car seats can cause issues with airbag deployment so may be unsafe.
I just want to protect my new car seats from my kids food disasters and my students. Why is it so complicated?

 

[oldskool]

i have these i use for when i want to transport muddy kids in my astra without getting the leather dirty - they fit in seconds and no need to take off headrest - not sure how long they would last fitted permanently though

i use a velcro cable tidy to tension the elastic tensioners at the rear base of seat/cover
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191774480366?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[drey_p]

I just want to protect my new car seats from my kids food disasters and my students. Why is it so complicated?

You could try a fabric protection spray. That is what I used in my current car on the carpets and also the cloth part of the seats. It seemed to stop the dirt from getting ingrained and most marks just wiped off.

 

[Proph]

Thanks guys will look into both options.

 

[SwissTJ]

I would like to be associated with the remarks of my learned friend, Mr drey_p.

"Some safety thing" - yup, GM would like you NOT fiddle with the safety systems of your car. If you really really need to do it i'd recommend a chat with your friendly VX dealership.

 

[drey_p]

I would like to be associated with the remarks of my learned friend, Mr drey_p.

Thanks SwissTJ!

Proph - we've just ordered a number of cans of Diamondbrite fabric protector from Fleabay. I've used it in my current car and also when we got new dining room chairs. The trick is not to over saturate the fabric it to dry for about 20 - 30 minutes and then do another coating. 2 - 3 coats is usually enough to give good protection and make sure you've not missed any bits. You could then top it up every few months. It definitely does work and things do stay cleaner for longer.

 

[Proph]

thanks, I'll check it out, my last car had diamondbrite interior and paintwork protection, I bought it as an ad on at time of sale but opted out of buying anything from the dealership this time as when I rang the company to ask if they would redo it if I had damage to a panel they said no so I felt robed. I'll look it up on the bay though. Cheers

 

[drey_p]

If you want to put any protection like Diamondbrite or LIfeShine onto your car, you can get the kits from Fleabay and do it yourself. It'll get you the same protection but without the guarantees that the manufacturers give you.

I can definitely vouch for the Diamondbrite fabric protection - it does work. I've not tried other brands like Scotchgard so can't give you a comparison.