Just like driving a car without a license is risky, using a car without a floor mat can harm your health. It may not affect you temporarily, but it will surely reflect in your health in the long term. So, whether it’s a car seat cover or a floor mat, protecting and ensuring proper cleanliness in your vehicle is essential.
A car floor mat not only protects it but also gives it an aesthetic appeal. Among many types of floor mats available in the market, you might wonder which one to choose, right?
To make your decision easier, through this blog, I will review 2 top-rated car floor mats – Heated mats and Lightweight mats.
Heated Floor Mats
Made of carbon fiber, and PVC/ rubber, these heated floor mats have advanced heating features that often circulate the heat evenly across the surface of the mat. This can be beneficial for those who are looking for quick heating solutions as soon as they enter the car. To adjust the temperature, most of these mats provide an option to customize it as per individual choices. Alternatively, some of them already have built-in thermostats to ensure a desired heat level is maintained throughout the journey.
Types of Heated Car Floor Mats
- Universal Fit Mats – Widely used and fit most of the vehicles with basic pricing.
- Portable Mats – These are typically smaller ones, and can be easily moved and used outside the car too.
- Custom Fit Mats – These are designed to fit specific car models and have a better heat distribution system.
- In-Built Heating Mats – These are a blend of traditional ones with an in-built heating system for better and dual functionality.
But, how to use it?
These heated car floor mats are often operated using USB ports or the 12V DC cigarette lighter socket of a particular car. Mentioned below are some of the steps to install it:
- Plug the mat into the car’s socket
- Place it carefully on the floor with the anti-slip backing that is provided with it.
- In case the mat requires custom fitting, read the manual and follow the instructions.
Remember:
- The mat should not be used on too wet or bumpy areas.
- To avoid overheating, turn it off as soon it reaches the desired temperature.
- Do not use exposed or damaged car mats.
For cleaning, it is better to use a damp cloth rather than simply soaking it into the water. If not, it may affect its heating properties.
When it is in use, keep a check that no hard or sharp objects are placed on it. If not in use, you must store it in a cool place and ensure its cords are not tangled and arranged systematically.
Benefits:
Higher Energy Efficiency
These heated floor mats are designed to provide maximum efficiency. To do so, these mats reduce the dependability on the heating system of the car and thereby save battery power and fuel automatically.
Better Safety and Durability
Heated floor mats are usually made using non-slip and rugged materials so that they can effectively be used for daily usage and stay for a longer period.
Heats Up Quickly If you are looking for the best floor liners for your car, then this is probably the best fit. Unlike other mats that require a long time to warm up, heated floor mats are the best choice for many owners. Personally, I have been using heated mats in my car and I am quite happy with its instant heating feature.
Lightweight Car Floor Mats
For these, lightweight and durable materials like TPE ( Thermoplastic Elastomers), EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), and PP (Polypropylene) are used. These are often easy to maintain, install, and clean comparatively. If your car is in daily use, then this is probably the best choice.
Types of Lightweight Car Floor Mats
- Rubber Mats – These are water-resistant and quite flexible in nature. People usually prefer this for winter or rainy seasons.
- Carpet-based Mats – They have a soft finish with a luxe touch yet are easy to maintain.
- Weather-resistant Mats – As the name suggests, these mats are versatile mats that protect from moisture, and dirt across all seasons.
Now that you are aware of the types, let me tell me know it is used:
- Remove existing floor mats, if any; clean the entire floor properly.
- These mats are often categorized specifically for each area, so you first identify them.
- Once identified, place them in the right position, as suggested.
- Use clips, hooks, or any attachments, if given.
- If it has trim lines, then trim them in the correct size as per the area.
- Double-check to ensure that mats are properly fitted in all areas.
For better convenience, keep track of the placement of the floor mats periodically.
And what about the cleaning process? Here’s it:
- Remove the dirt by just shaking it off or using a vacuum on a daily or alternate basis.
- Clean it thoroughly using soap and water.
- Dry them properly before adding them back in the car.
- Keep an eye on the tears or cracks and replace them time-to-time, as and when required.
Benefits:
- Easy to Maintain
As they are light in weight, it is easier to remove, clean, and add back. This consumes less time and I personally recommend this to the ones who are using their car every day.
- Highly Durable in Nature
If you are looking for waterproof car floor mats, then lightweight mats are the ideal one. Made of the best materials, these can sustained for a longer time if maintained properly.
- Eco-friendly Options
If you are environmentally conscious, lightweight mats offer various options that are made using recyclable materials. So, you may simply opt for it.
Conclusion
Whether you are choosing lightweight or Heated car floor mats, ensure that you maintain them as required. If not taken care of, it won’t be worth investing your time and money. I would suggest first analyzing your requirements, budget, and usage and then moving forward to selecting the best one for your car.
