When you purchase a new car, you’ll be asked about upgrades. Within those packages, leather seats seem like a luxury option that will look slick. As a benefit, the material is less likely than cloth to stain and absorb spills, easily wiped clean.
However, beyond the surface allure, leather seats come with a few cosmetic and safety concerns. So, before making a decision, think about the following factors.
1. Price Tag
Unless you’re purchasing a luxury vehicle, leather seats as an upgrade will come at a cost. Yet, you don’t always get what you pay for. “Leather” may actually be faux leather, which cracks and shows wear in far less time.
More authentic materials will maintain their appearance for longer, but eventually that same crackled, plastic-like appearance emerges.
2. Dealing with Heat
Leather can become extremely hot during the summer months. The material – especially in darker shades – easily absorbs heat. Whenever you go for a drive, all the heat makes your legs sweat and you could even suffer a burn. Just how hot can leather get? After being exposed to the sun for several hours in summer, the material’s surface can get up to 200 degrees.
3. Dealing with the Cold
On the other hand, don’t think you get a reprieve in winter. Leather also absorbs the cold and your freezing seat will need to be warmed up. While some might let the car run for a bit, heated seats are frequently offered to combat this issue, but they’ll come with an additional cost.
4. High Maintenance
While cloth might absorb stains and odors, it comes with far less maintenance. Anyone with leather car seats must be prepared to clean and condition the material every couple of months. Otherwise, your seats lose their luster and soon begin to show signs of wear from sweat, dust and dirt – all of which can seep into the material’s pores. Eventually, you’ll notice it harden and show larger cracks.
Additionally while leather seems tougher, it can still rip and tear. As such, expect to pay a higher cost whenever the car needs to be reupholstered.
5. Less Friction
More of an inconvenience than a hazard, leather has less friction than cloth. Should you put shopping bags on the backseat, expect them to slide around or fall over during your drive. This could result in broken eggs and jars or damage to expensive electronics.
If you choose leather car seats, be sure to keep up with a maintenance schedule to keep them looking fresh. Whether you need to have a professional clean your leather or completely reupholster the seats, turn to DaSilva’s Auto Body for high-quality detailing services. To learn more about what we do, give us a call today.
