Nice. Congrats !!!!

 

Mike G., can you elaborate on what the airbag concern is with regard to aftermarket seatcovers? Thx.

 

There are side airbags in the seat backs. If the seat covers are not adapted for them, the airbags may not deploy or may deploy improperly and cause injury.

 

This is in fact, THE REASON many dealers will not do non-factory leather anymore. They do not want any added Airbag liability risks. They may point you to a shop where you can get it done, but THEY won't do it or have it done for you.

Some dealers still will. There's good money in it, still.

Supposedly, the leather has a "weak seam" on the side where the side air-bag is. This is so that the force of the airbag would split the leather at this seam, when coming out. That's what I've been told.

 

dalemccl,
I was in the market for some wet okoles and the salesman said they were "tested." hmmm. They had to be custom made at the shop which meant they didn't have any I could see and touch that would fit my car at that moment. I decided to scotch guard the seats instead.

Years ago, I had old school seatcovers on another car, they seemed simple enough to slip on over (snug) like everything else at that time. The airbag symbol on the side of my seat made me wonder if a piece of velcro, weak seam or split on the seatcover would be an invisible obstacle if it ever deployed. I wouldn't want the nitrogen filled bag to take a few milliseconds longer than they have to since occupants are even closer to the side of the car than the front airbags.

Fairways and greens,
Mike G.

 

Thanks for the info regarding the possible problem with add-on leather tand the side airbags.

Although I really want leather, the airbag thing has me concerned. I doubt that a local shop can reliably make a proper "weak seam", or at least it would be impossible for them to test it to make sure it works -- unless it is a standard set of leather that Honda has tested and approved.


I plan to order a 2007 HCH2 and am "hoping" Honda makes factory installed leather available as an option for 2007. Anyone know how long before a new model year that Honda makes known the changes that are going to be made to the car?

 

Hey, Is that "baby seal" grade leather?

All kidding aside, those look great! I like leather too for the added comfort. The wife hates leather (tree hugger) so I doubt I'll have leather in any of my cars anytime soon.

The door panel inserts and armrest are really nice added touchs. I wish Honda would take note to make it a bit more comparable to the Prius. Of course I wish they did a hatchback but that's a whole other thread.

 

Very nice interior. I have/had (it's getting advertised this week) leather in my Insight and it actually made it comfortable. Katzkin made the patterns for the Insight, I'm betting they have one for the Civic or will soon. They also have special considerations for the air bags. Their site is flash based so I can't provide a direct link, but:

www.katzkin.com and click on "Saftey/OCS". They've done some pretty extensive research to make sure their interiors are safe for these air bags. I recall them actually having a video on their site showing a side air bag going off with a stock seat and then again with their cover and the result was the same. I can not find this video any more though.

 

Thanks, Rick.
Good site (katzkin).

No listing for 2006 Civics, yet. Also the search site suggests you call, as they have many more patterns.