Investing in a car is a big decision and one you have considered carefully. Cars are the second highest value asset you may purchase so maintaining your asset means taking good care of it so you can achieve a higher sale price when it comes time to sell. You’ll be surprised on what can affect the value of your car; even accessories such as car floor mats have the potential to make a difference in hundreds of dollars. Floor mats an integral part of providing adequate protection to the carpet lining of your automobile, they provide a source for grip when it is wet outside and they also give your vehicle some style and adds to the personality.

Car floor mats do degrade over time due to normal wear and tear and will need to be replaced at some point. There are several options on the market, many universal floor mats do a great job however, can often shift compared to custom made floor mats, and this shift in movement often means premature wear and tear and it may be time to replace them. How often should you replace your car mats? Read on to find out the five signs that indicate it’s time to replace your car’s floor mats.

1. Lifting

As soon as your car mats begin lifting, it’s time to replace them. Car mats are designed to grip onto the car’s carpet lining to provide a stable surface for the driver and passengers. As soon as the car mats are lifting, it loses its grip and can be incredibly hazardous as there is a potential interfere with the brake or accelerator pedals. If the floor mat is scrunching together, it most likely does not fit the car’s interior adequately or has lost its durability.

2. Sliding

If your floor mats are shifting around easily and sliding from side to side, it’s time to replace them. One of the most common causes for this is buying car mats that are too small for their purpose. There is no protection for the carpet and can cause you to lose your footing when entering and exiting the vehicle. Replacement floor mats that fit perfectly in the space can do wonders.

3. Signs of wear

Normal wear and tear is fine but if there’s a significant hole in your floor mat, it’s time to get rid of it. A major part of using floor mats is to protect the carpet underneath from dirt, grime and liquid, because it sure isn’t easy to clean and even more difficult to replace. Floor mats should be doing their job by confining dirt and grime and trapping any liquid. There are many electrical wires running through the cars flooring, so having liquid seep through is going to cost you a lot more to rectify. Replacement car mats will protect your investment so you can avoid unnecessary breakdowns.

4. Selling your car

Have you ever noticed that professional car towing companies would cover your cars flooring with temporary protective plastic floor mats. This is to protect your car’s interior, so when you get your car back it will be nice and clean. The same can be said when getting ready to sell your vehicle; replacement car mat may be a small investment but will make a huge difference in securing a buyer. Accessories are the easiest way to make your car look and feel clean and this in itself is worth the investment to attract more buyers.

5. Bad odour

If there is a bad odour coming from your car, the first thing to do is replace your car mats. They take a beating day in and day out and always the first thing your foot contacts when getting into the car. Mud, snow, spillage are all handled by your car mats, in addition, rapid  change in temperature within the car can compound the odour coming from the flooring. Replacement car mats can eliminate the source of the odour and give your that new car smell again.