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Seat Heater and Adjustable Lumbar Support Installation

Some of the best comfort upgrades for a car you already own are hidden inside the seat. Heated seats make Chicago winters easier to live with, and adjustable lumbar support can make a long commute much less tiring. Don's Auto Interiors & Tops installs both at our Alsip shop. It's most efficient when we're already doing upholstery work on the seat.

Seat heaters

Aftermarket seat heaters use thin heating pads placed inside the seat, between the foam and the cover, in the cushion and often the seatback. A switch lets you turn them on and choose a setting.

Why add them:

• Warm up faster on cold mornings, especially in leather or vinyl seats that get icy
• A comfort upgrade for older cars that never offered heated seats
• Many drivers find gentle heat helps with back stiffness on longer drives

What kind of seats: We install heaters in cloth, vinyl, and leather seats.

What's involved: To install heating pads properly, the seat has to be removed from the car and the cover taken off so the pads can sit under it. That's why heater installs pair so well with seat repairs and recovers: the hardest part of the job is already being done.

Adjustable lumbar support

Many seats, especially in older or base-model cars, have little or no lower-back support. An adjustable lumbar support fits inside the seatback and lets you dial in how much support you want, so you're not stuffing a pillow behind your back.

Who it helps:

• Commuters who spend a lot of time behind the wheel
• Drivers who've had back trouble
• Anyone whose seat feels flat or makes them slouch

Padding and firmness adjustments

When a seat is opened up, we can also adjust padding density. Some drivers want a firmer seat that holds them in place, and others want something softer. Bolsters that have collapsed from years of sliding in and out can be rebuilt so the seat supports you the way it used to.

Best done together

Because every one of these upgrades requires opening the seat, the most cost-effective approach is to plan them together:

| If you're already getting… | Consider adding… | |---|---| | A torn bolster or panel replaced | Seat heater pads in that seat | | A full seat recover | Heaters, lumbar support, and padding adjustment | | A leather upgrade | Heaters (leather gets cold) | | Classic interior restoration | Hidden heaters for year-round comfort |

See auto upholstery and leather seat repair for the repair side.

Can you add heaters without other work?

Yes. If your seats are in good shape and you just want heat, we can install heaters on their own. Expect most of the labor to go into removing and reinstalling the seat and cover. We'll take care to keep the original upholstery in good condition.

Work vehicles

Drivers who spend all day in a truck or piece of equipment notice comfort upgrades the most. If you manage a fleet, ask about adding padding and support when worn seats are rebuilt. See fleet seat repair.

Questions to ask before any heater install

Whoever installs heaters for you, it's worth asking where the switch will be mounted, how the wiring will be routed and protected, and whether the install affects any existing seat sensors or airbags in your vehicle. Modern seats can contain occupancy sensors and side airbags, and a careful installer works around them.

Schedule a consultation

Tell us your year, make, and model, what kind of seats you have, and whether you're also planning any repairs. Call (708) 371-8020 or send a request. Our shop is at 11937 S. Cicero Ave in Alsip and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Request a free estimate or call (708) 371-8020.