Last updated: October 21, 2026
Car accessories share space with your vehicle's safety systems. A few minutes of checking before you install a product helps make sure it fits, works as intended, and stays clear of airbags, seat belts, and controls. Always follow the product's instructions and your vehicle owner's manual.
Fit is product-specific
Vehicle types and labels such as "universal fit" are browsing aids, not a guarantee that a product will fit your vehicle. Compare the exact dimensions and attachment method on the product page with your vehicle's year, make, model, and trim, and measure before you buy. Our Fit Guide explains what to measure. If you are unsure, email us your measurements before ordering.
Keep safety systems clear
- Airbags: do not cover seat-mounted side airbags with a seat cover unless the cover is labeled compatible with them. Do not attach mounts, phones, or objects to airbag covers on the dashboard, steering wheel, or pillars.
- Seat belts: belts must latch, adjust, and retract normally, and buckles must stay reachable.
- Pedals: use one floor mat per footwell, secured to the vehicle's retention hooks, and never stack mats. Make sure nothing can slide under the pedals.
- Visibility: place mounts and devices outside your line of sight, and remove windshield sunshades before driving. Some states restrict items mounted on the windshield; check local rules.
- Controls and exits: keep the gear selector, parking brake, door handles, and controls clear and easy to reach.
Installation
- Read the product instructions and the relevant sections of your owner's manual before you start.
- Test the fit before final installation, especially for anything that uses adhesive.
- For adhesive mounts, clean the surface first and follow the instructions on temperature and curing time.
- If a product needs to be wired into the vehicle, such as a hardwired dash camera or added lighting, use a qualified installer unless you are comfortable working with fuses and wiring. Incorrect wiring can drain the battery or damage vehicle electronics.
- Check straps, anchors, and mounts again after your first drive, since they can loosen as they settle.
Know each product's limits
- Pet seat covers and barriers protect your seats and help keep pets in the back; they are not crash restraints. Secure pets with a restraint designed for vehicle use.
- Tire inflators restore air pressure; they do not repair punctures or tire damage. Inflate to the pressure listed on the placard in your driver's door jamb, not the maximum printed on the tire.
- Jump starters must be connected in the order and polarity shown in their manual. Do not try to jump-start a battery that is cracked, leaking, or frozen.
- Car mattresses and camping gear are for use while the vehicle is parked. Keep the vehicle ventilated, and never run the engine or a fuel-burning heater in a closed vehicle while you sleep because of the risk of carbon monoxide.
- Roof and cargo carriers must not exceed the lower of your vehicle's roof load limit and the carrier's rating. Secure every load and check straps during stops.
- Vehicle lighting is regulated by state law, including which colors may be used and where. Some lights are intended for off-road or parked use only.
- Emergency kits should be checked regularly; replace used or expired items.
Electrical and battery products
- Check that your vehicle's socket and fuse can handle the product's power draw, especially for inverters, coolers, and multi-port chargers.
- Unplug accessories when you are not using them if your sockets stay powered with the vehicle off, to avoid draining the battery.
- Store lithium battery products, such as jump starters and power stations, within the temperature range in their manual. A parked car can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter.
- Stop using any battery product that swells, overheats, smells unusual, or is damaged. Do not take it apart.
- Charge only with the supplied cable or the type specified in the manual, and recycle batteries at a battery drop-off location rather than in household trash.
Children and pets
- Keep small parts, cords, and packaging away from young children.
- Never leave children or pets alone in a parked vehicle; interior temperatures can rise to dangerous levels quickly.
- Keep pets in the back seat, away from front airbags.
Report a safety concern
If a product seems unsafe, stop using it and email verchpouncey@gmail.com with your order number and photos. We reply within 24–48 business hours. See Warranty & Product Concerns for how we handle product problems.