How to Install a Car Cover

Last Updated: February 23, 2021

Car covers are a great way to protect your vehicle from things like water, bird droppings, tree sap, and even theft. But sometimes installing them can be confusing and hard.

Steps

1
Most car covers will have a "Front" tag either sewn or stamped to the front of the cover. Use this to determine the front and rear of your cover.
2
Once you’ve identified the front of the cover, secure this area of the cover around the front bumper first, then pull the cover over the top of the vehicle and secure under the rear bumper last.

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3
If your custom cover has mirror pockets, be sure to place the cover over the side mirrors first before the ends of the cover are attached to the bumpers.
4
If your vehicle does not have an antenna that can be removed or retract flush with your vehicle, you should have received an antenna patch.
5
Apply the adhesive-backed antenna patch to where the antenna would hit the cover if it were installed and aligned properly.
6
Punch a hole in the center of the patch with a sharp object so that your antenna now has a custom fit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Removal

1
Release both ends of the cover from under the bumpers.
2
Fold up both sides onto the top of the vehicle into a long pile approximately 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
3
Start at the front of the vehicle and fold the cover in three foot (1 meter) folds from the front to the back.
4
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

I weigh 120 pounds, and I'm over 60. Can I put on a car cover alone?

Community Answer

If you have a small car, then, yes. If you have a truck or a larger vehicle, then it might be better to have someone help you.
Question

Can I use a plastic cover for long time storage?

Community Answer

I don't see why not, but I guess the most important question is, what are you trying to protect it from? I think sun, rain, pollen, dust, etc. would be the most common answers, and the cover would protect from all of those even on a longer-term basis. However, plastic doesn't fare well under hot and cold shifts and probably wouldn't do well under intense sun. For example, one side of my house gets >12 hours of sun pretty much every day and it has really oxidized one of my vehicles' paint on the sun-facing side. To avoid replacing the cover every so often, you might want to consider a fabric or vinyl cover.
Question

What is the average cost of a car cover?

Community Answer

I just bought one today (02-27-2019) from Pep Boys and the list price was $59.99. There was a 25% off sale on parts and accessories, so I go an additional $15. off the price for $44.99. I looked it up on Amazon and the price was about $50 there too.

Warnings

Use care in installing the cover on a car which has just been driven to be sure the material does not come in contact with hot exhaust pipes.

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