Armrest Leather Cover

The side airbag deploys from the upper part of the side of the seat. You know that cloth tag sticking out that says SRS or something like that? I believe the airbag canister is roughtly located there. The side CURTAIN airbag deploys from the roof line above the windows.

There are two normal ways of accomodating side airbags. You can have breakaway stitching -- which is what your Prius OEM seatcovers have. Or you can have a cut out or a flap for the airbag to go through. I think that the top elastic strap on your seat covers probably will not interfere with the airbag. But as I posted above, just to be safe I don't use my top strap.

 

Boo
I am surprised your seatcover package expressly said ok for side airbags. Every set I have looked at with straps has said "not for use in vehicles equipped with side airbags". However, your solution of not using the top strap solves the problem.

Freshmtt,
my DH came home with seatcovers from WalMart for his new car (with side airbags) and I had to show him the fine print on the box and explain the potential consequences to his body! We ordered him some on-line that have cut-outs for the airbags to explode through. You should be fine, however, if you just do as Boo did and cut off your top strap. Do a search here and you will see several options for seatcovers with cutouts for the airbags. There is one place that sells on ebay and they provide front and back covers for something like $50-$60. Some here like them, some don't. Those are the ones I got for my DH though (they only make fronts for his car, not a Prius) and he is very happy with them. I think they are called Exactseatcovers.com. They are cheaper on ebay than on their website.
Take care
Fernsmom

 

OK, Great, Thanks for all the good info,, I think for now I will just remove that little elastic band that hold the seat cover to the back part of the seat. Since these seat covers do not fully enclose the seat, this is an easy fix. But now that I know about this, I will be very selective now in searching for seat covers that fully cover the entire seat and headrest area.

 

I know. I also was surprised and a little skeptical. I know I didn't imagine it -- it was either on the packaging or on the manufacturer's website or both.

So I just checked the company's website again, and lo and behold they don't make or sell the seat cover any more ... maybe they were sued by that misrepresentation that the cover accomodates side airbags.

 

CORRECTION: Just got back from my car. The side curtain airbags appear to deploy from the front and rear pillars which are labled/marked into the plastic covers.

See this for picture of all airbags deployed:

Toyota Prius - 2008 Pictures & Photo Gallery