
The method to remove Corolla seats is as follows: 1. Press the button under the vehicle seat; 2. Expose the fixing screws of the vehicle seat and remove them; 3. Remove the seat cushion; 4. Remove the fixing screws of the seat backrest; 5. Remove the seat backrest to complete the process. Taking the Corolla 2021 model as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4635mm, width 1780mm, height 1455mm, wheelbase 2700mm, minimum ground clearance 152mm, fuel tank capacity 50l, luggage compartment capacity 470l. It is equipped with a 1.5l naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 121ps and a maximum power of 89 kilowatts.

I've removed the Corolla seats many times. First, park the car securely, turn off the engine, and engage the handbrake—safety first. Disconnect the negative battery terminal because the seats may have airbag wiring or heaters, posing an electric shock risk if not removed. The front seats are usually fixed on rails; locate the four large bolts, typically with 14mm or 17mm heads. I always use a socket wrench with an extension bar for easier access. Check under the car or move the floor mats to find the bolts. After loosening them, don’t rush—the seat has electrical connectors, like those for the seatbelt warning light or adjustment buttons. Just press the clip gently to unplug them. Two people should lift the seat together—one holding the frame, the other stabilizing it—to avoid scratching the door or straining your back. Once removed, place it flat on the ground. If cleaning the carpet, it’s easier to vacuum now; for installing a new seat, reverse the steps—align it first, then tighten the bolts. Corolla seats aren’t too heavy, but don’t get careless—bolt torque matters. Too loose, and it’ll wobble; too tight, and you’ll damage the threads. Don’t forget to reconnect the battery and test the seat functions.

Last week I took apart the Corolla seats to wash the seat covers, and it was my first time so I was quite nervous. First, I made sure the car was completely powered off and read the user manual to locate the screws. The specific positions are four fixing bolts under the front seat rails, which need to be removed with a wrench or socket tool. I wore gloves to protect my hands during the operation. Before disassembling, I cleared any debris on the seats. What’s easily overlooked are the electrical connectors—many Toyota models have heating or airbag system plugs, which should be gently pressed to separate rather than pulled hard. The seats are quite heavy once removed, so I asked someone at home to help carry them out. Normally, you can clean the dust in the seams or deal with stains. When reinstalling, align the holes and slowly tighten the screws. Doing it myself saved money, but safety is important—beginners should ideally have an experienced friend supervise. The disassembly and reassembly process shouldn’t exceed an hour to avoid fatigue.

Removing seats to clean interior dirt is a routine I often perform on my Corolla. After disconnecting the battery, start with the rail bolts, loosening the four screws using tools. Once the seats are lifted out, wipe down the carpet and crevices. Remember to check that the wire connectors are safely detached. This simple procedure is suitable for regular maintenance.

Modifying the racing seat by removing the original Corolla seat was quite thrilling. First, use a T50 socket to remove the rail bolts—there are four in total, and they come off easily. The crucial step is disconnecting the wire connector under the car; a gentle press will release it. Lifting the entire seat out requires two people to prevent damage. Afterward, the fun begins with installing the new modified seat, as the open space makes the job easier. Be sure to keep the screws safe and not lose them. The whole process takes about half an hour, making the interior upgrade totally worth it.


