Should the Original Car Mats Be Retained?

[DelColeman]

Original factory mats should not be placed underneath additional mats because having two layers can be too thick and affect the safe operation of the vehicle. It is advisable to remove the original mats. Car mats serve as an eco-friendly automotive interior accessory that combines five main functions: water absorption, dust collection, stain removal, noise reduction, and protection of the main carpet. They help maintain cleanliness inside the car while adding aesthetic and comfortable touches. Common reasons for water ingress in rear seat mats include: 1. Aging of the sunroof sealing rubber ring, reducing its sealing performance and causing leaks; 2. Blocked sunroof drainage holes preventing timely rainwater discharge; 3. Driving through deep waterlogged areas allowing water seepage; 4. Reduced sealing performance of the vehicle body.

[StLeah]

I think it's better to keep the original car floor mats. When I first bought the car, I also thought the OEM carpet mats were too plain, so I immediately replaced them with a trendy set of loop mats. However, I discovered on the highway that when pressing the accelerator all the way down, the mats would shift forward and get stuck under the brake pedal, which was extremely dangerous. The OEM mats don’t have this issue at all—every clip locks them securely in place. Although they’re harder to clean when dirty, I found that regularly wiping them with foam cleaner works fine, and after two years, they haven’t deformed. If cleaning is really a hassle, you can buy a set of TPE mats to layer on top. When they get dirty, just take them out and rinse them with water, which also protects the original mats underneath. This way, it’s both safe and cost-effective, and you can restore the car to its original condition when selling it.

[WyattRose]

When my kid first started kindergarten, the car interior was like a battlefield every day. The original car mats were constantly stained with spilled milk and muddy footprints, making them a hassle to clean. Later, I switched to full-coverage rubber mats, but they would shift whenever my kid jumped around in the car. Now I've learned a smarter approach: keeping the original mats as the base layer and adding removable loop mats on top. Before picking up my kid each day, I just pull off the top layer and rinse it for two minutes, leaving the original mats still clean. This way, I don't have to wash the base layer daily, and the mats stay firmly in place. After all, the original anti-slip clips are precisely positioned, and aftermarket ones just don't measure up.

[McDaniela]

Last time I went for maintenance, I met an old auto mechanic with thirty years of experience. He shared a case that stuck with me. A car owner replaced the thick floor mat on the passenger side, which ended up blocking the unlock lever of the front seat rail. During a crash, the passenger couldn’t release the seatbelt. The thickness of the original floor mats is tested to ensure no interference. Now, driving my old Passat, I stick to the original mats—when I floor the accelerator, my heel stays firmly against the raised design. If I ever replace them, I only add an ultra-thin layer on top. That way, on rainy or muddy days, I can remove the top layer for cleaning while the original mat stays securely in place.

[ValerieMarie]

Last week while modifying my car, I suddenly noticed something interesting: There are six positioning clips hidden on the underside of the original car mats, perfectly matching the raised anchor points on the car floor. Aftermarket mats, no matter how expensive and claimed to be 'vehicle-specific', always end up loose when installed. My current solution is using the original mats as a base layer, topped with custom-made embroidered mats. This way during car washes, I just remove the top layer while the base layer stays mostly clean. Especially in winter when melted snow brings in saltwater, all the brine gets absorbed by the top layer. The original mats remain looking brand new. If I had thrown away the original ones, I'd have to spend hundreds to replace them when selling the car, and it would be troublesome for inspections too.

[VanEden]

I initially bought a cheap set of floor mats for just over 200 yuan, but they deformed and cracked after the third wash. Later, I learned from fellow group members that the real cost of OEM floor mats lies in the unseen details: the material's flame retardancy exceeds national standards by 20%, the clips can withstand 40kg of pulling force, and even the angle of the anti-slip grooves on the back is meticulously calculated. Now, every seasonal maintenance, I take out the mats and clean the grooves of the OEM mats with a high-pressure water gun. Surprisingly, they've proven extremely durable—no fraying edges after five years. If you really dislike the outdated OEM design, I suggest cutting a piece of 3D carpet to lay on top for a style refresh, while keeping the OEM mats underneath for safety.