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How to Buy All-Weather Floor Mats and Trunk Liner

How to · Auto

How to Buy All-Weather Floor Mats and Trunk Liner

Keep your car interior clean through winter and mud season without taking a big hit to your bank account all at once.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $250 before anything else
Across the 0% window $13.89/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $250 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Keeping a car clean through winter slush and spring mud is a constant battle, and factory mats just don't cut it. A solid set of custom-fit floor mats and a trunk liner usually run about $250, which is a fair price to save your carpet from permanent salt stains and spilled gear. Prices on these tend to dip right at the end of winter when retailers clear out inventory, or during major holiday sales in November.

When you're buying car accessories, you want to separate the purchase price from how you pay for it. If you need to spread out the cost, a financing window can help, but don't expect a plastic liner to discount itself just because you have a credit card in your hand.

That intro window is a deadline, not free money, so make sure the balance is fully paid off before the 18 months are up or you'll get hit with the accumulated interest.

The steps

  1. 01

    Check the fit

    Make sure you're buying laser-measured liners made specifically for your exact make, model, and year. Universal mats slide around and let water leak onto the actual carpet, defeating the whole purpose of the purchase.

  2. 02

    Time the purchase

    Shop right before winter hits or during early spring mud season when outdoor gear starts moving. Retailers often run promotions on interior protection packages during these seasonal shifts.

  3. 03

    Set up the payment

    If you want to break up the $250 cost, you can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. Spreading that total across the intro window comes out to about $13.89 per month.

  4. 04

    Skip the dealership

    Dealerships mark up interior protection by 50% or more and roll it into your car financing. Buy directly from reputable aftermarket brands online to get the exact same heavy-duty rubber quality for less.

  5. 05

    Install them right

    Take out your old carpet mats completely before putting in the new ones. Piling all-weather mats on top of factory mats can trap moisture and cause the accelerator pedal to get stuck.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Are rubber mats better than carpet mats?

Yes, if you deal with rain, snow, dirt, or spills. Rubber and thermoplastic mats trap liquid and mud in deep grooves so it never touches your car's actual flooring.

Do I need a trunk liner too?

If you haul groceries, sports gear, wet umbrellas, or tools, the trunk liner saves the carpet from stains and smells. It pays off the first time something leaks.

How do I clean all-weather mats?

Pull them out of the car, spray them down with a garden hose or pressure washer, scrub with mild dish soap if they're greasy, and let them air dry before putting them back.

Will generic mats work just as well?

Trim-to-fit generic mats rarely cover the full floor pan, leaving gaps where dirt gets through to your carpet. Custom-fit liners use the factory retention hooks to stay securely in place.