Replacing the old carpet in your car involves removing most everything from the car interior, tearing out the old carpet, and installing the new. The best time to choose the color of the carpet is when you know the colors you want to use on the rest of the car.
Locate the bolts holding the seats in place. There will be four bolts holding down each seat, two bolts in the front and two in the back of the seat. Take out both front seats, loosening the bolts with a socket wrench.
Unscrew the door trim at the floorboard. These trim panels will be held on by Phillips-head screws. Take the trim out from the driver side and the passenger side.
Unscrew the center console. The console is held on by screws inside the console. Loosen the screws and lift the console out over the shifter. Use caution when pulling out the console because there may be a wire attached to it. Make sure any wire is detached before pulling the console out completely.
The panels that sit to the side of your feet are called kick panels. Loosen the kick panels along the driver side and passenger side above the floorboard. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws. The panels will come right out.
Lift the back seat up by the middle and pull out. Turn the seat to the side and slide it out of the car.
Take out any seat belts. You can unbolt the seat belts with a socket wrench.
Tear out the old carpet. It should lift right out. Pull out the insulation as well.
Vacuum the car to pick up any dirt and debris. This will decrease the possibility of rust to the floorboard.
Lay down the new carpet. Smooth the rear portion out from the tunnel and roll it outward toward the front of the vehicle. Lay the front portion of the carpet down from the transmission hump to under the pedals.
Poke holes in the carpet with a leather awl. The holes will be placed were the seat belts were anchored. Poke holes where the bolts for the seats were positioned and where the center console is anchored as well. Make sure you pull through any wiring that needs to be plugged into the console or seats by cutting that area with the awl and pulling the harness through.
Anchor the carpet by installing the seat belts. This will make trimming the carpet easier since it will not move because it is bolted in.
Trim the carpet around the steering column with a razor cutter. Trim the carpet around the middle front console as well.
Install the center console. Tighten it down with the old screws and the Phillips-head screwdriver.
Replace the back seat. Pull the seat belt clips out and rest them on the seat.
Bolt down the front seats. Reconnect any wiring to the seat.
Screw the kick panels in place.
Tighten the door panels in place. The panels fit one way and are made specifically for either the driver side or the passenger side. If you have the door panels on the correct sides, the screw holes will match up correctly.
