I bit on the red leather and now am starting to wonder if iI f'd up?

My car has 7k miles on it and the outside edge of the drivers seat is worn to the point that its starting to look pink.

I am always careful getting in and out, not wanting to stretch out the side bolster of the seat.

I use the motorcraft leather care stuff as instructed in the paperwork and the o's manual.

Next week I will go back to the dealer with this issue and see what they say.

Anyone else have this same issue and if so what were yopu told??

Jay

 

When you speak of wear, are you talking about physical rubbing or fading of the seat color?

The front of the front seats is leather, but the side pieces (where the airbags are) is vinyl. I have noticed on '05 cars with red interiors that the leather and vinyl seem to be moving apart in color (the sides being more "pink"). I suspect the dyes in both materials "take" in a different way, and thus, as they fade, the color differentiation shows up more prominently; a likely consequence of UV exposure.

Is your car parked outside a lot? If so, can you move it into shade? You might also consider window tinting to mitigate the problem.

I don't know anything about Motorcraft leather care products (probably Ford just trying to flog its own stuff), but EVERY leather expert I have spoken to has told me to use Lexol products.

 

If you get new seats request the black, no problems with them after 2 1/2yrs. should be warranteed for you since its still in the 3yr period

 

found out my seat is all leather, since i do not have the side airbags, my seats are still read and i have not used any cleaners at all and the seats are holding up just like the day i bought the car, bought it in march of last year

 

I've seen quite a few issues with leather get replaced under warranty, all colors. If it is defective, they will probably replace it. Typically aesthetic problems are particularly easy to get fixed in the first 12mo 12k miles.

 

I fell in love with the red at first but it seemed very hard to keep looking good. I was told I could have this repaired. (no side airbags)

I only had 6000 miles and now will give the black cloth a try with my 07.

 

I thought the red leather seats were entirely leather even with the side airbags?

Feels like leather to me? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

That part of the seat at least is always leather. A leather specialist could easilly fix that. I've always tried to be concious of my jacket's zippers, crushing the side bolster getting in and out of cars, and things like my cell phone(I keep it in my jacket pocket or take it off and put it in the cupholder). I also don't wear watches or rings, and my interiors never get scratched up. The **** car key itself can do a ton of damage over time, I try to palm it and keep minium keys on the ring. My g/f's car has got nicks and marks everywhere from that stuff, and places like the door handles are a mess from nails/rings. Just like when I wash the car at work, even in nicer dress clothes, I will always take my belt and cell phone off. Slacks don't have exposed metal buttons, but in jeans I'll leave my shirt out over them. Half the stuff you do to a car's finish is from simple stuff.

Most of the used cars I get are completely rashed from jewelery, keys, pens, putting stuff on the car like groceries, jacket zippers, and closing the door with your butt if you don't the first time. Another HUGE no-no with any leather interior-never wear new jeans that have not been washed at least a couple times first, it will dye the leather. I do wish auto makers would just do vinyl again, leather's always a pain. You will always see on leather cars that the vinyl surfaces always look like new later down the road. Cars like Mercedes/BMW/Mini base model cars that come with 'letherette' vinyl seats(more do then you think-for instance any of the bazillions of C230/240's with grey interiors have vinyl seats as do 90% of minis with non-cloth) always look great 5, 10, even 15 years later, while even cars like M3's often look awful after 50k miles.

I have a non srs car and I do believe the entire front seat is leather, but the back is definitely vinyl.

 

I'll bet the fading is due to UV. Had mine since Dec 2005 and the color is fine but I only have 17,000 miles on it and it is very garage kept. (I take mass transportation to work most days and when I do drive I have a garage to park in at work). I also treat the leather pretty often (maybe once or twice a month). I just use the ArmorAll Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. I know lots of people poo poo that product but it seems like a really quick and easy way to go... plus I like the smell if that isn't weird. (if anyone really thinks I'm doing damage by using it, please let me know. But so far it seems to work nicely)

I'm pretty certain the side of the seats are vinyl and the center is leather just based on feel how the different material soaks in the leather treatment. So far though, there is no color difference between the side and center.. which is why I lean toward it being a UV issue.

 

Taking extra care with sharp objects and watching how you enter and egress the vehicle (i.e. putting extra wear on the driver's left side bolster) are definitely things to watch for. Tinting your windows will help reduce UV damage. Parking the car under cover will reduce damage from UV, sunlight and heat exposure.

And treating your seats with Lexol (recommended universally by upholstery experts) once every month or two will keep the surface clean, supple and conditioned.

 

i looked at my seat and the bottom bolster has a wear spot like the leather is scraping off, it is like someone used sandpaper on it, i wonder if ford can fix this or if i have to find someone that works with leather

 

I had the same problem on my 04 F150, the seat was replaced under warranty.

 

If it's under warranty take it in. It will get repaired or replaced.

 

I'm having the same issue with my light gray leather (same area -- driver's seat back support)...I'm careful about getting in and out. I bought some leather dye (matched to the color) and it seems to help.

 

I ahve the red leather seats in a vert and so far no issues with fade or wear (knock wood) I treat with Armor All leather conditioner approx once a month but will switch to Lexol when the bottle runs out.

As an aside my business partner has a Porsche 911 that started to wear on the drivers seat. Took it back to Porsche and learned that the leather is essentially "spray painted" and the repair was easily done and looked good as new.

 

I havent gone to the dealer yet but i replaced my seats with a couple of red sparco fighters. They look killer and have replaceable covers.

http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_street.asp?id=198

Jay

 

My 2006 GT convertible does not have side airbags, and only the front part of the seat you sit on is leather. The headrests, backs, and sides are vinyl (and the entire back seat is vinyl as well). On a dark charcoal interior, the vinyl parts are shinier. The difference is more pronounced when you don't use Lexol on the leather portions.

 

MTAS on here just had his done under warranty recently.....

 

Yup, still can't for the life of me why people just don't bring cars with warranties in for warranty repairs

 

Yes I also have issue with the Red. I take great care with them (even taking off my belt before long drives) but the dye has always come off. I use Gold class wipes, diluted woolite to clean and 303 protectant. I have given thought to tinting windows to help.
With all that I now can't wear light colored pants because red comes off.
I am going to take car in for oil change, tire rotation and leather issue. First time visiting dealer, any tips on how to deal with service writer?
I let everyone know what goes down.