Getting the right car seat cover can make the difference between a ho-hum driving experience and something that makes you sit up and enjoy your ride. If you spend a lot of time in your car, you know what I mean, but lot of people never realize this because they use the seat covers that come with the cover. These are generally substandard, both in comfort and durability. Even the most basic leather seat cover provides an enormous improvement in comfort. If you choose the car seat cover that fits your needs and personality, the change will be even more dramatic.

One word of warning: my dad was a salesman his whole life and spent most of his days driving to appointments. For Christmas one year someone gave him a macramé seat cover. He was a big guy, so it didn’t fit him right and he was about as not into crafty-things as possible. It lasted a day.

I’m not talking about anything like that macramé crap flapper. I’m talking about something that works for you, in style, size and design.

There are a lot of different things to look for in a seat cover. First it needs to be the right size and shape for the seat in your car. You wouldn’t believe how many people have given up on seat covers because they started off with the wrong size. Either the seat cover is too small and feels like a too-tight pair of underwear, or it’s too big, looks ridiculous and slides all over the inside of your car.

No to both of these.

Once you’ve sized your seat cover correctly, some people would tell you that the style of an auto seat cover is the next most important factor. But who needs a seat cover that looks good if you’re sitting on it all the time and rarely see it? Comfort is more important than style or appearance.

These three things are easy though—get the size right, then choose something that fits you well. If you must, get something nice. Once you get the right car seat cover, you’ll know what I mean. You’ll never regret it. And one final word: the cost of a new car seat cover is nothing compared to what it’s worth to your increased comfort.