Lada Vesta armrest: is it convenient or problematic?

The armrest for Lada Vesta is an integral element of the car. Its absence significantly reduces driving comfort. In addition, you can store small items or documents in it. But, despite such important functions, some manufacturers do not find it important to equip the basic and standard equipment with an armrest.

AvtoVAZ belongs to the category of such manufacturers. A standard hand holder is available only in the maximum “Lux” configuration. Therefore, all other buyers are forced to search, buy and install the accessory themselves.

Factory armrest

The standard Lada armrest has very limited functionality. It is attached to the driver's seat, is narrow in width, and has no additional storage compartments. The main advantage of this accessory is its attachment to the driver’s seat. Accordingly, when the backrest deviates, the holder also deviates.

The Almatar brand sells an armrest that differs from the original in that it is wider. Otherwise, it repeats the “luxury” version.

The advantages of the Almatar product include:

• the ability to adjust the height and remove the element up;
• compactness;
• low price up to 700 rubles;
• comfortable hand position for any seat adjustment.

Difficulties

In expensive trim levels, the Lada Vesta sedan is equipped with an armrest. However, this is a rather peculiar device. It is mounted in the back of the driver's seat and is intended exclusively for the driver. Naturally, he does not have a box for small items.

Standard armrest Lada Vesta

This decision by AvtoVAZ as a whole turned out to be very controversial, since many people are not satisfied with this element, and it is replaced with an analogue.

However, there is a category of owners who are ready to create a homemade armrest for the Lada Vesta in accordance with their needs and preferences. Moreover, now, thanks to the instructions posted by one of the “Drayvovites” named Peter, who is known in the community under the nickname pittbull777, everyone can make such an armrest.

Alternative options

You should select a hand holder for a Lada Vesta or any other car according to the following criteria: design, size, functionality. You need to pay attention to those devices that match the interior color. Next, functionality is taken into account. As a rule, standard armrests do not have the same functionality as branded ones manufactured separately.

According to statistics, Lada Vesta owners most often buy hand holders from Chinese manufacturers. The most popular brands are Rex or Torino. They are made in the shape of a box armrest and are suitable for mounting on a car.

Features of armrests from Chinese manufacturers:

• high functionality;
• presence of cup holders;
• lowest cost in the category;
• high capacity of the boxes, which can negatively affect the ease of use of seat belts.

You need to carefully select an armrest from China or read many reviews to choose the right option that has all the necessary fastenings.

There are a number of domestic manufacturers that also produce holders for Lada Vesta. Oh we already talked about. On the market you can find suitable devices manufactured by Azard, Armster, Varta.

The Azard armrest differs from the original in the following features:

• made in the form of a box;
• You can put small items and documents in it;
• the cost is 3000 rubles;
• no need to use additional elements or screws during installation;
• large dimensions, which can interfere with the use of the handbrake.

produces the most expensive, but at the same time, comfortable armrests that are ideal for the Lada Vesta. The manufacturer is largely engaged in the production of accessories for specific models, including Lada Vesta.

The armrest from Azard differs from the original in the following features:

• it has a compartment for storing small items and documents;
• only high-quality materials that are pleasant to the touch are used in its production;
• the price starts from 3900 rubles.

Some Chinese manufacturers create copies, so you need to pay attention to the cost, build quality and materials used. All these components will be several times worse.

Reviews about armrests

1. Vladimir: after buying the car, I dismantled the standard stand and replaced it with Alamar. The price starts from 800 rubles, but the workmanship is much higher. In addition, the width of the base has been increased to 140 mm. I feel comfortable and comfortable. Before this there was a standard one, but it jammed when lowered to the bottom.
2. Gennady: I ​​bought the car second-hand, it’s in excellent condition. The previous owner installed an Armster box. High-quality, practical box, two compartments for keys, mobile phones. I won't replace it, I'm happy with it.
3. Kirill: I heard a lot from my comrades about the impracticality of the standard armrest on the Lada Vesta. Therefore, after purchasing the car, I immediately replaced it with Arsolid. The cost of the model is from 1200 rubles, but the functionality is obvious. My recommendations to motorists.
4. Vyacheslav: I recently bought a Lada Vesta and installed an armrest, since it is not provided as standard. The store manager advised me to purchase a box from Varta. Multifunctional box, material – wood, lining made of eco-leather. A good accessory, my recommendations.

Armrest installation

High-quality and quick installation of the accessory can be done at a car service center. But many owners prefer to do it themselves so as not to spend extra money. The amount of time spent and labor intensity depend on the armrest model for Lada Vesta. You can install the accessory yourself, but it may take much longer without using the instructions.

First of all, the electronics from the chair are disconnected. This applies to seat heating elements. Next, the upholstery of the chair is removed. The pylon has a hole specifically for the holder. Using the bolt and nut that are included with the purchased accessory, you should fasten it.

To install the box, you must perform the following operations:

• Push the passenger seat forward all the way, and the driver's seat, on the contrary, back.
• Take out the “lamb”, with which you change the angle of the chair.
• Unscrew the screw that secures the decorative trim.
• Unscrew the slide and tilt the seat to the side.
• Unscrew the chair fastening bolts and install the armrest.
• Tighten the bolts.

How to remove the standard armrest on a Lada Vesta

Dismantling the original Lada Vesta armrest and box is carried out in different ways. It is easier to dismantle the original accessory, since you do not need to perform many operations. In order to remove a standard armrest, you must first remove it from the cover. There is foam rubber under the cover. There is a hole in the foam rubber into which you need to insert a socket wrench set to “13”, unscrew the bolt and remove the hand holder.

Source

It is difficult to imagine a modern passenger car without an armrest, which provides the driver with a more comfortable ride and serves as storage for some small items. Many car manufacturers prefer to produce armrests as additional equipment, for which they often have to pay extra. In the case of the Lada Vesta, AvtoVAZ went exactly this way.

The opportunity to purchase a Vesta with an armrest is very limited, since those who want to get it will have to buy the top-end equipment of a Russian car. And those who do not want to spend money on a top-end Lada Vesta, but want to have an armrest, have to buy it separately and install it themselves.

A few words about the standard armrest

So, the complete accessory is available only in the top-end configuration of the Russian car. The standard armrest is attached to the driver's seat; it is intended only for the driver to place his hand on it, and does not carry any additional functions. This item is convenient because it does not change its position in relation to the driver with any seat adjustment.

Installing the armrest in the standard mount

It is better to carry out the installation at a car service center, however, if you want to do it yourself, there are no particular difficulties. First you need to disconnect all electronics from the chair, including the heated seats, then remove the upholstery of the chair. You will find a hole in the pylon; screw the armrest using a bolt and nut, which are sold complete with the accessory. For installation, you will need two 13mm wrenches. It is best to dismantle the seat, remove it from the car and then attach the armrest.

Installation of a universal armrest in the form of a box

To install the Universal Box Stand, follow these steps:

• Push the front passenger seat forward as far as possible, and push the driver's seat all the way back.
• Take out the “lamb”, which is responsible for changing the angle of the seat.
• Unscrew the screw securing the decorative trim.
• Then you need to unscrew the chair slides and place the seat on its side.
• Unscrew the two bolts that secure the chair and install the accessory, then screw the bolts back.

Not every version of the Lada Vesta has an armrest installed. Nevertheless, this is a familiar component of the vehicle interior, without which it is difficult to imagine normal movement. However, some manufacturers classify such an element specifically as an additional device. Therefore, when purchasing a vehicle, motorists often have to pay extra for the armrest on the Lada Vesta.

Should I put covers on the seats or not?

This is the personal choice of the car owner. But generally, cases have more pros than cons. Of course, if you put cheap covers from the market on beautiful seats, the interior of the car will lose a lot in terms of appearance. But more often it’s the other way around - the standard seat upholstery looks so-so, but good covers give it a more expensive, beautiful look. Often already worn out seats are covered with covers.

Another undeniable advantage of covers is in terms of practicality. They can be removed and washed, wiped, vacuumed. And the standard upholstery underneath is like new. Before selling the car, you can remove the covers if they are frayed and sell the car with apparently new seats. The covers can be changed just like that if you get tired of them. Buy and supply a different color, a different material...

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Removing the standard armrest and installing a new one

In order to remove the standard armrest from a Lada Vesta car, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

• First you need to unzip the cover and bend it back;
• After this, using a 40mm Torx, you need to unscrew the fixing bolt;
• Next, you need to lift and fix it in a vertical position, loosen it, and then pull it towards you.

Experts recommend installing a new armrest only if you have a sufficient level of qualifications. Otherwise, it is better to contact a professional car service. Installation involves the following sequence of actions:

• The passenger seat must be moved as close to the glove compartment as possible. The driver's seat is moved as far as possible from the steering wheel;
• After this, you need to find the driver’s seat angle adjuster and unscrew the fixing screw;
• After this, the slide on the seat is unscrewed and the chair itself is carefully turned on its side;
• Then the 2 fixing bolts are unscrewed, the accessory is mounted and the chair is put in place.

Dismantling

First you need to remove the standard armrest, since during fitting (to make your own adjustments, for example) it will interfere. This is not difficult to do, and all you need is a ratchet and a TorX 40 sprocket.

First you need to unfasten the cover. Next, the mounting bolt is unscrewed. All that remains is to lift the armrest up so that it takes the extreme vertical position, and, slightly shaking it from side to side, remove it.

This process is clearly shown in the video.

How to choose a suitable armrest

In order not to fork out money for the best sedan equipment, you can try to choose a suitable armrest for installation in your Lada Vesta. After reading the installation instructions, we can conclude that installing the armrest involves certain difficulties. Some manufacturers have analyzed the market situation and provided the opportunity for car enthusiasts to install not only universal devices, but also specially made accessories for the Lada Vesta. One such manufacturer is Varta.

The developers specifically refused to use plastic in the design of the armrest, since after some time this material becomes deformed and begins to creak during movement. Preference was given to wood; the upholstery, in turn, is only leather.

We list the main advantages of such products:

• The comparative ease of installation does not require special skills or special knowledge, so there is no need to contact a service station. To install, you only need to mark the armrest in its place, pressing it all the way to the transmission tunnel itself;
• The interior of the cabin is harmoniously emphasized by such a wonderful product. This also applies to the design, which is practically no different from the factory one;
• Ease of use is achieved thanks to the specially designed form of the device. The driver's hand will be placed very comfortably.

Many experts recommend that car enthusiasts buy just such armrests for the Lada Vesta.

More information about accessories for the Lada Vesta can be obtained by watching this video:

Armrest from a foreign car

Particularly picky car owners make armrests for their Lada Vesta using an accessory from some foreign car. This option allows you to create something individual, comfortable for a specific driver and car. All that remains is to choose which brand and model of part to use. Manufacturers of Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW equip their models with extremely comfortable and ergonomic accessories. Therefore, they are more often chosen. The final decision lies in several criteria:

1. Armrest size. It should fit freely into the niche between the front seats and not interfere with the people sitting next to them;
2. The location of the accessory relative to the handbrake. Access to the handbrake must be free;
3. Functional characteristics. In addition to a box for storing things, it would be good if the accessory comes with an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, and a cup holder.