What’s your driving position? - Page 3

Mobileadam · May 6th, 2021, 22:28

I’ve been experimenting with distance from steering wheel (since discomfort comes from neck / shoulders). I quite like my arms pretty much stretched out for the steering wheel as it makes it feel smaller - but I wonder if that is an issue with over reaching.

I have tried to put my wrists on the top of the wheel and keep my back flat which I can do (to measure) but my shoulders come away to reach the wheel. Not sure if they should remain pinned to the seat. My only concern then would be distance from wheel. I’ll do some more adjustments.

MikeGMT · May 7th, 2021, 00:43

Could well be the reason you are getting neck and shoulder discomfort as you are extending your upper arm, shoulder and neck muscles, by having a bend in your arms the muscles are more relaxed and gives you more flexible steering. When you stretch your arms to touch the top of the wheel with your wrists keep your shoulders firmly in the seat. You will find this necessitates moving the wheel further out or moving the seat a bit further forwards. The main adjustment is seat to pedals as they are in a fixed position, then everything else is set from this position. I'm six foot, and have the wheel fully pushed in and only adjusted in the up/down plane. I do tend to sit a bit further forward and people have commented as much, (no complaints from rear passengers though), but by no means hunched over the wheel. The top of the wheel is just above my knees, but I can slide my hands around the rim, top to bottom without hinderance.

We are all different shapes and sizes though, so what works for me might not for you, happy adjusting and hope you find your ideal seat position.

Baxlin · May 7th, 2021, 02:42

Don’t laugh, but I have removed the driver’s seat cushion from the 3 wheeler, and replaced it with a 1” thick piece of foam under the carpet. Immediately in front of this, to support my legs just above the knees, I have a cylindrical tool ‘box’, padded for comfort. So essentially I sit on the floor, with legs slightly bent.

Sounds horrendous, but it’s surprisingly comfortable.

MikeGMT · May 7th, 2021, 06:05

Trying hard not to laugh, honest. Now that is what you call real seat of pants driving.

Mobileadam · May 9th, 2021, 08:31

Well thanks for all of the suggestions. So many factors affect position and comfort. Also when you feel either too leaned back or too upright the measurements taken are only a couple of degrees different.

I have pulled the wheel out fully to try and get my shoulders to not move away from seat back. I also moved by seat forward but that does mean I’m running out of headroom with the pano roof. As always I need to play more as often get in and it feels terrible or drive a little and then adjust to what feels good but next trip it feels terrible. I’m confident it is me and not the car. Terrible posture.

xsaab · May 9th, 2021, 13:21

I downloaded a PDF document from a company called PhysioMed based in Leeds. The document is/was a guide to setting up your car driving seating position. It is called :
Correct Sitting Posture: Driving

https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/...ng_Digital.pdf

I have read the document - but not applied it yet. I will be trying it out later today when I am introducing a new driver to the car.

Good Luck

ian77 · May 9th, 2021, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsaab

I downloaded a PDF document from a company called PhysioMed based in Leeds. The document is/was a guide to setting up your car driving seating position. It is called :
Correct Sitting Posture: Driving

https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/...ng_Digital.pdf

I have read the document - but not applied it yet. I will be trying it out later today when I am introducing a new driver to the car.

Good Luck

I used this - it felt a completely unnatural position at first but after a couple of days i got used to it and I’ve felt a lot more relaxed after long drives since. I now run through the checks every time in need to adjust the seat. Recommended.

EssexExile · May 9th, 2021, 15:03

That PDF is a laugh - take a break every 20 minutes!

We're all different so we all like different driving positions. I'm tall and have a bad back so I take forever choosing a car, most I can't sit in comfortably, then I take ages choosing the seat options. once I have the car I play around with the seat for eternity until it feels right. Then I put my little cushion in the small of my back because the lumbar support is much too low. You don't really know if it's right until you've done a few hours in it.

Why are passenger seats never as adjustable as driver seats?

ian77 · May 9th, 2021, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by EssexExile

That PDF is a laugh - take a break every 20 minutes!

Yeah, I ignored that bit

Polestar Pete · May 10th, 2021, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsaab

I downloaded a PDF document from a company called PhysioMed based in Leeds. The document is/was a guide to setting up your car driving seating position. It is called :
Correct Sitting Posture: Driving

https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/...ng_Digital.pdf

I have read the document - but not applied it yet. I will be trying it out later today when I am introducing a new driver to the car.

I'm not so sure that the "Pelvis not stomach" line in the photo is pointing at the lady's pelvis.

May 7th, 2021, 00:43	#22
MikeGMT VOC Member Last Online: Today 00:08 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Kingston upon Hull, E.Yorks.	Could well be the reason you are getting neck and shoulder discomfort as you are extending your upper arm, shoulder and neck muscles, by having a bend in your arms the muscles are more relaxed and gives you more flexible steering. When you stretch your arms to touch the top of the wheel with your wrists keep your shoulders firmly in the seat. You will find this necessitates moving the wheel further out or moving the seat a bit further forwards. The main adjustment is seat to pedals as they are in a fixed position, then everything else is set from this position. I'm six foot, and have the wheel fully pushed in and only adjusted in the up/down plane. I do tend to sit a bit further forward and people have commented as much, (no complaints from rear passengers though), but by no means hunched over the wheel. The top of the wheel is just above my knees, but I can slide my hands around the rim, top to bottom without hinderance. We are all different shapes and sizes though, so what works for me might not for you, happy adjusting and hope you find your ideal seat position. __________________ Volvo V90 D4 CC Pro : Osmium Grey : P* ____________________ It’s a cold day in Wagga Wagga ____________________ Who Knocks the Knockerupper Up

May 7th, 2021, 02:42	#23
Baxlin Old Rocker Last Online: Yesterday 22:16 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Tring	Don’t laugh, but I have removed the driver’s seat cushion from the 3 wheeler, and replaced it with a 1” thick piece of foam under the carpet. Immediately in front of this, to support my legs just above the knees, I have a cylindrical tool ‘box’, padded for comfort. So essentially I sit on the floor, with legs slightly bent. Sounds horrendous, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. __________________ Just my opinion, please don't shoot me if it doesn't match yours! 2011 C70 D3 (now sold)and JZR 3 wheeler

May 7th, 2021, 06:05	#24
MikeGMT VOC Member Last Online: Today 00:08 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Kingston upon Hull, E.Yorks.	Trying hard not to laugh, honest. Now that is what you call real seat of pants driving. __________________ Volvo V90 D4 CC Pro : Osmium Grey : P* ____________________ It’s a cold day in Wagga Wagga ____________________ Who Knocks the Knockerupper Up

May 9th, 2021, 13:21	#26
xsaab Master Member Last Online: Oct 18th, 2022 15:30 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Waterlooville	I downloaded a PDF document from a company called PhysioMed based in Leeds. The document is/was a guide to setting up your car driving seating position. It is called : Correct Sitting Posture: Driving https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/...ng_Digital.pdf I have read the document - but not applied it yet. I will be trying it out later today when I am introducing a new driver to the car. Good Luck __________________ from October 2019 a 2020 XC60 R Design Pro B5 from May 2019 to October a 2019 XC60 D4 AWD Inscription with even more bits 2015 to 2019 a 2014 XC60 D5 RDesign, Polestar, lots of cameras and sensors

May 9th, 2021, 15:03	#28
EssexExile Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:19 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Cannock	That PDF is a laugh - take a break every 20 minutes! We're all different so we all like different driving positions. I'm tall and have a bad back so I take forever choosing a car, most I can't sit in comfortably, then I take ages choosing the seat options. once I have the car I play around with the seat for eternity until it feels right. Then I put my little cushion in the small of my back because the lumbar support is much too low. You don't really know if it's right until you've done a few hours in it. Why are passenger seats never as adjustable as driver seats? __________________ Red XC60 Momentum T5, 2019

May 6th, 2021, 22:28	#21
Mobileadam New Member Last Online: Jul 25th, 2023 21:20 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Berkshire	I’ve been experimenting with distance from steering wheel (since discomfort comes from neck / shoulders). I quite like my arms pretty much stretched out for the steering wheel as it makes it feel smaller - but I wonder if that is an issue with over reaching. I have tried to put my wrists on the top of the wheel and keep my back flat which I can do (to measure) but my shoulders come away to reach the wheel. Not sure if they should remain pinned to the seat. My only concern then would be distance from wheel. I’ll do some more adjustments.

May 9th, 2021, 08:31	#25
Mobileadam New Member Last Online: Jul 25th, 2023 21:20 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Berkshire	Well thanks for all of the suggestions. So many factors affect position and comfort. Also when you feel either too leaned back or too upright the measurements taken are only a couple of degrees different. I have pulled the wheel out fully to try and get my shoulders to not move away from seat back. I also moved by seat forward but that does mean I’m running out of headroom with the pano roof. As always I need to play more as often get in and it feels terrible or drive a little and then adjust to what feels good but next trip it feels terrible. I’m confident it is me and not the car. Terrible posture.

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