Car Magazine-Sitting Position-Cars24.in

Sitting Properly

Of course you have the feeling how to adjust your driver’s seat in a proper way. But is the chosen position really the right one? A fast reaction in a case of emergency depends also on how fast you can grasp at the steering wheel and how fast you can pedal. And you will notice it possibly only a quite number of years later if you exposed your back to unnecessary stress. But how do you adjust your driver’s seat properly? We show you good and bad examples.

This is the proper position

The seating surface (1)

		Set the sitting height in a position, in which you have an all around sight and in which you can read out all the instruments (eyes on half height with the windshield).
		The leading edge of the seat should not be set too high to avoid strangulating the thighs.
		The seating surface should end a couple of centimeters before the hollow of the knee.
		The bottom has to be very close to the backrest.
		Move the seating surface to the back but only as far as the knees are not stretched when pedaling. The right thigh should not push in the cushion. A minimum distance of 25 to 30 cm between torso and airbag steering wheel is recommended.

The backrest (2)

		If possible, sitting upright saves the back and shrinks the distance to the headrest.
		The shoulder blades should touch the backrest, during steering too
		If available, it is recommended to adjust the lumbar support to the spine.

Steering wheel (3)

For a relaxed position the steering wheel should stand steep. The shoulders should not lose contact with the backrest, even if the wrist lies on the steering wheel rim.

Headrest (4)

To be perfectly protected in case of a rear impact collision, the headrest should be adjusted as high as possible, to the top edge of the head. The headrest will be close to the head if the backrest is adjusted to a steep level.

This is wrong way

Clasping at the steering wheel and slouching on the seat: Here are our bad examples


Mister clasping: The cramped position quickly causes fatigue and the small distance to the steering wheel also makes evasive maneuvers impossible.In case of an accident the driver is too close to the airbag.	Mister laid-back: In the reclining position the back loses too much touch witch the backrest and the distance to the headrest is considerably high. Fast steering maneuvers will be almost impossible.	The one hand driver: With one hand on the upper or lower steering wheel rim every sudden evasive maneuver will evolve in a unpredictable rowing without accuracy.

Hints and tips for buying a car

When buying a new or an used car you will not take a decision without a test drive, that's for sure. But you should really test extensively, if you can take the seat position as recommended from us. After all, humans are not standardized in their proportions. But the car manufacturers inevitably orientate themselves by what physique the major part of the humans have. The consequence: Very often the car testers detect for example headrests which cannot be adjusted high enough. Please pay attention!

A good car model features the following possibilities for adjustment:

		Height adjustable seating surface (only rake adjustable is unfavorable).
		Longitudinal adjustment of the seat.
		Headrest with enough height adjustment - should reach the upper edge of the head.
		A backrest which is continuously adjustable and high enough - the shoulders should be supported.
		A control lever which is easy to access.
		Steering wheel with height and longitudinal adjustment.

To find the car for you that fits you have to take a look and orientate yourself by the results of the car tests! The most important criteria are: interior with enough space in front and behind and "comfort" with seat evaluation.