How to adjust car seat properly without back pain

How to adjust car seat properly

The most accurate seat height is when the driver can clearly see the windshield and the car windows. Sitting in the driver's seat, the driver's hips and knees must be level. In case the car does not have a seat height control feature, you can use an additional car seat cushion to increase the height. However, be careful not to adjust the seat too high because it will cause you to bend over while driving.

Regarding the distance, slide the seat back a large distance, sit in the seat and slowly slide forward to find the correct stopping point. The correct seat distance is when: The legs do not have to be fully extended to press the accelerator/brake pedal and are not bent; The knees are only slightly bent; Sitting close to the seat, between the legs and the seat there is a gap large enough to fit 2 fingers; Holding the steering wheel with the elbows at an angle of about 120 degrees, the distance between the shoulders and the steering wheel is about 25 - 30 cm.

The correct driver's seat backrest adjustment is one that forms a 100-degree angle with the seat cushion. If your shoulders lift off the backrest when you turn the steering wheel, the backrest is tilted back too far. If your elbows are bent too much, the backrest is upright.

When the backrest is adjusted correctly, the driver can easily control the steering wheel with the elbows only slightly bent (about 120 degrees), the body always pressed against the backrest, the buttocks close to the seat. This helps support the back, thereby avoiding back pain when driving for a long time.

Adjust the car seat headrest so that the top of your head is level with the top edge of the headrest. If your head is higher than the headrest, you need to pull the headrest up. If your head is lower than the headrest, you need to lower the headrest. If you want better support for your neck and nape, reducing neck fatigue when driving a lot, you can install a car headrest pillow.

The distance between the seat and the accelerator and brake pedals must be just enough for comfortable footing and to be able to smoothly handle situations requiring braking or accelerating.

Slide the seat until your knees are slightly bent when you press the accelerator.

Push the seat forward if your legs are too extended - you may have to reach forward to apply the brakes/accelerator.

Push the chair back if your legs are bent too far.

Keeping your knees slightly bent while driving not only helps you drive comfortably but also prevents knee pain/tiredness, especially when driving long distances. Normally, the recommended knee bend angle is about 130 degrees.

The driver can estimate the angle of leg flexion by the following method: Place two fingers between the edge of the seat and the leg gap. Adjust the seat so that the two fingers fit in this gap.

Whether you are short or tall, the correct seat height is for the driver to be able to clearly see the windshield and car windows - meaning they must have a comprehensive view of the traffic situation ahead.

The driver should adjust the seat height so that the hips and knees are level and the windshield and windows can be clearly seen.

If the seat is too low, the driver cannot see near the front of the car and will have to lean forward. If the seat is too high, the driver will have to bend down to see out the windshield and windows.

After adjusting the seat height and the distance of the seat to the accelerator and brake pedals, the driver should try pressing the brake pedal all the way down to check. If when pressing the brake pedal all the way down, the heel is raised up, this means the seat is adjusted too far, the seat needs to be moved closer.

Adjust the lumbar support cushion, the raised part under the seat backrest is the lumbar support cushion. Adjust this cushion so that the bottom edge is level with the waist line. The depth of the cushion fills the curve of the lower back. If the car does not have a lumbar support cushion, you can equip it yourself. Using a lumbar support cushion will help support and reduce pressure on the lower vertebrae, limiting the condition of sitting and driving for a long time causing back pain.

Correct sitting posture when driving a car

The body should always be pressed against the back of the seat with the back pressed against the backrest and the buttocks pressed deep into the seat. If the body is pressed against the seat but the right hand reaches for the steering wheel or the right foot reaches for the gas/brake pedal, the seat needs to be adjusted, not the body. Pressing against the back of the seat will help support the spine, reduce pressure, thereby avoiding back pain when driving for a long time.

Hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, imagine the steering wheel as a clock face, then place your left hand at the 9 o'clock position, and your right hand at the 3 o'clock position. This is the most standard way to hold the steering wheel. Always control the steering wheel with both hands because driving with one hand can easily twist the spine and cause back pain.

The right foot controls the accelerator and brake pedals. Place your right foot in line with the brake pedal (in the middle). While driving, keep your heel in this position, only pushing the toes toward the accelerator pedal. When you need to brake, release the accelerator pedal, and move the toes back straight to press the brake pedal.

If driving a manual transmission, the left foot is used to control the clutch pedal. If driving an automatic transmission, continuously variable transmission, dual-clutch transmission, etc., the left foot must always be kept fixed on the left footrest, and the left foot must never be used to brake. This way, the driver will comply with the safety principle of “no gas, brake”.

Fasten the seat belt across the pelvis. Many people fasten the seat belt across their thighs or stomach. This is completely wrong. The correct position for a seat belt is across the pelvis.