Content

• Steps

Driving with a properly adjusted seat will make you more comfortable and safer. There are many ways to adjust the seat, such as moving it forward or away from the steering wheel, changing the tilt of the backrest, raising or lowering the headrest. After the seat is adjusted for comfort and safety, make sure you sit in the seat properly. Remember to always wear seat belts!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Use a seat controller

1. 

   Slide the seat until your knees flex when you press the gas. Push the seat forward if your feet have to be fully extended when you step on the accelerator. Push the seat back if your knees are bent too much. Keeping your knees bent slightly while driving will avoid knee pain.

2. 

   
   
   Sit with a space between the knees and the chair that fits 2 fingers. Place 2 fingers between the edge of the chair and hold your legs. If you don't fit two fingers in the gap, slide the chair back until you can.

3. 

   
   
   Raise the chair until your hips are knee-level. Adjust the seat height again if you can't see the windshield and windows clearly. Do not drive in a sitting position with your hips lower than your knees.
   • If your vehicle doesn't have the controls to adjust the seat height, sit on a cushion to keep your hips at knee level. Make sure you do not set the seat too high or you will have to bend over to see the windshield and windows.

4. 

   
   
   Adjust the backrest to an angle of about 100 degrees. Sitting at such an angle reduces the pressure on your lower back to help you feel more comfortable. If your shoulders are lifted off the backrest when you rotate the steering wheel, your seat is reclining too much. Lie back with your backrest if you bend forward while driving. When the seat back is in the right position, you will easily grip the steering wheel and your elbows will bend slightly.

5. 

   Move the headrest so that the back of your neck is centered. If your head is higher than the headrest while sitting in a chair, you need to raise your headrest. If the nape of the neck is lower than the headrest, adjust the headrest down. Ideally, the top of your head is level with the top of the headrest.

6. 

   Adjust the lumbar support cushion to fit the curvature of your lower back. The lumbar support cushion is the protrusion of the lower backrest. First, adjust the height of the lumbar support cushion so that the lower edge is level with the waist line. Next, adjust the depth of the cushion so that the lower back curve is completely filled.
   • If your seat doesn't have a lumbar cushion, roll a towel and place it in the arch of your back while driving.
   • You can also purchase a removable sponge pad in place of a lumbar support cushion if the seat doesn't have one.

   

   Ibrahim Onerli

   Driving teacher Ibrahim Onerli is a member and manager of Revolution Driving School, a driving school in New York City with a mission to make the world a better place through teaching safe driving. Ibrahim coaches and manages a group of more than 8 driving teachers, specializing in defensive driving and manual transmission.

   

   Ibrahim Onerli
   Driving teacher

   Try pressing the brake pedal to make sure the seat is comfortable. Press the brake all the way down and notice if your heel is on the rise. If so, your seat should be chained. In addition, keep the steering wheel itself so that the distance from the steering wheel to the chest is about 25 cm.

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Method 2 of 2: Sit in a chair properly

1. 

   Sit so that your body is always close to the chair. Your back should be against the backrest, the buttocks as close to the chair as possible. Avoid driving with people who rush forward; If you cannot reach the pedal or steering wheel, adjust your seat, not your body.

2. 

   Hold the steering wheel in position “9 and 3”. Imagine the steering wheel as a clock face. Place your left hand at 9 o'clock like on the clock. Place your right hand at 3 o'clock on the dial. Holding this position gives you the best steering wheel control.
   • Always drive with both hands on the steering wheel. Driving with one hand causes the spine to twist, which can lead to back pain.

3. 

   Keep the left foot in the footrest when you are not using it. If you are driving in gear, move your left foot only when you use the clutch pedal. If you drive automatically, you will never move your left foot out of the footrest. Keeping your left leg flat on the footrest will support your back and pelvis while driving.

4. 

   Fasten your seat belt so that the part of the belt crosses the pelvis. Do not tie the belt across the thighs and above the abdomen. In the event of an accident, you need a seat belt that attaches to your pelvis rather than your abdomen. advertisement