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The perfect driving position
* You could be damaging your health
* Set up the perfect position for you
* Try our two-minute tension buster
Try this 10-point guide, which is based on recommendations from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (www.csp.org.uk), to set up the perfect driving position in your car. Before you start, take time to familiarise yourself with all the adjustments available.
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Step 1
Get seat into the initial set-up position:
Steering wheel fully up and forward.
Seat as low as possible.
Seatbase tilted so the front edge is in its lowest position (if applicable).
Seatback is approximately 30 degrees reclined from vertical.
Lumbar adjustment fully backed off.
Whole seat as far back as possible.
Step 2 (if applicable)
Raise the seat as high as you find comfortable to improve your view.
Check your head has adequate clearance from the roof lining.
Ensure your vision of the road
isnt impaired.
Step 3
Move the seat forward until you can fully depress both the clutch and accelerator pedals with ease.
Check that the seat height is as high as
you find comfortable, and that your head has adequate clearance from the roof lining (if applicable).
Steve Huntingford
Updated: 23 December 2008
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Step 4 (if applicable)
Adjust seatbase tilt angle so the thighs are supported by the cushion.
Check theres no pressure behind
the knee.
Step 5
Adjust the seatback so it provides continuous support along the back, up to the shoulders 110 degrees from the base should be about right
Avoid an overly reclined position: this will cause excessive forward bending of the head and neck, and may force you to slide forward on the cushion.
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Step 6 (if applicable)
Adjust lumbar support to ensure even pressure is applied along the length of the seatback.
Ensure lumbar support fits your back and is comfortable, with no pressure points or gaps.
Step 7 (if applicable)
Adjust steering wheel reach so that the palms on your hands rest on top of the wheel when you straighten your arms (dont lean or stretch forward)
Move the wheel down until you have a clear view over the top without elongating your neck.
Check theres adequate clearance for thighs and knees when using pedals.
Ensure dash display is in full view and not obstructed by the wheel.
Step 8
Adjust the head restraint so the top is level with the top of your head.
Check there is a maximum of two inches between the front of the restraint and the back of
your head.
Step 9
Adjust seatbelt height so it runs across your chest (if applicable).
Adjust all mirrors for an optimum view of the road behind.
Step 10
Repeat
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