Adopting a correct and comfortable driving position may be difficult during the first contact with a new vehicle. In every car, there is a greater or lesser possibility of adjusting the position of the driver’s seat. In older vehicles that do not have a luxury equipment package, you can usually move closer or further to the pedals and raise or lower the seat. New cars have many more adjustment options, and some models are equipped with the function of storing several profiles. How to properly adjust the driver’s seat? At what height and depth should it be? How do you know if a certain driving position is safe? We answer all these questions in the guide below.

How to adjust the driver’s seat – distance from the pedals

The optimal driver’s seat settings may depend on the gearbox, because in manual cars you need to be able to operate the gas pedal, brake and clutch. Before driving, make sure that the position allows you to operate all pedals freely. If we are unable to press any of them to the end without changing our position, we need to move away or move closer accordingly. With a manual gearbox, the leg resting on the clutch should be slightly bent at the knee.

How to adjust the driver’s seat – distance from the steering wheel

Adjustable steering wheel position is a very reasonable convenience, which unfortunately is not very popular on the European market. Depending on the solutions used by a given manufacturer, this may allow you to raise, lower, retract and extend the steering wheel. As a rule, it is assumed that the optimal distance between the driver’s chest and the steering wheel is approximately 30-40 cm, but in practice it depends largely on body build (e.g. arm length or height).

How to adjust the car seat – backrest

The optimal angle of the backrest in relation to the seat is approximately 100-110 degrees, but this rule does not apply to all vehicles. Sports cars are often equipped with bucket seats that do not have many adjustment options. The target driver’s seat settings should not limit visibility in any way, as this has a direct impact on the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users.

How high should you set the car seat?

As with the backrest, adequate visibility is the highest priority here. A situation in which the driver has to tilt every time to see where his hood ends is an example of an incorrectly adjusted driver’s seat.

How to make regular adjustments of the chair easier?

Modern cars equipped with a system for remembering several driver profiles are a very convenient solution, but not everyone has one. An excellent alternative to less equipped cars is a regular chalk marker, thanks to which you can mark your favorite position in a non-invasive way.