How you sit in relation to the car's controls has a significant effect on the efficiency and accuracy with which you operate those controls.
The optimum driving position provides maximum support while allowing full and free movement of your limbs, and allows your muscles to work against load with minimum effort and absence of strain.
If you find at any time when you're driving that you're tensing muscles that aren't actually being used to move controls (for example, muscles in your lower back), that's a good indication that your driving position is not ideal.
Can you improve your driving position?
Are you familiar with the full range of adjustment on your car's seat?
In addition to sliding backwards and forwards, and raking the backrest, many modern car seats have variable seat cushion height and tilt, degree of lumbar support in the lower back and even the distance between side bolsters.
Check whether you're making the best use of the adjustments available to you, to shape the seat for the optimum fit, particularly when you change cars or drive a different model temporarily.
Before you start making any adjustments, make sure that your pelvis is fully back in the seat so that your lower spine is against the back rest.
Much back pain suffered by drivers arises from a slumped posture with insufficient support for the lower back.
Do you find yourself stretching uncomfortably, perhaps to push the clutch fully down or to reach the top of the steering wheel?
Try moving a little closer to the relevant controls, either by sliding the seat forward, by adjusting the backrest to a more upright position, or both.
Are you unnecessarily cramped? For example, is it awkward to move your foot from throttle to brake and back again, or do your elbows hit the seat or door when making large turns of the steering wheel?
Slide the seat backwards, recline the backrest a little or both.
Have you got the optimum view from the driving seat? In most cars, the higher you sit, the better you can see. Have you adjusted the seat height as high as comfortable without your head brushing the roof?
Can you reach all parts of the steering wheel (including the left side with your right hand and vice versa) while keeping your shoulders fully back against the seat backrest?
Many drivers sit in too reclined a position for complete control. If your arms are too straight, you'll impede full and free rotation of the steering wheel.
Does your car have an adjustable steering wheel? If so, are you placing the wheel in the optimum position? As well as checking that you can turn the wheel fully and freely, make sure the wheel isn't brushing your thighs unnecessarily or obscuring part of the instrument panel. Set your seat for optimum control of the pedals, optimum view and maximum comfort, then adjust the steering wheel.
How well do your legs brace you against the car's movements?
Do your feet form a broad, stable base, or do you try to drive with your knees together? (Through cultural influences - "sit like a lady" - many women drivers adopt a knees-together posture. Simply changing to a more appropriate leg position often produces an immediate improvement in the quality of car control.)
How well does the seat's backrest support you, particularly when cornering?
Does your driving position allow you to get all the sideways support you need by leaning back into the seat, or do you ever find yourself holding onto the steering wheel for support?
From time to time, and when it's safe to do so (such as when you've just parked), run a comfort check. Close your eyes (to shut out the dominant visual sense) and feel the support provided by your seat. Is there an even pressure all over? Or are you aware of any particular pressure points? If so, where are they, and how can you change the shape or location of the seat to remove them?
