Set up your driving seat
Adjust your seat before you drive so you can reach everything without straining your back, neck or arms.
- How often
- As needed
- Time
- 5 min
- Recommended for
- 5 factors
How to do it
- Adjust the seat height so your hips and knees are at about the same level and your eyes are level with the base of the rearview mirror.
- Slide the seat so you can reach the pedals fully with your knees still slightly bent.
- Set the backrest close to upright, so you can hold the wheel with relaxed, slightly bent arms without leaning forward.
- If the seat does not support your lower back, add a small lumbar pillow or rolled towel.
- Reset the mirrors to match. On long drives, stop for a walk and stretch every couple of hours.
Why it helps
Hours behind the wheel hold you in one position while the car vibrates beneath you. A seat set up so you can reach the wheel and pedals without stretching, with your lower back supported, takes strain off your back, neck and shoulders.
Be careful
If you have back pain that spreads down a leg, numbness or weakness, see a doctor. If arthritis or another condition makes driving hard, a certified driving rehabilitation specialist can help.
Recommended for
Airline pilot
Long seated duty days across time zones and through the night.
habitLong commute by car
An hour or more a day seated, braced and on alert behind the wheel.
occupationPolice officer
Long shifts in a patrol car, heavy gear and moments of high stress.
occupationRideshare and delivery driver
In and out of the car all day, on a clock, chasing the next order.
occupationTruck driver
Long hours behind the wheel, irregular sleep and food from truck stops.