Proper car seating position, specifically height...

"N51fanatic" (n51fanatic)
09/22/2014 at 20:13 • Filed to: None

So what's the consensus here? I had my 128i serviced last week, I have manual seats and was in a rush to get home, so I simply got in and headed home. The seat was WAY higher than i have had it for the past year, but something strange happened. I actually liked it. I got home and just slid it up a bit, changed my steering wheel a bit, but kept it high.

I searched a bit online, and saw on a bmw board you should have 4 finger widths between the top of your head and the headliner.

My car feels so much better. It feels like a different car. My previous seating position was essentially on the floor. I can't get over how much better the car is to drive (not that i thought it was bad before).

DISCUSSION (20)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:15

What ever feels good is the proper height.

Haimatox > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:16

I sit as low as possible, and slightly reclined. My car is difficult to get the position right, because once my seat is set up properly, the wheel doesn't telescope out far enough.

Sweet Trav > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:17

80's Monte Carlo's force a gangster lean.

Brian, The Life of > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:19

This position is impossible to achieve in any sports car.

Manuél Ferrari > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:20

It's all just a trade off between safety and visibility

The lower you sit the better in a roll over. But sitting as low as possible may not give you the best visibility. Unless you're really tall, in which case it might actually be the best spot for both safety and visibility.

corvairmonza > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:20

For height, I'd just say it's where you're comfortable. My dad attended a Skip Barber driving school, and was told for distance the steering wheel should be at your wrist with your arm extended and your shoulders back against the seat. Personally, that's a little further back than I like to be. But that's interesting on the height, I never thought of doing anything other than just dropping the seat as far as it goes.

charolastra > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:29

>implying i can adjust my seat height

pfft, okay scrooge mcduck.

GhostZ > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:30

My advice: Steering wheel is directly over knees and your head is hunched down, plus your legs and close ttogether because you're driving a 1800lb single seater racecar.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:31

My car pretty much forces a position like that and I hate it. Makes the pedals more awkward to press accurately, I'm looking into modifying the seat rail so I can sit lower (my seat has no height adjustment).

Tapas > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:40

Agreed!

As a not-very-tall person, I have to raise the seat position in most cars I get into.

When I first learned to drive, I kept my seat a bit because it helped me see the end of the hood much clearly and hence, place the car much better on the road....

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 20:54

Supposedly for best ergonomics and safety the steering wheel should also be pointed squarely at your chest.

desertdog5051 > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 22:58

I like to be higher up. Gives me better control. I love the illustration you posted. "No ornaments blocking your view" I see so many people with enough stuff hanging from their mirrors that you know they have a huge blind spot.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > N51fanatic
09/22/2014 at 23:50

I first started driving pick up trucks and as a result I am very uncomfortable unless my seat is near vertical.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > N51fanatic
09/23/2014 at 16:58

4 finger widths? LOL I'm 6'4" good luck

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
09/23/2014 at 17:17

I have a cousin who lives north of Portland and he at one point drove a geo metro or something about the same size that he bought off of craigslist for like $300.

And he is 6' 8" (no that's not a typo) and that was darn funny watching him try to drive that thing. Getting in and out was even funnier.

he inherited his height from his dad's side of the family, because everyone on my side is like under 6 foot, but he is like absurdly tall for even his dad's side of the family.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man
09/23/2014 at 17:33

I have like an inch or two maybe in my FiST, although I do have the sunroof so without that I could probably get a couple more.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man
09/23/2014 at 22:41

One day my 6'8 friend and myself (a 6' woman) took my dad's Solstice (with the top down...) for a drive. And then we switched who was driving at a McDonald's, where people took pictures of us, probably because we looked like a clown car. I still have no idea how he actually drove (and used the clutch!) that car.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
09/23/2014 at 22:43

I'm (only) 6' but between the sunroof and the helmet, I have maybe a finger width of clearance. The moral of the story is the next track car will a)not have a sunroof and b)will have a helmet taken along while test driving.

Bytemite > N51fanatic
09/24/2014 at 12:00

Lowest on the rear, highest on the front. Leaned back as far as my arm can still turn the wheel. Slid forward until left foot is halfway on the footrest.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > N51fanatic
09/24/2014 at 14:56

I sit fairly high and upright (have to lower myself to fit with a helmet). For the wheel position, with your shoulders pressed against the seat, if you stick your arms out straight, you should be able to rest your wrists on the top of the steering wheel.