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Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 1:22 pm
by Horse
Been thinking about this for a while and was reminded of it yesterday afternoon, while waiting for another vehicle to pass, with its driver seemingly craning to see over the steering wheel.

I drive an ordinary saloon and like to sit 'high', with the top of the wheel about level with my collar bones/neck. I hold the wheel about 7:20, with thumbs just at 9:30. I had both carpal tunnel done and holding higher (10-2) is uncomfortable.

How do you sit, relative to the wheel?

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 2:33 pm
by martine
I sympathise with your difficulty in holding the wheel higher.

I drive a focus and sit with the seat base level at it's lowest setting. I have a gentle knee bend with clutch fully down and if I stretch may hands out (resting on top of the wheel) the wheel top cuts my wrist...gosh just like the book! I use either 10-2 grip of 3-45 depending on road.
I'm 5' 10" and can see clearly over the wheel.

Why are you asking?

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:20 pm
by Horse
Just wondered :)

Prompted by so many people I see in the rear view mirror where it's just their eyes or nose over the top of the wheel.

So wondered how others here sit.

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:15 am
by GTR1400MAN
Horse wrote:... with thumbs just at 9:30.

What do you mean?

Lots of drivers have the seat poorly adjusted. Wanting to have the seat reclined and too low. Watch and see how many people are either trying to drive with almost straight arms, or due to being short and cars being designed for your average adult, they are right up against the wheel with their arms really bent. I don't know of any car that has pedal adjustment so they can be brought towards the driver , all the adjustment is on the wheel moving in/out.People tend to adjust the seat as if they are going to watch TV. Don't get started on the use of the 'head rest! ;)

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:10 am
by Horse
GTR1400MAN wrote:
Horse wrote:... with thumbs just at 9:30.

What do you mean?


I meant I typed it wrong :oops: Thumbs at '9:3' with fingertips able to touch the switches (indicator wiper etc.)

Lots of drivers have the seat poorly adjusted. . . . Don't get started on the use of the 'head rest! ;)


Looking behind at a couple of lights stops this morning, one driver I could see 'chin and a bit of neck' visible, another was just nose above the wheel.

Head rests, or 'restraints' ;)

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:33 am
by GTR1400MAN
Horse wrote:Head rests, or 'restraints' ;)

That was the point I was making ... but not obvious enough :)

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:42 am
by jont-
GTR1400MAN wrote:
Horse wrote:... with thumbs just at 9:30.

I don't know of any car that has pedal adjustment so they can be brought towards the driver

The caterham has a pedal box with 3 different positions you can hang the brake/clutch from. Although changing things needs the right tools and we're talking probably 10s of minutes to change it :lol:

I think there are a few supercars where the pedals move rather than the wheel.

Modern anti-whiplash head restraints I often find uncomfortable. With the seat back adjusted sufficiently upright, they shove my head uncomfortably far forwards.

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 12:45 pm
by GTR1400MAN
jont- wrote:The caterham has a pedal box with 3 different positions you can hang the brake/clutch from. Although changing things needs the right tools and we're talking probably 10s of minutes to change it :lol:

Isn't that because the wheel and seat don't move?

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 1:35 pm
by jont-
GTR1400MAN wrote:
jont- wrote:The caterham has a pedal box with 3 different positions you can hang the brake/clutch from. Although changing things needs the right tools and we're talking probably 10s of minutes to change it :lol:

Isn't that because the wheel and seat don't move?

Seat moves. Wheel telescopes too if you have a 17mm spanner and a 5.5mm hex bit...

Re: Being 'high' while driving

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:04 pm
by Gareth
jont- wrote:Modern anti-whiplash head restraints I often find uncomfortable. With the seat back adjusted sufficiently upright, they shove my head uncomfortably far forwards.

Me too [/aol]