Comfortable driving position. Are we driving properly?

Comfortable driving position. Are we driving properly?

To begin with, the ideal fit for passenger car has long been worked out in world rally races. Everything is very clear and objective there - who sat better, he arrived first, who sat badly - he crashed the car and killed himself nafig.

The first thing to remember firmly, tightly - the steering wheel must be held with two hands as much as possible possible time. There should be no putting your hand on the armrest, picking your nose, scratching your butt or drinking lemonade on the go. It's the same in sports. The right hand is removed from the steering wheel only to manipulate the gearshift knob and handbrake, and immediately returns. Do not keep your hand on the gearshift lever all the time - shift the gear, and put your hand back on the steering wheel.

We start adjusting the seat by adjusting the longitudinal position of the pillow. The right foot is on the brake, the left foot fully depresses the clutch pedal (if the gearbox is automatic, just put the left foot on the platform to rest the foot). We move the seat forward and get the correct bend in the knees - the legs should not be completely extended, the bend in the knee should be about 130 degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees.

Where to hold the steering wheel - on modern bagels there are pointers right place tides, keep it there. The thumb should wrap around the handlebars, not over the top. Don't be like the idiots who hold the steering wheel on top - the airbag that fires will break your arms. And do not hold the steering wheel from below - when frontal impact you will not be able to effectively lean on it with your hands, which will absorb some of the energy and may save your life. And this is not to mention the fact that the correct grip of the steering wheel in those places where the manufacturer made tides-tips is optimal from the point of view of the rapid rotation of the steering wheel in case of an unexpected obstacle.

Determining the correct distance to the steering wheel is very simple. If the wrists reach the top of the rim when the arm is fully extended and the back does not come off the seat, everything is correct (see picture below). In this case, you will have the necessary margin for turning the steering wheel, and your hands in normal position will be slightly bent.

The steering wheel hub must point towards the face., and not in the stomach, the rim, if possible, does not overlap the devices. In general, in the WRC, the hub is directed a little lower, approximately to the neck - but this is specific racing cars which do not have an airbag in the steering wheel. If you have a pillow - it should shoot you exactly in the head, and not in the neck, not in the chest and not in the stomach, only in this case it will pull out its task and you will stay alive.

Controls should not serve as fulcrum. Here simplest way checks: sitting in the driver's seat, without lifting your back from the seat, tear off your feet from the floor, and your palms from the steering wheel. If your body does not fall forward or backward, the landing is correct. If it falls, adjust the inclination of the seat cushion, and, if not enough, the inclination of the backrest.

In general, in the rally, the driver's body is placed almost vertically, as on the map. Unfortunately, in most civil vehicles it is difficult to obtain such a landing without rearranging the seats and / or the pedal assembly, but it is necessary to strive for it - for driving in dense stream nothing better has been invented.

Here's an example of Evgeny Novikov and Ilka Minor at the Acropolis WRC Rally:

You see - Novikov sits almost vertically, for the sake of this the seats are even shifted back to the center of the car, the pedal assembly is also shifted back. Ilka sits a little more leaning back - she doesn’t need to steer, and so she blocks the driver’s view to the side less. This is a world sport, guys - everything is aimed at maximum efficiency here.


As you can see, the landing is the same. Colin won 477 special stages in the WRC with this landing - what did you achieve?

"I'm so comfortable" is not an argument. It is convenient for you to lie in bed with a woman, but you need to sit behind the wheel in a way that is safer - for you and for those around you. And you have to get used to sitting that way, and not otherwise.

In any case, we do the following test: we try to straighten our legs, we press hard on the floor and pedals. If at the same time the body moves up along the seatback or tends to do so, the backrest should be placed more upright.

Here's a hit parade of jerks behind the wheel:

Don't drive like that. Don't be idiots. If you gonna do it, do it Right. If you're going to do it, do it right. Be fools, all those "silver dream racers" with Sparto mudguards that add +10% to top speed, they steer with one finger, lying on their belly - you get behind the wheel correctly, and then you will pass by when they stand, hugging the pole with their car.

Proper seating behind the wheel of a car without harm to the spine is the key to good driver performance, and depends on whether his position is comfortable. Proper fit creates good visibility road driving does not create much fatigue, so it is essential. The position of the driver must not create a hazard on the road.

Importance of driving position

Experts in the field of medicine believe that a person is most harmed by his sitting position. But driving a car in a standing position will not work in any way, so let's look at some tips that are aimed at reducing stress, and also so that the driver is ready for extreme traffic situations.

Why is given great attention proper fit behind the wheel?

  1. Creates proper blood circulation.
  2. Provides prompt response to extreme traffic situations.
  3. The correct position of the driver allows him to be behind the wheel for a long time without much fatigue.

When an accident occurs, the driver most often succumbs to the influence of his instincts. Before a collision, he spontaneously rests on the steering wheel, and on the lower part with his feet, trying to soften the blow.

If during a collision the knee and elbow bends are straightened, in other words, the likelihood of injury even from a small push. Conversely, slightly bent legs or arms will soften the blow significantly. This is where the driver's first seating tip comes in: you can't fully straighten your arms and legs.

Comfort and safety

Automobile manufacturing plants driver's seat claim that the seat arrangement is normal and does not cause any harm. It is enough to properly adjust the seat for yourself, and you can be sure of the condition of the spine, do not strain your back muscles, and enjoy driving a car even on long trips, while maintaining pleasant moments and driving comfort.

If the driver feels good while driving, it is easier for him to be focused on the road, and his attentiveness increases.

Many people ask: how should you get behind the wheel so that your lower back does not hurt? Experienced drivers know the basic principles of a proper driving position, but most don't follow them. The rule is to make the most contact between the back and the back of the seat.

Seat

A common mistake drivers make is to sit behind the wheel in the position of a taxi driver who hangs on the steering wheel, or adjust the seat too high so that it can only support the back.

This negatively affects the spine, which at the same time experiences heavy loads. In the future, these loads contribute to the occurrence of complications and diseases of the spine. To take the most correct position, sitting behind the wheel, the driver must sit down, take steering wheel at the most distant point, press the clutch pedal all the way down, or place your foot on the platform, and then find the desired position of the driver's seat.

The seat must be adjusted so that the arms and legs are slightly bent at the elbow and knee. The driver is considered to be in the correct driving position if his back touches the back at three points - these are the shoulder blades, the bottom of the neck and the lower back should touch the back of the chair.

This back position is very beneficial. It makes it possible to better feel the movement of the car and sit securely in corners without sliding off the seat. Many drivers, when driving a car, lean on the steering wheel, which limits the work of the forearms. As a result, the hands are not able to make a full turn of the steering wheel. Even drivers from great experience they try to explain that in this way they increase visibility, but this is a deceptive feeling. When the driver leans over the steering wheel, visibility deteriorates and also decreases. effective work vestibular apparatus, which is a dangerous factor.

Correct grip

After determining the correct position of the chair, it is necessary to adjust the position of the steering wheel. Your palm should fit between your feet and the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel should not contribute to the difficulty of the driver's movement, or close the instrument panel. Some cars are equipped with a special steering wheel adjustment. Modern handlebars have special lugs on the rim that allow for a more comfortable grip on the handlebars, making it much easier to find the correct hand position.

An important point is getting used to the fact that the steering wheel does not serve to support the whole body, but only for the hands themselves. Body weight should be concentrated on the driver's seat at the rate of 0.3 of the total weight on the pillow, and 0.7 on the back. In this case, the main point is not to forget that the steering wheel has a built-in airbag, namely in the steering wheel hub. Therefore, in the event of an accident, a strong blow is possible, which is dangerous because the driver’s hands will be thrown into his face.

Many will ask: how to properly test the desired distance from the driver to the steering wheel? This is done easily. It is required that the wrists reach the top of the steering wheel rim, and its hub should be directed towards the driver's face. In older cars, the steering wheel is made uncomfortable, since when making maneuvers they do not allow you to position your hands correctly. Modern steering wheels of 2017, even with sharp turns allow you to easily control the car while driving, without resorting to a sharp change in the position of the hands on the steering wheel.

But cornering in tight yards and steering wheel parking modern crossover on the contrary, are inconvenient. For young drivers, it is much easier to learn how to get used to the correct grip on the steering wheel. For experienced drivers who have acquired the old habits of gripping the steering wheel, it takes a lot of work to get used to the presence of an airbag. They certainly have many features. safe ride, but forget about the presence of an airbag.

How to place the legs

An important factor is the position of the driver's feet on the pedals. To position them correctly, you must first place your left foot on the clutch and your right foot on the brake if your car is mechanical. Heels should be placed at the bottom of each pedal. Next, the socks should be spread apart, maintaining the original position of the heels.

With this position, the toe of the left foot will be on the rest area to the left of the clutch pedal, while the toe of the right foot will be on the gas pedal. When moving your foot between the pedals, you must not tear off the foot, as this will change the position of the center of mass, and prevent you from making a quick maneuver.

Controls should not be allowed to become a support for the driver. In other words, when pushing, you can’t rest your hands on the steering wheel, as well as on other parts of the dashboard. On the contrary, they need to be controlled, and not to make grasping movements. To find out if you are sitting correctly in the driver's seat, you can use an interesting way.

To do this, take your hands off the steering wheel and lift your legs up. If your body does not lean forward or backward, then you have taken correct position behind the wheel. If in this case your body has acquired an unstable position, then you should try to adjust the position of the car seat. It is often enough to just tilt the cushion, but this function is not available on all vehicles.

How to adjust the headrest

An important factor in normal posture while driving is the head restraint. Experts say that when driving on a country road, many drivers press their head into the head restraint. It definitely creates some comfort, as do other components of the car, but the head restraint needs to be properly adjusted.

Many are mistaken, arguing that the headrest must be raised to the neck. This is a dangerous factor, in case of accidents you can break your neck. This position is especially dangerous when your vehicle is hit from the rear. In such a situation, even a small push can cause injury, and sometimes even death.

If the head restraint is at the height of the back of the head and the slope is such that the shoulders, back of the head and back are in one line, they make an angle of 110 degrees. This position of the head restraint is considered safe. But it must be taken into account that no special rules headrest settings, while taking into account the individual characteristics of the anatomy of the driver's body.

You also need to look at the removal of the head and the ceiling of the cabin. It shouldn't be too small. To determine, place a fist between the head and the ceiling - if it passes easily, then the head is located safely. If the fist does not fit, then you need to lower the seat. Otherwise, when hitting the head and roof of the car, it will cause injury. This is possible even with normal driving not in an accident. Another important condition is that between the headrest and the back of the head there should be a gap across the thickness of the palm.

Safety belt

This safety factor also needs to be adjusted. Often, car drivers do not understand the importance of a seat belt, and many simply put them on instead of fastening them for visibility. But this wrong attitude to one's own life can lead to disastrous results. An interesting fact is that a fastened seat belt increases the likelihood of a driver or passenger surviving in the event of an oncoming impact by several times, and when the car is overturned, the fastened drivers almost always remain alive.

If the speed of movement is less than 60 km per hour, then people who fasten their seat belt will not receive any injuries in 80% of cases. But the belt will not be able to save if it is carelessly treated and fastened incorrectly. The length of the strap is adjustable so that the strap runs over the shoulder and chest. Do not place the strap over your throat, as this may cause serious injury.

The force of the belt tension should allow the passage of the palm of the chest and the belt. In this manner tensioned belt will not put too much pressure on the chest, and in emergency cases will provide maximum effect. It should also be noted that modern belts are equipped with automatic adjustment. But the old ones just lash out and can be dangerous, the clasp can hit hard on the head in a collision.

Popular driving landing mistakes and possible consequences

  • A common mistake that drivers make is not gripping the steering wheel with their hands. Many believe that a proper driving position is not essential and cannot provide constant control over the road. This is an erroneous opinion, the correct grip of the steering wheel should be in the first place. The most dangerous position is when the hands are in the 3 by 9 position as seen on the clock face. This position imparts uneven loads that can lead to reduced road control. Various studies, which are periodically carried out by automobile concerns, have determined the optimal position of the hands on the steering wheel, which corresponds to the 10 to 2 position.
  • It is impossible to sit correctly at the wheel if the head restraint is adjusted incorrectly. The importance of this factor is confirmed by the fact that some foreign cars are produced with a pre-adjusted head restraint, the height of which cannot be changed independently.
  • Straight legs behind the wheel can lead to serious consequences if an emergency occurs. In this case, the impact force is perceived by the hip, and for drivers who drive with bent legs, the inertia of the body mass will be less destructive.
  • The back of the driver's seat is important for creating the correct body position. For example, we can consider the driving of racers - the sporty position of the body behind the wheel is accompanied by a vertical position of the back, which achieves complete and constant control of the car, no matter how difficult it is. According to the recommendations of professionals, the correct landing will not relax the driver.

The considered errors are the most dangerous, and if there are several of these errors, they can contribute to the death of the driver, or serious injury. Therefore, any vehicle should be configured individually for each driver, or separately before a long journey.

You should be aware that driving schools do not always teach how to properly sit behind the wheel separately on cars with automatic transmissions or on mechanics. It is no coincidence that a lot is said about the correct landing, this increases safety on the road, and greatly facilitates driving.

car and spine

People have suffered from various diseases of the spine at all times, and the male population suffers from the spine much more. This is due to men's work - drafts, lifting weights.

Long-term driving a car tires a person mentally and physically, and is also the cause of spinal diseases. Doctors have found that drivers often sit in the car incorrectly. This is usually a posture when the body is tilted forward and the legs are extended. In the spine, this increases the force on the intervertebral discs. They intensify due to frequent shaking. As a result, such diseases appear - spondylolisthesis, osteochondrosis and others. With a hernia of the discs of the vertebral region, doctors do not recommend driving at all.

The main cause of osteochondrosis for drivers is insufficient motor mode, which is called hypodynamia. Driving conditions are characterized by overstrain of the muscles of the shoulders and legs. Such a constant load for many years contributes to the emergence of various diseases.

Herniated discs of the spine - the most popular disease of this department. It is associated with a violation of the exchange processes in the disks.

  • The driver's seat is the key to health. It is better if it is equipped with back support so that the lower back does not hurt. This device should be at the bottom, and adjustable in inclination and height.
  • Every two hours you need to stop and stretch your back, walk, do some exercises, and at the same time inspect the car.
  • You need to sit straight, lean back against the back of the chair.
  • The presence of a head restraint is mandatory to prevent injury to the cervical spine during sudden jolts of the car.

How to sit for drivers with a non-standard body

If your physique is different from the average person, then you are advised to follow some rules:

  1. At weak hands you should install an oversized handlebar on the machine and grasp it in the upper part of the rim with both hands, keeping a wide grip.
  2. At short arms you need to sit upright, with legs slightly bent. It is also recommended to bend the shift knob so that it does not have to be tilted forward when operating.
  3. If you are the owner of a small foot size, then it is recommended to place a small plank, picking up its height so that the heels are on it.
  4. If you have long arms, then tilt the back of the chair more back, and move your buttocks to the edge of the chair. At the same time, the neck will get tired more, you will have to get used to it.
  5. If your legs are too long, you need to change your seating position in the car seat. The torso and legs should form an angle close to a right one. If the hands are conveniently located on the steering wheel, then the legs will also be comfortable.

Important advice: it is necessary to achieve stability of the body, the weight must go to the cushion and back of the seat. The landing is checked like this - if you can raise your arms and legs at the same time, then you are sitting correctly.

  1. When driving on slippery road and bumpy surfaces, spread your elbows out and up a little, this will ensure normal work spinal muscles, which will make it easier to control the machine, especially with front-wheel drive.
  2. When driving in the city, you need to bend your elbows more. The correctness of this angle is determined - straighten your arm and place it on the steering wheel so that its rim is at elbow level.
  3. After switching on desired gear do not place your foot over the clutch for a long time, this will reduce control over the car, and the muscles will quickly get tired. It will also reduce the time to perform a quick maneuver.
  4. After switching on the gear, the right hand must immediately be returned to the steering wheel.

A person is able to get used to many circumstances in 21 days. You need to tune in to this period and constantly check your position in the car. Such habits are good for the driver, proper seating and handling will save lives in an emergency.

Do you know, dear reader, that the correct landing behind the wheel of a car will help to significantly secure the driving process. But that's not all. Many people spend significant hours of the day behind the wheel of a car due to the nature of their jobs. And correct posture is the key to spinal health.

A few tips to help you find the right body position while driving

Each of us ever. And then, after driving several hundred kilometers, the back began to ache and we complained that we could not straighten up or our legs were swollen. And what about truckers and all those who travel long distances by car?

This article offers some tips that will help almost all drivers. Still, it was not enough just to lose health while driving your beloved vehicle!

Seat

Manufacturers of the driver's license, all as one, claim that doctors do not see anything harmful in the design of the seat itself. On the contrary, by adjusting the driver's seat correctly, you can not only not worry about your spine, but also relax some back muscles, and turn the trip, even over the longest distances, into. Thus, the alertness of the driver is also increased, which is much better focused on the road.

Proper contact between the driver's back and the seat is not possible unless it is complete. Many drivers make the mistake of "hanging" on the steering wheel or raising the seat so high that it only supports the back. This is harmful to the spine, which at such moments experiences incredible stress. And in the future, such loads can lead to diseases of the spine, including radiculitis and osteochondrosis.

A perfectly adjusted backrest of the driver's seat should be in contact with the driver's back at three points. The loin, shoulder blades and lower neck should fit snugly against the back of the seat. This is not only good for the back, but also allows you to better feel the road and when cornering, hold firmly in the chair, and not slide off it.

The legs must also be placed correctly. And don't push the seat too close to the steering wheel. This position will allow the handlebars to ride over the legs, which must always be in a bent position. But the seat position, which allows you to the end, is considered completely ideal.

How to sit at the wheel

Proper hand position is also important. Some cars have a special one. In addition, on the rim of most modern handlebars there are special tides that allow you to hold the steering wheel more comfortably.

And finding the right place for your hands behind the wheel is not so difficult. The main thing is not to forget that modern cars equipped with airbags.

The video shows how to properly sit behind the wheel:

Let's figure it out. One of the pillows is placed in the steering wheel hub and strong recoil is possible, which is dangerous. And it is dangerous because it can throw your hands in your face. Therefore, keeping your hands in the path of the drop-down pillow is not recommended. But the tides formatted on the rim will allow you to place your hands correctly. They seem to set the right grip in advance.

Now about the distance. How to determine it from the steering wheel to the driver? What should it be? It turns out that this is very easy to do. The wrists should reach the top of the rim, and the hub should point towards the face, not the belly.

If the steering wheel was not made very conveniently, since it did not allow them to be positioned correctly when maneuvering, then modern steering wheels make it possible not to intercept the steering wheel and not cross your arms during even the sharpest turns. And here, especially a small form, on the contrary, for the steering wheel modern SUV uncomfortable.

Of course, it is easier for young drivers to learn how to hold the steering wheel correctly. But experienced drivers, accustomed to holding the steering wheel in the old way, should adapt to the airbag. They know how to sit behind the wheel correctly, but the cushion factor is often not taken into account.

The video tells about the correct position of the hands on the steering wheel:

Looking for a point of support

It is worth knowing that the driver begins to act instinctively. He, just before the start of the impact, subconsciously and independently of himself rests his hands on the rim of the steering wheel. With his feet, the driver rests on the floor or even on the pedals, thus trying to mitigate the consequences of the accident. It turns out that this is even worse than sitting in a normal position. For example, if the legs or arms are fully extended, then during even a slight blow, you can injure the joints.

On the contrary, joints that are slightly bent at the elbows and knees parry the push much better. And the correct one must be adjusted so as to eliminate the straight legs and arms of the driver.

Go ahead. In no case should the governing bodies become supports. In other words, you can not rely on the steering wheel or other elements of the instrument panel during the push. They need to be managed, not held on to by hand. There is one interesting way, which allows you to check how correctly you are sitting in a chair. To do this, you need to tear off your feet from the floor, and your hands from the steering wheel. And if at the same time the body does not fall forward or backward, then the landing is correct.

Otherwise, when the body is unstable, you need to adjust the position of the seat. Often it is enough just to change the slope of the pillow.

Headrest

The head restraint is an equally important component of the correct posture while driving. Many drivers rest their heads on it while driving on highways. This . But the armrest, like other elements of the car, must be correctly adjusted.

Let's start with the fact that it is erroneous to assume that the headrest should supposedly be raised to the level of the neck. This is very dangerous, because in case of accidents you can safely break your neck. This situation is especially dangerous when your car crashes from behind. Even a small push at such a moment can be traumatic or even fatal.

But when the headrest is at the level of the back of the head, and the slope is placed in such a way that the shoulders, back and back of the head form one line, but at an angle of 110 degrees - then this is correct.

Safety belt

Next is the seat belt. It turns out that it should also be properly configured. The length of the strap should be adjusted so that it runs from the shoulder and across the chest. And in no case is it recommended to allow the belt to be at the level of the throat. And so it is clear what this can lead to.

As for whether the seat belt should be tight or not, I would like to note that the ideal option is a seat belt that is pulled in such a way that it is possible to put your hand between it and your chest. This will keep the belt from pressing on the chest and create maximum efficiency in various accidents.

So. In the end, I would like to summarize the above. In order for the driver to properly sit behind the wheel and have no problems with posture, it is required:

  • adjust the driver's seat (how to do this is given above);
  • , since during any maneuvering on the road, the driver is sometimes obliged to check the situation through mirrors, and if they are installed incorrectly, the driver will experience discomfort;
  • adjust the steering wheel, because the correct landing of the driver primarily depends on the position of the hands on the steering wheel of the car;
  • you should be aware that the right foot should always be on the gas pedal and, if necessary, change position to the brake pedal (in addition, you should get used to each car, since each car has its own pedal stroke);
  • adjust the headrest of the driver's seat;
  • adjust the seat belt, which should not be too tight against the chest and at the same time not too loose.

That's all. The above tips will help the driver feel comfortable while driving. Even during too long trips the driver's back will not experience any stress.

Greetings, dear readers of the mega-useful site for drivers and pedestrians! With you, as always, Evgeny Borisov.

Should I pay attention to the correct landing behind the wheel? Honestly, I did not think about this issue until I met a former classmate.

We had not seen each other for a year and a half, but the changes shocked me - instead of, as usual, a blooming young woman, a hunched old woman stood in front of me.

The consequences of an incorrect position when driving a car

Osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar regions is not the only problem that awaits those who do not follow the basic rules while driving a car. Acquired sores include:

  • osteoarthritis;
  • painful dislocations;
  • radiculitis;
  • numbness in the neck and shoulders;
  • pinched nerves;
  • regular migraines.

While driving, the car vibrates, which increases the load on the spine by 300 times. Even a healthy spine cannot cope with such a test, let alone the one that was previously injured.

With each trip in an uncomfortable position, your spine will literally “crumble”, and you will not be able to insure against chronic diseases.

When the chair matters

Buying new car, carefully approach the assessment of the parameters of the chair. Orthopedists are sure that it should be rigid, in the worst case, semi-rigid.

A good chair is one that meets the following criteria:

  • has a movable back;
  • Equipped with adjustable lumbar support;
  • its contours repeat the anatomically correct outlines of the spine.

If the car fits in all respects, except for the seat, the seat can be upgraded.

It is easy to do this - buy a special orthopedic pillow under your back or an orthotic cover. True, chair covers should be used carefully by those who have already acquired a hernia.

How to sit behind the wheel correctly?

Before driving, be sure to adjust the seat for yourself, especially if the car has several owners, and do not forget to adjust the position of the head restraint.

Here's how they advised me to do it experienced drivers. So, professional advice.

  • Sit in a chair, relax and recline.
  • Make sure your neck is resting on the headrest, your shoulder blades are tightly pressed, and your lower back is resting comfortably on a special cushion. Body weight in this case is evenly distributed, and you do not experience discomfort.
  • Slightly bend your knees and your arms at your elbows. While driving, you can not hang over the steering wheel, so the chair must be placed at such a distance that the limbs are not tense, but at the same time they easily reach both the steering wheel and the pedals.

If you have been friends with geometry since school, then it will not be difficult to choose the optimal position of the elbows and knees - the angle of their bend is 120 degrees. The photo clearly shows the correct and erroneous position of the driver - the pictures will help you once again imagine what position you need to take.

I do not presume to say how long the debate about how to keep your hands on the wheel lasts. I only know about two opposing camps: some claim that only 10 and 2, others only 9 and 3.

Latest Research automobile concerns forced to lean towards the latter option, because only in this position, with the active rotation of the steering wheel, the forces are distributed evenly, and the driver can fully control the control process. By the way, those who do not return their hand from gears to the steering wheel are at great risk.

Correctly chosen posture behind the wheel of a car is also good opportunity improve your own safety.

During a collision, we all act instinctively - we rest our hands on the steering wheel, and our feet on the brake pedal or the floor.

If the limbs are straight and tense, serious injury is inevitable even as a result of a minor blow received, say, from the inept exit from the parking lot of another driver who slightly boards you.

Bent limbs, on impact, absorb better, so let's go back to one of the tips received from experienced motorists and say to the straightened arms and legs the categorical “but pasaran”!

Instructions: how to properly fit the chair

  • Pillow. For the correct position behind the wheel of a car with mechanics, we place the right foot on the brake, with the left we squeeze the clutch all the way (with automatic transmission - the left foot is on the floor).
  • Seat. With force we try to straighten our knees. If the body moves up the chair, then tilt the back closer. You must not lean forward or backward.
  • Steering wheel. Between the rim and the knees, the edge of the palm should pass freely. The required distance to the steering wheel does not have to be measured with a ruler, because it is enough to use a relaxed hand - the wrist should exactly lie on top point steering wheel.

Remember that the steering wheel and pedals are not a lifeline that you need to hold on to with your hands and feet, but just devices for driving a car.

look good video about how to drive!

A few "goodies" for a snack

The preservation of health will depend not only on the chair, but also on general level comfort in the cabin, driving style and even lifestyle.

  • Install the mirrors so that you do not have to twist your neck with a figure-eight to assess the situation on the road. Ideally, you should only look at the mirror, and not look into it, bending like Alina Kabaeva.
  • If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, feel free to use an orthopedic corset. Choose the model that suits you better than others and will provide high-quality spinal support.
  • In the course of my mini-investigation, it turned out that it is extremely harmful to lean on the armrests or a lowered window while driving. This position is not only a sure way to scoliosis. It will plant your liver and pancreas.

And, of course, do not forget about an active lifestyle. Leave the salon of your favorite car more often, go for a walk, go in for sports. Swimming helps to relieve tension from the spine, and during strength training, strengthen the abdominal and back muscles more diligently.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that a good instructor will pay much attention to the correct position of the student teaching driving. Relearning is always much more difficult. If you have come across a not too caring teacher, I am sure that my advice will help correct the situation. Enjoy driving and be healthy!

Today, many people have to spend a significant part of their time behind the wheel. Properly executed landing behind the wheel allows you not to get tired on the road and makes it possible to quickly respond to changing traffic situations.

A badly adjusted driver's seat not only puts more strain on his spine, but also reduces his viewing angle. Incorrectly positioned hands on the steering wheel of a car slow down control in emergency. Mandatory conditions a comfortable and safe trip: the body is not tense, arms and legs are positioned so as not to make unnecessary movements.

Seat adjustment

Seat adjustment provides a comfortable position for the driver's seat, depending on his weight and height. Proper driving position is ensured by choosing a comfortable distance between the seat, pedals and handlebars. A comfortable distance implies the correct position of the legs - they should be slightly bent and can move freely between the pedals of the car.

Then the angle of inclination of the backrest of the driver's seat is set. Depending on the complexity and duration of the trip, it is chosen 90 ° or 75 °. In any case, a tight contact of the driver's back with the seatback is necessary. It is equally important to adjust the height of the head restraint. It should be located at the level of the back of the head.

Check seat adjustment. If the hands reach the top of the steering wheel of the car, the legs freely press the pedals, then everything is done correctly.

steering wheel adjustment

The next step is to establish a comfortable position of the hands on the steering wheel by adjusting the position of the steering wheel in height and inclination. The ability to change the distance of the steering wheel from the driver's seat is included in the list of mandatory options for almost any modern car.

Car steering wheel adjustment errors:

  • It is set low - the hands get tired less, but it should not be allowed to touch the knees and prevent the legs from controlling the pedals.
  • Installed far away - the hands will be tense and quickly get tired.
  • Installed too close, then it is difficult to control the movement of the car.

Select the middle position when free rotation of the steering wheel is possible. In this case, the arms should be in a half-bent position, approximately 120 °.

The adjustment is considered correct if the steering wheel does not close dashboard, and the hands holding the steering wheel in the middle position are located slightly below the shoulders.

Putting your hands on the steering wheel

Often on the road there is a situation when you need to change the trajectory of the car as quickly as possible. A safe way out of a critical situation is provided only by the correct position of the hands on the steering wheel. Experienced instructors recommend placing your hands on the steering wheel in the following position:

  • right hand at 3 o'clock;
  • left hand at 9 o'clock;
  • the hands are slightly higher than the elbows.

The fingers should tightly cover the rim of the steering wheel, but you should not strain your muscles too much - your hands will quickly get tired. If the steering wheel has a horizontal crossbar, the fingers rest on it. In this case, handling is improved and it is easy to make turns without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

A variant is used when the hands are slightly shifted up (position 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock). Then, without intercepting the hands, it will be safe to turn at an angle of less than 45 °.

It is important for the driver to get used to the correct driving style without intercepting the steering wheel.


Position of feet on the pedals

We checked the position of the hands on the steering wheel, now we are learning to place our feet on the pedals correctly. The main condition is that when driving, the legs do not “wander” along the floor of the body. When transferring the foot from one pedal to another, with a separation from the floor, the center of gravity may shift, and control deteriorates accordingly. For a driver with little driving experience, this is doubly dangerous: a mistake is possible when choosing the pedal (instead of the brake, the gas is pressed).

The best option - the foot of the right foot is placed between the gas-brake pedals. Control is performed by turning the foot to the left or right, without lifting the heels off the floor. This position is the most convenient for safe control. Clutch-brake pedals require a lot of pressure when pressed, so they are pressed down by the middle of the foot.

By car with automatic transmission automatic transmission gears) there is no clutch pedal, instead there is a stand for the left foot. The brake and gas control is performed in the same way as for a car with mechanics, with the right foot.

Sit down and buckle up

Knowing how to properly sit behind the wheel will not help if you do not buckle up while driving seat belt. Most cars have an airbag. The volume of all airbags, when they are triggered, is calculated from the condition that the passenger is not just wearing a seat belt, but did it correctly.

So, right, this means that the belt:


Checking preparation for movement:

  • sit on a seat;
  • fasten your seat belt;
  • specify the distance of the steering wheel from the hands of the driver;
  • check the ability to quickly control the pedals of the car.

If necessary, adjust the installation of the driver's seat.

Good to know

We were trained on the topic “how to sit behind the wheel correctly”, now there are a few recommendations on how to operate the car.

Basically, these are tips for a novice driver:

  • before starting the engine with a manual transmission, make sure that the gear is off, or depress the clutch pedal;
  • before starting to move without fail check the degree of visibility in the rear-view mirrors;
  • seat and handlebar alignment should be checked after each driver shift.

Haste or negligence in such matters can result in backfire during movement.

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