For long drives, my lower back aches sometimes after driving, does this happen to anyone else?

How do you set your seat while driving?

I have my seat lowered all the way, and I have the seat tilted the "default" way. Basically, if you move the seat forward and then push it back until it clicks, thats how I have the upper part of the seat...

Does anyone else adjust the seat differently?

 

Some general guidelines that seem to be widely accepted as the proper driving position:

When you extend your arm over the steering wheel, your wrists should be able to rest on the wheel.

Your legs should not be fully extended when you fully press down on the clutch.

 

So if you extend your arms and the wheel is past your wrists onto your forearms let's say, you should move move the top part of the seat back?

 

A telescoping steering wheel would have been a major plus for the tC. With the way I'm setup I feel a little closer than I should be with the wheel, and I'm like 5'-9".

 

Yeah pretty much assuming your legs are set where they should be.
Remember its just a general guideline so it won't fit everyone 100% due to differences in body structure.

 

I have a little cylindrical plush pillow that i put behind my lower back. I have to drive from VA to NY every now and then and I've found that my comfort level and attentiveness/awareness has greatly increased by doing this.. and if any of you have driven on 81 thru Pennsylvania you know that its the worst drive ever and if you aren't 100% focused, dozing off is definitely probable lol.

 

Haha, I've done the head bob on I-81 more times than I'd like to remember! But you can really fly through some parts of it. Anyway, what helps me when I'm taking along drives, i.e., Mass to Myrtle Beach, is to take my wallet out of my pocket. Otherwise my ___ gets sore because it's sooooo full of money!

 

I set on my wallet, which gets really uncomfortable just so I can stay awake on long road trips. Personally, sitting straight up along the back of the seat and not slouched helps out a lot.

 

perhaps some lower back exercises are in order? =P jk.

do what giftednimrod does. i've read a few articles that said to do that on long drives. helps align the back or something.

 

WOW I thought this was about to go down the gutter... I read that so wrong... hahahahahahahaha!

 

 

I have to say the only thing I wish the seats had in the tC was an adjustable lumbar support. There's many times I've found myself wanting the seats a bit firmer against my lower back.

Those guidelines are pretty good all around. It sounds to me that, from what you described about your seat position, you need to lean the upper part of the seat back a bit. With the default position it is making you sit very very straight, which can lead to discomfort. Leaning back a bit will put you more in a lounged position which is nice n comfy. Just don't fall asleep ;)

 

Yeah I've moved the front part of my seat back a bit and used the "wrists over steering wheel" rule and it's been pretty nice...

 

Yes, that helps! And dont lean to the side or anything. Also cant move the seat back to far or else I see ppl lean so far back that they have to move their entire upper body to change a lane. Basically, just enough for your head to lean back and feel comfy w/ out having to bend your neck in awkard ways.

 

Lumbar Pillow.
Really helps keep the back in alignment.

 

This is actually the first car that I've had where I can actually sit all the way back in the seat and lay my head on the headrest AND still drive it. So, I'm usually stretched out some with my legs and arms, but I'm still pretty comfortable. I'm 5'10", btw.