Proper Driver Seat Position
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Proper Driver Seat Position
Does anyone know the proper position for the drivers seat? To get my 6'4" frame comfortable in the C6 I need to move the seat all the way back and move the recline all the way back. This is not the position I am currently used to in my BMW. Is this the normal position most people use in their Corvettes?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,524
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I had a track training tape with my Miata...they said to sit back, extend the arms, and have the steering wheel right at your wrist level. However, for some reason, I do find my self reclining more in the Vette. Maybe some pros could pipe in....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I was taught to do it this way:
1. Most of us need a Corvette seat as low as it will go, but keep the seat bottom cushion tiled back as much as comfortable, to help keep you in the seat.
2. Put seat back tilt in middle position.
3. Move seat forward until you can just touch the floor under the brake pedal with your foot, without sliding your butt forward in the seat. This ensures you can get full brake pedal travel if needed.
4. Move steering wheel up/down until with hands at 3/9 position, your hands are equal or slightly below your shoulders.
5. Move steering wheel in/out until your elbows are a 90' bend, then move steering wheel slightly further forward.
6. Make minor adjustments to seat back angle as needed for comfort, or to make up for a steering wheel that does not telescope.
At first this technique made me feel too close to the wheel, but after a while it seems great for both street driving and road course driving.
YMMV!
1. Most of us need a Corvette seat as low as it will go, but keep the seat bottom cushion tiled back as much as comfortable, to help keep you in the seat.
2. Put seat back tilt in middle position.
3. Move seat forward until you can just touch the floor under the brake pedal with your foot, without sliding your butt forward in the seat. This ensures you can get full brake pedal travel if needed.
4. Move steering wheel up/down until with hands at 3/9 position, your hands are equal or slightly below your shoulders.
5. Move steering wheel in/out until your elbows are a 90' bend, then move steering wheel slightly further forward.
6. Make minor adjustments to seat back angle as needed for comfort, or to make up for a steering wheel that does not telescope.
At first this technique made me feel too close to the wheel, but after a while it seems great for both street driving and road course driving.
YMMV!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: California
Not disagreeing with any advice given thus far. At Bragg-Smith we were taught to:
You may have to readjust, but this is basically it. As Jim said, this gives you the most control. Admittedly, it does take some getting used to.
- Move the seat forward until your knees almost touch the dash.
- Adjust the steering wheel tilt one stop down from top position.
- Adjust seat height so you can see and such that your hands will be even with your shoulders when gripping the wheel at 3 and 9.
- Move wheel in and out and seat recline until you are comfortable and can flop your wrist over the top of the wheel.
You may have to readjust, but this is basically it. As Jim said, this gives you the most control. Admittedly, it does take some getting used to.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 937
Likes: 3
From: Austin Texas
Raising the driver's seat to a high position also has obvious advantages for vision around the car - the higher you sit, the better you see, especially in city traffic.
Teenage hoons seem to be convinced that straight arms and finger-tip steering is the way to go. Lazy drivers believe they can somehow steer a car with only the left hand on the wheel and the right arm resting on the window sill.
Teenage hoons seem to be convinced that straight arms and finger-tip steering is the way to go. Lazy drivers believe they can somehow steer a car with only the left hand on the wheel and the right arm resting on the window sill.
http://www.mynrma.com.au/easy_guides_driversseat.asp
"Teenage Hoons"? What the heck is a hoon? 
"steer a car with only the left hand on the wheel and the right arm resting on the window sill" How the hell do you do that trick? 
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
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Originally Posted by Zilla
adjust the seat position until you feel comfortable 
Being 6'6" I found that was impossible to do in a C6...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Hoonose
I had a track training tape with my Miata...they said to sit back, extend the arms, and have the steering wheel right at your wrist level. However, for some reason, I do find my self reclining more in the Vette. Maybe some pros could pipe in....
Once test drove a Miata...Nice little sports car, but I felt like a sardine! (6'2") Porsche Boxster also a bit cramped. BMW's are spacious, and C5 and C6 are good for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 71,447
Likes: 6
From: Miami bound
CI 4-5-6-7 Veteran
Originally Posted by ny10522
First thing I do is adjust the seat recline as far forward (vertical) as possible. This position will give my head maximum support against the headrest.
Whatever works for you I guess.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Niwot CO
I'm 6-4 and the first thing I did when I got to the dealer was to see if I could fit in the C6. No prblem there. I also like the seat back more upright which I adjusted and still no problem. I was thinking if I needed more head room, I would have ordered the transparent roof but didn't needed to do that. Plenty of headroom with the standard top. I've learned after having a sun roof, unless the roof is down, I don't particularly like having the sun shining in my face putting me in squint mode.
