By DPA
Selsingen (Germany) : Most motorists simply plonk themselves into the car seat, turn the ignition and drive off without giving much thought to the correct seat adjustments that can do a lot to avoid back problems on long journeys.
“We can safely assume that 95 percent of current car seats are not adjusted suitably for use by the human being,” says Detlef Detjen of the German back association AGR.
Hubert Paulus from the country’s ADAC motoring association argues that the upholstery of most car suits is too soft. “A seat should support the body and the soft upholstery simply does not do that,” he says.
Frank Essig from the seat manufacturer Recaro agrees that tightly strung upholstery is the precondition for healthy seating, “but most people find it uncomfortable when first sitting on such a seat. The first impression can be deluding.”
Detlef Detjen says that when looking at the seat from the side it should have a slight S-shape so that it can adequately support the spine.
The height of the seat is also decisive, according to the AGR, allowing not only adjustments for maximum visibility but also supporting the waist and spine. The AGR also recommends adjustment of the seat face for support of the thighs.
Another factor is side-support that is often seen in combination with a sporty driving style. But it is also important for normal drivers, especially in “supporting the body when driving through curves,” says Paulus from the ADAC.
If there is no side-support the driver normally compensates by pushing against the seat and tightening the hold on the steering wheel.
Motorists who do a lot of travelling are often unhappy with the standard car seats. They are left with no choice but to order the more expensive ergonomically styled seats as an extra when buying a new car.
Replacing a car seat is not as easy as it once was. Before side airbags became standard in many of the premium cars the new seat was simply mounted onto a console. However today the side airbags are integrated into the car seat and the motorist should not do away with this important safety aspect.
Some manufacturers offer seats already fitted with universal airbags which are then integrated with the car electronics so that you can have a healthy seat together with high safety standards, says the ADAC’s Essig.