[albertw]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

The seat back should also be almost vertical

If you can get your arms and legs the proper distance from the wheel and pedals with the seat tilted back, say, 30 degrees, how is that a problem?

The angle of your pelvis is set by the seat angle, so I don't see how it could slide under the belt in a frontal collision, especially with automatic seat belt pretensioners.

The headrest is a bit too far forward for comfort for me when the seatback is upright, so leaning it back gives me the proper clearance from the headrest.

Any other reasons?

On long trips I like to spread my weight over my back as well as my butt, and the steering wheel is adjustable enough to let me do that.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I was with him until he discussed steering technique. Since the advent of air bags, it is not advisable to cross arms over the hub. In the brief moments before an impact, steering maneuvers are often the last thing a driver does. If the air bag deploys while a forearm is crossed over the hub, this can lead to ulna/radius fracture, and as the forearm becomes a projectile back toward the face, orbital fracture and possible eye injury. The technique called "shuffle" steering is far more prudent to develop as one's instinctual behavior.

IMHO Stick is spot on here. I learned shuffle steering from a young age and it definitely is a better way to go.

One point he should have made to his student is that you do not want to pull on the wheel you want to push (gently of course but always maintain positive pressure).

Regarding the dead pedal, I am 5'8" (and shrinking fast according to my physician) and find the location and placement suitable for my stubby legs. Sure beats the heck out of the Alfa's and Fiat's I have had in the past where the left leg needed to be about 4" shorter...

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I was with him until he discussed steering technique.

Fair enough. I was sharing the video more for the seating position portion though.

[MichBadger]

I'm 5'8" and didn't watch the seating position video. I think the dead pedal is basically useless to me. It's at least an inch too far away and too far to the left. At a minimum, it should be rotated inward toward the direction of my hips. It's awkward for me to get my foot flat on it.

[GSingh]

Originally Posted by MichBadger

I'm 5'8" and didn't watch the seating position video. I think the dead pedal is basically useless to me. It's at least an inch too far away and too far to the left. At a minimum, it should be rotated inward toward the direction of my hips. It's awkward for me to get my foot flat on it.

This is my predicament as well. Putting my foot flat on it causes my thigh to be on top of the bolster which is uncomfortable for any duration.

Maybe we need to try what the seating position video is suggesting haha.

[Sypher]

5'7" here. No problems at all with the seat set correctly.Like other have said, move the seat so that there is still a bend at the knees when the brakes are floored. Then tilt your seat back up so a neutral seating position (not laid back gangster lean style nor hunched forwards like a granny). With your hand resting at the top of the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, telescope the wheel so that your wrist can wrap over the steering wheel without your shoulders coming off the seat back. Tilt the steering such that the airbag is aimed at your chest and not your face.

[Mehim]

Originally Posted by MichBadger

I'm 5'8" and didn't watch the seating position video. I think the dead pedal is basically useless to me. It's at least an inch too far away and too far to the left. At a minimum, it should be rotated inward toward the direction of my hips. It's awkward for me to get my foot flat on it.

Same exact situation for me.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by Sypher

5'7" here. No problems at all with the seat set correctly.Like other have said, move the seat so that there is still a bend at the knees when the brakes are floored. Then tilt your seat back up so a neutral seating position (not laid back gangster lean style nor hunched forwards like a granny). With your hand resting at the top of the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, telescope the wheel so that your wrist can wrap over the steering wheel without your shoulders coming off the seat back. Tilt the steering such that the airbag is aimed at your chest and not your face.

+1 here. This is what I do as shown in the video and with the correct positioning of seat, steering wheel, and mirrors I find the car very comfortable to drive. I'm only 5'7" with short legs but with all the adjustments available, I'm able to rest my left foot on the dead pedal comfortably.

Not sure why this post is still hanging around, guess I'm part of the problem!!!

[nixeighty6]

Originally Posted by Mehim

Same exact situation for me.

i do not find the dead pedal in my 235i to be useful or comfortable. didn't really think anything of it till i had the privilege of driving my buddies McLaren 570s (pics attached... cuz we're car guys!) That car, if nothing else, has a perfect dead pedal.
I'm 6'3, sit correctly but do have a surgically repaired left ankle making adjustments to a not well placed dead pedal less forgiving. i was reading this tread hoping someone extended theirs about an inch.

[Maynard]

But if they made it as nice as the one in the McLaren, why would anybody spend the extra $300,000 for the McLaren. It is all the #$%^ing marketing department's fault.

[GSingh]

Originally Posted by Maynard

But if they made it as nice as the one in the McLaren, why would anybody spend the extra $300,000 for the McLaren. It is all the #$%^ing marketing department's fault.

The one in my jetta is perfect 😅. But I guess that's what life's about right? Compromise.