Uncomfortable in my new Yaris

[UncleMo]

Hi. Has anyone else felt overly uncomfortable when they first started out driving this thing? The radio and A/C controls are too far away by about 5 inches, and the steering wheel feels too far away too. I feel this way when I move my seat to the most comfortable spot in relation to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal. So, if I get comfortable in my seat position relative to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal, then I am too far from the steering wheel and the radio controls. However, if I scoot up so that I am only about one to two inches "too far" away from these controls and the steering wheel, my leg is too close to the foot pedal. I'm really uncomfortable driving this thing.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

forget the test drive did you even SIT IN IT before you bought it?

[YarisPR]

LOL good question ^^^^^^


I've been getting back pains while driving the Yaris but they started since my last Eurotrip when I spent looong hour on a bus, since then no car has felt the same for my back

[UncleMo]

did you test drive it before getting it?

Funny but valid questions. Of course, but it isn't like you can test it out over a longer period of time. You can't drive it for say 30 miles.

[thebarber]

^^^ i agree.

im surprised you bought the car if its that uncomfortable

have to tried puting the back of the seat in a more upright position? i find that helps

[lilredrocket]

I used to drive a Suzuki Samuria so the Yaris ride and drives like a dream compaired to it. Some people have put a couple washers under the front of their seat to give more leg support and made the ride more comfortable

[ruimond]

I reckon it feels really nice inside, the seats are comfy too.

[UncleMo]

people have put a couple washers under the front of their seat to give more leg support and made the ride more comfortable

Would you please explain a little more, I'm very interested.

[tk-421]

Would you please explain a little more, I'm very interested.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9833 :thumbsup:

[UncleMo]

Thanks a lot. I'll dig in.

[jclo3313]

^^^ i agree.

im surprised you bought the car if its that uncomfortable

have to tried puting the back of the seat in a more upright position? i find that helps

+1 on that. I started feeling the same way, changed to a more upright and better orientation to the wheel and controls.

[GnomeBody]

It took a little getting used to for me. I was driving a Lincoln LS before I got the yaris.

Like the barber said, I find sitting a little more upright helps, but at the same time, I'm only 5'3".

[wiliker]

In the very beggining I also had to get use to the different feel of driving this car compared to my previous car which was a Prius. After a week or so I was already use to it.

[PETERPOOP]

i bought my yaris and didn't even test drive it. never even sat in one until the day i picked mine up. i guess i lucked out that I don't have the problems you do.

[SpaceShot]

I second the opinion that raising the seat front with bushings, will allow you to move it closer to the controls and still feel comfortable with the gas pedal position.

If you're not so mechanically inclined, PEPBoys has a `racing style' seat cover with significant side bolstering and an inch or more of padding. (~ $30) That combined with less recline on the seat back may be enough to make it a more comfortable reach to the controls.

[UncleMo]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

[supmet]

http://andreedave.com/images/Humor-FS-Farside-T-Rex-Arms.JPG

[b_hickman11]

Remember that the Yaris also has a lever on the driver's seat that allows the seat to be moved up and down. Not for sure if that would help your problem though.

[tomato]

Funny but valid questions. Of course, but it isn't like you can test it out over a longer period of time. You can't drive it for say 30 miles.

I agree with you!! I had a couple of surprises myself when I took the Yaris home, even though I test-drove 2 yarii before purchasing mine. You can't find out everything during the test drive, especially when you have the sales guy yakking in your ears non-stop...

There is a transition time with every vehicle.

I know I had a hard time at first with the Yaris and wasn't all that happy with it in the beginning. I come from Honda (I had 3 Hondas b/f this Yaris) and the manual transmission in a Honda is VERY different. Plus, my last car was a CRX HF, very small, light, and low to the ground, almost half the height of the Yaris. Much different handling, completely different sitting position and visibility. So yeah, the first week was frustrating.

The good news is that you'll get used to it. The Yaris really grows on you. :thumbsup:

[thebarber]

Remember that the Yaris also has a lever on the driver's seat that allows the seat to be moved up and down. Not for sure if that would help your problem though.

only in sedans

[Lewis]

The seating position is very different than most cars but, in my experience, can be made pretty comfortable by taking advantage of the pluses in the set up. The yaris is actually much more like the original mini than the modern mini (which is actually much lower than the original mini and the yaris) with its upright seating and somewhat horizontal steering wheel.

Original mini drivers (I'm 62 so I remember it first hand- my wife had a mini) developed what was then called the "mini slouch" which is similar to a bus drivers position vis a vis the steering wheel and pedals. In the slouch position you sort of lean your shoulders forward with your butt back and slouch towards the steering wheel to make the reach easier. I think some people can adapt to it better than others.

[UncleMo]

http://andreedave.com/images/Humor-FS-Farside-T-Rex-Arms.JPG

Oh how true, oh how true.

[advocate]

Another tip is just to change the way you're comfortable with your foot on the gas. To be honest that's going to be hundreds of times easier than any changes you would have to make to the seat / its position / the harness etc.

I got used to the car one way but switched to a position much closer to the wheel for better clutch-stomping ability. It took some getting used to but it was worth it in the end.

I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

[2+2]

have to tried puting the back of the seat in a more upright position? i find that helps

Another co-signer here. I find that putting the back of the seat just a single click forward makes all the difference.

But you wanna know something OP? It's not entirely PC to say so on this forum but this little car is a little weird that way. But it's got other things going for it so I guess it all balances out.

[talnlnky]

Hi. Has anyone else felt overly uncomfortable when they first started out driving this thing? The radio and A/C controls are too far away by about 5 inches, and the steering wheel feels too far away too. I feel this way when I move my seat to the most comfortable spot in relation to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal. So, if I get comfortable in my seat position relative to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal, then I am too far from the steering wheel and the radio controls. However, if I scoot up so that I am only about one to two inches "too far" away from these controls and the steering wheel, my leg is too close to the foot pedal. I'm really uncomfortable driving this thing.

When I first got mine back in dec 07, the wheel was about 1" too far away. I'm used to it now... no longer an issue. Probably took 6months to a year to get used to.

Now, After doing probably 30-40 5+ hr one way trips.... my seat starts to get uncomfortable after about hour 3. The nice thing is... if I stop every 3 hrs, and get out and walk for 2-5 minutes all is good. I usually do 7-9hr drives tho with only one stop near halfway through it.

[2bad4u]

I sat in mine and test drove it home after paying for it, sorry no test drive in JA

[2+2]

I sat in mine and test drove it home after paying for it, sorry no test drive in JA

That's harsh.

They let you sit in it and that's all you get? Buy or no buy.

[tomato]

I sat in mine and test drove it home after paying for it, sorry no test drive in JA

Bummer. :frown:

[b_hickman11]

only in sedans

I'm aware of that...the original poster has the Sedan....

[2009BBPliftback]

I've found that the steering wheel would greatly benefit if it telescoped the only other gripe i have is the electric steering it seems a bit darty but its nothing i havn't been able to adjust to. I am surprised at how well it rides compared to my 1st gen xB i happen to love the design of the center stack hvac controls very symetrical.. good luck with your yaris buddy.

[Aothachos]

i test drove a yaris sedan before i bought one, after flooring the gas and everything i loved it and told them to ship a new one, got one with about 45miles on it.

After the first couple weeks the car is awkward but i got used to it and im really comfortable in it now, the steering wheel its perfect length away for my arms and legs

[Aothachos]

only in sedans

thats why they are better =P, and the seat adjusts pretty damn high, If i go all the way my head is touching the roof haha. A sedan can make a small person look 6'8" sitting down

[DandiDani]

i wish my seat would raise up since im only 5ft4. besides that i really dont find it to be uncomfortable.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

I used to be uncomfortable when I first bought the car, but now I've lost 50 lbs and it's much better. If the seat doesn't fit, change the shape of your body!:wink:

[b_hickman11]

I used to be uncomfortable when I first bought the car, but now I've lost 50 lbs and it's much better. If the seat doesn't fit, change the shape of your body!:wink:

Congrats on the weight loss!!!

[andaconda]

my leg is too close to the foot pedal. I'm really uncomfortable driving this thing.

Same problem here. I resolved it by raising up the front part of the seat by about 5/8" with a large nut. I tried several different heights and found this to be the most comfortable. You will need an "inverted torx" E-10 socket to fit the bolts. Be ultra careful not to cross thread them when you put them back in. I needed to replace the front bolts with a new longer metric with a hex head.

[RUFFSTUFF]

Hi. Has anyone else felt overly uncomfortable when they first started out driving this thing? The radio and A/C controls are too far away by about 5 inches, and the steering wheel feels too far away too. I feel this way when I move my seat to the most comfortable spot in relation to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal. So, if I get comfortable in my seat position relative to the distance I want to be from the gas pedal, then I am too far from the steering wheel and the radio controls. However, if I scoot up so that I am only about one to two inches "too far" away from these controls and the steering wheel, my leg is too close to the foot pedal. I'm really uncomfortable driving this thing.



Wow. Someone sticky this.

[RUFFSTUFF]

I think that if you are in the habit of test driving cars before you buy them, and you've been in a few different cars, it shouldn't take more than 60 seconds to figure out if the car fits you or not. Try going to a car show some time and you would be surprised how different each car feels and how easy it is to pick up on the nuances that make you feel comfortable.

[UncleBear]

I am a very large man, 6'1" and 330 lbs., and I can't believe how comfortable I am in my Yaris 3 door. From just looking at the car from the outside, I would have never expected how roomy it is in the inside.

[kuyachris84]

I am a very large man, 6'1" and 330 lbs., and I can't believe how comfortable I am in my Yaris 3 door. From just looking at the car from the outside, I would have never expected how roomy it is in the inside.

ditto... i thought at first glance.. "wow that must be small as hell inside that tiny lil thing"... and was very surprised at how much room there actually is

[RUFFSTUFF]

I think it's pretty nice to drive in.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

Congrats on the weight loss!!!

Thanks. It has other benefits too, besides fitting in the car better.

[Twistoffate0817]

I do not feel uncomfortable at all..in fact when i drive other peoples cars i feel uncomfortable.

[Vitz RangaaaH]

This post msy be irealavent to your post. However I felt the same way too. The car was uggly, untinted, huuge wheel gap, uncomfterble seats,, blah blah a few mods later and don't mind it to much.

[LoCodder]

I bought my Yaris in October last year. (2009 model). By January i was feeling serious pain in my tailbone so that no position in the seat was comfortable (wow this post will be rife with "that's what she said" references i think). It got to the point that when I went to the gym I couldn't sit up with my legs out straight to stretch. I'm just searching the web to find out if anyone else is having this problem. I now have to sit on a folded up towel to relieve the pressure. This has worked and I got rid of the towel. Well now the pain is starting to come back, that's how I know it's the car. Is anyone else having this problem? I've read posts about uncomfortable distances etc but didn't find anything regarding pain. I'm a normal sized 30 year old female. Not overly tall or short, heavy or thin. My doctor agrees that it's the seat, but says there's not much I can do besides buy an expensive ergonomic cushion. That seems excessive.

[TinyGiant]

havent had an issue in my 08

hope you figure it out . best of luck!

[tomato]

No problem here.
I find the Yaris seats surprisingly comfy, got used to them very quickly.

[supmet]

My doctor agrees that it's the seat, but says there's not much I can do besides buy an expensive ergonomic cushion. That seems excessive.

Did your doctor do any tests on you? Did he look at the seats? Or just tell you its the seats after you complained of back pain?? Honestly I've been in much worse cars on the back. The stock boaty suspension should be plenty of cushion, even for the geriatric.

The seats aren't memory foam, but they aren't rock hard. My girlfriend is 5'4" and I'm 6'1" and we both find it comfortable.

Do you have a sedan or hatchback? The sedan has a third seat adjustment that changes the angle of the seat.

Here's one DIY modification that raises the front of the seat which might help:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9833&highlight=thigh+support

[auxmike]

I love the Yari seats.
Nice and firm and you sit up high. I'm 6ft, 220Lbs. and quite comfy!:thumbup:

[YarisSedan]

I have a simular issue sometimes but it only happens if im on a really long trip. Once and awile i have to use a rolled up towel as well. I have been looking into getting one of these for those long trips.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bucket-Car-Seat-Lower-Lumbar-Back-Support-Pillow-DELUX_W0QQitemZ280314374007QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_P illows?hash=item414409e777&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[birdman]

There's stuff you can do to dial it in a little bit as I've been doing like adding washers to lift the back of the seat reducing pressure on my fat legs. Added a tall armrest and that's true luxury! Carefully reconfigured and repositioned gas pedal a few inches back plus hammered down the inner wheel well to gain a few more inches on the left. Now it fits like a gloves. All in all it's a great car. Biggest bang for the buck for me. Yarisworld rocks!

[yaris-me]

Can you be more specific? Is it the lumbar support or the angle of the seat? How can a standard seat be so uncomfortable?:iono:

[SilverBack]

Mine only gets uncomfortable if I've been sitting there for 3 hours straight. It's fine otherwise

[Bob Dog]

best seats I've ever had

[TheRealEnth]

i was feeling serious pain in my tailbone
Thats what she said! OH!

Lol j/k in all seriousness. I find that most people (about 87%, Yes exactly 87%) drive with their seat in the wrong position... Ive never been in a bad seat of a car. So whenever someone complains about the seat being uncomfortable, i blame the person.
My doctor agrees that it's the seat
Yes, the seat isnt made to be perfect with your body, but its how you position and sit in it. If you put it in an upright position and sit upright, your tailbone pains will vanish.

[roxy1]

Can you be more specific? Is it the lumbar support or the angle of the seat? How can a standard seat be so uncomfortable?:iono:

that is the problem i had with the yaris seats. there is no lumbar support. (that and for anyone taller putting the seat back far enough makes the steering wheel a real stretch-hopefully to be fixed with a telescoping sw in next gen).

the only real solution i found was using a folded up towel or small cushion behind my lower back.

[firebob]

I have said this before but it’s where your putting your hands on the wheel that causes the problems.

Try putting the seats to a more up right position with your butt all the way in the back of the seat. At this point move the seat till you can work the peddles. At this point drop the wheel down all the way and grab the bottom of the wheel with your palms up. If you try driving like this for a few days you’ll find its best with the wheel down most of the way. Push and slid your hands around the wheel and should not need to move your hands above 3 and 9 unless you’re doing crazy maneuvers. I have driven like this on “the tooth” a few times now with no problems.

I’m 5 8” and 270 pounds. I love the way the car drives and feels.

[Liltoaster]

I have the same issue not enough lumbar support :(

[kustom play]

i agree, on 6 hours drives my back is killing me

but it was a bit nicer with the S seats

[Lafiro]

Driving too long hurts my back. Gets unconfortable after maybe a half hour to an hour. At first its nice and firm, but in no way really supporting the back as well as it should.

But this is different for everyone.

[yaris-me]

that is the problem i had with the yaris seats. there is no lumbar support. (that and for anyone taller putting the seat back far enough makes the steering wheel a real stretch-hopefully to be fixed with a telescoping sw in next gen).

the only real solution i found was using a folded up towel or small cushion behind my lower back.

You're driving a Corolla and that's an improvement?

[LoCodder]

I don't think you completely understand. It's not exactly my back. And the seats ARE comfortable. I like how they are angled on the edges, keeps me in on tight turns. It's my tailbone. Lumbar is fine. Sounds like it's just me. Looks like an expensive seat cushion is the right answer.

[JohnnoEH]

I don't have any trouble with mine, unless I drive for more than 2.5-3 hours or so. Even then it's more just a bit of discomfort, in fact I get the same feeling sitting on the lounge (3yo so not stuffed, good quality too) for that long. It's probably because my back isn't 100% - I blame Coles. :laugh:

Other than that, I only have back troubles if I'm sitting too far away from the steering wheel, or have the seat reclined too far back.

Your seats might be different to mine though, my ones have one lever to tilt/angle the seat forward as well as the foward/back and back tilt ones. My car has a telescopic steering column too, so that may make a difference.

The only seats I've ever had that were more comfy were the ones in my old 910 Bluebird. You sat down nice and low and they had full adjustment - tilt, lumbar, you name it - all for the measly price of AUD$100. It even had good working air con. :biggrin:

[MUSKOKA800]

I'm 280 and drove three day straight (10-15 hours) back in April with no issues.
Judging by the many responces here, you might look elsewhere for your cause. It's likely just a coincidence that you got the a new ride shortly before your issue arose.

[roxy1]

You're driving a Corolla and that's an improvement?


seats are a little softer and there is a little lumbar support, so the seats themselves are a bit of an improvement, but not great. however, the comfort owing to the actual driving position is superior due primarily to the telescoping wheel, but also being able to change seat height along with a pretty well placed armrest.

[tomato]

Yeah, that's a good point, too. I forgot about that, since I drive the Yaris on very short trips usually, just use it as a grocery getter mostly.

I have no complaints about the seats ... as long as I don't drive for long periods of time, then it's a different story. But in all fairness, I have that problem in other cars as well, just can't sit for long periods of time anyway without feeling uncomfortable - unless the seat is really sophisticated, designed for the back... Plane seats in coach are the worse. :frown:

I have a Herman Miller chair in front of the computer at home, it's TOTALLY, TOTALLY worth the money for someone with a bad back. Makes a huge difference. I bought mine on Craigslist, when a company was going out of business and liquidating their office stuff, and it's probably the best purchase I made in the last 5 years. Really, really helps and highly recommend it.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3641769319_5ef52cf2e2_o.jpg

[bronsin]

As a long time backpain sufferer I sympathize with you. But the fact that most people find the seats comfortable suggests its not the seats but a difficult to identify problem in your back. Hell I wouldnt give two cents for all the doctors advice Ive recieved about my back over the years. They have been ZERO help.
Are you comfortable in another car? Thats encouraging but it would be very expensive to trade in your Yaris for one of those. If a seat cushion works that would be the most economical route to go.
Unless you really dont like the car and are looking for a reason to get rid of it. (That sounds like something my doctors would say!)

[supmet]

Hell I wouldnt give two cents for all the doctors advice Ive recieved about my back over the years. They have been ZERO help.

Back pain can be a signal from almost anywhere in your body. Misaligned teeth can cause back pain. That's why I asked if the doctor did ANY tests. Blaming a cheap car's seats seems like a very easy way out for a doctor.

OP did you ever check the link I gave you for increasing thigh support?

The only other thing I can think of is some guy took his seats to an upholsterer and they redid all the foam and materials, and he said it was a lot more comfortable, but that route costs a lot of money.

In my opinion, a random store bought cushion is just as likely to exacerbate the problem as it is to relieve.

[birdman]

I'm 5'10". With my butt pushed all the way back, my elbow on the armrest I grasp the lower part of the steering wheel with my palm up too and it drives really nice. At first that firm seat bothered me, but after some mighty long road trips I have learned to appreciate how supportive it is. I drove a new Fit and found the seat uncomfortable by comparison. Its rear seat works better but its not enough for me to give up the comfort in my Yaris. Mine has the extendable sun visors. Once you've had em they're mighty hard to do without.

[birdman]

At first my seats seemed way too firm and I wanted to find a way to add foam or something under the seat covers, but after driving it on long road trips I found I wasn't fidgeting as much as I do in other cars. Older Mercedes had very firm seats that gave you better support than softer ones do. Now that I'm used to them I wouldn't change a thing.

[DandiDani]

i dont have any problems either. i have to be driving for an hour or more at a time before i feel any discomfort whatsoever.

[firebob]

I found not using the arm rest is better when doing longer trips. They didn’t build the car around me so there’s a slim chance that the arm rest would be in the right spot for me.

[birdman]

I find the armrest relieves my arm fatigue and allows greater control on the longest of drives. What's dire for some is dandy for others.

[TgrChica7]

Funny but valid questions. Of course, but it isn't like you can test it out over a longer period of time. You can't drive it for say 30 miles.

When I test drove mine the salesman made me go all over the place just to make sure I was comfortable. I think we went about 40 miles and then they were gonna let me take it over night....

[birdman]

Sales must be dead slow at that place.

[TgrChica7]

they were actually pretty good, most of the dealerships in that area do that now...

[birdman]

Just kidding.

[birdman]

At my age I've had all kinds of cars from a tiny 3 wheeled Messerschmitt, a hand full of Isettas, a Subie 360 micro van, a 1950 Nash wagon, an Audi A4 Quatro, a couple of Lotuses and many more. I can honestly say that my overall glee factor is darn near the highest in my frumpy-cool Zen pen Blazing Blue Yaris!

[AlexNet0]

Ive taken many several hundred mile drives (no stops, except for gas) and Ive been comfortable all up untill the 5th or 6th hour of driving, and nothing a stretch wont take care of. Maybe its just you're body geometry, I am 5'11" with a long torso, and I find having the seat all the way back, backrest just up enough so that my left shoulder is an inch or two higher than the "window sill", is plenty comfortable.

one thing thats weird, is I dont sit square in my seat, at all, I sit about 3-4 inches off center to the right.

[birdman]

Yeah that's the ticket!

[bronsin]

At my age I've had all kinds of cars a Subie 360 micro van...

I saw one once 30 years ago in DC. Loved it!

[birdman]

That was a real slug but I miss it just the same.

[NJBob]

I'm 6'2" 210# and find mine pretty comfortable. I would like there to be a tad more room for my left leg and a telescopic steering wheel but it's no big deal.

[Thai_Dang]

I would say camrys are more comfortable. But mines is adequate for short stretches, but my hands feel tired after driving a while and gripping the steering wheel. If comfort is worth it to you, you could mod your car with steering wheel extension or new driver's seat?

[desiCyrus_Yaris]

My recently acquired sedan seriously lacks the stiff lumbar support. On long drives, the lower back ache kills me. (Wifey drives the Civic, and I love the firmness that seat offers in the lumbar region).

I love my Polar White Y and see that some people do face this particular issue. Therefore, seriously scouting for a professional solution or a permanent solution to support the lower back - from changing seats to a professional auto upholsterer etc. Currently using a microsuede seat cushion from Wal-Mart :-(.

To the people with lumbar support issues with their front seat, what are your solutions currently in use? Thanks for the feedback.

[ChilliwackGuy]

for lumbar support - I use a stuffsack/camping pillow combo - u can buy them at most camping supply stores