The skill of a correct landing while driving a car is essential for every driver. Especially for those who have to make long-distance flights. After all, it's not a secret for anyone that a sitting position is the most harmful to health and even worse if we take this position for a long time. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly position your body in the driver's seat, so that when driving, fatigue does not arise, does not fall asleep and motionless joints do not become numb, and further health problems do not appear. In addition, a correct landing makes it possible to concentrate all attention on the road and in case of danger, to react quickly and not get into an accident.
So what is the basic principle of correct driving position? What do you need to do to lock yourself into a normal fit?
The main feature of the correct driving position while driving is the maximum contact between the driver and the back of the seat. Most novice motorists sit on the edge of the seat, squeezing tightly steering wheel, which provides an increased load on the arms and reduces the space for any maneuver. This pattern of behavior is explainable from the point of view of physiology - the beginner is in nervous tension and fear, which is especially acutely felt in the solar plexus region. Therefore, the novice driver squeezes the abdominal press, thereby breaking away from the seat back. An experienced driver, and even more so a race car driver, operate on a different principle. They rest their hands on the steering wheel or their left feet on the floor in order to squeeze into the chair as much as possible - this technique allows you to increase control over the car and its handling. This technique is especially useful when cornering because it allows you to keep your body balance while driving and not to be distracted from the road.
Procedure for taking the correct body position
1. Sit in a chair. In a car with a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal to the end, while the angle under your knee should be 120-150 degrees, and the toe should be slightly extended. Adjust the seat to fit these parameters. If there is an automatic transmission in the car, then press the gas pedal with your right foot until it stops so that it remains slightly bent at the knee. Adjust the back of the seat so that the left arm, lying on top of the steering wheel, is bent at the elbow by the same 120-150 degrees.
2. Adjust the seat so that your back and shoulder blades are completely flat against the back of the chair. The back should rest without tension on the back, and the buttocks should fit tightly into the grooves of the seat. The loin should be straight. Remember that the seat back takes the full weight of the torso when tilted about 30 degrees from vertical. In addition, your feet should be able to reach the pedals easily, and the hands holding the steering wheel should be slightly bent at the elbows, creating an angle of at least 120 degrees. Do not use the steering wheel as a support, it should only experience the weight of your hands.
3. Tighten the seat belts to be tight. Observing this condition, you will receive additional information about acceleration and forces acting on your vehicle. In addition, if you do not strap on, you will be hit by an airbag in the event of a collision.
4. With your left hand, hold the steering wheel at the top point, with your right hand, turn on the long-distance gear (manual transmission - fifth, if not, then third, in automatic transmission - position P).
5. If your car has a seat tilt adjustment function, raise the front edge of the seat.
6. Hands should hold the steering wheel in its upper segment (10-2 on the dial). This is the correct position, which minimizes unnecessary movement and allows you to act quickly.
7. Do not overextend your arms, otherwise muscle pain from increased fatigue will occur. You must grip the steering wheel with your little fingers and ring fingers, your thumbs remain inside the steering wheel rim, let the rest of your fingers be half-relaxed, but ready to tighten your grip at any time.
8. Adjust the tilt of the steering column so that the hands are not higher than the elbows, as this position hinders blood circulation and leads to fatigue.
9. Adjust the correct position of the headrest by placing it in the area of \u200b\u200byour head and as close as possible to your head. Keep in mind that the headrest is designed to protect your neck from fracture in the event of a rear impact, so it is not necessary to rest your head against it while driving.
10. Place your left foot on the clutch pedal, and your right foot on the brake pedal, lower your heels along the vertical axes of these pedals. Further, without lifting the heels off the floor, turn the socks outward, so that the toe of the left foot lies next to the clutch pedal, and the toe of the right foot touches the gas pedal. If you do not fulfill this condition and lift your heels off the floor when you transfer your foot from one pedal to another, then you will have a displaced center of gravity, which will lead to fatigue, and it also threatens to waste the time required to quickly make a maneuver.
The right fit for those with a non-standard physique
If you are the owner of a non-standard physique, then you need to know the following recommendations:
- When long legs sit so that your legs and torso are at a nearly 90-degree angle. Look at the hands, if it is convenient for them, then the legs will also be comfortable.
- When long arms, for a greater distance, throw the backrest back and slightly move your buttocks to the edge of the seat, as if sliding. In this case, the neck will strain more, be prepared for this.
- If you have small foot size, then put a small board so high that the heels do not come off the floor;
- If you have short arms Sit upright with your legs slightly bent. You will have to bend the gear knob so that you do not have to lean forward to change gears;
- If you have weak hands , then install a larger diameter handlebar and wrap it at the top point with both hands so that the grip is wide.
Achieve a stable body position. All weight should go to the seat and back of the chair. Check the seating position - if you manage to lift your feet off the floor and your hands off the steering wheel at the same time, then you did everything right.
- When driving around the city, bend your elbows a little more. Correct angle The elbow bend is determined in this way, straighten your arm and place it on top of the steering wheel so that the rim is at the level of the elbow bend.
- If you move along slippery surface and bumps, slightly spread your elbows up and outward, this way you force your back muscles to work, which will make it easier for you to drive, especially if it is front-wheel drive.
- Do not keep your foot above the clutch pedal after changing gears. This does not give you additional control over the machine, the more the leg muscles get tired faster and the time is lost for the required maneuver.
- As soon as you shift the gear, immediately return your right hand to the steering wheel.
A person gets used to everything within 21 days, so set your will for this particular period of time and constantly monitor your position while driving. These skills are very useful for drivers and proper handling combined with correct seating can save your life in a dangerous situation.
To consolidate the obtained theoretical skills, watch the following video.
A common mistake of many drivers with many years of experience is the habit of taking the wrong body position while driving a vehicle. Due to the peculiarities of the first car (broken toggle switch for seat adjustment, wide steering wheel of the Volga, etc.), they get used to an ineffective position, in which, in addition to non-compliance with safety rules, there is an active threat to health (namely, posture). For many, the correct position of the driver behind the wheel is a taboo thing (for some reason, admitting not knowing these basics is considered shameful). This article is intended to dispel numerous myths, and become a real guide for those who do not know how to properly sit behind the wheel.
When performing the following important rules you should take into account the peculiarities of your anthropometry. If the article contains an indicator of an angle of inclination of the arm of 120 degrees, then due to the characteristics of your height, it is necessary to adjust all other indicators to the appropriate values \u200b\u200b(seat length, steering wheel height, etc.).
Also, an important factor is the feeling of comfort after adjusting all the components according to the memo described below. Do not be afraid to experiment and deviate from the specified values \u200b\u200b(in terms of the permissible norm). Since the features of the structures of different people are individual, the standards willy-nilly will be applicable to one and impossible for others. Analyze the information received and identify the most important ones.
The priority is the comfort and convenience of the driver, not the passenger behind him.
Seat position adjustment
This is the foundation of all foundations. It is with the adjustment of this factor that the process of creating a place that meets all the requirements begins. The correct seating position of the driver depends entirely on the position of the seat. Before tuning, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the driver's height and weight. Ensure maximum driving comfort, and then proceed with the adjustment.
- In the seated position, it is necessary that the power reserve to the edge of the seat is equal to a minimum of 3-4 centimeters.
- Feet should be free to reach the pedals.
- The level of knee bend should be approximately 120 degrees.
- The angle of inclination of the back of the driver's seat should be 75-90 degrees (depending on the distance of travel).
- The back must be in full contact with the back of the chair.
- The headrest should be strictly adjusted to the height of the back of the head.
The angle of bend in the knee and elbow joint can range up to 10-15 degrees.
Handlebar adjustment and hand position
After completing the adjustment of the height and length of the seat, you should proceed to the location of the hands on the steering wheel. Correct fit behind the wheel is one of the most important conditions, since the controllability of the car directly depends on it. Consideration should be given to the ability to quickly carry out the required maneuver, without first changing the position of the body and hands. With tuned access to the steering wheel, this saves precious milliseconds.
Automotive experts and driving school instructors advise dividing the steering wheel into a conventional dial and give advice departing from the following values:
- place the right hand at the 2 o'clock position;
- place the left hand at the conditional "10 o'clock" position;
- the bend at the elbows is 120 degrees (hands above the elbows);
- fingers completely wrap around the steering wheel. The thumb should be in contact with the horizontal bar (if any).
It is very important to learn not to let go of the steering wheel, especially when making sharp maneuvers (if we are not talking about a car with an autonomous control interface). Carry out rudder interceptions one by one, preventing free spin of the latter.
An example of correctly positioned palms on the steering wheel.
Safety belt
Let's not be cunning: the level of use of a seat belt in our region is record low, with the leader in the accident rate table. Keep in mind, however, that the aforementioned position adjustments and adjustments for correct fit will not work if this passive safety measure is not used. It is imperative to know how to buckle up correctly so that the airbag volume measurement sensors are triggered correctly. So how to do it:
- the fastened belt should not contact the throat;
- the fastened belt should run diagonally from the shoulder across the entire chest to the thigh;
- fix the driver / passenger to the seat (you should feel pressure, but without fanaticism);
- the anchor clip must hold the belt clip even when subjected to severe force.
The seat belts should not strongly press the body and press against the seat, but it is desirable to feel the tension.
Adjusting side mirrors and rearview mirrors
When we have taken the right and convenient place for us, and have checked the accessibility to important controls, it is necessary to make sure of high-quality access to the inspected areas. In order not to turn your head to the sides, and to be extremely concentrated on the road ahead in front of you, you should first adjust the rear-view mirrors and side mirrors... Adjustment of rear-view mirrors and side mirrors is carried out in strict accordance with the specified standards:
- exterior exterior mirrors should illuminate road surface and the sky in a ratio of 1: 1 (conditional horizon in the middle);
- the handle must be visible in the exterior mirrors back door;
- in the rearview mirror (internal) should show rear glass car.
Reminder for adjusting the view in the rear and side mirrors.
Correct position of the driver's feet on the pedals
Correct foot placement is just as important as hand placement on the steering wheel (you can read about it just above). This item is extremely important for owners of cars with manual transmissions, since they need to periodically lift their foot from the surface of the pedal while driving. The following rules will help to correctly place your feet on the pedals, and significantly increase control efficiency:
- the leg must constantly contact any of the pedals;
- the foot of the right leg should be placed between the gas pedal and the brake pedal, and pressing is carried out by transferring the weight of the foot to one of the sides (the heel does not come off the floor);
- the fulcrum when pressed should be in the midfoot.
Do not lift your heel away from the intended center of access to both pedals (brake and gas).
It should be noted that such manipulations are not required before each trip. Once you have adjusted the seat, backrest, steering wheel and mirrors for yourself, you will no longer need to carry out similar actions every time (it may be necessary to adjust it occasionally). However, before starting off, it is important to complete a few minor but extremely important algorithms that will significantly increase the operating life of your vehicle. For beginners, you need to memorize the following list of rules:
- if your car has a manual transmission, before starting the engine, make sure that the handle is in position P, or depress the clutch pedal;
- check the viewing angle in the mirrors (it is possible that during your absence there was an unauthorized change in the position of the mirrors);
- If the car is subordinated to 2 or more drivers, check and adjust the position of the seat individually for yourself.
Don't be afraid to be neat and attentive to the smallest details and oversights. It is important to train yourself to react as early as possible to the slightest change in comfort and safety. Compliance with the above provisions will significantly increase your level of car handling and improve safety. In the next article, we will take a closer look at tips and rules on how to steer and drive a vehicle correctly.
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Today we will talk about how to properly drive, let's give seven useful recommendationsto avoid discomfort when traveling long distances.
Many modern people spend a significant part of their time driving a car. For many of them, driving is a major part of their job.
However, travel often comes with physical discomfort. It turns out that such sensations mainly depend not on the features of the seats, but on how the driver is located in them.
How is it necessary to drive?
Basic principles of correct driving
Here are the basic principles of proper fit in a car.
- 1. The key point in proper seating is maximum muscle relaxation. It is important to find a comfortable body position in which this task will be completed. This will make it easier for you to focus on driving and react quickly if the need arises.
- 2. When seated correctly, the load should be primarily on the seat. At the same time, the limbs can move freely, which will help better quality driving.
- 3. The back should touch the back of the seat in the areas of the lumbar, shoulder blades and lower part of the neck. This will help you better control (feel) your vehicle and stay seated when cornering.
- 4. It is important to find a comfortable distance between the seat and the handlebars so that you can pedal comfortably without your legs being fully extended. The legs must be kept constantly bent (knee angle 120 degrees). This way, you won't have to constantly reach for the pedals, and your back won't bend.
- 5. Find the best hand position when driving. It can be determined in this way: when the left hand lies on the top of the steering wheel, it should be slightly bent (angle at the elbows 120 degrees). In some cars steering column adjustable in height and reach.
- 6. The headrest must be installed at the level of the back of the driver's head. The back of the head, back and shoulders should form a line at an angle of 110-120 degrees. It will also help relax your body while driving.
- 7. Make sure the harness rests off your shoulder and runs along your entire chest. The belt should never be at throat level. The strap fits over the chest so that you can put your palm between them. Then the belt will not press on the chest, and in emergency situation will save the driver.
Outcome
Of course, the fit of a particular person in a car also depends on his physiological characteristics.
Knowing the basic principles of a correct fit, you will be able to find the optimal driving position for yourself and less fatigue while driving.
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Driving skill comes with experience and is made up of many factors. Some of them become noticeable only in critical situations, some of them can be judged by the driving style. But there is one moment that allows you to immediately "identify" a real professional - this is the driver's landing at the wheel. A modern car has a huge number of "settings" - pedals, steering wheel and the driver's seat itself, which is not so easy to deal with, especially for a beginner.
As a rule, in the process of learning to drive, the issue of correct landing while driving a car is paid catastrophically little attention... The standard "pose" of a beginner at the wheel looks quite recognizable - a very close position of the chest to the steering wheel and a head stretched forward. It seems to a beginner that in this position the road is seen much better. If the instructor does not prompt in time, such a posture will become familiar to the motorist, which provides him with quick fatigue when driving, and also reduces the reaction speed in case emergency.
Three points of contact between the back and the chair
In the event that the driving position is carried out according to all the rules, even the longest journey by car will not cause complaints of back pain, the inability to "straighten out" or swelling of the legs. In addition, the correct position of the driver greatly facilitates the process of driving a car and increases the reaction speed. It should be understood that even the most budget car seats, equipped with a minimum number of adjustments, can be adjusted "for yourself."
The most common mistake in adjusting the chair is excessive lifting. In this case, the chair only supports the back, usually only in one place. This provides a very serious load on the spine, and even short trips in this position lead to pain and fatigue. If the improper driving position persists for a long time, spinal problems such as osteochondrosis or sciatica are inevitable.
Advice! The first setup should be entrusted to a professional, so the absence of problems and a more comfortable driving mode will be guaranteed.
The setting of the driver's seat should be carried out in such a way that the back is in contact with it at three points - the lower back, shoulder blades and the lower part of the neck. In this case, not only the recommended, correct anatomical position of the back is provided, excluding the occurrence of health problems, but also the ability to "feel" the car when making maneuvers. This correct driving position will not allow the driver to slip out of the seat during sharp maneuvers, even if it does not have lateral support.
In the process of changing chair adjustments, do not forget about the legs. It is inappropriate to move the driver's seat too close to the steering wheel. In this case, contact between the steering wheel and the driver's legs is inevitable, which does not contribute to improving handling. Ideally, the chair should be positioned so that the knee joint is bent at 120º and with the correct back position it is possible to fully depress the clutch pedal without changing body position.
The location of the hands on the steering wheel
In addition to the correct position of the driver's body, the position of the hands on the steering wheel is of great importance. This point must be given sufficient attention, which is understood by professional instructors of driving schools, but despite their efforts, successfully passing exams and obtaining a license, almost immediately "discourages" the new motorist from the memory of how to hold hands correctly, and in general that in nature, there is such a thing as the correct fit in a car.
After landing in new car, the steering wheel must be adjusted for yourself in the same way as the seat itself. Almost all modern cars have the ability to adjust the steering wheel in several positions. In addition, there are often tides specially designed for a more comfortable grip on the handlebars. You should not ignore their presence, since they are located in such a way that the car is controlled as efficiently as possible, without unnecessary stress on the shoulder girdle.
The correct position of the hands is of no less importance. Most cars are equipped with airbags, one of which is located on the steering wheel. E if the arms are not positioned correctly, the deployment of the pillow can lead to the fact that they are simply "thrown" in the face, which is fraught with very serious injuries, especially when a person is not wearing a seat belt. It is quite simple to determine the optimal distance to the steering wheel on your own - the wrists, in the correct position, will freely "reach" the extreme upper point of the rim, while the hub should not "aim" at the driver's abdomen, but "look" into his face.
Headrest and seat belt
Even experienced motorists often do not know which position of the headrest is considered correct and adjust it incorrectly. The most dangerous position of the headrest is when it is located at the level of the neck. In this case, even a relatively weak blow from the back can lead to serious injury to the cervical spine, up to and including death. The only correct position of the headrest is at the back of the head, tilted so that the back of the head, shoulders and back formed a straight line, but at an angle of 110 degrees.
The position of the seat belt also needs to be adjusted for each driver individually. First of all, its length is regulated. It should run from the left shoulder through the driver's entire chest, bypassing the neck and throat. The consequences of a belt running through the neck should not be explained. The tension of the belt is also adjustable - ideally, you can stick your palm between the correctly tensioned belt and the driver's chest. In the process of movement, such a belt will not unnecessarily press and hinder movement, and in emergency situations it will be extremely effective.
It is necessary to understand that a safe landing at the wheel is a correct landing, which will be considered as such only if the seat settings and the position of the steering wheel itself are correctly made. While you can intuitively figure out the position of the backrest and headrest on your own, many drivers have difficulty with the seat height. To provide an optimal view of the road ahead and the area around the vehicle, it is necessary that the distance from the crown of the driver's head to the ceiling of the car is at least five cm.in this case, maximum control over the space is provided, of course, provided correct adjustment mirrors - rear view and side.
Common mistakes and their consequences for the driver
There are four most common mistakes:
The above errors can be considered the most dangerous, and with their totality in vehicle may result in death or serious injury to the driver. Accordingly, any car should be tuned for a new driver or before long journeys... It should be understood that how to properly drive a car is not taught in driving schools, at least not in every one. Much has been said about how to properly drive, and this is not an accident. Correct driving position of a motorist is not only able to increase safety on the road and save his life, but also greatly facilitate the very process of driving a car.
We recently talked about how to properly hold the steering wheel. Now is the time to talk about the secrets of a proper driver's seat fit.
IN emergency the driver acts instinctively. And just before the blow, he involuntarily rests his hands on the rim of the steering wheel, and his feet on the floor or pedals, trying to mitigate the consequences. If the knee and elbow joints are fully straightened, injuries can occur even from a slight push.
Slightly bent limbs parry the blow much better. Hence the first rule of seat fitting: no straight arms and legs!
The second rule: controls should not serve as fulcrum. To put it simply, they control with their help, and do not hold onto them. Here the simplest way checks: while sitting in the driver's seat, lift your feet off the floor and your palms off the steering wheel.
If your body does not fall forward or backward, the fit is correct. If not, correct the seat position. Sometimes it is enough to slightly tilt the pillow.
