Seats and Footwell

[MPD]

Wow, I can't believe of all the cars I've been in during my life, these are the worst seats 'for me'. For reference, I'm 5'10.5 (yes the .5 matters ) and 160lbs. Fit guy normal build. Did a 6hr drive this weekend and two things really stood out that made it very uncomfortable for me.

Seats - First off, I really like the design and look. The bolsters by my thighs are not very high and just by normal seating, my legs tend to roll over the top of the bolsters and after about 15min, it starts making my legs a bit numb. If I keep my knees together then no pressure points but obviously can't drive like that. I went and checked my other vehicles; all of them either had deeper seats so your legs were supported (not going over the top) or they will more flat so no pressure points. I will likely have to put a cushion to sit on for now as I really hate spending more money to take them to a shop for upholstery work.

Footwell - I had not been in the car until I received it but I had read many say how small it was. Normally wouldn't be a big deal but when placing the foot on the dead pedal, it is only about the width of half my foot (size 10.5). And because of the seat issue, I constantly want to move my left leg inward to keep off the pressure point but then it puts my foot at a weird angle and rocking on the dead pedal. I think I will make a bracket that is about 2" wider to give a full support platform for the foot.

I realize every body type is different but I've never had issues with these two areas of a car. I hope the cushion resolves the conformtability but it makes me feel like my dad who always has cushions in his cars because he likes it 'comfy'

 

[Speedy Emira]

Wow, I can't believe of all the cars I've been in during my life, these are the worst seats 'for me'. For reference, I'm 5'10.5 (yes the .5 matters ) and 160lbs. Fit guy normal build. Did a 6hr drive this weekend and two things really stood out that made it very uncomfortable for me.

Seats - First off, I really like the design and look. The bolsters by my thighs are not very high and just by normal seating, my legs tend to roll over the top of the bolsters and after about 15min, it starts making my legs a bit numb. If I keep my knees together then no pressure points but obviously can't drive like that. I went and checked my other vehicles; all of them either had deeper seats so your legs were supported (not going over the top) or they will more flat so no pressure points. I will likely have to put a cushion to sit on for now as I really hate spending more money to take them to a shop for upholstery work.

Footwell - I had not been in the car until I received it but I had read many say how small it was. Normally wouldn't be a big deal but when placing the foot on the dead pedal, it is only about the width of half my foot (size 10.5). And because of the seat issue, I constantly want to move my left leg inward to keep off the pressure point but then it puts my foot at a weird angle and rocking on the dead pedal. I think I will make a bracket that is about 2" wider to give a full support platform for the foot.

I realize every body type is different but I've never had issues with these two areas of a car. I hope the cushion resolves the conformtability but it makes me feel like my dad who always has cushions in his cars because he likes it 'comfy'

I totally get you will the seating especially the dead pedal part because I have size 11 wide fitting.
Will you have enough room for the pedals if you widen the dead pedal? I’m mindful in the US your pedals are closer together.

 

[seriously]

These seats actually break in. After a few though miles the middle of the rear seat gets flatter. It’s more comfortable and then you can sit deeper into the seat. That might solve your situation.

 

[Bizness_fun]

Same issue as you with foot pedals, same exact build as well. Currently wear Hokas everywhere and makes driving impossible with the wide sole (size 11). Don't have a fix currently outside of finding some slimmer shoes or barefoot...

Wow, I can't believe of all the cars I've been in during my life, these are the worst seats 'for me'. For reference, I'm 5'10.5 (yes the .5 matters ) and 160lbs. Fit guy normal build. Did a 6hr drive this weekend and two things really stood out that made it very uncomfortable for me.

Seats - First off, I really like the design and look. The bolsters by my thighs are not very high and just by normal seating, my legs tend to roll over the top of the bolsters and after about 15min, it starts making my legs a bit numb. If I keep my knees together then no pressure points but obviously can't drive like that. I went and checked my other vehicles; all of them either had deeper seats so your legs were supported (not going over the top) or they will more flat so no pressure points. I will likely have to put a cushion to sit on for now as I really hate spending more money to take them to a shop for upholstery work.

Footwell - I had not been in the car until I received it but I had read many say how small it was. Normally wouldn't be a big deal but when placing the foot on the dead pedal, it is only about the width of half my foot (size 10.5). And because of the seat issue, I constantly want to move my left leg inward to keep off the pressure point but then it puts my foot at a weird angle and rocking on the dead pedal. I think I will make a bracket that is about 2" wider to give a full support platform for the foot.

I realize every body type is different but I've never had issues with these two areas of a car. I hope the cushion resolves the conformtability but it makes me feel like my dad who always has cushions in his cars because he likes it 'comfy'

 

[Steve Tillett]

The seats being the way they are did me a favour. We have sold quite a few B10's to Emira owners. The back of the original seat is way too soft, so there is little support for the vertebrae. Especially if you sit upright, your lower spine wallows around in no mans land.

 

[bif]

I have the same issue with the seat bottom (and height) of the seat. Makes me go a bit numb and hurt my sit bones. The other thing I don't like is the headrest is too low on the seat. I like the tight pedal box. Very easy and nice to heel toe.

 

[MPD]

I totally get you will the seating especially the dead pedal part because I have size 11 wide fitting.
Will you have enough room for the pedals if you widen the dead pedal? I’m mindful in the US your pedals are closer together.

probably not as there isn't much room :-(

I wear size 11 shoes so I can't wear my normal shoes as it's just too crowded down there but I do wear my minimalist running shoes which is similar to a driving shoe (thin soles, fits the foot closely). This still doesn't help though

I got a silly cushion and went for a drive. It helped a bit as my leg didn't get numb but I could still feel the pressure point (cushion wasn't thick). I'll keep playing with the seat adjustment and cushion but I might have to take seat to a shop to get a little mod done.

 

[MPD]

These seats actually break in. After a few though miles the middle of the rear seat gets flatter. It’s more comfortable and then you can sit deeper into the seat. That might solve your situation.

I can hope

 

[Eagle7]

I'm surprised that people who wear a size 11 are having trouble with the pedals. I wear a size 12 and don't have any problems with them. I wear driving loafers, but pretty much any slip-on loafer should work. Any of the current wide-sole sports shoes are likely to have issues because the soles are artificially wide at the bottom for running, or court sports like basketball, tennis, etc. Slip-on loafers are comfortable, easy to slip on, and work fine for driving a narrow pedal box.

As for the seat, you can tilt the seat bottom forward separately. Do that until the front bolster isn't pushing up against the underside of your leg or is only slightly pressing, which is what's cutting off the circulation. Once you've got that adjusted, then you can tilt the seat-back itself back (not the whole seat) to get the tilt right for comfort and arm reach. As others have pointed out, the seat padding itself will also settle in and slightly adjust to you over time as well.

 

[Time2Fly]

I wear a 12/46/29.5 and haven't had a problem yet. Driving shoes, regular tennis shoes, dress shoes, or somewhat chunky boots. No problem at all.

 

[Hell4Leather]

Anyone having an issue with rubbing the side when getting into the car? I find that no matter how I try to enter I keep rubbing the side middle of the seat and fear it will wear rather quickly.

If the seat would move back when you power off like many modern vehicles this probably wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Aero]

Anyone having an issue with rubbing the side when getting into the car? I find that no matter how I try to enter I keep rubbing the side middle of the seat and fear it will wear rather quickly.

If the seat would move back when you power off like many modern vehicles this probably wouldn’t be an issue.

You can try using the other memory setting to set it to all the way back for exit and entry. Will have to select that memory setting when turning the car off though.

 

[Eagle7]

Anyone having an issue with rubbing the side when getting into the car? I find that no matter how I try to enter I keep rubbing the side middle of the seat and fear it will wear rather quickly.

If the seat would move back when you power off like many modern vehicles this probably wouldn’t be an issue.

If you have the set settings where you want them, set that as seat memory setting #1. Then move the seat all the way back, and set that as seat memory setting #2. When you go to get out of the car, open the door slightly and press setting 2; the seat will go all the way back without you having to hold the button. When you get in the car, after you're seated and before closing the door, press setting 1 and the seat will slide to your driving setting again, without having to hold the button.

 

[Hell4Leather]

You can try using the other memory setting to set it to all the way back for exit and entry. Will have to select that memory setting when turning the car off though.

If you have the set settings where you want them, set that as seat memory setting #1. Then move the seat all the way back, and set that as seat memory setting #2. When you go to get out of the car, open the door slightly and press setting 2; the seat will go all the way back without you having to hold the button. When you get in the car, after you're seated and before closing the door, press setting 1 and the seat will slide to your driving setting again, without having to hold the button.

The consensus seems reasonable. Thanks

 

[MPD]

You can try using the other memory setting to set it to all the way back for exit and entry. Will have to select that memory setting when turning the car off though.

This is exactly how I use the memory settings

 

[seriously]

This is exactly how I use the memory settings

It would be cool if you could code this to happen automatically when you open the door after unlocking the car and also after shutting off the engine. Trigger by opening the door.

 

[Hell4Leather]

It would be cool if you could code this to happen automatically when you open the door after unlocking the car and also after shutting off the engine. Trigger by opening the door.

You mean like many cars already do?

 

[RyanGphoto]

I have not found yet (after 3800 miles). The seats getting any better. The lower back bolster is way too far out into my back and yes I have it as far in as it goes. I Def get out of the car after driving for a bit with a soar lower back.

 

[VT24SEP]

Wow, I can't believe of all the cars I've been in during my life, these are the worst seats 'for me'. For reference, I'm 5'10.5 (yes the .5 matters ) and 160lbs. Fit guy normal build. Did a 6hr drive this weekend and two things really stood out that made it very uncomfortable for me.

Seats - First off, I really like the design and look. The bolsters by my thighs are not very high and just by normal seating, my legs tend to roll over the top of the bolsters and after about 15min, it starts making my legs a bit numb. If I keep my knees together then no pressure points but obviously can't drive like that. I went and checked my other vehicles; all of them either had deeper seats so your legs were supported (not going over the top) or they will more flat so no pressure points. I will likely have to put a cushion to sit on for now as I really hate spending more money to take them to a shop for upholstery work.

Footwell - I had not been in the car until I received it but I had read many say how small it was. Normally wouldn't be a big deal but when placing the foot on the dead pedal, it is only about the width of half my foot (size 10.5). And because of the seat issue, I constantly want to move my left leg inward to keep off the pressure point but then it puts my foot at a weird angle and rocking on the dead pedal. I think I will make a bracket that is about 2" wider to give a full support platform for the foot.

I realize every body type is different but I've never had issues with these two areas of a car. I hope the cushion resolves the conformtability but it makes me feel like my dad who always has cushions in his cars because he likes it 'comfy'

I thought I was the only one suffering in these beautiful seats. In the last 1000 miles, i have tried everything/setting. I can barely drive it for longer than an hour. I get some serious lower back issues and it's causing my right leg/nerve to pain/sciatica style. After a few setting , I tried a wedge cushion. I thought the back of if the seat is very deep Vs the front and perhaps causing too acute an angle. . I am only 5.5 and shoe size 6.5 - so should be fine but even I get pressure on right thigh. The wedge cushion improved my life a little and I set the seat to most upright ..
After a few short trips I tried a 2.5 hour round trip and could not walk straight for a few days. I am super surprised - the seats look good but I am struggling a bit to find the fault and fix. Is there a seat doctor somewhere?

Also, there is a weird thing . My right knee /leg get some pressure as the pedals appear to be set to the left (say 10 o clock vs. Where my body is facing. When I checked my other cars , my leg are in line mostly 12 o'clock. In the Emira , the right leg is always at an angle - further worsening my right side.
I have been long hours on simple Caterham seats (small footwell) , very tight space and never has this issue .

I love the look of the seats but don't know what to fix - other than ripping them out and replace them . Wonder of that effects warranty etc

 

[Eagle7]

I thought I was the only one suffering in these beautiful seats. In the last 1000 miles, i have tried everything/setting. I can barely drive it for longer than an hour. I get some serious lower back issues and it's causing my right leg/nerve to pain/sciatica style. After a few setting , I tried a wedge cushion. I thought the back of if the seat is very deep Vs the front and perhaps causing too acute an angle. . I am only 5.5 and shoe size 6.5 - so should be fine but even I get pressure on right thigh. The wedge cushion improved my life a little and I set the seat to most upright ..
After a few short trips I tried a 2.5 hour round trip and could not walk straight for a few days. I am super surprised - the seats look good but I am struggling a bit to find the fault and fix. Is there a seat doctor somewhere?

Also, there is a weird thing . My right knee /leg get some pressure as the pedals appear to be set to the left (say 10 o clock vs. Where my body is facing. When I checked my other cars , my leg are in line mostly 12 o'clock. In the Emira , the right leg is always at an angle - further worsening my right side.
I have been long hours on simple Caterham seats (small footwell) , very tight space and never has this issue .

I love the look of the seats but don't know what to fix - other than ripping them out and replace them . Wonder of that effects warranty etc

I'm really surprised how these seats are horrible for some, and fine for others. I keep thinking it has to be adjustment.

How are you adjusting the seat? It's too bad there isn't a default setting that positions everything in a certain way, then you can go from there.

Looking at the diagram above, the order in which you should make adjustments starts with the bottom icon (seat forward or backward), then go counter-clockwise around that set of icons, with the lumbar support being the last one you adjust.

1. Set the seat forward or backward until your legs can comfortably reach and use the pedals (especially important if you have a manual with a clutch).

2. Next adjust the seat height up or down to where you like.

3. Then adjust the seat back angle. This one can be a source of back trouble if you're trying to make reaching the steering wheel only by adjusting the seat back angle. It can also affect your vision height which is a combination of seat back angle and seat height. If you've set the seat all the way down which seems to be common, adjusting the seat back will raise or lower your head. If you're trying to adjust your vision over/through the steering wheel by adjusting the seat, don't. Get the seat right first, then adjust the height/depth of the steering wheel separately afterwards. Seat back angle is also going to be determined to some degree by your arm length. If you have long arms, don't adjust for arm length by moving the seat back; adjust the steering wheel towards the front of the car. If you have shorter arms, don't move the seat forward; pull the steering wheel towards you. You can fine tune the arm length slightly with seat back angle, but arm length should be mostly adjusted for by moving the steering wheel.

4. Angle of the seat cushion. This is going to either tilt you backward, tilt you forward, or do neither if it's set flat. This setting shifts where the downward pressure of your upper body is focused, and is going to also have an effect on your lower back. If this isn't set correctly, trying to compensate with the lumbar support isn't going to fix it. This adjustment will affect the pressure points of your upper torso on your lower spine, tail bone, hips and underside of your legs towards your knees. Because everyone's body is different, there's no right way to set it, other than using where you feel pressure to adjust it so the pressure is as evenly distributed as possible. I have mine tilted towards the back somewhat, to minimize the pressure on my tail bone, and provide some support underneath my legs. This is going to vary if you have spine curvature issues, as to which part of your lower body you need to transfer the weight center to.

5. Lastly the lumbar support. Your spine length, shape/curvature and condition will determine what's comfortable for you. I have mine set so the lumbar support is low and pushing slightly forward. For me, this supports my lower back which is where I need the support. That's something you'll have to play with to find what's comfortable for you, but AFTER you've made the other adjustments.

Once you've got what you think is a good setting, then set your mirrors. Once you have those adjusted, save this to Seat Position 1. Over the next week or so, you'll probably tweak some of the settings, and you can use Seat Position 2 for your tweaked version until you have it all dialed in. Then save that to Seat Position 1. Unless 2 people drive the car, slide the seat all the way back, and set that to Seat Position 2. From this point on, when you are going to get out of the car, open the door and press position 2. The seat will slide all the way back without you having to hold the button. If you don't open the door, you have to hold the button in. When you get in the car, once seated and before closing the door, press position 1 then close the door. The seat will slide forward to your driving position.

Hopefully this will help at least some of you who are having seat comfort issues.