Adjusting bucket seats to best position

[EdwinV]

Hello all,

This is my first post on the forum. I have been reading a lot of posts since I ordered the Formentor at my lease company in The Netherlands.
I'm driving the e-Hybrid VZ Copper Edition (magnetic tech matt) with the blue bucket seats.
After 4 weeks of driving my lower back hurts and my shoulderblades too.
Because I have never had back issues before I think this is caused by the new car seats. For the last 4 years I drove a VW Tiguan.
I don't know if it's caused by sitting in the wrong position or because my body has to adjust to the shape and stiffness of this type of bucket seat.
Because my back hurts I'm now constantly changing position in my seat and adjusting it to find the most comfortable position.
I'm already at the point that i'm only thinking of how I feel sitting in the bucket seat when I get in the car
I know adjusting the seat is a personal 'thing' and it could take some time to find the best position but after 4 weeks I'm getting pretty desperate.

I wonder if there are more people with this problem and how they solved this. Any type of advice is welcome

Thank you,
Edwin

 

[pkaps]

If its leather seats they may be a little less flexible and less shock absorbent compared to the normal ones, its down to the fact that leather and especially depending on its quality it may look nicer but not comfy as the fabric made ones, I have the latter and they feel very comfortable and supportive, no issues at all.

 

[TheUkWizard]

Are you sure you have not hurt your back? Could be a sign of some issues maybe, rather than the car?

I have a dodgy back after a fairly recent slipped disc, and have no back issues in my vz2 whilst using it. Not sure if my seats are different though in my model tbh.

 

[SRGTD]

Are you sure you have not hurt your back? Could be a sign of some issues maybe, rather than the car?

I have a dodgy back after a fairly recent slipped disc, and have no back issues in my vz2 whilst using it. Not sure if my seats are different though in my model tbh.

I‘m a long standing (40+ years) member of the bad back club; slipped discs on various occasions and sciatica. I visit my chiropractor every 3 weeks or so to help keep me flexible.

I don’t have a Formentor - I have a VW with sports seats. It’s the fifth VW (all have had sports seats) that I’ve owned and in the previous four, the seats were really good and supportive and I never had any issues with comfort or back pain when driving - even on longer journeys. However…………in my current car, I have really been struggling to find a comfortable seating position. From memory, it was fine when I got the car (I’m sure I’d have remembered if it wasn’t) but since the car’s first service when the driver’s seat position was changed - as always happens - I haven’t been able to find the ‘perfect’ seating position again, and on even short journeys, I’ve been experiencing discomfort in my upper left leg - it almost feels like I’m sitting on a plank of wood on the left side of the seat cushion rather than on a foam seat base supported by springs.

I’ve tried pretty much all adjustments - back rest angle, back rest lumbar support, fore and aft position on the seat runners, seat height, changing the steering wheel reach and rake, adjusting the height of the upper seat belt mount. I’ve also checked under the seat to make sure the foam base hasn’t collapsed or the springing has become detached and everything looks OK.

After months of seat position tweaks, it’s definitely better than it was, although still not perfect (I’ll keep persevering). Fortunately, no one else drives my car, so assuming I do eventually find that ‘sweet spot’ again, there aren’t any other drivers who’ll change it - other than the garage when the next service is due; I’ll ask them not to move the seat, although I doubt they’ll respect my wishes. I think electric memory seat position will be a serious consideration in my next car.

@EdwinV - I suggest you persevere and keep trying small adjustments and with luck, hopefully you’ll eventually find a comfortable seating position. You may also find the guide at the link below helpful;

https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/guide/file/21/Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf

 

[EdwinV]

Thank you for the reactions.
I haven't noticed hurting my back lately, but I agree it could be a small unnoticed pain that has gotten worse slowly for some reason and has nothing to do with the car seats.
My wife suggested to get a checkup for my back and I will make an appointment just to be sure at our local chiropractor.
I will try to make small changes to the position of the seat and see if that will help.

 

[El Dingo]

With years of experience with VW Group and Seat seats, I'd recommend trying the seat set very low at first and slowly work your way upwards.
I have a dodgy back as well, with longish legs, so setting the seat quite far back also helps, but then the steering wheel always feels too far away, even pulled fully back. This is easier with a DSG or auto box, though, where you don't have to worry about a clutch.

 

[V2Formentor]

Hi, I can relate to your frustration, I have the V2 nappa leather seats, I found I can't get the seat in the perfect position, wether it's the fact they're bucket seats could be a big factor, altho look fantastic and feel luxurious I've found that I'm getting stiff neck and the arm rest in the drivers door is too far away and therefore I'm over leaning hence bad driving position, I've had car 7months, this could be a game changer if can't get perfect seating position in the future.

 

[pkaps]

I have to say they are the best seats I ever had, mine though are not the leather ones but the recycled leatherette and fabric ones. Apart from the fact that they are spot on at every adjustment I make, higher or lower, they are also great on long trips.

 

[DEAN0]

Hi, I can relate to your frustration, I have the V2 nappa leather seats, I found I can't get the seat in the perfect position, wether it's the fact they're bucket seats could be a big factor, altho look fantastic and feel luxurious I've found that I'm getting stiff neck and the arm rest in the drivers door is too far away and therefore I'm over leaning hence bad driving position, I've had car 7months, this could be a game changer if can't get perfect seating position in the future.

Try adjusting the seat as follows.
Height first - so you are looking down the bonnet - this is a preference thing.
Then - for/aft adjustment until the pedals and foot rest feel in the correct position.
Now back rest - adjust until the seat feels like it is supporting your full back and so your head is appx 1" off the headrest.
Finally - adjust the steering wheel - up/down so you can see the instruments. In/out so you can rest your right wrist on top of the wheel without pulling your shoulder forwards.

 

[Spivvy]

I found this online View attachment Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[V2Formentor]

I found this online View attachment 36076

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

Thanks but to be honest it's probably more the fact that if I sit too high I can't reach the door armrest, yet if I sit to low I can hardly see over the mammoth bonnet, lose lose unfortunately.

 

[EdwinV]

A couple of months ago I went to a custom seat specialist (Scheel) in The Netherlands for advice. The Cupra Formentor was new for them.
First I had to sit in a number of chairs that they make. Because these seats are manually adjustable, the employee could feel the correct settings.
I was therefore able to feel what a correct position is and where the chair should fit properly.
Two employees also got into the car and tested and adjusted the seats to find a good position for them. They agreed with me that the chairs are quite stiff. In the end, we found a good position together. I adjusted it one more time, moving the seat a little further back. I have set the position to 1, 2 and 3 of the memory .
I also noticed that my belt was a problem. It presses a lot in my lower back with these chairs. On car journeys of 15+ minutes I just take off my belt and then it is much better. Last summer this was not a problem with shorts. And I have to relax my shoulders while driving.