Unusal instrument panel problem

kiddums

Due to my height and the fact its a small car I drive (6ft5 in a 01 fiesta) I have trouble seeing more than half of my instrument panel due to the stering wheel getting in my way.

Does any one have any hints or tips to help me see the guages and warning lights better?

I was thinking if I could find some of that flexible mirror stuff to stick on the bottom it might help?

Nissan doctor

Have you got the steering wheel up as high as it will go and the seat as low?

kiddums

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Have you got the steering wheel up as high as it will go and the seat as low?

Steering wheel isn't adjustable and the seat is as far back and as low as it will go.

Slidey

kiddums

Slidey wrote: »

Yea thats about right.:pac::D:cool:

Andrew Campbell

Get an upholsterer to take a few inches off the seat cushion. I've seen it done before for tall people who test drove a car without a sunroof and then ordered one with!!!

biko

I assume you've already pushed the seat back as far as it'll go?
I think a mirror would only confuse you but maybe after a while you get used to it.
Perhaps you can move the instrument cluster closer, or get a secondary mounted somewhere?

Probably not legal

kiddums

Andrew Campbell wrote: »

Get an upholsterer to take a few inches off the seat cushion. I've seen it done before for tall people who test drove a car without a sunroof and then ordered one with!!!

Shouldn't that be the other way round? When the test drove on with a sunroof as there is more headroom with a sunroof?

biko wrote: »

I assume you've already pushed the seat back as far as it'll go?

Yea already as far back as it will go. I can angle it back further and see more of the instruments but I still can't see the warning lights. And its really uncomfortale to drive like that.

biko wrote: »

I think a mirror would only confuse you but maybe after a while you get used to it.

I think I could get used to it.

biko wrote: »

Perhaps you can move the instrument cluster closer, or get a secondary mounted somewhere?

What kind of cost are we talking here, sounds like a few hundered anyway, and I'd prefer this side of 50. Strapped for cash for the next few months.

biko wrote: »

Probably not legal

I don't think it is, but I like it.:pac:
Or get the one fron KITT.:cool:

biko

Moving or adding a cluster would be quite expensive and maybe even can't be done. Changing/ fixing seat is also costly.
Start with the mirror yoke and see it if that helps.
Maybe some tinfoil, shiny side up, will work.

kiddums

biko wrote: »

Moving or adding a cluster would be quite expensive and maybe even can't be done. Changing/ fixing seat is also costly.
Start with the mirror yoke and see it if that helps.
Maybe some tinfoil, shiny side up, will work.

Tin foil blurs it way to much to be of any use.
I've seen a mirror like sticker in places, but I never thought to ask where they got it.

mickdw

Apart from your problems seeing the instrument cluster, you have an obvious safety issue in that the air bag should it be needed would probably hit you in the chest possibly increasing injury from whiplash etc compared to it cushioning your head. If you are so bad a fit for the car, you really shouldnt be driving it.

Only other thing I could suggest is ripping out the front seat and doing a hightower on it

Esel

Andrew Campbell wrote: »

Get an upholsterer to take a few inches off the seat cushion. I've seen it done before for tall people who test drove a car without a sunroof and then ordered one with!!!

That would be a right pain in the arse if you were doing long journeys...

kiddums

mickdw wrote: »

Apart from your problems seeing the instrument cluster, you have an obvious safety issue in that the air bag should it be needed would probably hit you in the chest possibly increasing injury from whiplash etc compared to it cushioning your head. If you are so bad a fit for the car, you really shouldnt be driving it.

Only other thing I could suggest is ripping out the front seat and doing a hightower on it

The airbag will still hit me, my head will just be nearer the top of it than the middle.

I'm tempeded to do that as I'm practically sitting in the back seat as it is.:pac::cool:

kiddums wrote: »

Tin foil blurs it way to much to be of any use.
I've seen a mirror like sticker in places, but I never thought to ask where they got it.

DOes anyone know where I can get a useable amount of this stuff? Online all I can find in huge rolls of it. The local crart shop looked at me like I was mad when I asked for it.

I'll add a photo of what I can see once I get it off my phone.


Edit:
Added the photo

Sorry about the quality, it was taken at night with only the cameraphones flash for light.
As you can see, I can't see the engine warning light or fuel light. And hlaf the fuel guage and about a quarter of the speedo are missing.

dharn

no easy solution a mirror will give you everything back ways ie mirrior image perhaps a smaller sports steering wheel where you can see out over it

kiddums

The mirror will at least let me see if there are warning lights on. I check the fuel guage every time I get into the car anyway, I just want to know when the light comes on.

How much is a new steering wheel and how easy are they to fit?

dharn

dont know really, probably not easy to fit and you will have no airbag but a big man like yourself in a fiesta i dont think an airbag would make much difference in a bad shunt god forbid should any such thing happen

kiddums

Its something softer than the steering wheel / window to hit.;)
How much difference it makes is debatable but I don't plan on ever finding out.