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small person in normal size car

  • 21-03-2014 8:37am
    #1
    lfqnic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 169 ✭✭


    Ha, I feel ridiculous even posting this...


    I had my first lesson the other day and I found it really hard to sit properly so that I was able to reach the clutch without having my knees drawn up too close to the wheel. I'm 5"2 so I'm not that much below the average for women, but my dad's fairly average car still seemed a bit too big. I googled and it seems that even smaller cars aren't necessarily proportionately better for short arses, but that some cars allow you to lower the seat which might help.

    Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?


Comments

  • #2
    MascotDec85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭MascotDec85


    lfqnic wrote: »
    Ha, I feel ridiculous even posting this...


    I had my first lesson the other day and I found it really hard to sit properly so that I was able to reach the clutch without having my knees drawn up too close to the wheel. I'm 5"2 so I'm not that much below the average for women, but my dad's fairly average car still seemed a bit too big. I googled and it seems that even smaller cars aren't necessarily proportionately better for short arses, but that some cars allow you to lower the seat which might help.

    Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?

    What kind of car is it?

    Try this:

    When putting your foot on the clutch try to use your toes instead of the arch or ball of your foot. In other words, your toes should be at the top of the rubber of the pedal. This will allow you a longer extension of your leg.

    Move the base of the seat far enough back the you have to fully extend your leg to get the clutch to the floor. You want to stretch your leg but not over-stretch it. Rolling the back of the seat into a more upright position will help support the small of your back and allow you to extend your leg.

    Adjust the steering column height (if possible) to give you more room.

    Doing the above will also help you control your clutch release. It's amazing how quickly someone who hops off the clutch fixes the problem as soon as you get them to adjust their seat.


  • #3
    I can't tell you why
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭I can't tell you why


    Lots of good advice above.
    Regarding the height adjustment of the steering column / steering wheel, it will be there. Lots of drivers don't know about, but it will be there. There will be a manual clamping, leaver at the side or underside of the steering column ( the bit that leads up to the steering wheel ). Cars that don't actually have this are almost as rare as hens teeth.
    PS: Your not small. 5"2 is the perfect height for you to be. If you were 6"2 non of you clothes would fit.


  • #4
    lfqnic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 169 ✭✭lfqnic


    MascotDec85 wrote: »
    What kind of car is it?

    Try this:

    When putting your foot on the clutch try to use your toes instead of the arch or ball of your foot. In other words, your toes should be at the top of the rubber of the pedal. This will allow you a longer extension of your leg.

    Move the base of the seat far enough back the you have to fully extend your leg to get the clutch to the floor. You want to stretch your leg but not over-stretch it. Rolling the back of the seat into a more upright position will help support the small of your back and allow you to extend your leg.

    Adjust the steering column height (if possible) to give you more room.

    Doing the above will also help you control your clutch release. It's amazing how quickly someone who hops off the clutch fixes the problem as soon as you get them to adjust their seat.

    Thank you so much for all this advice, you're very good to take the time to explain these things to a newbie! His car is a mitsubishi lancer. I'll be sure to try all those tips out, I'm sure it'll help. It was only my first lesson so I was bit scared to do anything too radical ha. I have a formal lesson coming up so I can talk to the EDT man about it too. Honestly, thanks a lot :)
    I can't tell you why wrote: »
    PS: Your not small. 5"2 is the perfect height for you to be. If you were 6"2 non of you clothes would fit.

    Hah, that's one way of looking at it! What I lack in leg length I make up for in well fitting (dolls') clothes. Duely noted about the wheel adjustment yoke, thank you very much for your help :)


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