How does everyone have their seat adjusted I know this sounds crazy (obviously to each their own) just trying to find the "correct driving position". What is best for heel and toe driving I mean what does that exactly mean I normally commute back and forth to work so.... I'm 6' tall and thin build so.

I'm pretty comfortable with the seat height adjusted 3 click's up from when it was all the way down. The back part of the seat up pretty straight not sittin in the back seat I have the seat adjusted so when my left foot hits the "dead pedal" its pretty much allmost all the way extended and I can allmost see the hood of the Mini and my arms are allmost bent when holding the steering wheel.

Good Info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f478InegqRw

 

Heal and toe is for competition driving. It is for simultaneous downshifting and braking when entering a turn. I wouldn't worry about it for commuting.

I think you are good if you just find a position that is comfortable and gives good visibility.

 

First is lower seat distance from the pedals. I adjust so that my dead pedal position is with only a slight bend in the knee. If I press the dead pedal real hard, I can actually feel by back press against the rear seat locking me into position. Great for high speed turns.

Second is the tilt in the upper seat section. I just HAVE to see the whole tachometer. I gave up trying to see the MINI bonnet a long time ago. I can admire it when I'm polishing or otherwise outside the MINI. I read that your wrists should be able to sit on top of the wheel when fully extended. Again, probably with only a slight bend.

As for that 10 and 2 stuff,...air bags have moved the correct position to more like 9 and 3. My MINI wheel has bumps where your hands should be. Feels right.

Having said all that, move around a little and pick what works for you. After all, MINI's are built for customization...seating position is just one of those areas. Good question.

 

I believe the 10 & 2 stuff is an outdated (1950's) idea. Race car drivers have been using 9 & 3 for a long time.

 

I like the seat quite upright. Hands are at 9 and 3 o'clock. I am 6'1" and seat is 1 notch forward from all the way back. I can easily see the hood in fact I can see the hood right in from of the wipers, so i guess the seat is quite high. I do know one thing, your leg should not be fully extended when the clutch is pushed in. In a panic stop you have a tendency to push the brake and clutch at the same time and if left leg is extended, bad news to the knee if you hit something.

 

you should position the seat bottom close enough so that you are pressing the pedals with your hams and quads in your legs, and not your calf muscles. The should be fairly close you can then adjust the seat back and steering wheel so that when your arms are extended and shoulder still against the seat backs, the wrists sit on top of the steering wheel.

In this position you should be able to turn the wheel with both hands at 9-3 180 degrees without removing your arms from the wheel, this allows you hands to be on the wheel in total control, unless your shifting (witch takes less then 1 second) also with your legs in that position you are able to generate the most amount of power with the least chance of fatigue or cramping.

Adjust the rear view mirror to see between the c pillars.

Then adjust the side mirrors as far out as possible so that when the left hand view in the rear-view end, it starts in the driver door miror, similarly when the right view in the rear view ends it starts in the passenger door mirror. These should be close to the farthest extreme in most cars. To check your blind spots you just look out the side windows and never have to shoulder check. Allows you to always have one eye looking out the windshield and capable of seeing all mirrors and blind spots without moving your shoulders (since when you have a 6 point it is not possible to move shoulders off the seats.

This is how i have all my students setup their positions when they start track driving and how i set it up.


hope this helps.

 

Bhatch, your setup is almost exactly how my first instructor taught me.

At the same time, what works for YOU is what works for you.

 

does anyone suffer from lower back pain while driving? I think it might be a lack of lower back support from the seat? but yeah, i groan like an old man whenever i get out of my car because driving it really aches my back! any advice? (yes, i played around with the lumbar support wheel--its no use) maybe a trip to the chiro is in order?

 

Just curious which sets you ordered. I got the sport sets with the cold package. I find myself using the heater option year-round. Seems like I'm exactly opposite of you. My back gets tight at work, and I use my MINI seats for treatment on the way home! Might pay to have a professional check you out. Good luck.

 

I got the standard sport cloth seats with heat. Was worried about no adjustable lumbar support but I have found these seats very comfortable.

 

Biggest gripe I have is with the seat belt. Really bad position, IMO. I've tried everything I can think of--up, down, forward, aft, steering wheel tilt, S.W. forward, etc. It always cuts across my neck, and comes across my upper chest on the right side--not toward the center.

Any suggestions? I'm not wanting to get the little plastic doo-dads that hold the belt. I want something that will be useful in a crash. I'm 5'9," and female.