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hado117

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why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
 
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:lol:
 
hado117 said:
why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
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ya know what else damn it? how about an electric heater instead of the heater core system that uses the engines water to heat the car? they leak and you must wait for the cars engine to warm before producing heat. there is a lot more! a hell of a lot more!
 
hado117 said:
ya know what else damn it? how about an electric heater instead of the heater core system that uses the engines water to heat the car? they leak and you must wait for the cars engine to warm before producing heat. there is a lot more! a hell of a lot more!
Click to expand...

I don't think there's enough amperage from the alternator to support what would be needed for an effective electrical heater for the passenger cabin.

The bottom line is that the car companies are designing the ergonomics of their cars to meet the vast majority of drivers, and not the outliers, and on top of that to comply with all the government safety regulations for not only the US but also the world wide export markets. Calling this extremely hard is an understatement.

If you have the proper upright seating position (hey, it's not a chaise lounge), your feet should comfortably reach the pedals, and your arms should comfortably reach the steering wheel.
 
hado117 said:
1) why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? 2) I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? 3) anyone else have this problem? 4) Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
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1) Because many folks buy them. Why do shoemakers offer different styles?

2) You are not of common proportions. This problem also affects those with very short, thin, wide or long feet - many shoe stores do not carry those sizes and many shoemakers do not even make them.

3) Probably relatively few which is why that telescoping steering wheel feature is an option.

4) No, but you are a fool for buying a car that you find difficult to drive. Do you also buy shoes that do not fit just to save money?
 
ttwtt78640 said:
1) Because many folks buy them. Why do shoemakers offer different styles?

2) You are not of common proportions. This problem also affects those with very short, thin, wide or long feet - many shoe stores do not carry those sizes and many shoemakers do not even make them.

3) Probably relatively few which is why that telescoping steering wheel feature is an option.

4) No, but you are a fool for buying a car that you find difficult to drive. Do you also buy shoes that do not fit just to save money?
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many cars do not have telescopic steering as an option, that is the problem. I buy used cars not used shoes.
 
hado117 said:
many cars do not have telescopic steering as an option, that is the problem. I buy used cars not used shoes.
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You only buy shoes that fit so why not only buy cars that fit? The problem is either that the car does not fit you or that you do not fit the car - in either case, it was you that decided to buy the car anyway.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
You only buy shoes that fit so why not only buy cars that fit? The problem is either that the car does not fit you or that you do not fit the car - in either case, it was you that decided to buy the car anyway.
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There are many factors when purchasing a car. when cost is the biggest factor, the options the car has might be lessened. why would any company make a seat that moves but not the steering wheel?
 
eohrnberger said:
I don't think there's enough amperage from the alternator to support what would be needed for an effective electrical heater for the passenger cabin.

The bottom line is that the car companies are designing the ergonomics of their cars to meet the vast majority of drivers, and not the outliers, and on top of that to comply with all the government safety regulations for not only the US but also the world wide export markets. Calling this extremely hard is an understatement.

If you have the proper upright seating position (hey, it's not a chaise lounge), your feet should comfortably reach the pedals, and your arms should comfortably reach the steering wheel.
Click to expand...

Your probably right about the amps. But not right about anything else
 
ttwtt78640 said:
You only buy shoes that fit so why not only buy cars that fit? The problem is either that the car does not fit you or that you do not fit the car - in either case, it was you that decided to buy the car anyway.
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what if a person needed to move the seat back 3 ft. I am exaggerating so you understand. the driver is 10 ft tall. the seat slides back to the limit but the steering wheel stays way back there near the dashboard.
 
hado117 said:
There are many factors when purchasing a car. when cost is the biggest factor, the options the car has might be lessened. why would any company make a seat that moves but not the steering wheel?
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Because the relationship of the foot pedals to the steering wheel is relatively constant for most folks. Movement of the driver's seat alone accommodates most tall, average or short people. If you have an exceptionally different arm length to leg length ratio or a huge belly then you may require other options - buy only those vehicles which you can comfortably operate.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
Because the relationship of the foot pedals to the steering wheel is relatively constant for most folks. Movement of the driver's seat alone accommodates most tall, average or short people. If you have an exceptionally different arm length to leg length ratio or a huge belly then you may require other options - buy only those vehicles which you can comfortably operate.
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most of my cars are gifts from women. and I am not unusually proportioned . except for my exceptionally long something or another.
 
hado117 said:
most of my cars are gifts from women. and I am not unusually proportioned . except for my exceptionally long something or another.
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Here is a novel idea - sell the car(s) that you do not like and buy a car that you do like. ;)
 
hado117 said:
why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
Click to expand...

My problem is the opposite. When I get the seat comfortable front to back, the wheel is too close.
 
ttwtt78640 said:
Because the relationship of the foot pedals to the steering wheel is relatively constant for most folks. Movement of the driver's seat alone accommodates most tall, average or short people. If you have an exceptionally different arm length to leg length ratio or a huge belly then you may require other options - buy only those vehicles which you can comfortably operate.
Click to expand...


Disagree. For example, I'm average height and average arm and leg length - bit of a belly but not enough to interfere with driving. Both my wife's coupe and my pickup (same manufacturer) have tilt, but not tele, wheels. When I move the seat in hers all the way back, adjust the backrest to a comfortable (but not chaise lounge) position, and do the same with the wheel, it fits me like a glove. When I do that in my truck, the wheel is OK but it's a stretch to reach the pedals. Despite the ergonomic hype, it appears vehicle design determines driving position rather than vice-versa. It's sound advice to buy a vehicle that fits you but that's not always possible.
 
hado117 said:
most of my cars are gifts from women. and I am not unusually proportioned . except for my exceptionally long something or another.
Click to expand...

ttwtt78640 said:
Here is a novel idea - sell the car(s) that you do not like and buy a car that you do like. ;)
Click to expand...

Or steer with your exceptionally long something or other :lamo
 
hado117 said:
why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
Click to expand...

Are you female?

The driver's seat in cars is made mainly for males of average height. A man's arms are longer than a woman's, even if they're the same height, and their legs are often a tad shorter than a woman's.

Telescoping steerwheels cost money, so aren't on the cheaper cars. I don't have one. I have a Honda Fit. Well....maybe I do, come to think of it. It might come out just an inch or so. If it does, it's not much. I've forgotten because once I set it up, I leave it that way.

I've had trouble reaching the steering wheel in some cars. It's very irritating.

Well, I just saw another post by you. You seem to be male. So maybe you have short arms for a man. As I said, this is not an uncommon problem for me, since I'm female. I have to sit back a little ways because of the length of my legs, but when I do, my arms are almost fully outstretched on some cars, to reach the steering wheel. It was tricky getting my Honda Fit position set up. When I pulled the seat up close to where my arms were comfortable, my knees were touching the steering column.

Also, the headrests have a forward jutting angle now, since 2010, because ins. cos. lobbied for that. Most of the headrests are very uncomfortable for me because of the arm thing, I can't lean the back of the seat back far enough for the headrest not to push my head forward. That's because the headrests were designed for the "average male," who, because of his arm length and habits, usually drives with the back of the seat leaning back more than I do. If I lean the seat that far back, I can barely reach the steering wheel, and it also doesn't support my back. It's VERY irritating.

I have the headrests in the full up position (above my head....since they're made for a 5'10" male). Honda's are worse than some of the other manufacturers, for some reason.
 
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hado117 said:
ya know what else damn it? how about an electric heater instead of the heater core system that uses the engines water to heat the car? they leak and you must wait for the cars engine to warm before producing heat. there is a lot more! a hell of a lot more!
Click to expand...

An electric heater would require a very high amp alternator, which is unfeasable, whereas the normal car heaters use heat already produced, without extra draw on an alternator other than the fan.
 
hado117 said:
why do car companies make cars with a drivers seat that adjusts front to back, but on some models there is no telescopic steering wheel ? I've driven alot of cars that after getting the seat in a comfortable position, I cant reach the steering wheel. what gives? anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one that buys cheap cars?
Click to expand...

You're the only one. Prolly the steering wheel isn't heated either?
 
JumpinJack said:
Are you female?

The driver's seat in cars is made mainly for males of average height. A man's arms are longer than a woman's, even if they're the same height, and their legs are often a tad shorter than a woman's.

Telescoping steerwheels cost money, so aren't on the cheaper cars. I don't have one. I have a Honda Fit. Well....maybe I do, come to think of it. It might come out just an inch or so. If it does, it's not much. I've forgotten because once I set it up, I leave it that way.

I've had trouble reaching the steering wheel in some cars. It's very irritating.

Well, I just saw another post by you. You seem to be male. So maybe you have short arms for a man. As I said, this is not an uncommon problem for me, since I'm female. I have to sit back a little ways because of the length of my legs, but when I do, my arms are almost fully outstretched on some cars, to reach the steering wheel. It was tricky getting my Honda Fit position set up. When I pulled the seat up close to where my arms were comfortable, my knees were touching the steering column.

Also, the headrests have a forward jutting angle now, since 2010, because ins. cos. lobbied for that. Most of the headrests are very uncomfortable for me because of the arm thing, I can't lean the back of the seat back far enough for the headrest not to push my head forward. That's because the headrests were designed for the "average male," who, because of his arm length and habits, usually drives with the back of the seat leaning back more than I do. If I lean the seat that far back, I can barely reach the steering wheel, and it also doesn't support my back. It's VERY irritating.

I have the headrests in the full up position (above my head....since they're made for a 5'10" male). Honda's are worse than some of the other manufacturers, for some reason.
Click to expand...
I think my arms are slightly longer than usual. I had a honda odyssey van that had the steering wheel reach problem. but thats how vans are designed, with the front tires so close to the driver.
 
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