How Do I Make Driver's Side Sitting More Comfortable in a Camry?

For someone slightly over 6'2 it is getting very uncomfortable to drive a camry. The issue is when sitting in the drivers seat, my right leg slumps away into the little gap below the cup holder/window adjusting buttons panel. This is uncomfortable as well as puts pressure on various parts of the right leg. A picture : https://imgur.com/a/kGZjUMr

This also is damaging my (dress) shoes as the shoe always ends up sitting at an angle while the feet are trying to be straight to either accelerate or brake - hence putting pressure on the heal and the shoe overall. A picture may describe better : https://imgur.com/a/mCh7BW8

There's only about 3 inches of space between the head and the ceiling of the car - so can't raise the level of the seat. The seat is slid back as much as it can go. I have tried with various positions of the seat - if I bring it closer to the stage where the knee can rest on the panel, it puts pressure on my torso/lower abs. Buying another car is not an option.

I am looking for suggestions that can help give comfort to my right leg

For supporting the right leg, I have thought of wrapping a resistance band on the right leg so it doesn't slump off - but this seemed like a slightly ridiculous idea. As the resistance band will be anchored on to my left leg and will lead to more discomfort apart from the hassle of doing it every time I am getting in and out of the car. Can't plop the right knee with a towel either - the rolled towel is going to be too wide and where do I place the towel ?

Any suggestions please ?

Edit 6/11 : I'd like to report that sliding my seat forward has not brought the knee to a higher level. I'd imagine if the knee has to 'come up' so it can rest on the panel, given that my seat is at the lowest position, even raising the seat wont raise the knee. Imagine sitting on a chair and if you slide the chair back and forth or up/down it doesn't affect the position of the knee.

Comments

  • +1

    Can you move the seat closer? If there's room for your knees to go a bit higher it might help you to hold your leg in the proper orientation, with the heel closer to flat on the floor.

    • Thanks for replying. I have updated the question with the edit. Basically, I have tried a few positions of the seat and if I bring it closer to the stage where the knee can rest on the panel, it puts pressure on my torso/lower abs.

      • +2

        I may not be understanding you properly, but the issue seems to be that your leg is twisting outwards?

        This might sound silly, but have you tried, umm, not twisting you leg outwards? i.e. put your knee in front of your hip, your toes above your heel… i.e. using your leg muscles

        Also, 3 inches is plenty of head room, you could try raising the seat to see if that helps.

  • +5

    I would suggest your seat is too far back.

    • Yeah, if I slide the seat forward its uncomfortable on the groin/lower abs area. Any other suggestions ?

      • +8

        Whattt?

        I think you need a cup of concrete tbh

        But seriously driving with the seat all the way back in a Camry sounds like you need a lesson on optimal driving position.

        • -2

          Donno what I'd do with a cup of concrete. But, where can I find the lesson you are talking about ?

          • +2

            @tik tok: Plenty of tutorials online on YouTube. Sounds like you’re driving with straight legs if your seat is all the way back?

            • @Skramit: Agree. I’d love to see a picture with full driving position detail

      • seat forward and tilt seat back to lessen pressure on abs, maybe lower tilt on seat pan as well if its pushing your knees up to your chest excessively?

    • I would suggest your seat is too far back

      I thought too close.

      Without seeing the whole arrangement it is hard to say.

      I've set people up in cars before - you have to look at the whole picture.

  • +3

    With a username like dig bick, I was eager to click on the pictures. Just a warning to ozbargainers - you will be disappointed.

    • Sorry. Such pics are now reserved.

    • +6

      So you're saying they are photos of a ciny tock?

  • +4

    If you've tried the seat in different positions, you only have a few options left. Try it without shoes on, change cars, or have your legs surgically altered. I'm 6'2" and can't say I've run into this problem.

    • Agreed… I'm taller than OP and drove a 2007 Camry comfortably for years. I can't quite remember but I'm sure my right foot was at an angle as well.

  • Sounds like you are terribly inflexible if you can't move the seat forward from 'all the way back'. I am 6'4 and never had this issue in any car and have never put the seat all the way back. You just need to move the seat forward enough to get your knee out and next to the door handle and you can rest on that.

    • +1

      but then that'll hurt OP's precious groin/lower abs area

  • If your legs are too long…

  • +26

    Remove the drivers seat and sit in the rear passenger seat.

    If this does not work, fold down the rear seat, open the boot and sit inside the boot with your legs sicking through the opening - this works for me.

    • +13

      Remove the drivers seat and sit in the rear passenger seat.

      also known as the 'Hightower' solution

    • +3

      Friend of mine who is over 6'6" had a Morris Minor in the 70s, and he took out the driver's seat, so he could sit on the back seat. Used to steer with his knees while playing the mandoline.

  • +6

    There's only about 3 inches of space between the head and the ceiling of the car - so can't raise the level of the seat

    Sounds like you could raise it about 3 inches

  • +9

    Buy another car .

  • +3

    Is there steering column adjustment on your car? Maybe it's too low and affecting the way your leg is positioned? (ie. splaying legs like a Plie)

    • -1

      Yeah, there is. All the way in and almost all the way to the top.

  • +3

    I have the same interior camry, and I'm 6'1, and don't have any of the issues you are saying. I also don't have my seat all the way back.

    Have you played with the lumber support to address the lower back issue?

    But seriously its a camry, its normally classed as comfortable and lots of space, so in this case, it would appear this is a 'you' issue.

    • 1 inch makes all the difference!?

      But perhaps he has stupidly long legs?

      • 2.5cm isn't really going to make a huge difference when comparing to my size already, it might come down to the leg to body ratio, but looking at the pictures, they don't seem to be be overly long legs, and the OP says they can't jack the seat any higher as they are near the roof already. So long legs = shorter body = can be jacked higher on the seat :)

        It would appear 'foot' placement is the issue, as I don't put my foot/legs like the OP does when resting while using cruise control.

        • Was supposed to be a joke about penis length.

  • +2

    Can you post a side-on photo of you sitting in the car? I bet it's the configuration of the seat.

  • +4

    From a shortass, this comes across as a #humblebrag and also a #firstworldproblem

    • +1

      You know what else is a problem for tall people? Those trolleys that you drag along behind you like the old nana shopping trolleys, or anything built the same. Handle is too short and you either need to stoop down or have the thing try and stand back up and get out of control or hit you in the back of the foot all he time.

      • +2

        You know what else is a problem for tall people ? Ironing boards. Kitchen sinks. Washing machines. Girls. … and many more.

        • Least you can get girls :p

          • +1

            @John Kimble: Almost never in my life have I ever found a girl who I could hug and find my face in the soft embrace of a bosom. It hurts man ! So, there you go, you win. :-)

            • +2

              @tik tok: 🤣 So I win because you can't motorboat standing up?!

      • +1

        I have this exact issue with wheelie bins. If they are heavy I'd have to push it down and that means bending down and walking around like a hunched-back old man. Especially at work lol.

  • +9

    If your hip is forced out into external rotation as you come into hip flexion, then this is an anatomical issue more than a vehicular issue.

    Could be something as simple as tight musculature, or more rigid anatomical factors like femeroacetabular impingement (FAI) or something that can't really be altered like a retroverted acetabulum.

  • +1

    my dad is your height, and drives a camry.

    My suggestion:
    Try pulling your seat forward and reclining the backrest a bit more, to take the weight off your torso. Also try lowering your seat (and the steering wheel in concert). Your right knee can rest against the door armrest, not bend under it.

    If sliding your seat forward makes your waistline hurt, this suggests to me there is extra pressure on your waistline with your legs in a more bent 'higher' position. I'd suggest trying on pants with a looser waist, or a thinner trouser belt. Also before sitting down, lift up the back of your pants. Doing these things can make a huge difference to waist comfort in the car, especially if you have a bit of a gut situation.

    • Thanks mate. I updated my question with an edit. Sliding the seat forwards hasn't 'brought up' my knee :-(

      • +1

        Call me crazy but my knee absolutely does raise when my seat is moved forward. Maybe you're not moving forward enough

        • +1

          Nah this bloke's legs exist partially in another dimension so don't obey the laws of physics

  • +1

    Put your right foot up on the dash and use your left foot to drive. It helps if you lean over the centre console rest on your left elbow and steer with your right hand.

    • Could also put the right foot out the window if it's nice outside. If it's raining you get a wet foot.

  • As someone who's only 6ft tall on a good day and has never driven a Camry, I can't really help with positioning.
    However curious to know if it's a new car or a new problem that you've just discovered?

    The only time I've had groin/lower back pain while driving was when I was still playing soccer. Do you play soccer or footy? Or you going too hard on leg day?

  • +1

    Cant say I've driven many Camry's but as I'm 5"3 I dont have op's problem however OP does your model Camry have tilt adjust steering wheel/column On my Falcon I can both tilt the column up or down or extend the wheel position closer to me or closer to the dash, altering the postilions available immensely perhaps if you adjust the wheel column you'll get a better driving position/posture

    • -1

      Thanks for replying. It does. Altering the steering wheels position isn't going to help rest my knee on the door panel.

  • +1

    Try something like this: https://permobilus.com/product/roho-quadtro-select-low-profi…. I use one when driving and it makes a huge difference. I also take it on aircraft when I travel and experience no discomfort at all.

  • +3

    You have 3 options
    1. Adjust the seat
    2. Get another car
    3. Get someone else to drive

    • Get another car. Camry's aren't made for comfort and you'll realize just how useful luxury cars can be when you sit in one.

      • Not just luxury cars - I bet even a cheap ass SUV can be more comfortable than a ducking camry.

  • +4

    See if the following steps make a difference:
    * Anchor your left foot on the footrest (it should stay here all the time while driving as well)
    * Adjust your seat so that when you nearly fully extend your left leg, your hip hits the back of the seat
    * Now adjust the back so that you can hold the steering wheel with your shoulders relaxed against the back

    If you can't hold the wheel without tilting forward, then you'll have to bring your seat forward until the back is slightly tilted back, in which case you're probably out of luck.

  • PT for you

  • +1

    Get longer legs or shorter car.

  • why did you even buy the car if you knew this was going to be an issue?

    You cant fix it .

  • +1

    we need some pictures and a diagram to assess the probability of your knees making contact with said cup holder A, multiplied by the rate of movement per km B, multiplied by the speed of light C.

    AxBxC = X

    • What is 'X'? And what is 'x'?
      Can we simplify the equation to:
      ABCx^2 = X

  • Remove the inner door panel and you’ll have an extra 3-4 inches of space for your right knee.

  • +3

    I'm 6'3" and have no issues in a Corolla. You need to:
    - Adjust the seat tilt (up) to raise your knees
    - Move the seat closer to the steering wheel
    - Raise the steering wheel

    You have too much space, which is allowing you to slouch/spread your legs.

    Get in a proper driving position "over" the wheel, not laid back/stetched out.

    Or buy a different car with seats that can raise/lower in height.

  • -2

    This is why SUV's are so popular, the driving position is more comfortable for long legged people, or fat people like me. More drop between the seat and the floor is what you need. I searched for "ass cushion" on amazon to try and help you ie to boost seat height relative to the floor of the car - but the search results are not suitable for publication here. I don't recommend using those search terms on amazon if looking for an adult booster seat!

  • Knee cushions are common for center consoles, maybe look at modifying one to suit a camry door?

  • +3

    I thought camry's had enough room for driver and their walking frames

  • +1

    I am looking for suggestions that can help give comfort to my right leg

    1. Remove leg. (If doctor won't, that's because Australian doctors aren't 'woke' enough yet. So either wait a few years, or just go to the leftist clown world land: the USA - where people get body parts removed because they 'offend' you.)

    2. Convert car to disabled hand controls.

    Problem solved.

  • +1

    I'm 6'2 and drive a Camry. My seat isn't fully slid back.

    Your feet & seat are in the wrong position.

    With my left leg flat on foot rest and mostly straight, hips snug into seat back and right arm wrist easily resting on top of steering wheel, that's where my seat is slid to and seat back is positioned at.

    Your right heal shouldn't be under the brake but a bit further right, then pivot on heal to go between peddles. This will bring your right knee more straight up (not spread) and higher up the door and closer to ignition.

    Raise your left knee more straight up (not spread) so your foot is flat on foot rest.

    Don't recline seat, have a straight back and sit up straight with pelvis/hips pushed snug into back of seat.

    All the best with finding a comfortable driving position.

  • +1

    sell it

  • +2

    Remove bones

  • +1

    I'm 6'2" and drive an Aurion (yeah yeah, it's just a V6 Camry) and don't have this issue.

    I can't even hold the steering wheel comfortably with the seat right back.

  • Catch the bus and stand.

  • +1

    I'm 6'2" and can relate 100% with the OP. It all depends on how that height is proportioned and size of thighs etc. I've got a relatively short Torso, long legs and very long arms - I have to have long sleeve shirts made to order. I also have very bulky thighs (skiing/rowing/cycling)

    The only car I've ever driven where the seat is not straight back on the runners is a Porsche 944. My shoes always have marked heels as it's simply impossible for me to sit with them straight. I prefer to sit high and quite vertically, it's just lack of thigh/leg room that makes things harder in many cars.

    Some people are just hard to fit cars around.

  • take in your hen, said the wise old man

  • Get a tesla

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