Leather seat - extra padding ?

[DB72]

Hi.... I've seen a few threads on here where people find the leather seats quite firm / uncomfortable and wondered if anyone has successfully done anything to modify the seat padding ?

I'm wondering if extra padding / foam could be placed between the seat springs and the underside of the existing seat cushion ?

 

I've had my car for about two months and really struggled to get my driving position quite right but even though I think I have got that sorted now, on trips over about an hour long I find the firmness of the seat base a bit "numbing".  My partner also struggles with sciatic pain when sitting on a firm seat so I'm looking for permanent (and neater) solution, otherwise I will have to get some form of seat cushion.

 

Thanks

[penguin17]

Sometimes it's not about the padding but the level of support and how the seat interacts with the contact points of your own body.  More padding doesn't necessarily equate to more comfort.  

 

 

[Penpusher]

I've not had a problem with our seats and we take a trip across Europe in our car every year to visit SWMBO's family and friends in Lithuania, so I've spent 7-8 hours behind the wheel on some days on our journeys without any aches or pains.  I'm in my late 60s and have mild rheumatoid arthritis, so I would guess I'm not too easy to please!

 

However, I think with the electric seats it may be easier to find the sweet spot for comfort, as you have a wider range of settings and you don't have the problem of your ideal setting being between two notches on the seat runner.  I assume the TSi comes with manual seats, but I will stand corrected if I'm wrong.

 

 

[SurreyJohn]

If you are finding you are uncomfortable after an hour then your driving position is wrong

 

Assuming you are not doing something silly like having a fat wallet in rear trouser pocket so you get point loading, need to spread the load correctly with optimum posture

 

Remember pedals are fixed, so get legs correct first by adjusting seat base (both distance and height), only then start moving the seat back and steering wheel position

[DB72]

24 minutes ago, Penpusher said:

However, I think with the electric seats it may be easier to find the sweet spot for comfort, as you have a wider range of settings and you don't have the problem of your ideal setting being between two notches on the seat runner.  I assume the TSi comes with manual seats, but I will stand corrected if I'm wrong.

 

No.... Mine has electric seats.

 

 

23 minutes ago, SurreyJohn said:

If you are finding you are uncomfortable after an hour then your driving position is wrong

 

Assuming you are not doing something silly like having a fat wallet in rear trouser pocket so you get point loading, need to spread the load correctly with optimum posture

 

Remember pedals are fixed, so get legs correct first by adjusting seat base (both distance and height), only then start moving the seat back and steering wheel position

 

I have had a lower back problem (muscular, not disc related) since about 2006 but never had any seat comfort issues in my last car (Vauxhall Vectra) and happily drove 150 miles without a break.  I have had the seats in the Superb in just about every different position possible plus watched videos about correct seating position and also read an official study from the British Osteopathic Journal but the fact is everyone's body is different, whether that be arm length, leg length, body height in relation to leg and arm length etc. etc.

I believe I have now got a good overall driving position but after an hour I can feel tingling at the top of my buttocks.  Maybe I've just got a boney butt and not enough padding on there.

 

I'm obviously not the only one who thinks these seats are not comfortable as there are a number of posts about it..... Therefore I'm weighing up my options.

Edited 9 March, 2020 by DB72

[Sagalout]

Check thru this for how the ergonomics people recommend you adjust your seating position.

You would have to get a specialist interior guy to advise on what could be done to change the seat padding etc or if going for some form of cushion please make sure you check out the anti-submarining  factors.  

The Skoda seats do feel more like 'sitting on' than 'sitting in' IMO but I found it possible to set a comfortable position. In particular side support can be less than satisfactory and thgat can lead to extra pressure on those bits that take the weight 😉. 

 https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/guide/file/21/Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf  

 

[Sagalout]

@DB72

 

Apologies, you posted as I was typing. 

[DB72]

2 minutes ago, Sagalout said:

@DB72

 

Apologies, you posted as I was typing. 

 

No problem Sagalout.... But yes I've researched seating positions at great length and think I'm about 90% there.

[Sagalout]

I guess then that the best approach would be to research some cushions. There are literally loads of them available but best from recognised sources. Prices from as low as £20 to £150 for a full back and bottom adjustable. 

Have you thought of seeking advice from an ergonomist or other practictioner to get some specific/focused advice for your personal situation? They should be able to advise the best form of additonal support for you and your wife. 

[DB72]

10 minutes ago, Sagalout said:

I guess then that the best approach would be to research some cushions. There are literally loads of them available but best from recognised sources. Prices from as low as £20 to £150 for a full back and bottom adjustable. 

Have you thought of seeking advice from an ergonomist or other practictioner to get some specific/focused advice for your personal situation? They should be able to advise the best form of additonal support for you and your wife. 

 

I've been looking online at car seat cushions and will probably try some sort of garden chair cushion first (squared off type) to see if that extra cushioning does indeed help or not.  I just wondered if it was feasible to get extra cushioning underneath instead.

[IJWS15]

The short term solution to sciatic pain is move around, sitting down is the worst you can do. Although, when i had a slipped disc the only place I could sit for more than 15 minutes was in the car - a Honda Accord. 

 

Comfort is rarely to do with the padding but the angles of seat bases and backrests.

[DB72]

1 hour ago, IJWS15 said:

The short term solution to sciatic pain is move around, sitting down is the worst you can do. Although, when i had a slipped disc the only place I could sit for more than 15 minutes was in the car - a Honda Accord. 

 

Comfort is rarely to do with the padding but the angles of seat bases and backrests.

 

Maybe I'll just keep tweaking the seat setup then and see what happens, but difficult to test when I don't do many long journeys.  I'll get a cushion for my other half as she definitely suffers sciatic pain when sat on a firmer surface (even on a sofa if it's slightly firm).