My 2010 Prius Causing Me Back Problems!

Steve,
You're probably sick of trying all the different seats and suggestions, but since you said that the Prius seat is too soft, have you tried this one? It's a firm, slightly flexible, plastic shell. Called "The Original Relaxo-Back." I had used it at one point but honestly don't remember whether it helped but it didn't hurt. I'll be happy to send it to you if you would like to try it.

 

Sorry to hear this, I traded my 2006 Corolla which was causing back issues with me and the seats in the 2010 Prius II are very comfortable

 

Sorry to hear about your problem, but before it's sold ...

just to make sure, have you tried different adjustments to the seat position/wheel height? In particular, have you raised the seat as far as possible, or maybe moved the seat forward a bit? If you're "reaching" while you drive, that puts strain on your lower back.

 

Good point - I played with every height, and wheel tilt (not sure the II has same options as III) to find the perfect fit. I have a III and love the seats; better than my CRV and past cars including Avalon and Accords. All had lumbar except my P and I never could understand the "improvement." That said, Steve has said the seats are too soft which just shows there is a butt for every seat (some lady car expert I heard on the radio not long ago). I hate mushy furniture, beds, etc. and had to look at 50 sofas before finding my recent sectional purchase. Yet I find the III seats firm and comfortable. I also like the way I sink in without sinking. So perhaps potential buyers, who have concerns in this area, should ask to borrow a demo (once clunkers is done and demand backs off). Or, at the very least, test drive for longer than ten minutes (which I admit I did so I was very worried as I did not feel the seat were great). It was not until my 6 hour drive home from the dealer that I fell in love.

 

Any try a lumbar support cushion on the II, III, etc? Any recommendations?

 

I am also one of the unfortunate few with a back issue in the Prius... This is the first car that I have owned where I am suffering backaches when driving. I also had a back injury before where i popped my back out of position and had it popped back in. ever since i have had a variety of back issues off and on but now driving the car for only 15 minutes results in terrible lower back pain...

 

He sold his Prius a few weeks ago.

 

So it appears that the discomfort is a bigger issue than lumbar support or not...hope you find a work around.

 

Woops, guess I should pay more attention to the post dates.

 

Couple times a year I have to fly on long distance flights that range from 6 hours to 13 hours. I have real problems sitting in airplane seats but found that the memory foam pads help. The memory foam comes in different densities. Try the pads that have a density rating over 5 lbs, and if it fits, at least 2 inches thick. Not sure that will work for you in the car (maybe you already tried this) but at least in the plane seat it has worked wonders.

 

Get a Lombar cushion for the seat. You should also take a break every hour and get out and do a good back stretch. All stuff I was taught in work hardening back in '91

 

I gave up my BMW 325xi for similar reasons. Things I should have done differently: (1) gone to a chiropractor and had my back "fixed" or (2) had the seats reupholstered.

 

The OP had to give up his car because he found the fabric seats too soft. I, on the other hand, who had a Gen II with fabric seats, which I found quite comfortable, am finding the leather seats in the Gen III package IV kind of hard!

 

Sitting for that length of time is not good for even the healthiest backs. That combined with the constant low-level tension that is required to maintain focus while driving just exacerbates back problems.

If you dont already, you should get lumbar support installed or use some foam lumbar support for seats.

 

Found how everyone is different
On the Aug longweek weekend we did a 3200 km around trip in a 2000 BMW 323 CIC, 1600 km there 16 hour drive total stopping time 57 mins, and on the way back, 15.5 hour , stopping time 27 mins and was about to go to work next day with no problem, top of the head was a little sun burned with the top down most of the way

 

I know the person who started this thread sold his car and left. I would like to continue a discussion of seat issues. I have a lower disk problem. For those people who say exercise, it helps, it is not the full answer. I own a 2008 Sienna minivan and the seats in the Sienna are comfortable. I have driven the Sienna on numerous trips of 7 or more hours.

The 2010 Prius seats are OK for short trips. The first long trip I got out of the car with back pain that took several days to go away. I have measured the seats in both cars. The Sienna has a small beveled section that gives some support right where the lower cusion meets the seat back. The leather seats in the V are flat. Both seats are similar in dimensions and both sit about 10 inches above the floor. I suspect that Steve was correct in saying it is the difference is how soft the seat is. I have ordered one of those add on cushions to try. I want to try tilting the seat back with washers under the front, as suggested in other threads. I also want to try using something to stiffen the cushions.

I would like to compare results. It is apparent that one seat design is not going to fit every passenger. Can we work on finding some solutions that are effective for those of us that are uncomfortable with the 2010 Prius seats?

Bob

 

Hi Steve,

Boy do I sympathize (bad bike crash years ago). I waited for the Gen III to come out, since the IV and V have power lumbar supports. I got a IV, and it makes a *big* difference. It's not the best LBS out there, but it works. This, of course, is no help to you, but you could try a beaded back cushion (got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond, of all places---about $10) and see if it helps--they wad up nicely to whatever shape fits you best, and, in my old car, really made a difference.

Hope this helps--good luck, and I hope you feel better. There is no pain like back pain.

Regards,
Tim

 

Come on people....HE SOLD THE CAR

 

You saying we should back on out of this thread? I think some of us are just getting limbered up!