Is it the driver's seat or my butt?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by qdllc, Aug 31, 2013.

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  1. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Driving the new Prius home, my butt was killing me about halfway home. I don't know what the cause was, but I wonder if others have had the same problem and what you did about it.

    I lost over 30 pounds on a diet (and am still losing...so I'm muscle and bone down there...not much natural "padding" anymore).

    I only had the paper floor mat, so shifting my weight in the seat was difficult at best.
    I'm not sure if it's the seat design. They make some seats to hold you in place, but that means you develop pressure points from never being able to shift about over time. Sometimes a padded but wide and flat seat is better.

    Insight? :unsure:
     
    #1 qdllc, Aug 31, 2013
  2. haole man

    haole man Member

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    Everybody's butt is different. I'm very comfortable in the front seat. I also took a long test drive before buying to make sure I'd be comfortable.
     
    #2 haole man, Sep 1, 2013
  3. YaBolts

    YaBolts Junior Member

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    The seats aren't that comfortable. We put sheepskin seat covers on and it made a big difference!
     
    #3 YaBolts, Sep 1, 2013
  4. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    No problem here. I take routine 4 hour drives to visit grandkids and find the seat quite comfortable.

    Of course I have ample padding in my rear :)
     
    #4 jdcollins5, Sep 1, 2013
  5. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    How long were you driving for before the pain started? If it was short trip- it may be a bad omen, if it was a couple of hours without stopping- that's to be expected in the Prius.
    Once you've been around here a bit- you'll notice several areas of the Prius get the majority of the complaints:
    1) Rattles, squeaks, cheap feeling interior, road noise
    2) Uncomfortable seats
    3) Unconventional "flying bridge" dash design
    4)Etc....
     
    #5 ny_rob, Sep 1, 2013
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  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    you must have a flat nice person. :)

    i find my seat quit comfy.
     
    #6 spiderman, Sep 1, 2013
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  7. Drdiesel

    Drdiesel Active Member

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    Torture Rack was the definition I've been hearing :eek:
     
    #7 Drdiesel, Sep 1, 2013
  8. Umar Ali

    Umar Ali Member

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    i find it very uncomfortable tooo, i drive little over 3 hours everyday of week on highway. i do feel it somewhat uncomfortable towards the bottom where the tail bone sits. the formation of the seat there is protruding outwards which i think makes it little uncomfortable for me and my back gets tired real easy. i have leather seats not cloth seats.
     
    #8 Umar Ali, Sep 1, 2013
  9. MrMagoo

    MrMagoo Junior Member

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    The seats in the facelift is much better...
     
    #9 MrMagoo, Sep 1, 2013
  10. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Seat comfort for each individual is going to be unique.
    I find the Prius seats comfortable. Some people do not.

    Costco, as well as many other outlets sell pads, especially made for automotive seat bottoms.

    You have lost some "natural" padding...maybe all you need is to add some artificial padding?
     
    #10 The Electric Me, Sep 1, 2013
  11. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I never have issues even driving rental Prius Two. My Four seat is even more comfortable.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #11 WE0H, Sep 1, 2013
  12. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    NULL
     
    #12 qdllc, Sep 1, 2013
  13. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Well, it was a 2.5 hour trip home. I'd say about half way. Of course, I had that paper floor mat (now I have floor mats in) with no way to use my feet to resettle myself in the seat easily. I was also getting used to the new car.

    What improvements do people make to the seat for comfort? I'd think if seat comfort was a common complaint, it would have been addressed by now.
     
    #13 qdllc, Sep 1, 2013
  14. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Re: making seats more comfortable

    I and some others are using mesh-type lumbar supports to kind of fill in that indentation in the lower part of the seat back. I also installed a 2" higher arm rest on the side door so that I can rest both elbows evenly while driving long distances. Finally, I pumped the seat to a higher position for an improved driving posture. All helped.
     
    #14 Robert Holt, Sep 1, 2013
  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    My wife and I both find the Prius comfortable for 4 hour drives, but we set up the seat very different and cannot believe what the other person finds comfortable ;)
     
    #15 SageBrush, Sep 1, 2013
  16. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    no prob here and i am REALLY picky about ride comfort. I am surprised! Try adjusting your seat
     
    #16 CdotK, Sep 1, 2013
  17. KennewickMan

    KennewickMan Junior Member

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    It is the seat........................ I put in leather seat covers and it is much better...............George
     
    #17 KennewickMan, Sep 1, 2013
  18. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Why would a couple mm cover matter ?
     
    #18 SageBrush, Sep 1, 2013
  19. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    I'm testing that first. I'm used to a pickup...more traditional seating posture. I pumped the seat all the way up then down a few pumps. I'll see if the higher position puts my legs/pelvis in a better arrangement.

    On my motorcycle, I went to a different saddle that was flatter because the stock seat put too much pressure on the sciatic nerves and prostate (you set into the foam then pressure points form on your "delicates"). Yes, the new saddle has you sitting on your pelvic bone, but gel in the seat and the pressure not on other parts is better for long hauls. I eventually got an Airhawk cushion for even more comfort.
     
    #19 qdllc, Sep 1, 2013
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I can also vouch for this type of lumbar support helping to make the seat bearable.

    The Prius non power seat in the 2011 level 3 really needs more lumbar support. My Camry has a power seat with adjustable lumbar support and is much more comfortable than the Prius seat without the additional lumbar support.

    SCH-I535
     
    #20 xliderider, Sep 1, 2013
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