Control and Comfort Behind the Wheel

Making sure that you and your vehicle fit well together can be as important to your safety as a mechanical checkup.

A good fit means you have:

• A clear line of sight over the steering wheel. You should be able to see at least 3 inches above the wheel.
• Plenty of room between your breastbone (or chest) and the front airbag and steering wheel. The ideal distance is at least 10 inches.
• A seat you fit in comfortably and safely. You should be able to adjust the seat for good visibility and easy access to controls.
• Properly adjusted head restraint. This can help prevent neck injury. When adjusting your head restraint, you may want to ask a friend to help you grasp the head restraint and pull it up. The center of the head restraint should be against the center of the back of your head, not against your neck.
• Easy access to gas and brake pedals. You should be able to reach the pedals without having to stretch too far, and you should be able to completely depress the brake pedal. You should also be able to move your foot easily from the gas to the brake.
• A seat belt that holds you in the proper position and remains comfortable as you drive. The lap belt should go across your hips, and the shoulder belt should go across your rib cage and not under your arm.

You also should be able to:

• Reach the shoulder belt and buckle and unbuckle the seat belt without difficulty.
• Get into and out of your vehicle easily.
• Turn your head to look over your shoulder when changing lanes and backing up.
• Sit comfortably, without knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder stiffness or pain.

Check your fit with CarFit

CarFit is a program developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, designed to give you a quick but comprehensive check of how well you and your vehicle work together. A trained professional will ask you simple questions and complete a 12-point CarFit checklist. The entire process takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll leave with recommended car adjustments and adaptations, a list of resources in your area and greater peace of mind. Learn more at car-fit.org.