991 drivers seat is killing my back
#1
991 drivers seat is killing my back
I recently bought a used 2013 911. I've driven another 911 before but I guess for not long enough. Anything over about 1/2 an hour and my back is just killing me in this seat. Seems awesome when I sit in it. I've messed with the settings. It has many adjustments to the seat. It's crazy I'm fine in my Nissan Titan for long stretches but not this. I drove it for 2 hours and I thought I was going to die. Anyone else have the same problem? I'm in good shape and don't have much if any back pain normally.
#2
I experienced lower back pain initially. I have the 14 way seats. The adjustment that eliminated that was the lower lumbar adjustment. I had to adjust it nearly flat (all the way into the seat).
#3
OP, which seats do you have?
#4
Nordschleife Master
#5
#6
I assumed it was the 14 way, but was thinking it may be more the narrow upper that was doing it. I never had back pain in my 14 ways, but the upper back section was never as comfortable as my 18 ways.
#7
Rennlist Member
I have 14 way in a 2013 991 as well. It took quite a few tries to find a seating position that didn't kill my back. I daily mine so it was a pretty big deal for awhile.
Keep trying. I eventually mirrored how my wife had the passenger side and haven't had any issues since.
Keep trying. I eventually mirrored how my wife had the passenger side and haven't had any issues since.
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#8
Pro
How tall are you?
At 5'7" I find that even at the lowest position, the lumbar support bulge hits me in the middle of the back rather than the lower back. Thus it forces me into an uncomfortable leaning forward position. So I deflate it most of the way.
I have also found that I can not get the seat cushion as flat and parallel to the ground as I want. This puts pressure on the back side on my knees and thighs and tends to cut off circulation with a resultant tingly effect.
I have experienced both problems with both the 14 way and 18 way seats, although I think the 18 ways are slightly higher off the floor and exaggerate the circulation problem a bit more.
My solution was to make a custom seat cushion out of layers of carpet pad and have a tailor fabricate a cloth cover with zipper for it. The cushion sits in the low "bucket" part of the seat only and it in effect makes me about an inch taller helping significantly with both problems. I do not notice sitting on it and shuffle the cushion from my Cayenne to my 911 it helps so much. I chose a firmer pad rather than a softer more compressible one that is not dis-similar to the stock padding in the seats.
At 5'7" I find that even at the lowest position, the lumbar support bulge hits me in the middle of the back rather than the lower back. Thus it forces me into an uncomfortable leaning forward position. So I deflate it most of the way.
I have also found that I can not get the seat cushion as flat and parallel to the ground as I want. This puts pressure on the back side on my knees and thighs and tends to cut off circulation with a resultant tingly effect.
I have experienced both problems with both the 14 way and 18 way seats, although I think the 18 ways are slightly higher off the floor and exaggerate the circulation problem a bit more.
My solution was to make a custom seat cushion out of layers of carpet pad and have a tailor fabricate a cloth cover with zipper for it. The cushion sits in the low "bucket" part of the seat only and it in effect makes me about an inch taller helping significantly with both problems. I do not notice sitting on it and shuffle the cushion from my Cayenne to my 911 it helps so much. I chose a firmer pad rather than a softer more compressible one that is not dis-similar to the stock padding in the seats.
#9
They make seat cushions which you inflate just slightly and then place in the lower back, makes all the difference in the world. I had reccarro seats in my 85 M6 and this solved the problem. I purchased mine at my chiropractor office.
#10
I know exactly what you mean- when I brought home my 2017 C4S a few weeks ago, the LBP was excruciating. I actually developed a mild, transient foot drop afterwards, presumably from the pressure on my lumbar spine. I am about 5'6, no back problems, and have the 18w seats. I would agree with the suggestion of getting a foam seat cushion- it is basically an extra layer of shock absorption. What I found also helped was to actually move the lumbar support forward until it felt a little awkward. After about 20 min of settling in I definitely felt more back support and no recurrence of pain. To compensate for the slight anterior position of the neck, I got a memory foam neck rest and tied it around the upper seat back- helped with the neck stiffness I would sometimes experience. Make sure the bolsters are all the way back (if you have the 18w). I suspect for long trips the 14w may actually be slightly easier on the back because they allow for more lateral movement without constant pressure in the same position. Wow, I sound like an old man.
#11
Rennlist Member
FWIW, the 14-way seats in my 991.2 are some of the most comfortable I have ever owned, from the first 5 minutes, to 10 hour stints. I am 6'2" and weigh 200 lbs.
On the other hand, my wife (5'4") does complain a bit about seat comfort after a while.
On the other hand, my wife (5'4") does complain a bit about seat comfort after a while.
#12
Advanced
Funny, I have a Nissan Titan and my 14 way seats were initially not comfortable for long drives either. I ended up taking out all lumbar and inflation and that worked for me. I suspect I would have been happy with 4 way seats.
#13
Rennlist Member
+1 on making the lumbar support almost flat. I had the same experience with my 18 ways. Just today I spent 8 hours in the 18 ways with no problem. I dialed the lumbar bump away entirely, raised the seat as high as I could and (most helpful tweak) reclined the seat really far back so I am not sitting so upright. Oh and I made the seat as short as possible. I'm 5' 10".
#14
Rennlist Member
Sorry to hear of your issues.
I like my 14-ways a lot, best 911 seats I've owned for comfort and support, but they aren't cushy if that's what you're used to.
As others report, I keep the lumbar flat and sit the seat as low as possible, adjust the distance to the wheel then find the right back angle. Good for 3-4 hours then I break out the lacrosse ball I keep in the glove compartment
I like my 14-ways a lot, best 911 seats I've owned for comfort and support, but they aren't cushy if that's what you're used to.
As others report, I keep the lumbar flat and sit the seat as low as possible, adjust the distance to the wheel then find the right back angle. Good for 3-4 hours then I break out the lacrosse ball I keep in the glove compartment
#15
Rennlist Member
Sit up straight, bolt upright, and the seats will work well. Slouch, and they're the worst seats ever.