5 Ways To Test An Auto's Ergonomics

You'll have to sit in a vehicle to guage your comfort level. These five simple tests will help you check the driving position and control layout of a car to make sure a safe and comfortable fit.

1) The Praying Test.
To Guage Horizontal Alignment
Sitting in the driver's seat, place your hands together, fingertips and palms touching as if praying. Now put the heels of your hands against your chest so that they are pointing outwards like an arrow. The wrists should actually be touching the chest. In this position, the hands will form a fairly accurate perpendicular to the body and it should be possible to see if they are pointing at the center of the steering wheel.

TO PASS: Your hands should be pointing to the center of the steering wheel. If not, the wheel may be offset and the vehicle isn't right for you.

2) The Fist Test.
To Guage Proper Headroom
With the seat in the normal driving position ( i.e. a position where all of the pedals can be fully depressed without stretching and the hips are back into the seat) make a fist with the left hand keeping the thumb to the side of the index finger. The depth of such a fist will measure approximately 50mm and it should be possible to place the fist on the crown of the head. Please don't get caught up on the approximated millimeters. If your fist is bigger it means you need more headroom.

TO PASS: Your fist should fit between your head and the roof. If not, there is insufficient headroom and the vehicle isn't right for you.

3) The Look Down Test.
To Guage Legroom & Leg Alignment
With both hands placed evenly on the steering wheel look down at the legs. It should be possible to see equal amounts of both legs between the arms. Frequently the left leg will be visible but the right leg will be obscured by the right arm which may indicate that the shoulder girdle is rotated in relation to the pelvis.

TO PASS: You should see both legs equally between your arms. If not, the alignment can put undue strain on your body and the vehicle isn't right for you.

4) The Left Leg Test.
To Guage Leg Alignment, Legroom & Lateral Space
This test should be performed after driving the car for a short while. Once again, look down and examine the position of the left leg. Is it elevated above the level of the right or has it fallen out towards the edge of the seat? Is the left foot roughly in line with the thigh as it should be or has it had to come across towards the center of the car?

TO PASS: Your legs should stay roughly in line with your thighs. If not, you may be unconciously compensating for a poor alignment and the vehicle isn't right for you.

5) The Kerb Height Test
To Guage Seat Pitch & Leg Joint Pressure
Swing the left leg out of the car as though getting out, and place the left foot on the ground. Try and ensure the lower leg (shin & calf ) is in a vertical position. Now look at the surface of the left thigh. It should be sloping down towards the knee. If it is sloping upwards (ie if the knee is higher than the hip) you will have difficulty when exiting this vehicle.

TO PASS: Your thigh should be sloping down towards the knee. If not, you will be putting extra pressure on your joints when getting in or out of the vehicle and it isn't right for you.

Your potential vehicle should pass ALL FIVE of these tests to be considered suitable for your body type. Happy hunting!