My 2010 Prius Causing Me Back Problems!

The key is to try different resources to make oneself comfortable -

* Off the shelf seat cushions

* Custom seat cushion from and auto upholsterer or foam shop / factory

* Lumbar cushions

* Seat covers - maybe one is sliding too much in seat and just needs more grip, or not. Can cover just the back, or just the bottom or both.

* Try all seat adjustment - raise, lower, forward back, backrest forward, back, etc

* Hold steering wheel in different position or adjust it

* visit an ergonomics expert or chiropractor for advice, with your car.


What works for one may not work for another, and those with bad backs may never get comfortable.

Look at my signature - I use 4 things for more comfort in my 2009, whose seat pales compared to the 2010.

 

Well, I consider my III to be pretty fancy but it doesn't have lumbar adjustment.

 

We took our 2010 package V on a 400 mile drive early on to get the feel for details and found the seat not quite the best. Then I did a simple fix to the seat and cured the problem for me.

Go to a hardware store and get enough body washers to make two stacks about a quarter inch tall. (you might have to remove one of your seat mounting bolts to check on the needed hole size ... and a washer about 2 inches across is good) Loosen the rear seat mount bolts a little and remove the two front bolts. Insert the stacks of washers under the front seat frame and put the bolts back in and tighten all bolts. This fix takes all of 10 minutes to do.

This will raise the front of your seat by the amount of your washer stack. This will increase the support for your legs and makes the seats much more comfortable on a long drive. I know because I am in the middle of a 5000 mile trip around several western states.

 

If a person has a problem with their lower back or tailbone area then raising the front of the seat will very well aggravate the problem. I recently bought the 2010 Prius and although it was comfortable on a short drive I have been miserable ever since and have a number of back issues including a tailbone injury and any seat adjustment that causes me to sit back further in the seat aggravates the problem and am looking for solutions as well.

 

You should try to get lumbar support installed or else pick up one of the lumbar foam cushions. Heated seats wouldnt hurt either as the heat can help a sore back.

In terms of raising the front seat, agree that may very well make the problem worse. Also, pressure points should be primarily on the buttocks not evenly distributed to the hamstrings as that is a recipe for arterial thrombosis(ie, obstructing bloodflow).

 

i have to complain about the seats for once.. i have an 04 and with just about every toyota i've been in recently, the seats are way too bouncy/hard. it makes you feel like you're getting tosses around when the car is actually handling really well.

just for giggles i'll hold the bottom of the seat with my right hand to feel how the suspension is really responding.

i keep wishing i had my lincoln mark VII seats.. or.. any ford seat... or civic seat.. or bar stool.. hehe.. anything really.

at least they are not as bad as the FJ seats.. sure it has height adjustment.. but it's already too high/tilted forward. there is NO comfortable position in those seats. they are way too bouncy too.

 

Last night, I put 2 washers under each front post. It only raised my front by 3/8 of an inch, but the difference is like night and day!

The problem I find with the seats, is that they are too flat. Not enough "bucket" action in the bucket seats. This puts strain on my lower back. Once my front was elavated by just that miniscual amount, my body fit perfectly into the seat (I'm, 5'10", 165) .

I'm very happy now regarding the seats. Before I was miseable with what I thought were POS seat designs, but now, I'm as snug as a bug in them. I think the problem is the the seats are way too high in the car, and that leaves little to no options for seat manuevering.

Anyways, if the seats bother you, slipping a couple washers under front posts might do you a world of difference. It only took me 10 minutes, and cost me 3$.

 

Lumbar Back Cushion will solve you problem. I do not drive without it in any car. Go to the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Lumbar-Cushion-memory-cover-BLACK/dp/B002GVFGK0

 

Steve,

I can relate to your problem first hand. I have severely ruptured discs between L4, L5 and S1. I had lower lumbar decompression surgery about 5 years age which was has helped greatly. I'm nearly 100% but long drives or sitting in the same position to long cause me to stiffen up badly.

I've tried all of the special lumbar pillows, etc. What I found that works best is a cheap little pillow I have that is about 10 inches wide, 14 inches long and about 2 inches thick. Whenever I am in my Prius or any other car for a long trip I take this along and put it between the small of my back and the seat. It is just the right size to keep the curve of my lower spine correct. I've not had a back ache since.

I do however get ribbed alot as my pillow is red velvet and embroidered with the words Merry Christmas.

 

What size washers and how many did you purchase?

 

I find that adjusting your driving position after 20-30 mins behind the wheel usually gets the best setup. Maybe its different for others, but I find that I relax into the seat after a while so adjusting the position when you first get in the car doesn't work.

Again, this is my personal finding and may or may not help but could be worth a try?