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2010 Drivers Seat Back problems

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Tom 8757, Jan 1, 2015.

  1. Tom 8757

    Tom 8757 Junior Member

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    II
    I am having back problems since I bought my 2010 Toyota Prius II.
    Lower back pain, numbness in legs and sciatica problems.
    Has anyone else had this problem?
    Any suggestions ????
    Help
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Try a seat cushion and play with the adjustments. On longer drives, you can try some type of lumbar support.
     
  3. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat! I found that using a beaded seat-cover fixed my back discomfort when I first bought my Toyota Corolla back in 1993. I replaced the cover twice in the last 21 years when the nylon thread holding the beads together broke. The covers were very inexpensive and available on-line. I've had my Gen II Prius for nearly one year, and so far, I've found beaded seat-covers unnecessary as the seats are beautifully contoured and very comfortable (but YMMV). hope this helps - Wil
     
  4. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    Sounds like you do not have power seats maybe you want to look into It
    with power seats that would allow the lower part under your thighs to raise up which would give relief to your lower lumbar
     
  5. Tom 8757

    Tom 8757 Junior Member

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    Do any of the Prius's come with power seats?
     
  6. loansum

    loansum Junior Member

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    I have a 2010 and a 2014. The latter has the power driver's seat. Prius seats are designed to meet a weight budget. Comfort is a secondary requirement. I rent cars frequently; small inexpensive cars. They all have seats that are more comfortable than the Prius. As someone suggested, the power seat allows for some adjustments not possible with the mechanical seat. One important thing: If you have a thick wallet in one of your back pockets, take it out of your pocket and put it in one of your drink holders, when driving. There isn't enough padding in the seat to re-distribute the bulge of the wallet; so, your lower back has to compensate for it. The power seat can't help this problem. A good upholstery shop can modify the seats. I've inquired about this. It's a trial and error process, whereby they add foam padding. Hope this helps.
     
  7. Tom 8757

    Tom 8757 Junior Member

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    No I dont have a wallet in my back pocket.
    It sounds like my best bet is to go to an upholstery shop.
    Softer foam, and maybe cutting the front down a little.
    I had a Lexus RX before I bought the Prius,
    I never thought it was the seat in the prius, until I drove my wifes RX the last 3 days and all of a sudden my back stopped hurting. No numbness in my legs... Wow, and I have been going to a Chiropractor and Physical therapy for my back the last 4 months...
    I love my Prius, but my back has been killing me...
    I drive 1,000 miles a week.
     
  8. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    The Four and Five trims do on the liftback (the "regular" prius), and I think the Trim Five for the Prius v (the "station wagon" prius) has it as well. The Prius c doesn't come with them even with the highest trim, unless they just changed that with the refresh. But it's not likely due to cost.

    You can raise/lower the seat, move it back and forth, adjust lumbar (lower back), and raise/lower the seatback.

    I have a 2014 Trim Five liftback, and being my first car that I've owned that has power seats, I'd have to say it's kind of nice. Keep in mind those are the "softex" seats, or the faux-leather stuff. It might take a little getting used to, but I don't mind it too much, especially as it's a lot easier to clean than a cloth seat is.

    In retrospect I should have gotten a Four instead, as the 17 inch wheels the Five comes with saps some mpg from it, probably 2-3 mpg but still, I wanted to maximize my fuel savings lol. The LED lights are nice, though the fog lights aren't that great after having tried them out a few times.

    My brother that I sold my 2012 Prius c trim Four to complained about the driver seat at first, but seems to have adjusted to it. Sitting in it now after being used to the regular liftback's seats, it does feel a bit different. If nothing else, at least he's not complaining about the cost of gas, nor about constant repairs he had to do with his Mazda 6.
     
  9. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Another option will be to replace the seat for one from the advance model with power adjustments. Search car dismantlers for them
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can swap out your seats with power seats from a junk yard dog. as mr high said. you can pick up power from the center console.
     
  11. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Have fun doing the electrical work to make a power seat hook up in a non-power seat Prius. Let us know how much a junkyard power seat costs.

    I drove home yesterday from Piercey Toyota service without having my 4 kludges around the driver seat: Legrest box, headrest pad, door and center armrest pads. WOW, that stunk.
     
  12. defrankond

    defrankond Member

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    I have a prius IV and while the vin states i have power driver seat i do not. i do have the manual height leaver and a power lumbar though which inflates a airbag in the seat for lumbar support. i wish they would have used a softer foam in the seat as well. i do not know that it would have added any weight to the car doing so especially for something that people require. i to after so long of a drive start getting pain in my butt-ox from them but i have been thinking of possibly getting a foam cushion to sit on.