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Poll: Do You Use the Driver's Door Armrest?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Jan 1, 2014.

?
  1. No, and I don't need or care to

    19 vote(s)
    20.9%
  2. No, because it is too low

    33 vote(s)
    36.3%
  3. Yes, and it works well in stock form

    8 vote(s)
    8.8%
  4. Yes, but the armrest is too low and hard

    13 vote(s)
    14.3%
  5. Yes, I use it once in a while in driving

    13 vote(s)
    14.3%
  6. Yes, I use it most of the time while driving

    8 vote(s)
    8.8%
  7. Yes, and the armrest has an aftermarket pad

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Yes, and the armrest has a homemade pad

    5 vote(s)
    5.5%
  9. No, because the armrest is too high

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. Yes, but the armrest is higher than I would like

    1 vote(s)
    1.1%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Poll, do you use the driver's door armrest while driving your liftback or Plugin Prius? Yes, no, why or why not? Multiple choice allowed, honesty appreciated thx :)
     
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The armrest is lower than most other cars that I have had. I have found that if I rest my arm on the armrest and hold the wheel at about the 8 o'clock position that this is a comfortable driving position.

    I voted Yes, I use it once in a while in driving.
     
    cycledrum likes this.
  3. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)No need for the arm rest. I drive with my hands at the 10 & 2 c'clock positions on the steering wheel. Then at 10, 2, and 4, I drink a Dr Pepper. Seriously I do both, but the Dr Pepper is only at around 12:30 PM with lunch.
     
  4. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    I use it only when I cock to the side to break wind. Otherwise it's unused due to the low position.
     
    NuttyKat, cycledrum and bisco like this.
  5. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I use both armrests once in a while when I give my hands a break.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    impossible. i use the window ledge if anything. i'm only 5'-8", i don't know if that makes it better or worse.
     
  7. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I voted that I used it, should have said used to use it.
     
    cycledrum likes this.
  8. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    I use it sometimes but it's too low and hard which barely describes how it feels after resting my elbow on it for very long. Pathetic and I'm only 5'8" and 150lbs.
     
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Before buying car, I planned on a 1" foam pad, but didn't plan on 4" pad. I'll be using the latter without complaint until the day I sell the car.

    Homemade Driver's Seating Accessories for Tall Driver | PriusChat
     
  10. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    That beats the small throw pillow I've been using. I just jam it between me and the door and it works. I've dropped it on the ground a couple of times so your solution would make a lot more sense.
     
  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Depends on which cheek I shift too, which is required with these seats.
     
  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I used a small pillow for a week or so, but was in way of my elbow. Employed a rolled up hand towel on door armrest, but it kept launching off the door when closing, no matter how much 3M strips I put on it. I put the Neoprene on 4 weeks ago and it hasn't moved since. ....

    I'll put a nice fat sign on the arm pad when going in for service, have photos with me. If it's knocked off, I'll frown. If it's thrown away, they'll wish they hadn't done that.. :mad:
     
  13. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    I am one of the "added padding" people, specifically a layer of thin plywood shaped to fit the armrest curves and fastened to it, topped by a 1-inch layer of wood and 1-inch layer of medium-density closed-cell foam cut from a kitchen floor mat.

    Say, why can't Priuschat offer an adjustable-height supplemental armrest? image.jpg
     
    cycledrum likes this.
  14. Dancing Badger

    Dancing Badger Junior Member

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    I use the window ledge. I'd use the arm rest of it was in a sensible position. When you think of all the technical innovation that went into the Prius it beggars belief that Toyota couldn't fit an armrest at a height to fit the majority of people. It isn't as though they've never designed a car with doors before.

    Mind you, if that's the worst thing I can find to complain about it can't be too bad.
     
  15. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    too low, i am resting my left arm on the window sill which seems a bit high at times..

    I have't really though about making a more permanent solution. I really don't want to "muck" up the factory interior with screws, or other adhesives that might make permanent marks.

    I wonder if a rest could made that hangs from the top of the door panel.

    I have a couple old headrests from my HHR with high density foam... I wonder if I could make something....hhmmm...
     
  16. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Had a weekend last April looking for a few hours for some type of adhesive / tape to attach foam / pad, etc... to the armrest. I figured something with PostIt type adhesive might adhere but leave no residue. Then came across 3M Command brand products.

     Command™ Products Command™ Large Refill Strips

    I used to use a 1" or so piece of dense foam taped only to the bottom portion of armrest. The idea hit me if I make a foam shape to be able to attach to the horizontal armrest surface and the vertical surface, it will be much more stable. I didn't shape it to fit the curve, instead stacked two pieces, one narrower for the horizontal surface, one wider to mate to the vertical surface. Not pretty, but gets the job done.

    My left elbow is on that foam pad most of the time while driving.

    About 3 or 4 dollars of foam, yeah, yeah, not pretty, but works like a champ...
    camera 547.jpg
     
    Robert Holt likes this.
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Don't use it, don't want to dirty the light grey cloth covering on the door inset for ones elbow.
     
  18. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    no because its too hard.. not soft enough
     
  19. Rupert B Puppenstein

    Rupert B Puppenstein Active Member

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    I don't use it because I always have both hands on the steering wheel.
     
  20. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Good job--cheap and functional!
    Am I correct the foam blocks are only about 6" long? (Judging that from your picture--mine extends from hand grip to rear of door.)
    Your total height seems to be at least 4-5 inches, right? I seem happier with a total height of about 2-2.5 inches, so clearly there are individual differences in height preference.
    But if say a basic plastic base installed on the arm rest could accommodate foam pads of different thicknesses to achieve the desired heights, then that should fit most of us.
    Hello, Toyota!
    Hello, Priuschat marketplace!