You borrow a friend's car and find that the position of the driver's seat puts you sitting a long way from the steering wheel and controls. What should you do?
Ask your friend for a cushion to place behind your back.
Put up with the discomfort; you should not adjust another person's seat.
Adjust the seat forward so it's right for you.
Do not drive a car if you can't reach the pedals and steering wheel comfortable as it makes it much harder to control.
Checks to do when you get into a different car
When you get into an unfamiliar car there are a few checks that you should do:
- Does the car have a current registration?
- Is the seat in a position where you can reach the steering wheel with slightly bent arms (remember that most cars have height adjustment for the wheel and some have height and rake [distance] adjustment)?
- Is the seat back upright enough that driving any distance will remain comfortable?
- Is the seat far enough away so that you can reach the pedals (including pushing the brake and clutch to the floor), but without banging your knees on the steering column to move your feet between pedals?
- Is the rear-view mirror adjusted so that you can see through the rear window?
- Are the wing mirrors adjusted so that you can just see the side of your car and you can see back up the road?
- How much fuel is in the car? Can you get to where you want to go, or will you need to fill up?
- Is there anything else obviously wrong, e.g. a cracked windscreen or a dented door?
- If there is exterior damage, take a photo of it or let the owner know before you take the car. That way you can't be blamed for the damage. This also applies when you take a rental car.
Some cars come with seat memories so you can always ask the owner to save their current seat position so they can recall it after you have finished.
