Making cars a healthier place to be with the right seat
Mobility is a frequently used buzzword associated with present-day society. More and more people are spending increasing amounts of time in their car. The average European travels around 15,000 kilometres with his vehicle every year. 40% of motorists spend more than 90 minutes sitting in their car each day. For many drivers, their car seat is also their workplace.
Drivers travelling 20,000 km and more each year know only too well which health risks they face by sitting incorrectly for hours on end without any chance of compensatory exercise.
Adjustment is key
The list of possible problems is long. Those affected frequently complain of backache, tension, pains in the neck, fatigue, leg problems, aching shoulders, concentration deficits and headache.
Both AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) and the medical profession therefore stipulate that it must be possible to adjust the car seat to the body in the respective sitting position - and not vice versa. The best solution is a seat system that can be adjusted individually to the physical requirements of the driver or passenger, with as many adjustments as it takes to ensure the vehicle user is sitting in an optimum position.
Customers can expect help from manufacturers and dealers
Although leading car manufacturers have acknowledged the importance of ergonomic driving seats in recent years, many seats in vehicles by other manufacturers still fail to meet the basic ergonomic requirements. The car industry must pay special attention to "necessary seat ergonomics" and "correct seat adjustment" when developing the seats and when providing customer advice, and must give dealers and salesmen proper training about the special advantages. This is the only way to ensure that this important information is passed on to the customers, providing valuable help and assistance that goes way beyond performance KPIs and attractive wheel designs.
What matters: seat structure and adjustable backrest and seat surface
Comfort in a car seat is defined not by soft upholstery and cosy fabrics. On the contrary, here well-being involves firm foam and a complicated substructure for the seat.
The back rest should have an extremely robust, spine-friendly structure which, together with ergonomic padding, provides the upper body with optimum support
Individual adjustment is crucial both for the backrest and for the seat area. It must be possible to adjust the seat height, seat tilt and above all, the length of the seat area to individual needs. This is the only way obtain the correct distribution of sitting pressure, combined with the necessary comfort and a good view. Pronounced side supports in the back rest and seat area also prevent the body from sliding around and ensure an upright, relaxed posture.
Sitting climate and safety
And finally, good climatic attributes are necessary to ensure that the driver is neither too warm nor too cold in the seat. The answer consists in a clever climate system, seat heating and special fabrics. A whole range of safety standards have to be met for the passive safety of vehicle users.
It is particularly important for the driver to sit properly when driving the car – not only to avoid possible backache but also for comfort and safety. However, attention must also be paid to the ergonomic needs of the passengers on the front seat and at the rear.
Tips for adjusting the driver's seat correctly can be found below under "More information".
Seats in light-duty commercial vehicles
When it comes to light-duty commercial vehicles, here the same selection criteria apply as for car seats so that drivers and passengers should be provided with the same adjustment possibilities.
Retrofit seats
Ergonomic retrofit seats are an ideal solution for drivers who need an ergonomic car seat but don't necessarily want to purchase a new vehicle. The seats can be fitted in numerous vehicle models, providing comfort and safety for the users. All ergonomic requirements already described for ex-works car seats naturally also apply here too. The special feature here is that the retrofit seat can be removed on changing the vehicle.

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval
Click here to go directly to the product list of the different manufacturers...
Daimler AG
- A-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Sports and comfort seat with seat comfort package and 4-way lordosis support
- Mercedes-Benz Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- B-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- C-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seatpaket
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- Mercedes-Benz driver and passenger seats with lumbar support and seat cushion depth adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz driver and passenger seat with multicontour package and massage
- C-Class Coupé
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- C-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- CLA Coupé
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- CLA Shooting Brake
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- CLS-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Aktiv-Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- E-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Aktiv-Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- E-Class Coupé
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- E-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- EQA
- Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- Driver’s and passenger seat with multi-contour seat
- Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- EQB
- Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- Driver’s and passenger seat with multi-contour seat
- Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- EQC
- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- EQE
- Mercedes-Benz Standard Driver’s and passenger seat (BR V295/X294)
- EQS
- Mercedes-Benz Standard Driver’s and passenger seat (BR V297, BR x296 & BR Z296)
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with Mult-contour package and massage (BR V297)
- EQV
- Comfort seat for driver and front passenger mechanically adjustable with seat comfort package
- Memory comfort seat for driver and front passenger electrically adjustable
- G-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package plus
- GLA-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Sports and comfort seat with seat comfort package and 4-way lordosis support
- GLB-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver and passenger seat with seat comfort package and lumbar support adjustment
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- GLC-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat with massage function for driver’s and passenger seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- GLC-Class F-Cell
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- Mercedes-Benz Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with memory function
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- GLE-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat with massage function for driver’s and passenger seat
- GLE Coupé
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with memory package
- Marco Polo
- Comfort seat for driver and front passenger mechanically adjustable with seat comfort package
- Memory comfort seat for driver and front passenger electrically adjustable
- Mercedes Maybach
- Mercedes-Benz Standard seat
- Mercedes-Benz Rücksitz: Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Active-Multi-contour seat
- S-Class
- Mercedes-Benz Active-Multi-contour seateat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with Mult-contour package and massage
- Mercedes-Benz Standard seat
- Mercedes-Benz Driver’s and passenger seat with Lordosis and Memory Package
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- Mercedes-Benz Rücksitz: Multi-contour seat
- S-Class Coupé
- Mercedes-Benz Active-Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Standard seat
- S-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz Active-Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Standard seat
- Mercedes-Benz with seat comfort package
- SL
- Mercedes-Benz Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Active-Multi-contour seat
- Mercedes-Benz Standard seat
- V-Class
- Comfort seat for driver and front passenger mechanically adjustable with seat comfort package
- Memory comfort seat for driver and front passenger electrically adjustable
Ford Motor Company Limited.
- Fiesta ST
- Perfomance driver and front passenger seats
- Focus
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
- Focus ST
- Perfomance driver and front passenger seats
- Galaxy
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
- Kuga
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
- Mondeo
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
- Puma ST
- Perfomance driver and front passenger seats
- S-Max
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
- Tourneo Connect
- Ergonomic driver and front passenger seats
Hyundai Motor Company
NIO Co., Ltd.
Opel Automobile GmbH
Peugeot Motor Company PLC
- Peugeot 308
- Driver and front passenger seat GT Line / Allure / Allure Pack
- Peugeot 3008
- Ergonomic seats for driber and front passenger
- Peugeot 408
- Driver and front passenger seat GT Line / Allure / Allure Pack
- Peugeot 508
- Driver and front passenger seat with AGR option package
- Driver and front passenger seat GT and GT Line
- Peugeot 5008
- Ergonomic seats for driber and front passenger
RECARO Automotive Seating
ŠKODA AUTO
- Ergo-Active driver's and passenger seat for
- Ergoseat driver's and passenger seat for
Volkswagen
- Arteon
- ergoComfort driver's seat with 14-way adjustment
- Caddy
- ergoComfort driver's and passenger seats with 14-way adjustment
- Golf and Golf Estate
- ergoActive driver's seat with 14-way adjustment
- ID.Buzz
- ergoComfort driver's an passenger seat with 14-way-adjustment and memory function
- ID.3
- Sport Seat ergoActive with 14--way adjustment (driver's and passenger seats)
- ergoActive Comfort driver's and passenger seats with 14-way-adjustment
- ID.4
-
- Sport Seat ergoActive with 14--way adjustment (driver's and passenger seats)
- ergoActive Comfort driver's and passenger seats with 14-way-adjustment
- Passat
- ergoComfort driver's seat with 14-way adjustment
- T-Roc Style and R-Line
- ergoActive driver's seat with 14-way adjustment
- Tiguan
- ergoActive driver's and passenger seat
- Touareg
- ergoActive driver's and passenger seat with 18-way adjustment
- Touran
- ergoActive driver's and passenger seats
Manufacturer
Daimler AG
Daimler Customer Assistance Center N.V.
Postfach 1456
6201 BL Maastricht
NETHERLANDS
Phone 00800/17 77 77 77
Fax +49 69/95 30 72 55
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hyundai Motor Company Headquarter
12, Heolleung-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone +82-2-3464-1114
Fax: +82-2-3464-3477
http://worldwide.hyundai.com/WW/ContactUs/index.html
www.hyundai.com
Ford Motor Company Limited
Arterial Road, Laindon, Essex, SS15 6EE
ENGLAND
Phone +49221/99992999
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.ford.co.uk
NIO Co., Ltd.
Jiading, Shanghai
P. R. CHINA
nio.com
Opel Automobile GmbH
Vauxhall Motors UK
Griffin House, UK1-101-135, Osborne Road,
Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3YT
Phone: +49 844-369-0112
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.opel.com
PEUGEOT Motor Company PLC
Phone 0800/042 2422
Kontaktformular
www.peugeot.uk
RECARO Automotive Seating
Stuttgarter Straße 73
73230 Kirchheim/Teck
GERMANY
Phone +49 7021/93 50 00
Fax +49 7021/93 53 39
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.recaro-automotive.com
ŠKODA
Selectapost 44
Sheffield
S97 3FR
UNITED KINGDOM
www.skoda.co.uk
Volkswagen UK
Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Selectapost 12
Sheffield
S97 3ZU - UK
Phone +49 800/333 666
www.volkswagen.co.uk
Further information
Caution, safety!
Even the most ergonomic seat is no good if it fails to comply with the safety standards. Time and again, crash tests prove that 6 of 10 car seats offer insufficient protection in the event of a rear impact, because of their structure, dimensions and headrest (source: Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft - Association of the German Insurance Industry). A revision of the European ECE standard by legislators is vitally necessary, as demanded by the German insurance industry.
Correctly adjusted car seat
Besides poor ergonomic quality of car seats, another frequent cause for backache and tension when driving the car is the wrong sitting posture. For an orthopaedically correct sitting posture, the car seat has to be carefully adjusted. In turn, this means it needs to have the characteristics and functions detailed above.
Ideal adjustment of your car seat:
- Move your buttocks right up against the backrest of the seat. Now adjust your seat so that your legs are at a slight angle when you floor the pedals.
- The tilt of the backrest must allow you to hold the steering wheel with your arms at a slight angle. To achieve this, adjust the backrest to an angle of about 110 degrees. Make sure that your shoulders remain in contact with the backrest even when steering.
- If the backrest has a head adjustment, only change this if the normal shape of the backrest does not give your shoulders enough support. Less is more in this context.
- Now select the right seat height for you. Sit as high as possible, while still leaving a hand's breadth of space between your head and the roofliner.
- Adjust the seat tilt so that your thighs rest gently on the seat surface and you can floor the pedals without having to apply too much force.
- After adjusting the seat length, you should still be able to fit 2 to 3 fingers between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
- Adjust the headrest so that it protects your head but does not support your neck. If the setting of the headrest is too low, this can cause severe injuries to the head and cervical spine in the event of a rear-impact crash. Ideal: upper edge headrest = top of the head.
- If the backrest and seat surface have adjustable side supports, ensure that these are in gentle contact with the body without being constrictive.
- The natural shape of your lumbar spine is supported by the lordosis support. Always adjust this from bottom to top. The pelvis (belt line) is the most important area for support.
Check all the settings again in the same order. Then the seat will fit correctly.
Remember:
- Only a rested car driver drives safely.
- After ninety minutes or at the latest 2 hours behind the steering wheel, it is vital to take a break to give body and mind a chance to regenerate and exercise.
- Even the best car seat is just one component on your journey to a back-friendly everyday life.
- The position and adjustment of the seat can change the perspective for people wearing multi- or bifocal glasses, with a negative impact on their eyesight.
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