Seat, mirrors and cockpit set-up

By the end of this topic you can

• You can adjust the seat so you reach all pedals comfortably.
• You can set the steering wheel, head restraint and mirrors.
• You can wear a seatbelt correctly and check passengers are restrained.
• You can hold the wheel in a safe, relaxed way.

What you need to know and understand

• Sit back in the seat with it fairly upright, supporting your back and shoulders.
• Your knees should stay slightly bent when a pedal is pushed fully down, and your arms slightly bent on the wheel.
• Adjust the steering wheel low so it points at your chest, not your face. This helps the airbag protect you.
• Set the head restraint for your height, as advised in your owner's manual.
• A seatbelt should be low across the hips, flat with no twists, and firm with no slack.
• Keep your thumbs along the rim of the wheel rather than hooked inside it.

A set-up routine that works in any car

1. Check the doors are closed and the park brake is on.
2. Move the seat so you can push the brake (and clutch, in a manual) fully down with your knee still slightly bent.
3. Set the backrest fairly upright, sitting deep in the seat.
4. Adjust the steering wheel low and facing your chest, so your wrists rest on top of the rim when your arms are stretched out.
5. Set the head restraint to suit your height.
6. Adjust the inside mirror to frame the rear window, then each side mirror so you see along the side of the car with only a small edge of your own car showing.
7. Put on your seatbelt and check it is low, flat and firm, then check passengers are buckled up.

Brace and relax

In a car with an automatic gearbox, rest your left foot on the footrest or floor to brace your body instead of letting it hover. The NSW and NT handbooks both suggest using your left foot this way. Hold the wheel firmly but not tightly, with both hands on the outside of the rim. A tense grip makes steering jerky and tires your arms.

Seatbelts are your responsibility too

All occupants must wear a seatbelt or an approved child restraint. As the driver, you are responsible for making sure passengers under 16 are properly restrained, so check before you move off. A twisted or loose belt can fail to hold you properly in a crash.

Common mistakes

• Sitting too far back with straight arms. You lose steering control and the airbag protection is reduced.
• Setting mirrors before the seat. Always set the seat first, then the mirrors.
• Wearing the lap belt across the stomach instead of the hips.
• Driving off with the head restraint at the lowest setting.

Test yourself: Seat, mirrors and cockpit set-up

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.