Paper Driver Training Vol. 6 - The Best Seat Position ✨

The other day, I took my first driving lesson since returning from Kyushu.

In this lesson, I learned what is important for overcoming the fear I felt when driving on country roads in Nagasaki Prefecture.

There was an eye-opening answer there 😆

Click here for the previous article ↓↓

The challenges for this time are the following three points.

・I don't know where I am driving
・Curves and elevation changes are scary
・The timing and amount of steering are inconsistent

The goal is to overcome these three points.


Today, I aimed to regain my confidence by eliminating my fear through training while driving around my own neighborhood.


First, I drove through the area in front of the station, which I am used to driving through as always.
I was supposed to turn left at the T-junction, but I drifted a bit wide 💦


The roads in my neighborhood naturally have center lines, and they should be much easier to drive on than the country roads the other day, but for some reason, I feel like I can't keep a steady driving line 😰


“Why is that...”


I continued while feeling a little uneasy 🚙


Just as I passed the store I often go to, 'Shimamura', I suddenly said,

“I want to be able to come shopping at Shimamura too.”
Then the instructor said,

“Well then, let's stop by on the way back.”
After driving around the neighborhood, we came back and entered the 'Shimamura' parking lot.

“Okay, let's park in that empty spot in the back. Let's park next to that blue car.”


I managed to park successfully.


That was when the instructor spoke to me like this.

“Kaorin-san, isn't it difficult to drive?”

At first, I didn't understand what he meant.

“What do you mean?”

I asked back, and he said,

“I thought you weren't seeing things properly. You lifted your hips to peek when you were turning right earlier, right?
I think your seat position probably isn't right. Let's take a look.”

?!!!

Seat position?



You mean it wasn't right???

The instructor came around to the driver's seat and opened the door.
Then, they said this:



"I think the height is probably too low. I'm going to raise it a bit, so please look ahead."



Then, they moved the lever on the bottom right of the seat.
The seat started going up and up.


"Wow, I can see so much better! ✨"


The view is completely different from before! 👀
It's like I have a better vantage point, or rather, I can just see everything so well! 😍


Then, they added,


"When you raise the seat, the pedals will feel closer, so I'll move it back. Try putting your foot on the brake."


You're right, it feels a bit cramped. 😅


"Try moving it back two notches."


I try moving it back.

"How is it?"


Hmm, it's a little better, but it still feels tight.


"Shall we try moving it back one more notch?"


Oh, that feels good.
I feel like the pedals are easier to press. 🎵


"Next, let's fix the steering wheel position."


They pulled the lever under the steering wheel to loosen it.


"Let's raise it a little. And then pull it toward you slightly."


"Please hold the steering wheel."


"Oh, your elbows are bent nicely. This is the best position."


Before they fixed it, it seems my elbows were extended and locked.


"I think driving in this position will be much easier for you. Now, let's try driving toward your home."


I left the shop's parking lot and started driving toward home.


Oh! I can see so incredibly well! ✨
I can clearly tell where I am on the road. 🎵


Even when turning right at an intersection, I felt like I could sort of see my driving line. 🚙


Amazing! ‼️


I was able to drive so comfortably! 🎶


Ever since they fixed it in the Shimamura parking lot on the way, driving has become dramatically easier!!

The direction I'm heading is just so easy to see! ✨
I've become able to grasp where I'm driving!
It's easier to time my right and left turns!

The instructor also said,
"Your cornering has improved dramatically, it's perfect! 👍️"
I was so happy to hear that! 🎵


According to the instructor, I had a habit of pressing the accelerator pedal in two stages.

It seems that because the seat position wasn't right, the accelerator was hard to press, and since the position wasn't fixed, I had to press the pedal again.

Now I can accelerate smoothly with one press, making driving very smooth! 🎵



I returned home and parked, and the brake pedal is also really easy to press.
The pressure is smooth, and the car moves along effortlessly! ✨


Thanks to that, I was able to park nicely without any jerky stops. 🚙


I'm truly surprised that just correcting the seat to the right position makes driving this much easier! 😯


When I was in the driving school car, I checked and adjusted it every time, but since I started taking lessons in my own car, the car is different, and I had just been adjusting it vaguely. 💦


I'm really glad I was taught the correct position again this time! ✨



However, there is one problem here! 💦
I'm not the only one driving this car, so I can't just fix it in place.
I don't have the confidence to return it to this best position the next time I drive! 😭

When I told the instructor about that anxiety,

"Then, let's use masking tape to mark the correct position so you know where it is! ☝️"


What a wonderful idea! 💡


I went back home and brought some masking tape! 🎵


Seat height (this was the most important thing! ✨)
Seat forward/backward position
Steering wheel height and depth


They applied it skillfully! ✨


Now, even if my husband drives this car tomorrow, I can put it back! 😍
Wonderful! ✨

My car being dirty has been exposed, hasn't it? 💦
Sorry for showing you something so unsightly! 😂



The anxiety that I might not be able to keep the best position even though I finally found it has also been resolved! ✨



Thanks to this, I feel like one of my anxieties about driving alone has disappeared! 😍


I'm really happy thinking that this will surely have a positive impact on my driving from tomorrow on! 🤗


I've decided to practice hard so that I can show you all my growth in the next article.




Thank you for reading until the end! 😌