Offset seating position...... back ache?

**dvg** · 13-08-2012,11:27 AM

Ok guys, just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem to me to see if it could be the car!

I picked up a 2012 A4 a few weeks back and pretty much since then I've been getting back ache, particularly badly over this weekend when I was driving a lot. I'm only 24 and fit and healthy so would hope there is nothing 'wrong' with my back and have never had back problems before.

What I have noticed is that the A4 has an offset driving position compared to my previous car, a BMW, and was thinking this may be the cause of my problem. I am going to have to fiddle round with the seating position/lumbar support to see if I can get my position any better and cure it.

If anyone has had this problem how did they cure it!?

Thanks,

dvg

**Guest 2** · 13-08-2012,01:37 PM

I noticed that the pedals are offset compared to my A3 and A6 in the various A4's and A5's I've drove.

**rizo9** · 13-08-2012,10:01 PM

i always find that it takes a few miles to get the seat in the right position

**YawnGumbo** · 13-08-2012,10:13 PM

My back has never been the same since a bad seating position in my Focus, 10 years ago. So when I got my 2012 A4 I started getting the same problems. However I now seem to have found a comfortable position by putting the seat up to it's highest setting, then gradually moving it down one notch at a time until I found a comfortable position. It's not very scientific, but I can now drive for hours without any back pain. I think you soon get used to the offset peddles and after a while don't notice them.

**gregpot2000** · 15-08-2012,01:15 PM

Hi There

I'm 24 as well, and have never had backache lol

I have seen many posts about the strange offset and the pedals not being lined up right, but I can honestly say I have never noticed it! although what I did notice at first was how close the foot rest is to the clutch pedal! I could barely use the clutch at first as my foot kept getting caught! I got used to it after about a week though and don't notice it now.

**dvg** · 15-08-2012,02:14 PM

Originally Posted by gregpot2000

Hi There

I'm 24 as well, and have never had backache lol

I have seen many posts about the strange offset and the pedals not being lined up right, but I can honestly say I have never noticed it! although what I did notice at first was how close the foot rest is to the clutch pedal! I could barely use the clutch at first as my foot kept getting caught! I got used to it after about a week though and don't notice it now.

Funny you say that, I had the same problem for the first few days. Especially when I wore Chelsea boots!

Have fiddled with the seating and it seems better. Have adopted a less sporty seating position and in place a slightly raised one. Will keep adjusting till it's perfect, then the gf will drive the car and I'll be back to square. Damn being too tight to get memory seats!

Thanks,

dvg

**jakerade** · 03-09-2012,11:28 AM

biggest problem i have found is that its messing up my ankle from the offset throttle position. If you look through the middle of the steering wheel (which is offset as well), the clutch pedal is in the middle. Bonkers design.

I think it is also why the outside of the seat is worn more than the inside.

I discovered that the new Bentley Continental is also on the same platform as the A4 (MLB is shared with new A6, A7, A8, Porsche Macan) so I wonder if they have the same issues. I guess if you have a chauffeur its not your problem

**mcmoody** · 03-09-2012,04:34 PM

I'm 24 also and get back ache in my TT. Any Journeys over 10/15 miles or so and I can feel it. I now have the back rest up pretty much as far as it will go. Not very sporty as you say but most comfortable. I'll be picking my A4 later this week so I hope I don't suffer too badly.

**Splatrat** · 05-09-2012,07:36 PM

i have a b8 and the seats over a long journey kill my back

i regularly drive 200+ miles down to devon and really feel it when i get there

maybe i'll have to use a pillow lol

**theblacksurge** · 12-09-2012,11:42 PM

I've had my A4 two years now and have suffered with this right from the start, always get lower back pain and after a long journey I can hardly walk. I've spent hours messing with the seat but never cured the problem. Like others I have never had any back issues.

The reason for the offset position is that the A4 was designed on a left hand drive basis. On the LHD model the transmission tunnel reaches out into the passenger side leaving ample space on the drivers side.
So when they switched everything over to RHD the tunnel got in the way, there wasn't enough room for the pedals except in an offset position. Take a look and you'll see what I mean.
It's a similar story with the lighting switch unit. A LHD version was fitted on RHD cars, had they simply created a mirror version for RHD I would be able to see if the fog lamps are on or off, as it the illumination is obscured by the steering wheel.