GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have both front seats pushed to the very end but the passenger side goes a little further than the driver's side.Is that the way they are ? thanks

I assume you mean pushed back all the way...and honestly, I have no clue. Make sure they both have their backs reclined identically. If the passenger seat is more reclined, it will appear to be sitting farther back.

quote:I have both front seats pushed to the very end but the passenger side goes a little further than the driver's side.Is that the way they are ? thanks If you are talking about your driving position, most people between ~ 5' 4" and 6' 4" sit too far from the wheel and leaned back too much for proper control. The first thing any high performance driving school does is get you sitting right. You should be able to push the clutch to the floor (or in an automatic, place your foot on the floor under the brake) and still have some bend in your knee. This gives you more force and control on the brake. Also, you should be upright enough that with your hands at the "ten and two" positions (nine and three without airbags) your elbows are bent close to ninety degrees. This gives you the best leverage and precision with the steering. If you're used to the "wayback" setting, it may seem a little cramped at first, but once you've tried it for a few days you'll feel out of control in the old position!Tune in to next week's exciting episode to learn how to eliminate the blind spots in you mirrors.

What does one of these advanced driving schools cost?Where can I locate one?

Some are as low as ~$300 for one day (often ones sponsored/subsidized by say, BMW or some other manufacturer.) The very best can run 3 days and a couple of thousand $, which may sound like a lot, but I can tell you it will do you a lot more good in the next forty years or so than sinking the money into a killer stereo! There is a section in either Car & Driver or Road & Track which lists a dozen or more schools around the country, plus ads at the back of the magazines. If there's a race track anywhere near you, chances are there is some kind of school there. Can also try the yellow pages or a local sports car club.Tip: If you're young enough, ask the parents to spring for it as a present. They'll be so impressed with your mature approach to improving your road skills and safety that they won't hiccup over the cost. (and you can save your own $ for that killer stereo...)

Does your driver's seat lowered at its lowest position?Because, I found that a few time ago: When the driver's seat is raised by the knob control, the seat move forward at the same time. Please check that on your Vibe and give me some news.

quote:Also, you should be upright enough that with your hands at the "ten and two" positions (nine and three without airbags) your elbows are bent close to ninety degrees. I have always heard the opposite...10 and 2 without airbags and 9 and 3 with them. I think your more likely to break your arms if they are at 10 and 3 when the aribag deploys.

I've always been told 10 and 2...never been told anything different about airbags...but I certainly would believe it if someone told me there is a difference...

Update:Both seats are @ its highest position, degrees of incline are the same.I figured my passenge side seat goes back ONE POSITION further, when I take the seat up by one notch, the two seats are in identical places.(highest postion + same incline )

I'm just curious...and please don't think I'm attacking you...I mean this as benignly as possible...but is this really that big a deal?

quote:I have always heard the opposite...10 and 2 without airbags and 9 and 3 with them. I think your more likely to break your arms if they are at 10 and 3 when the aribag deploys. I guess it depends on where the spokes are and maybe if it is one of th new smaller bags.

quote:To be honest, if it was your car, you would think so.. I am not attacking you either... Just to be honest.. Something like that I'd either (A) never notice, or (B) not really care about. I'm (removed) abotu my cars...but that's not something that would bug me.

quote:When the driver's seat is raised by the knob control, the seat move forward at the same time.Not totally correct. The knob on the side doesn't raise the whole seat, it raises the back part of the seat. In reality, tilting the rear part of the seat with the front part of the seat being the pivot point. This will cause the back of the seat to appear to be moving forward and changing the recline angle:

Attached files

Yes, Nova, your precision is right.BTW, very nice animated gif to show it.

It's all cool dude.Matter of fact, I kind of like this "set-up", I was just curious as to whether or not everyone's Vibe's like that As for driving positions... I read it somewhere that we are supposed to seat as far back as possible from the air bag, for safety reasons.So that's the reason that I seat to the very back, in my old car ( Dodge Spirit ) I was sitting even further back.

quote: ...As for driving positions... I read it somewhere that we are supposed to seat as far back as possible from the air bag, for safety reasons.So that's the reason that I seat to the very back, in my old car ( Dodge Spirit ) I was sitting even further back. It's better to drive safely than to crash safely! Seriously though, the "away from the wheel" advice is aimed mainly at those of short stature who, in order to reach the pedals, find themselves practically leaning on the wheel. (This is one of the reasons for the growing availability of adjustable pedals.) Generally, it is recommended to be at least 12" from the wheel. For anyone over say 5'-4", it should not be an issue.

Just to give you a hint of how much a racing school costs.Skip barber racing school (which is nation wide @ just about every major race track) charges: One day driving school = 695 - $795 (U get to drive a Viper) Intro to Racing 3 day school = $595-$695 Intermediate 3 day racing school = $2995 - $3495 Advanced 2 day racing School = $1925 More info here : http://www.skipbarber.com/racingschool/ ... sel=#intro

In other words, nothing I can afford.

They do have some group and corporate rates. Check out the site.

quote:I have always heard the opposite...10 and 2 without airbags and 9 and 3 with them. I think your more likely to break your arms if they are at 10 and 3 when the aribag deploys. I agree. I was taught that, with air bags and the 10 & 2 position, you are quite likely to get a broken nose as the deploying airbag sends your hands up into your face. Broken noses are less likely to happen at 9 & 3.I also sit very far back from the wheel. I learned to drive in my dad's 1978 Ford F-250 SuperCab, long box. The seat adjustment was broken, and was permanently set at the 2nd farthest setting. So, I'm used to it, and don't intend to change. I'm only 5' 5", but my 6' 1" fiance only moves the mirrors & adjusts the 1" of tilt on the steering wheel when he drives the Vibe.If my Vibe were a standard, I'd sit closer, because I have trouble reaching all 3 pedals with the seat that far back.

if i may offer a .02...i just totaled my old car in an accident last month (little granny never saw her red light...) and my airbags deployed.i used to drive at 10/2... and was informed by the medics that with airbags it should be 9/3 (look for the 'hand grabbers' on your steering wheel, that is where your hands should be . This is in part to prevent broken arms/hands and as i found out, to prevent burns to your hands when the bag deflates (i drove at 10/2 when i collided and got second degree burns to four fingers of my right hand. it turns out that the airbag exhaust holes were at 10/2...)after a month, my cuts and bruises are mostly healed (except for my right knee, which is taking a little longer).folks, don't let anyone talk you out of the airbag and do wear your belt properly adjusted.on the plus side, this forced me to buy a new car and i'm delighted with my new vibe!safe driving to all sylvain

When I totalled my sunfire, I was somehwere between 10/2 and 9/3, and when the airbag went off, I did have burns on my wrists, but that was it.