Long drives, or even a short daily commute, can leave your shoulders, neck and wrists feeling tight. Often this comes down to how your seat and hands are set up rather than the driving itself. A few simple adjustments can make the whole experience more comfortable and take some of the load off your joints.

How far should you sit from the steering wheel?

Research on driving ergonomics suggests that seat position makes a real difference to how hard your shoulder muscles have to work. Sitting too far back, so you are reaching for the wheel, keeps the muscles around your shoulder under constant tension. Bringing the seat forward so the wheel is within easy reach lets those muscles settle.

A good guide is to sit close enough that your shoulders stay relaxed against the seat and your elbows keep a comfortable bend when your hands are on the wheel. If you find yourself stretching or your shoulders creeping up towards your ears, you could try moving a little closer.

How should you hold the steering wheel?

Where you rest your hands matters too. Studies point to a lower hand position, around 9 and 3 o'clock, as a comfortable option for everyday driving. It keeps your wrists in a more natural line with your forearms, rather than bent, which many people find reduces tension on longer journeys.

This position also tends to feel more stable and takes less effort to hold, so your arms are less likely to tire. If it feels unfamiliar at first, you could try it on a quieter stretch of road until it settles into habit.

A quick recap

• Sit close enough that the wheel is within easy reach and your elbows stay comfortably bent.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed rather than lifted or stretched.
• Rest your hands around the 9 and 3 o'clock positions.
• Ease into any changes gradually so they start to feel natural.

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