Hello! Has anyone experienced leg pain when driving (model y 2021)? After a few months it started, and I can't find a seat adjustment that helps. I also slide around quite a lot in the front seat. I drove a model s (older, not sure what year) and the seat was like a hug. It was SO comfortable. I love my model y, but this is concerning given I'm 32, active but do drive a TON for work. Even if I walk around or stretch, within a few minutes the pain is back specifically on my left leg.
*new to this forum so I apologize if this has been discussed ad nauseum!
I've been modifying Tesla seats for myself and other for a year now.
Leg pain is often sciatica or related. For most of us it's a nerve being pinched in the back.
This may or may not apply to you. It applies to many of us.
The Tesla Model 3/Y seats are terrible for anyone of any size.
Meaning that smaller or "normal" sized folks seem to be fine with the seat.
If you have larger hip bone, these seats are no good and even harmful to us.
I modified the seat bottom which resolved problems there but back related sciatica pains in legs were experienced.
So I also modified the upper seat back.
I removed the Tesla Lumbar support.
I installed a foam block horizontally but much higher than the stock lumbar support.
I also installed a foam block vertically but slightly less thick. That block runs from the horizontal block to the top, centered. Additionally, I bent the headrest backwards.
The seat is much better now.
It has a good chance of eliminating back, disc, leg related pains from poor posture.
We need to sit in a proper position. But for many of us the Tesla seat won't let us!
- The headrest pushes our head and neck forward, this promotes a curvature of the spine and a slouch position, this puts pressure on the lower discs of the back.
- The lumbar is too low for many and that scoots the hips forward, creating a gap where the back can curve in the wrong way, slouching again.
- The seat bottom provides almost zero suspension. That causes jarring to the spine and discs. With the disc curved in a very bad position and the jarring, you can get disc bulging into the spinal nerves. Leg pain can result.
- The seat back is concave to a larger boned person and promotes dangerous slouching or curvature of the spine.
- The way the seat back is built prevents us from resting our back and spine on the seat back upper. This puts the entirely of our upper body weight into compression on our lower back discs.
Additional things to try are a higher seating position with leg weight on the floor and the front of the thighs.
Seat back more vertical.
Shoulders "back", so a closer seating position.
I wish you resolve this.
If you need more information I can be found I also have a YouTube channel under my full name.
Sincerely,
George