I have been dealing with a bulging disk for three weeks now, my happiest time is in my RL with the heated seats. I can't even imagine how those seats could hurt someone.
Lower back pain from seats becoming intolerable
First off, let me start by saying that I'm 33 years old and have never had back problems. I sit on the couch in any awkward position, slouch in my desk chair at work, walk all day, whatever. I've never had any back issues other than the occasional "man, I must have slept funny" when I first wake up. My RTL is the 10th vehicle I've owned. Most recently has been a '13 VW GTI, '11 Nissan Frontier, and an '06 Acura TSX that was my winter "beater" this past winter. I've never had a problem spending hours in any of my previous nine cars. Sure, some were more comfortable than others, but none of them ever caused me discomfort or pain.
My lower back gets sore and stiff after only 20 to 30 minutes in my Ridgeline. After 45 or 50 minutes I start to squirm and find myself trying to stretch. I've done everything I can think of to play with the seat adjustment. I've raised it as high as possible, lowered it all the way down, played with the tilt, reclined until I could barely reach the steering wheel, sat up like a little old lady, and played with the lumbar many times. Thinking it may be the stupidly high left food dead pedal, I've tried pulling my left leg in and keeping my knee bent more. For the past couple of weeks, I try the new settings for an entire commute to work to give it a chance. My commute varies from 35-50min depending on traffic.
I'm 5'9" and ~185 lbs so I'd say I'm pretty average. I usually tend to sit slightly more upright (seat back more vertical) than most people ever since being taught in a racing driving school the importance of being able to reach the top of the steering wheel without locking your elbows. But like I said, I've tried every other position too.
Tomorrow will mark one month since I took delivery. If I can't remedy this soon, I may actually start looking at trading the truck in. My fiance will probably shoot me for doing so, but I can't bear sitting in something this uncomfortable anymore. Especially when I spend upwards of two hours a day commuting and driving for work.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar with their G2 RL or any other vehicle? Any suggestions?
My lower back gets sore and stiff after only 20 to 30 minutes in my Ridgeline. After 45 or 50 minutes I start to squirm and find myself trying to stretch. I've done everything I can think of to play with the seat adjustment. I've raised it as high as possible, lowered it all the way down, played with the tilt, reclined until I could barely reach the steering wheel, sat up like a little old lady, and played with the lumbar many times. Thinking it may be the stupidly high left food dead pedal, I've tried pulling my left leg in and keeping my knee bent more. For the past couple of weeks, I try the new settings for an entire commute to work to give it a chance. My commute varies from 35-50min depending on traffic.
I'm 5'9" and ~185 lbs so I'd say I'm pretty average. I usually tend to sit slightly more upright (seat back more vertical) than most people ever since being taught in a racing driving school the importance of being able to reach the top of the steering wheel without locking your elbows. But like I said, I've tried every other position too.
Tomorrow will mark one month since I took delivery. If I can't remedy this soon, I may actually start looking at trading the truck in. My fiance will probably shoot me for doing so, but I can't bear sitting in something this uncomfortable anymore. Especially when I spend upwards of two hours a day commuting and driving for work.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar with their G2 RL or any other vehicle? Any suggestions?
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A vehicle can not comfortably fit all body types. But I think Honda did a good job for most.
It's difficult to tell without having the vehicle for a couple of days it seems.
For some, it may just be a matter of getting used to a new seating position. For others, it just may not work.
I was uncomfortable the first month or so in my RL. I'm 6ft 190 lbs and in the worst shape of my life. I have literally sat at a desk for the past 5 years, with significant time at my desk at home on weekends. So I'm sure my fitness played a part.
So what changed after a month? Well I realized that I was simply used to my old car. There is no setting that would ensure all my muscles were in the same position. So, I found the best seat position I could, and forced myself to not change it for a couple of weeks. Then, at some time after a couple of weeks, I realized I was comfortable and had forgotten about it.
So, if you have have been fiddling with the seats for some time, I suggest locking them in for a bit to see if your body readjusts.
It's difficult to tell without having the vehicle for a couple of days it seems.
For some, it may just be a matter of getting used to a new seating position. For others, it just may not work.
I was uncomfortable the first month or so in my RL. I'm 6ft 190 lbs and in the worst shape of my life. I have literally sat at a desk for the past 5 years, with significant time at my desk at home on weekends. So I'm sure my fitness played a part.
So what changed after a month? Well I realized that I was simply used to my old car. There is no setting that would ensure all my muscles were in the same position. So, I found the best seat position I could, and forced myself to not change it for a couple of weeks. Then, at some time after a couple of weeks, I realized I was comfortable and had forgotten about it.
So, if you have have been fiddling with the seats for some time, I suggest locking them in for a bit to see if your body readjusts.
Sold my BRZ Limited for the RTL-T. Have to say I'm disappointed with the seats in the Ridgeline. The BRZ's seats were amazing, they wrapped around you, supported you, and held you in a comfortable cradle. With the Ridgeline after a month it's difficult for me to get comfortable, and find myself adjusting position occasionally.
Ill agree. Coming from a Q5, i also find it hard to find a comfortable seating position in the RL even in the BE. On long travels I have adjusted position occasionally, something i never did previously.
Traded my Mercedes ML 350 and the seats in the Ridgeline beat the MB in all ways. Most comfort I've experienced in many vehicles, including luxury ones.
Hard to believe some people think the seats are the best and others the worst. All I know is Toro/Exmark makes the best seat for a large ZTR.
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that there are plenty of different opinions on the seat comfort. I am a pretty big guy at 6'4'' 225 lbs and the RL seats were average at best for me. I do have a history of back issues which stem from playing football when I was younger, so I'll admit finding a perfectly comfortable car seat is a challenge for me. But the comfort in the RL was pretty "meh" and is one of the reasons I didn't end up buying one, even though I love the vehicle overall. On the other hand, I am very comfortable in my wife's 2016 Civic. It has way better support and you really sink right into those seats and it'll hold you in place.
I like my Hustler Super Z HD seat. :smile:Hard to believe some people think the seats are the best and others the worst. All I know is Toro/Exmark makes the best seat for a large ZTR.
Eric, I've had a very similar problem with my back in my new RL. I've had back problems in the past and surgery to fuse my lower spine a couple of years ago. It seems like I can't get enough lumbar support, no matter how I adjust the seat, so I ended up buying a cheap mesh back support from Amazon, which has helped a lot driving around town, but I still get stiff on longer drives. I didn't have this problem with my 07 RL.... Hope this helps!
Mine are just beginning to be uncomfortable. But I have a cysts between L4-L5 pressing on spinal cord. Surgery the thirteenth. We'll see if that fixes the seat comfort issue.
Try the heat and lumbar. I'm 43, have back issues, stuff you can see in a x-ray, been to physical therapy, chiro & massage therapists. Still doing the last two. Drive 40 to 115 minutes each way depending on traffic. I don't have any issues with the seats.
I went to a Honda dealer and sat in a RL for about 20 minutes.
It does not feel as good as my 1G to me.
A lot more forward section of the seat tilting up and to the rear.
It was a T.Is there and difference in seat adjustment comparing the T to E?
It does not feel as good as my 1G to me.
A lot more forward section of the seat tilting up and to the rear.
It was a T.Is there and difference in seat adjustment comparing the T to E?
Did you not drive it for an hour or so prior to buying?First off, let me start by saying that I'm 33 years old and have never had back problems. I sit on the couch in any awkward position, slouch in my desk chair at work, walk all day, whatever. I've never had any back issues other than the occasional "man, I must have slept funny" when I first wake up. My RTL is the 10th vehicle I've owned. Most recently has been a '13 VW GTI, '11 Nissan Frontier, and an '06 Acura TSX that was my winter "beater" this past winter. I've never had a problem spending hours in any of my previous nine cars. Sure, some were more comfortable than others, but none of them ever caused me discomfort or pain.
My lower back gets sore and stiff after only 20 to 30 minutes in my Ridgeline. After 45 or 50 minutes I start to squirm and find myself trying to stretch. I've done everything I can think of to play with the seat adjustment. I've raised it as high as possible, lowered it all the way down, played with the tilt, reclined until I could barely reach the steering wheel, sat up like a little old lady, and played with the lumbar many times. Thinking it may be the stupidly high left food dead pedal, I've tried pulling my left leg in and keeping my knee bent more. For the past couple of weeks, I try the new settings for an entire commute to work to give it a chance. My commute varies from 35-50min depending on traffic.
I'm 5'9" and ~185 lbs so I'd say I'm pretty average. I usually tend to sit slightly more upright (seat back more vertical) than most people ever since being taught in a racing driving school the importance of being able to reach the top of the steering wheel without locking your elbows. But like I said, I've tried every other position too.
Tomorrow will mark one month since I took delivery. If I can't remedy this soon, I may actually start looking at trading the truck in. My fiance will probably shoot me for doing so, but I can't bear sitting in something this uncomfortable anymore. Especially when I spend upwards of two hours a day commuting and driving for work.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar with their G2 RL or any other vehicle? Any suggestions?
Sorry you're having issues. I find the seats *very* comfortable.
I didn't come across many thoughts on material. Leather vs. cloth, or what material is your clothing? I got the leather (first ever vehicle with leather seats) and found them oddly at odds with my back. I wanted the cloth but wanted the extras that weren't available on those trims. I wear khakis pretty much all the time so I'm wondering if this type of leather + khakis material has anything to do with it? I bought some cheap cloth seat covers to see if it would make things work for me. Sure enough, I'm beginning to understand now the awesome ride of the RL. I also dialed back all the way on lumbar support, effectively turning it off. That helped even more. Just looking at the RL's leather seats you'd be crazy to think they're uncomfortable, yet everyone's different.
I test drove a Ridgeline RTL and took it home (about a 20 minute drive each way)...Even during this short test drive I couldn't get comfortable and my lower back started to hurt. The problem with the seat from my perspective is that it won't adjust to completely level out. There always seems to be a bit of a tilt up in the front of the seat. I believe that this is a common design for Hondas. In fact if you watch the consumer reports video for the Honda Pilot they also mention that for a vehicle in that price class there seat should have a better leveling capability (EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS). I have also driven accords occasionally from the motor pool where I work and they have a slight tilt although I don't find it as bad as in the Ridgeline. I really really would like to purchase a new Ridgeline, because it seems like the most suitable vehicle for my needs (except that the seat is so uncomfortable). I've been thinking of waiting until the 2018 model comes out to see if they address the tilt issue based on the Consumer Reports review of the pilot (since they appear to have the same seats)... But, I am probably just wasting my time. So, despite the fact that I think Honda builds a better vehicle overall, I will probably purchase either a Toyota 4Runner or Highlander... I have always found the Toyota seats to be comfortable.... but, I do have to say that the head restraints are a little too far forward for my taste in pretty much all the new vehicles. But let me digress... the Toyota Highlander has another issue that the roof rack rails are a fixed 27.5 inches apart which Yakima says won't allow carrying things like a 10.5 foot Stand Up Paddle board or a canoe that is more than 14 foot...Maybe Toyota will fix that in 2018...preferably going back to the earlier roof rack design from 2013 and earlier.
Just finished a 750 mile round trip in my new RL-E and it was just as comfortable as the wife's Mercedes. My wife even loved the comfort ( she drove half of the trip ).
It really amazes me how different we all are regarding seat position comfort. It all depends on the individual.
Comfort, not only in ride but the seats as well has always been one of my top priorities! I prefer the tilted back, or as others call it, the "rocked back" position. I purposely bought the RTL-E to have the power seats and the two seat memory as my wife and I have completely different seating preferences. She prefers the more up-right settings. In my "rocked back" position, this RL is one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever owned. I'm just as comfortable in the RL as I am in my recliner at home, lol.
It is very important to do a thorough test drive with which ever vehicle you're considering. The individual's driver comfort is not only a preference, it's also a safety issue IMHO.
Comfort, not only in ride but the seats as well has always been one of my top priorities! I prefer the tilted back, or as others call it, the "rocked back" position. I purposely bought the RTL-E to have the power seats and the two seat memory as my wife and I have completely different seating preferences. She prefers the more up-right settings. In my "rocked back" position, this RL is one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever owned. I'm just as comfortable in the RL as I am in my recliner at home, lol.
It is very important to do a thorough test drive with which ever vehicle you're considering. The individual's driver comfort is not only a preference, it's also a safety issue IMHO.
Very true. I have had my truck for about a month now....and I bought it because it was the most comfortable truck I sat in.It really amazes me how different we all are regarding seat position comfort. It all depends on the individual.
Comfort, not only in ride but the seats as well has always been one of my top priorities! I prefer the tilted back, or as others call it, the "rocked back" position. I purposely bought the RTL-E to have the power seats and the two seat memory as my wife and I have completely different seating preferences. She prefers the more up-right settings. In my "rocked back" position, this RL is one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever owned. I'm just as comfortable in the RL as I am in my recliner at home, lol.
It is very important to do a thorough test drive with which ever vehicle you're considering. The individual's driver comfort is not only a preference, it's also a safety issue IMHO.
I drove the Toyota, Chevy, Nissan...all of the "little" trucks, and none of them held a candle to the Honda. It was better then some cars for me.
In the past 10 years I have had 5 back surgeries....5 bits of metal and two cables in and around my spine....comfort is my main thing.
This was/is the best thing I have found for me....I also looked at cars. I want something with a little height to it so I would not have to lean into to sit down. Subaru/Volvo AWD cars are just a little two low....this I just slide out of.
Seats in a car are very different, and different people sit...well different. If it is not comfortable you might be able to put a bandaid on it to make it better, but even the expensive supports tend to wear out after a while (i tried).
You might just need to look at a new vehicle.....and spend some time in it....real time.
I know this subject hasn't had any recent activity, but after owning my RTL-E for just over a week, my back, my hamstrings, and hips tighten up after a 45-minute drive to and from work. It feels like waking up after sleeping on a really bad mattress. The seat itself is comfortable, I'm just unsure of the ergonomics, pedal position etc.
I Googled "Back pain driving Ridgeline" and this was the first result. I just wanted to get some activity going in case others start having similar issues.I've tried adjust the seat every which way, lumbar support, etc. Something isn't right, I'm not sure what it is, but if it doesn't improve I can't keep the truck much longer.
I Googled "Back pain driving Ridgeline" and this was the first result. I just wanted to get some activity going in case others start having similar issues.I've tried adjust the seat every which way, lumbar support, etc. Something isn't right, I'm not sure what it is, but if it doesn't improve I can't keep the truck much longer.
Very comfortable for me. I drove 14 hours straight last week and felt great! Could have kept going
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