Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Car booster seats for adults

(29 Posts)
ExDancer Wed 10-Sept-25 11:02:05

I am looking for something to give me height when driving.
I am only 5feet tall and have great difficulty finding a cushion to raise me up to a safe height for driving, which won;t also lift me so my legs are too short to reach the pedals.
I have one that I've made which is ok but although I've sewn elastic tape to hold it to the seat back, if I had a bump it wouldn't be secure.
Any recommendations? The helpful young men at Halfords don't seem able to help (or really understand the problem).

Allira Wed 10-Sept-25 11:07:13

I'll watch this thread, Ex-Dancer.

Having shrunk, I now feel as if the seatbelt is cutting across my neck and would because more problematic than save me if we had to brake suddenly!

Allira Wed 10-Sept-25 11:07:47

because become

Sago Wed 10-Sept-25 11:10:10

Here’s a few.

www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiNrMLr-c2PAxXtnFAGHUlsIzIYACICCAEQNRoCZGc&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjazC6_nNjwMV7ZxQBh1JbCMyEAAYAiAAEgJv1PD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_3dymm_Bww3eTSD4ZOvSPjkdBOFuQ&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwj9jL3r-c2PAxW5XUEAHQ0gCLMQ0Qx6BAgREAE

Allira Wed 10-Sept-25 11:26:11

Thank you Sago

ExDancer Wed 10-Sept-25 11:42:01

I have looked at those and tried one in our local Halford;;'s store.
It was supposed to boost me 7 inches, and although it was indeed 7" high, when I sat on it it boosted me 2inches!
I weigh 7stone 2lbs, I don't know my height, but under 5ft as I have shrunk.

Allira Wed 10-Sept-25 11:44:12

Does your car seat itself move up?
The ones in DH's car do but not mine.

M0nica Wed 10-Sept-25 15:00:11

I have a problem with DHs car. I find what I need is wedge shaped cushion where seat and back meet. I usually fold a car rug up to provide the support.

alita Thu 11-Sept-25 13:49:56

I bought this in May, its been great, hasn't squashed down at all.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CKCHQHC?th=1&ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&tag=gransnetforum-21

Allira Thu 11-Sept-25 14:15:55

Thanks alita

Actually, I wondering if this could be causing my sciatica.

alita Thu 11-Sept-25 14:23:38

Allira

Thanks alita

Actually, I wondering if this could be causing my sciatica.

stretching up to see could certainly cause back pain.

Allira Thu 11-Sept-25 14:27:17

I can see ok but think I might be more comfortable a couple of inches higher, having lost a couple of inches, apparently! ☹

Frannniblondi Thu 11-Sept-25 15:04:44

I got one from amazon £20. Its great.

missdeke Thu 11-Sept-25 15:07:31

I find it difficult to see over the bonnet and I use one of this type of thing www.amazon.co.uk/Cushion-Breathable-Non-Slip-Sciatica-Tailbone/dp/B08ZS8QSG6/ref=asc_df_B08ZS8QSG6?hvlocphy=9045041&gad_source=1&linkCode=df0&hvptwo=&mcid=f91e644de46e3c7981a397c6ede92078&hvnetw=g&hvadid=696285193871&hvpone=&hvlocint=&th=1&hvpos=&hvdev=c&hvocijid=6223801713238437739-B08ZS8QSG6-&hvdvcmdl=&hvexpln=74&hvqmt=&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-2281435177578&hvrand=6223801713238437739. It's called a honeycomb cushion. Very comfortable and I can heartily recommend.

FranP Thu 11-Sept-25 15:13:39

Allira

I'll watch this thread, Ex-Dancer.

Having shrunk, I now feel as if the seatbelt is cutting across my neck and would because more problematic than save me if we had to brake suddenly!

You can buy seatbelt guards. They have poppers to fit around the strap I have one for DGS who is a short 12 year old.

Lahlah65 Thu 11-Sept-25 15:13:58

I often think about this when I see women drivers - especially all the mums in their huge SUVs picking up the kids from the local private school. Sometimes you can hardly see them from the front of the car, and I can’t help wondering how well they can see.
It is worth checking all the adjustments to your car seat. Even my mum’s basic little Suzuki has a lever for raising the seat.
It’s another problem for women living in our world designed by men isn’t it?

FranP Thu 11-Sept-25 15:16:57

Just be sure you have some way of making it secure to your seat. (Child seats are ISOfix now, but I am not at all sure that driver seats would have the fitting

Allira Thu 11-Sept-25 15:20:16

FranP

Allira

I'll watch this thread, Ex-Dancer.

Having shrunk, I now feel as if the seatbelt is cutting across my neck and would because more problematic than save me if we had to brake suddenly!

You can buy seatbelt guards. They have poppers to fit around the strap I have one for DGS who is a short 12 year old.

I'll ask about that next week, FranP, thank you, the car is going in for a service.

Our old car had two positions for the seatbelt attachment but this one doesn't.

ExDancer Thu 11-Sept-25 16:45:51

I have a seat belt adjuster that keeps the belt across my body rather than round my neck, I feel standard seatbelts would throttle smaller drivers in an accident.
I also have a piece of firm foam which I use to boost me up but its nor fixed to the back of the seat and, again, I think would be a hazard if I should be in a collision.
The seat in my car does pump up - but not high enough.
I will look into the ones you have recommended, thank you, at least I have somewhere to sta rt.

barbaraellen Thu 11-Sept-25 16:52:41

My Kia picante seat will move forward and adjust in height. I am sure many other cars have this facility. I have the same problem with height but no problem with adjusted seat.

Milest0ne Thu 11-Sept-25 19:00:04

We had to a lot of research to find a car I could drive comfortably as I now have to all the driving
In our previous car I felt that in the case of an accident I would either choke or smash my knees on the steering column. In our new car, an automatic I use a long plastic bag closer clip over the two parts of the belt over my hip. I have looked at the clips available on Amazon, less than £5.

Warbler Thu 11-Sept-25 19:06:01

Oh yes, I quite identify with this. It then makes the seat belt uncomfortable and it either digs in your neck or rubs you somewhere you wish it wouldn't and you are constantly tugging at it. I've never got in a car yet that I felt wasn't designed by a man. Pockets are always too small....nowhere to put your handbag. Ever.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 11-Sept-25 19:06:49

Any booster type seat has to be fully secured to the drivers seat otherwise it is illegal and dangerous.

Warbler Thu 11-Sept-25 19:07:43

Don't forget to check your seat, it can rise and it can go back, but another thing you can alter is the position of the steering wheel and you can move the seat belts up and down, although they never go far enough.

Jaxjacky Thu 11-Sept-25 19:17:06

GrannyGravy13

Any booster type seat has to be fully secured to the drivers seat otherwise it is illegal and dangerous.

My thoughts too GG13