8 Ways to Increase Your Driving Comfort

A study by Harvard Health Watch estimated that most Americans spend more than 1-1/2 hours a day commuting in their cars, so why not give yourself more comfort for your health, leisure and safety?

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FAMILY HANDYMAN

Make Sure Your Air Filters Are Clean

Your car’s air filters keep debris like dust, pollen, smog and other contaminants from getting into your car. If your cabin air filter is beginning to go bad, you’ll notice unpleasant odors coming from the vents, excess noise coming from the fan and reduced airflow. Before you choose to replace it, simply try cleaning it! You’ll want to do this a few times before replacing. You can use a damp cloth.

Check out these top 10 cleaning tips for the inside of your car, which will undoubtedly make for more comfort while driving.

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LiliGraphie/Shutterstock

Diffuse Essential Oil Fragrance Into the Air

Essential oils not only make for a sweeter, cleaner smelling interior, but diffusing them can help improve physical alertness and promote mental clarity. The easiest way to diffuse essential oils in the car for comfort is to place a tissue with a couple drops of essential oil on the dashboard. You can also clip a piece of cork containing drops of the oil to the air vent. If you don’t want to DIY, buy a diffuser that plugs into the lighter outlet. This car diffuser from Amazon is an excellent option.

Car care is important for car comfort. Here are 9 DIY car care tips.

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Add Lumbar Support

Not all cars come with the best lumbar support, resulting in restlessness while driving, and a sore back later on. For a quick fix, add a lumbar support cushion to your seat. This option from Everlasting Comfort is a memory foam back pillow that relieves and alleviates both acute and chronic pain from: back aches, muscle aches, arthritis, stenosis, herniated disks and general sore backs.

While you’re searching the web for car products, check out these best car wash kits.

Photo: Courtesy of Everlasting Comfort

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Seat Belt Cover

You know wearing a seat belt is essential for your safety, and not wearing one is illegal in most states, but that doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable. If your seat belt is chafing against your collarbone, or creating another type of discomfort, be it from the pressure or the fabric, you can slip a soft cover over the belt.

Knowing how to drive safely is important too. Here are the 10 best practices for winter driving.

Photo: Courtesy of SUBANG

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Seat Cushion

Whether you have an old car with worn out seats that are no longer supportive, or you just need extra support for those long drives, you should consider finding a lightweight cushion to add more comfort to your ride. This seat cushion from Big Ant even features a small pocket you can easily and quickly access things from, like your cell phone and wallet—but of course don’t do that while you’re driving.

If your car needs a fresh face, check out these 36 DIY car detailing tips.

Photo: Courtesy of Big Ant

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Windshield Sun Shade

Whether it’s summer or you live in a year-round warm climate, getting into a scorching hot car is unbearable. Keep the sun from heating things up by investing in this double-bubble silver-coated windshield sun shade.

Photo: Courtesy of Big Hippo

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Memory Foam Steering Wheel Cover

For an added bonus of comfort, purchase a cushioned steering wheel cover. By promoting a more comfortable grip, you’ll save yourself unwanted pain in your hands and arms. This product is made of PVC leather that CAR PASS says is heat, cold and wear resistant.

Adding small upgrades to your car can be fun, but just make sure you don’t have other problems first! Here are 10 car problems you can easily fix yourself.

Photo: Courtesy of CAR PASS

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LU JINRONG/Shutterstock

Adjust Your Seat

One of the most important parts of driving safely is ensuring your seat position is both comfortable and accurate. Be sure you have your leg position correct by checking that your legs don’t feel cramped up, your knees are slightly bent, your feet are comfortably on the pedals (without you having to reach) and your thighs are relaxed. You may also want to tilt your seat so that your entire thigh is supported evenly and the backs of your knees aren’t rubbing up with the seat. Be sure your seat is at a 100- to 110-degree angle between your hips and back, with your shoulders behind your hips and not in line or above them. Finally, adjust your seat height so that your chin is in alignment with the top of your steering wheel and your hips are as high as your knees.

Keep your car safe and sound with these 100 car maintenance tasks you can do on your own.

Alexa Erickson
Alexa Erickson is an experienced lifestyle writer who has contributed to Family Handyman, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart, Bob Vila and Thrillist. She’s written more than 50 articles for Family Handyman on a range of topics, including home design, DIY home improvement projects, and storage and organization. Additionally, she runs her own website, Living by Lex, where she writes about home decor, travel, tech and more.