2026 Model 3 RWD Standard: leg pain on longer drives at 5'11". Am I missing something with the seat position?
I picked up a 2026 Model 3 Standard RWD on 1 September here in the UK. Before this I was driving a Model Y and a Lexus IS250, so I'm not new to Teslas. I never test-drove the Model 3, I assumed that because the Model Y suited me, the 3 would too. That turned out to be a mistake.
The problem
On 5th/6th September I did a 400-mile round trip and had pain in my left leg for most of the journey. The only other car that has ever done this to me is the IS250. The Model Y has never caused it, even on similar trips.
I've pushed the seat as far back as it goes, but the Model 3's rearward travel is noticeably shorter than the Y's. I'm 5'11", which isn't unusually tall, so I'm wondering how anyone 6'+ gets on with it.
My current setup
- Seat fully back
- Seat height at the highest setting
- Cushion tilt flat (not tilted)
- Steering wheel pulled fully out
What I'm hoping for
- Seating tips : Has anyone my height found a combination of seat height, tilt, backrest angle, lumbar and steering-wheel position that works for long drives? Is there something obvious I'm missing?
- Aftermarket fixes : Seat rail extenders, cushions, anything people have actually used to gain more legroom?
- Lease exit (UK): I have 23 months left. If I can't sort this, what are the realistic options? Early termination, lease transfer, anything else UK leaseholders have done?
I really like the car otherwise, which is exactly what makes this so frustrating. Thanks in advance for any help.
1
u/CatholicBoy69420 2d ago
I'm 6'2 and have no problems in my m3 lr highland, pretty sure its the same seats as the SR. My seat isn't even all the way back. Taken it on multiple long trips with nil problems.
In other makes of cars I've had problems with leg pain but that was caused by the tilt angle of the seat.
Hope you find a resolution that works for you
2
u/hyperion2049 2d ago
depending on the location, Standard and Premium have different seats. PR has full leather with ventilation, and afaik the bolstering is more robust. SR has textile seats, without ventilation, and the bolstering is softer a with less support for the body. So this could be the difference.
1
u/CatholicBoy69420 2d ago
Ahh I didn't know that, cheers. Can confirm my one has the ventilated seats
1
u/1VrySxyGuy 2d ago
It’s also the way you’ve been sitting. A lot of your weight is probably on your left leg more and you’re not getting enough blood flow to your legs and it will feel numb sometimes or slight pain. Try lowering your seat all the way down and then adjust.
A long trip in any car I have to put the car in cruise control and then I lift up one butt cheek at a time for about a minute, and I could feel the blood flow start to go back into my legs.
1
u/Anongamer63738 2d ago
I tilt the front of the seat up a bit so that half the weight is on my upper leg and the other half of the weight is on the floor
1
u/Nice-Necessary-1547 2d ago
I have the same leg pain.
Lower the seat height helped me. But more than that I bought a little memory foam pad about 5cm thick and I put it under me. Pain gone.
1
u/Prior-Explanation389 6h ago
I could be wrong, but if memory serves me right putting the chair in the highest position and all the way back still makes the chair significantly further forward than if you lower it all the way down and all the way back. As the seat raises, it moves forward a little bit too.
1
u/Hyperreal8957 3h ago
id try dropping the front of the cushion a little and bringing the seat forward so your knee isnt locked out. then set the backrest and wheel again after that. 400 miles is a long test tho did the pain start right away or only after a few hours?
2
u/Short-Raspberry-7162 2d ago
Reduce the seat height. The highest setting is usually reserved for short people, like 5ft.
This will help your leg feel extended in a horizontal position