Power seat

The power seat adjustments in a Lincoln Town Car. Here the seat controls are located on the door panels, next to the memory seat controls. Above the seat settings are the memory control settings which also set the mirrors and pedals.

A power seat in an automobile is a front seat which can be adjusted by using a switch or joystick and a set of small electric motors. Most cars with this feature have controls for the driver's seat only, though almost all luxury cars also have power controls for the front passenger seat.

In addition to fore and aft adjustments, power seats can be raised or lowered and tilted to suit the comfort of the driver and/or passenger. Many power seats allow occupants to adjust the seat lumbar or seatback recline, all at the push of a button or flick of a switch.

Some cars also have memory adjustments, which can recall (usually) two different adjustments of the seat by pressing a button, along with settings and adjustment for such conveniences as rearview mirrors and the car's stereo system.

Cars which do not have this feature have a lever or bar to provide fore and aft adjustments.

Power seats began appearing in automobiles in the late 1940s. Most early seats were fore-aft only, which saved little work. A six-way power seat appeared in the late 1950s. Most power seats in newer cars are either six- or eight-way.

See also

• power door locks
• power windows
• power mirrors

External links

• Active comfort seat.