Most modern cars have stiff and awkward plastic wheels at the base of the seat-back to adjust the recline angle. Release levers are far easier to operate, especially for the weak or elderly, but have fallen out-of favour.

How can I ease the resistance on a typical adjusting wheel? To complicate matters the mechanism is awkward to access and the upholstery easily soiled by lubricant. No advice on the web about this.

Screwing on an external fulcrum, such as a Meccano strip with a knob at one end is a possible, though ungainly, option to gain more purchase.