How many of you use your headrests?

[anonymous-user]

Yes yes I know they're for safety to secure your neck from a rear shunt before anyone says.

So how often do you use yours as a headrest? I never use mine, just seems uncomfy and unnatural. Looking around whilst driving as well I notice only older people seem to use them all the time. So how about you?

[redtwin]

I use mine, but then I consider myself "older". One of the things I hated about my previous Volvo S60 was the non-adjustable headrests, absolutely did my head in, so to speak.

[kambites]

If it's uncomfortable to rest your head on them, surely they're too far back to provide proper whiplash protection?

[anonymous-user]

kambites said:

If it's uncomfortable to rest your head on them, surely they're too far back to provide proper whiplash protection?

I've often thought that.
My new seats will be those Cobra Classic low back seats with no headrests. They're just as if not more comfier without them.

[Cock Womble 7]

Mine usually sits in the passenger footwell. I only really use it in conjunction with my helmet.

(No sniggering at the back.)

[Papa Hotel]

Never use the damned things, they're just annoying. Too firm to be comfortable, they don't envelop the back of your head like a nice leather sofa does... hmm... not a bad idea.

[monthefish]

kambites said:

If it's uncomfortable to rest your head on them, surely they're too far back to provide proper whiplash protection?

It's amazing how many cars have headrest like this.

[kambites]

monthefish said:

kambites said:

If it's uncomfortable to rest your head on them, surely they're too far back to provide proper whiplash protection?

It's amazing how many cars have headrest like this.

Almost all of them in my experience - I've never found a car with a separate head rest which actually lets you put it in the right place. Fixed back bucket seats tend to be OK, but anything with movable headrests doesn't seem to let you move it to the right place.

[Glosphil]

Car seats do not have headrests - they have head restraints. They are designed to prevent, or at reduce, neck injury in an accident (particulalrly rear impact). The head restraint should be adjusted, if possible, to be close to the back of the head and with the top higher than the driver's ears. If more than one person drives the car then it may be necessary for the head restraint to be re-adjusted following a change of driver.

I see many cars where the head restraint has been pushed down as far as it will go - for many drivers this will fail to give the intended protection from neck injury in a crash.

[m44kts]

In my Range Rover, the top half of the seat back adjusts forward and back as well as the usual adjustment so you can bring the top of the seat and headrest closer to you, so all the time in that.

[monthefish]

kambites said:

monthefish said:

kambites said:

If it's uncomfortable to rest your head on them, surely they're too far back to provide proper whiplash protection?

It's amazing how many cars have headrest like this.

Almost all of them in my experience - I've never found a car with a separate head rest which actually lets you put it in the right place. Fixed back bucket seats tend to be OK, but anything with movable headrests doesn't seem to let you move it to the right place.

You're right.

The Audi A4 is one of the rare, good ones in this respect.

[Papa Hotel]

kambites said:

Almost all of them in my experience - I've never found a car with a separate head rest which actually lets you put it in the right place. Fixed back bucket seats tend to be OK, but anything with movable headrests doesn't seem to let you move it to the right place.

Mk1 Laguna.

[mikel429]

doogz said:

My seats don't have headrests as such.



Those aren't my actual seats, but that's what they look like. But yes, i do rest my head against them, they're great seats, i love them.

This. However, I find the top part to be too far back to be useable as an actual headrest. Great shoulder support though.

[monthefish]

I suspect Volvo might be good at this - anyone got one?

[johnpeat]

I've never EVER seen a car seat which had a headrest anywhere near my head (6'5" - hair out the sunroof usually!!)

[mph1977]

Glosphil said:

I see many cars where the head restraint has been pushed down as far as it will go - for many drivers this will fail to give the intended protection from neck injury in a crash.

and may actually increase the risk of an extremely disabling injury over not having a headrest at all ... C3/4 or C7/T1 because the ill adjusted head restraint acts as a fulcrum from the neck to hyperextend around - where if it wasn't there the fulcrum becomes the seat frame ... or you could put the head restraint at the proper height and not not break your neck ... because there is no fulcrum there to pivot around

anecdotally ( from people who have worked in the relevant speciality) there was in increase in high para / low quads from RTCs between compulsory seatbelt wearing and head restraints being a near universal fitment - pre seat belt law they were often dead / severely head injured ( by ejection from the vehicle) or had a thoracic fracture and limb fractures from bouncing off various parts of the interior ....

[redtwin]

monthefish said:

I suspect Volvo might be good at this - anyone got one?

Redtwin said:

I use mine, but then I consider myself "older". One of the things I hated about my previous Volvo S60 was the non-adjustable headrests, absolutely did my head in, so to speak.

It was the first reply!!.

[Baryonyx]

monthefish said:

I suspect Volvo might be good at this - anyone got one?

I have an S60 and it must be the first car where I've thought that the head restraint was a great piece of kit. It's integrated into the seat rather than just being a tacked on lump of cloth and foam like a lot of cars have. It's also the first car where I've really noticed the part too. I adjust my seat so the back is upright and holds me in place, including the head rest being in the right place. If you watch a lot of drivers they drive in a floating position, leaning forward towards the wheels and pedals, with their seat reclined too far back. Perhaps it doesn't occur to them to put the back in the right place.

[Riley Blue]

Glosphil said:

Car seats do not have headrests - they have head restraints. They are designed to prevent, or at reduce, neck injury in an accident (particulalrly rear impact). The head restraint should be adjusted, if possible, to be close to the back of the head and with the top higher than the driver's ears. If more than one person drives the car then it may be necessary for the head restraint to be re-adjusted following a change of driver.

I see many cars where the head restraint has been pushed down as far as it will go - for many drivers this will fail to give the intended protection from neck injury in a crash.

Well said! Most drivers (including some who have posted in this thread) appear to be unaware of this.

[DJC]

monthefish said:

I suspect Volvo might be good at this - anyone got one?

My S60's seats were extremely comfortable, but the head restraints were nothing to write home about