Wondering whether anyone else finds the headrest on cars to be very uncomfortable?
Its like the seat is all fine and your body is positioned normally, but the headrest pushes your head forward. So its like you're sitting at a desk with the neck pushed forward looking at the computer screen and it feels unnatural. Is it normal to feel like this - should your head be resting on the headrest or should the seat be reclined even further so that there is a gap?
I'm aware that its a safety thing, but surely it should still be comfortable.
They are not intended for that purpose. Purely safety reasons.
does that mean that everyone finds them a little irritating? I thought there was something off with my seating position or something else that made them uncomfortable?
@jsrz18: I think it's the design. My mum drives a Kia which pushes the head forward slightly and I find annoying, I have an old Forester that I don't even notice it on. Could just be a getting used to it thing too?
Some headrest can be rotated to be more forward. Is yours adjustable?
Please don't just simply turn the headrest around. As above, it's in its position for a reason, to prevent whiplash. Some can be brought forward or back, but don't just pull it out and turn it round
It’s possible he meant tilt rather than rotate. Some cars allow you to tilt the headrest forwards somewhat.
I know, but just had to make that point ;)
@spackbace: Thought you would.
Places like this you have to point out the obvious a lot more than you should
Not suggesting that OP put it the wrong way. Just that I’ve been in some cars where the headrest is adjustable just like adjusting the headrest height.
nope not adjustable. Would be handy if it could go back a few cm
After watching dash cam videos on youtube I've never felt comfortable in a car.
I think the forward protrusion is meant to sit at the neck.
I'm always super comfy in a car seat. I even have an authentic car seat lounge set in the man cave.
I think the forward protrusion is meant to sit at the neck.
That would be real bad if you got hit from behind. Your head would snap back while the protrusion would stick into the back of your neck causing your neck to bend backwards and probably cause your upper spine to elongate. 😱 I can only imagine that it would be a very ugly-sounding crack!
Hmm, sounds like an extreme massage.
Doesn't sound like it'll come with a happy ending.
Can we please have an MS Paint picture to depict that? I have a Macbook Pro but it doesn't come with MS Paint so I can't draw it myself.
If I remember correctly, your head isn't meant to touch the headrest if you're seated properly. Like tomleonhart mentioned earlier, it's there to prevent whiplash.
I think OPs point is more to do with, can it be both comfortable and prevent whiplash.
Though I am interested to know if OP feels the same in all seats in the car (front and back) and if its the same with all cars?
For me, my parents new car is super uncomfortable, but there's definitely cars that are so much better so I do think there's a difference here. Also I find the back seat more comfortable for the head rest portion then the front. I wonder if its because the back seat I sit more forward, while the front seat is adjustable so I rest backwards more (leaned back more).
The only time I use the car headrest is when I fall asleep at the wheel.
I'm imagining you with your legs on the headrest and your head resting on the wheel. I'd draw an ms paint thingo but I am afraid I don't have the skill and/or it may end up pornographic.
I do, but that's because I'm short/small so the bend/tilt downwards hits the top of my head. It's super annoying and uncomfortable
When I had a CX9 it was so hard to get used to the headrest because it wouldn't let me put my shoulders against the backrest properly. So with my back against the seat properly my head was pointing my eyes to my feet instead of the road. I tended to lean on the centre armrest and forward a bit which lead to back strain and neck soreness.
Now have a Liberty which is much better.
Totally agree with our Mazda CX-5. Only car I have ever had an issue with.
mine is depend of what i do with my hair,, if i had it tied up i just pull up the headrest where there a gap for my tied up hair instead of me keep moving my head forward everytime i tilt my head back..
Headrests usually have a few positions. Try pulling the top of the headrest towards the front - it should click a few times into various positions then be released to the furthest back position. You might have it set too far forwards.
It sounds rather odd your head is touching where exceptionally intelligent and talented individuals would have considered all possibilities in designing the seating of your vehicle. If all fails, and where possible, simple take the head rest off (out).
I drive a camry and had this issue too. Got these bad boys for 30 bucks a piece back then and my neck thank me till date.
It depends on the car. My Skoda goes up/down and forward/aft. It's great.
change headrest or get a new chair with more comfortable headrest.
I suggest they just go ahead and change the entire car.
This problem was the main reason I did not buy a Subaru Impreza RS, but went for an RX instead, all those decades ago. The headrest on the RS was not adjustable and due to my lower back problems at the time I needed to sit reasonably upright. That resulted in the headrest pushing my head too far forward. That's a problem with many "sports" seats, the headrest is fixed and if your ergonomics are outside of about 75-85% of the general population you'll have some sort of an issue.
Abso-friggin-loutely!
I’ve had to test drive many cars because of this problem. I’ve tried fiddling extensively with the settings…
I’m all for sitting with great posture (upright, not reclined) and protecting my neck from whiplash in the event of a rear collision. But having your head pushed forwards is horribly uncomfortable and annoying.
I’m with you on this one, OP.
The car headrest first job is to stop you from getting a whiplash, then to make you're comfortable. I suspect cheaper manufacture just stop at the first usage.