Driver head rest -can it be adjusted?

[Laurence1982]

Hi all. I've found the headrest is making me push my head forward to the point I notice and get uncomfortable. Can it be rotated/changed easily? Never had this issue in a previous car.

 

[wenkatn]

Hi all. I've found the headrest is making me push my head forward to the point I notice and get uncomfortable. Can it be rotated/changed easily? Never had this issue in a previous car.

I felt exactly the same way. Kinda pushing my head forwards a bit which is slightly uncomfortable. The more i focus on that the more uncomfortable it becomes. Now I’m trying not to pay attention to that and slowly getting used to it. I’ve pushed the seat at an angle backwards to get headrest at an angle that is bearable. I don’t think you can tilt the headrest.

 

[Chequers]

I had a test drive in a Kia Picanto with a view to buying it for my wife, the headrest pushed my head so far forward that I could not look at the road ahead properly.
Why do they do this, probably more safety nonsense for the Ncap tests

 

[Kithmo]

The only scenario I can visualise where the headrest is touching the back of my head is if I had the seat back leaning too far forward, vertical or leaning forward.
Mine is leaning back probably 15-20 degrees and the headrest is not touching my head.
TBH, I don't know why it's called a "headrest" as that's not its purpose, it's there to prevent your head bouncing too far back and giving you whiplash after a collision.

 

[Laurence1982]

There's definitely no way to adjust. But no matter how I have the seat, it pushes my head, or I have to lean forward (off the seat) to straight up. Easy solution found - a cushion in my middle/upper back!

 

[siteguru]

Can't say I've experienced this issue - perhaps we have different driving positions. (I tend to like the seat back quite upright, but even so I don't feel the head rest unless I push my head back).

Is yours a Phase 2 SE SR? (I don't know if they made any changes to the seats/head rests in Phase 2 - other than the obvious additional 3rd head rest in the rear). Mine is a Phase 1 car.

 

[Eponemuss]

I've had exactly the same problem in my new HS PHEV as discussed here. It's driving me mad. I'm 6ft tall and I tend to like the seat quite upright. On my X3, the headrest supported the back of my neck whereas this one impacts more on the back/top of my head. Most uncomfortable.

 

[Susanna]

A headrest should support the back of your head not your neck. In the event of a crash, the headrest then prevents your neck from overextending. It’s not necessarily designed for comfort, just safety.

 

[Eponemuss]

A headrest should support the back of your head not your neck. In the event of a crash, the headrest then prevents your neck from overextending. It’s not necessarily designed for comfort, just safety.

Surely comfort and safety are not mutually exclusive? There are plenty of vehicles out there that support both the head and neck/upper back thus preventing driver fatigue and worse ailments. The attached document informs.

 

[Susanna]

@Eponemuss

In all the photos, the correct position for the head rest shows it touching the back of the head. Which is what I said.

 

[Eponemuss]

@Eponemuss

In all the photos, the correct position for the head rest shows it touching the back of the head. Which is what I said.

They also show the back and shoulders touching the chair, which ain't happening in my case.

 

[Eponemuss]

There's definitely no way to adjust. But no matter how I have the seat, it pushes my head, or I have to lean forward (off the seat) to straight up. Easy solution found - a cushion in my middle/upper back!

Was this a standard, sofa style cushion, or was it a special purchase or proprietary item?

 

[Susanna]

They also show the back and shoulders touching the chair, which ain't happening in my case.

Can you not adjust the rake on your driver’s seat?

 

[Eponemuss]

Can you not adjust the rake on your driver’s seat?

As mentioned above, I normally like to adopt a more upright driving position. I find this even more desirable in the HS, given the restricted visibility due to the larger than average a-pillars and rear view mirrors. That said, I'm beginning to think your suggestion is the only one left open to me. That, or a cushion, as suggested by Laurence1982, above.

 

[Susanna]

@Eponemuss

Incidentally, I just looked at the neck pillow after clicking on ‘here’ on your post #7. Do you have one of those? I don’t do many long journeys, but the pillow looks as though it would make for extra comfort when driving for an extended time. I would appreciate your review of it, if you have used one.

Thanks.

 

[Eponemuss]

@Eponemuss

Incidentally, I just looked at the neck pillow after clicking on ‘here’ on your post #7. Do you have one of those? I don’t do many long journeys, but the pillow looks as though it would make for extra comfort when driving for an extended time. I would appreciate your review of it, if you have used one.

Thanks.

Sorry, that 'here' should have taken you to the thread here. That would have explained that I had tried one cushion which didn't really help, and I'd ordered a replacement...the one you viewed in the errant link. I hope to receive it tomorrow and I'll review it here when I've tried it out.

 

[Tuareg]

They are head 'restraints', not head 'rests' for a very good reason. They are there for the similar reasons as airbags, to cushion your head from the back in case of collision. They are not designed to rest your head.

 

[Eponemuss]

They are head 'restraints', not head 'rests' for a very good reason. They are there for the similar reasons as airbags, to cushion your head from the back in case of collision. They are not designed to rest your head.

I don't object to them in principle. Many other marques seem to manage to blend restraint and support, simultaneously, without causing discomfort in their drivers. Safety and comfort need not be mutually exclusive. For me, when the head 'restraint' is adjusted to the 'correct' position, my upper back is unsupported and my head is pushed forward and down. Judging by comments on the site, I'm not the only one. If you don't have this issue in your MG4, that's great.

 

[Ian Key]

I also drive in an upright position and at 6ft 1in I have the seat as far back as it will go but have no problem with the head restraint.

The MG4 seat looks like it's different to your HS PHEV which is why there seems to only be one MG4 owner who has the problem and sorted it by using a cushion.

Didn't you notice it might be a problem on the test drive before acquiring the car?

 

[Eponemuss]

I also drive in an upright position and at 6ft 1in I have the seat as far back as it will go but have no problem with the head restraint.

The MG4 seat looks like it's different to your HS PHEV which is why there seems to only be one MG4 owner who has the problem and sorted it by using a cushion.

Didn't you notice it might be a problem on the test drive before acquiring the car?

No. As it was a test drive in a strange vehicle, I was sat fairly upright and not relaxed back into the seat. When getting a new car I always take a week or two to find the optimum driving position and I assumed I'd be able to do the same for this, which I will. It might just take a little longer to train my body to accept the new position. Have resorted to a more reclined position which is helping.