Who actually uses the Head-Rest?

RedvGreen · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:04

Aside from during hard braking or in a shunt/crash, have you ever used the head-rest in your vehicle?

I've noticed many drivers, myself included, hold their body and head away from the head-rest. Conscious effort to use the headrest doesn't actually feel 'right' for driving - more akin to wanting to fall asleep...

MagicBoy · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:07

It's a head restraint, not a "Head-Rest".

Clarkey · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:08

I do in the 300zx, it's super comfortable. No other car though.

The_Baron · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:09

All the time in my mazda - well designed seat makes it a natural thing to do

[TW]Fox · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:11

f00f1ght0r said:
Aside from during hard braking or in a shunt/crash, have you ever used the head-rest in your vehicle?

I've noticed many drivers, myself included, hold their body and head away from the head-rest. Conscious effort to use the headrest doesn't actually feel 'right' for driving - more akin to wanting to fall asleep...

It's there to protect you if you stop suddenly or hit something - ie, when your head snaps back.

phil675 · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:19

Only if I'm quite worn out or on a quiet road where I know I'm not going to have to move my neck much.

LiE · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:21

Nope, my head can't reach it properly owing to my many years in the gym...

Squink · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:22

f00f1ght0r said:
I've noticed many drivers, myself included, hold their body and head away from the head-rest.

I think you're meant to adjust it so that your head rests against it when you're sat in a natural position, rather than tip your head until it's hitting the headrest.

I'm like you though, I don't really bother - I don't really like things pressing against my hair even though it's there for my own safety.

pepsilol · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:26

I think BMWs have the most functional headrests, it really tilts all the way forward.

GravyMonster · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:30

MagicBoy said:
It's a head restraint, not a "Head-Rest".

[TW]Fox;21187907 said:
It's there to protect you if you stop suddenly or hit something - ie, when your head snaps back.

What they said.

d_brennen · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:30

Only for short periods on long drives. I like to sit very upright driving, barely touching the back of the seat

pepsilol · 3 Feb 2012 at 22:49

d_brennen said:
Only for short periods on long drives. I like to sit very upright driving, barely touching the back of the seat

This needs explaing more ..

Dirk · 3 Feb 2012 at 23:01

d_brennen said:
Only for short periods on long drives. I like to sit very upright driving, barely touching the back of the seat

Me too! My regular journeys are less than 25 minutes and like you i'm barely touching the back rest, if at all. Luckily the seat/head rest in my Golf is the best for me that i've had in any car, so if i were to be hit from behind i wouldn't suffer too much head-snap.

Previous cars i've owned the head-rest has been a mile from my head which always worried me. I do like being upright rather than slouched back with all my weight supported by the seat now. It feels like you are more free to move, more balanced...you move with the car, rather than being moved by it.

Sitting back into the seat feels like trying to dance with somebody holding your shoulders, if that makes any sense.

d_brennen · 3 Feb 2012 at 23:06

pepsilol said:
This needs explaing more ..

Really? I sit upright while driving. Don't really like sitting back, feels odd. Might be something to do with bombing about in little 106s/Saxos back in the day

Dirk said:
It feels like you are more free to move, more balanced...you move with the car, rather than being moved by it.

Sitting back into the seat feels like trying to dance with somebody holding your shoulders, if that makes any sense.

Pretty much this

acemastr · 3 Feb 2012 at 23:07

Mine tilt forward so i can rest my head, plus I have an automatic so have no need to... do anything.. including move

Dirk · 4 Feb 2012 at 00:46

Sitting back makes me feel like the car is controlling my movements, rather than the other way around.

I'm much more involved in the drive when i'm sat up, more a part of it. Tough to put into words.

RedvGreen · 4 Feb 2012 at 02:29

This will sound like I should own a Boxster/TT, but if my head touches the head-rest(TRAINT!) it messes up my 'do, in so much as it flattens the back of my hair.

And yes, I understand it stops your head from rolling off during hard braking, but it must have a comfort use intended, else it wouldn't feature so heavily in the top cars, and instead resemble something like the thin shells of car seats that the likes of Elises have.

Old@Heart · 4 Feb 2012 at 02:35

Leaning back into the head rest sounds odd to me. That said, probably depends on the seat, as others have said.

panthro · 4 Feb 2012 at 05:43

I do. Have a motorway driving memory position to make it a bit more relaxing for long drives where i can rest my head back.

Scuzi · 4 Feb 2012 at 06:38

I thought only chavs leaned so far forward that their back didn't touch the back of the seat whilst driving?

I have never had a car where it has been comfortable to have the headrest touching my head in a natural seating position. I have noticed that people driving Bentleys or Rolls seem to have their head on the headrest more often than not. Better designed seats?