Hi all,
Not sure if it's an issue for others, but it is definitely a problem for me.
Many new cars, ridgeline included have their headrests lean too much forward. It bothers me a lot because I am 6'2" and this position almost forces my chain to hit my chest.
I spent a lot of time researching this and going to car lots to look at many different brands and models. People claim that the reason behind this is the claim of preventing whiplashes on mannequins. What I found was very surprising: most higher-end cars don't have as much headrest lean as lower-end cars - and the higher-end cars score better in safety scores. Examples are BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedez, etc.
So what is the reason? To my knowledge whiplash is whiplash, the motion cannot be mitigated by other car safety features except maybe a soft landing.
Personally trying out these headrests, indeed they are built much softer and much more comfortable, without the forward lean. Does it mean that the cheaper brands saved $5 of cushion sponge for health risks? I don't know.
In my case, having too much forward lean will cause chronic neck issues due to my weak neck. I have gone to ED with severe neck pains. So here is the trade-off: do I want 100% chronic neck pain the rest of my life (keep the current forward lean headrest), or do I want a small chance of chronic neck pain the rest of my life in the future from an accident (by getting rid of the extreme forward lean)?
To me, the answer is obvious.
Youtube instructions on how to bend your headrest certainly exist. And it might be the only way out.
The chronic damage to regular people can sometimes be unseen: to test, completely relax your upper body in the seat, and push your weight from your spine-neck-head into the seat. Make sure your entire skin is touching the seat so the weight is supported evenly. This position ensures there is no subconscious-tense muscle in your neck working extra hard. How is your posture after doing this?
Anyone familiar with this issue? or have tried to swap the headrests with another brand/model?
Comments are appreciated.
Not sure if it's an issue for others, but it is definitely a problem for me.
Many new cars, ridgeline included have their headrests lean too much forward. It bothers me a lot because I am 6'2" and this position almost forces my chain to hit my chest.
I spent a lot of time researching this and going to car lots to look at many different brands and models. People claim that the reason behind this is the claim of preventing whiplashes on mannequins. What I found was very surprising: most higher-end cars don't have as much headrest lean as lower-end cars - and the higher-end cars score better in safety scores. Examples are BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedez, etc.
So what is the reason? To my knowledge whiplash is whiplash, the motion cannot be mitigated by other car safety features except maybe a soft landing.
Personally trying out these headrests, indeed they are built much softer and much more comfortable, without the forward lean. Does it mean that the cheaper brands saved $5 of cushion sponge for health risks? I don't know.
In my case, having too much forward lean will cause chronic neck issues due to my weak neck. I have gone to ED with severe neck pains. So here is the trade-off: do I want 100% chronic neck pain the rest of my life (keep the current forward lean headrest), or do I want a small chance of chronic neck pain the rest of my life in the future from an accident (by getting rid of the extreme forward lean)?
To me, the answer is obvious.
Youtube instructions on how to bend your headrest certainly exist. And it might be the only way out.
The chronic damage to regular people can sometimes be unseen: to test, completely relax your upper body in the seat, and push your weight from your spine-neck-head into the seat. Make sure your entire skin is touching the seat so the weight is supported evenly. This position ensures there is no subconscious-tense muscle in your neck working extra hard. How is your posture after doing this?
Anyone familiar with this issue? or have tried to swap the headrests with another brand/model?
Comments are appreciated.
