Reading Topic: Front seat headrests are poorly designed

Not everyone is built the same way... So mazda will not build seats with just YOU in mind...
I personally prefer to have the headrests angled forward or else if my head were to touch the headrest my it would be tilted to far back, leaving me staring at my roofliner...
I dont think that my head has even touched the headrest in my current ride...

and unfortuntely aftermarked headrests arent that common, so unless you do some tweakin on your own, you're stuck

We're all built differently... tough titties...

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by madmonkey


            Not everyone is built the same way... So mazda will not build seats with just YOU in mind...
I personally prefer to have the headrests angled forward or else if my head were to touch the headrest my it would be tilted to far back, leaving me staring at my roofliner...  
I dont think that my head has even touched the headrest in my current ride...  

and unfortuntely aftermarked headrests arent that common, so unless you do some tweakin on your own, you're stuck

We're all built differently... tough titties...    [/b]

Yeah, we're not all built the same way, but you still make very little sense, madmonkey. Every other car I have owned has had ADJUSTABLE headrests that allow the headrests to be tilted to any angle you might find suitable. This feature exists in most new cars BECAUSE we're all built differently. If Mazda had designed the headrests to be adjustable, there would be no need for them to design them with just "you" in mind. They'd be built with nearly everyone in mind. Get it?

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

I too find the head rest uncomfortable for me. My hight is the issue, I loose the neck suport if I pull it up to properly prevent wiplash should the unthinkable happen. But the solution is cheap>> Get a car pillow!!!!:sarc

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

Mine are ok. I dont use them much, but the few times I have put my head back they seem comfy. I dont think the angle is a big issue in a wreck, I think it is supposed to catch your neck level, and your head is supposed to fold back hitting the top. But I dont mind them.

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

Bear in mind that Mazda has designed a seat/headrest system to reduce whiplash. Swapping out the headrests with some other kind might hinder that system, or even counteract it. From Mazda's website: "The front seatbacks feature an anti-whiplash design, with supportive springs and a new-style head restraint that helps prevent the rearward lurching of the head that causes whiplash and other neck injuries."

So while the headrest might not be comfortable, it would probably spare you some pain in a rear collision.

 

Reading Topic: Front seat headrests are poorly designed

Adjustable headrests? What other cars are these. With the hundreds upon hundreds of all kinds of cars I have driven, I cannot think of any that had adjustable headrests outside of what Mazda offers, up and down.

Hell my last vehicle didn't even had headrests, doubt Ford cared about that back in 1984.

 

Reading Topic: Front seat headrests are poorly designed

i agree that the headrest is uncomfortable because i'm short... i liked the seatns and head rest in my previous car... it supported my neck better... especially on long drives... the headrests on the 6 actually tilts my head forward and i can't drive unless my hair is down... if i tie my hair up it annoys the crap out of me because it keeps hitting the part of the headrest that tilts forward... my fiancee has no problems falling asleep in the car.. but he can pretty much sleep anywhere... i had a hard time falling asleep the last 5 hour trip we took.. so i just took the thing off because the backside is taller than me anyway... so the part where the headrest would rest on the seat is my neck support...

i can however understand why they designed it that way to prevent whiplash... this is my theory.. but if you were to get into an accident the seatbelt is going to lock to prevent you from flying forward, then you'll be thrusted back into the seat with your body already arching forward... the seat will kind of cradle you... the headrest will prevent your neck from snapping back... hence whiplash... same thing applies if the airbag were to pop open...

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by 84FordMan


             Adjustable headrests? What other cars are these. With the hundreds upon hundreds of all kinds of cars I have driven, I cannot think of any that had adjustable headrests outside of what Mazda offers, up and down.

Hell my last vehicle didn't even had headrests, doubt Ford cared about that back in 1984.[/b]

My 2003 Jetta GLI VR6 headrests can be angled any way that I want.

Oh and my dad's Jag, and my mom's A4. My Mazda 6... doesn't. Lame.

 

Replying to Topic 'F

There are "headrest pillows" that goes between the headrest and the main seatback. It basically is a tube-ish shaped pillow that have this strap attached to it that hugs the two metal tubes that support the headrest. This really helps support the neck. I'm 5' 3" by the way... ya i'm short. I'll try to find a picture. Or better yet I'll take one when I get my digi cam back.

Edit: Here they are:

That is an 8 inch ruler btw...
I got the pillow(s) at those chinese gift shops. I'm sure some ricer shops or ebay will have it.
It costed me $15 canadian for 2.
As you can see, I can't take pictures.

Hope this helps

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by 84FordMan


             Adjustable headrests? What other cars are these. With the hundreds upon hundreds of all kinds of cars I have driven, I cannot think of any that had adjustable headrests outside of what Mazda offers, up and down.

Hell my last vehicle didn't even had headrests, doubt Ford cared about that back in 1984.[/b]

My 1993 Saturn SL2 had adjustable headrests.

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by ChronoB


            Bear in mind that Mazda has designed a seat/headrest system to reduce whiplash.  Swapping out the headrests with some other kind might hinder that system, or even counteract it.  From Mazda's website: "The front seatbacks feature an anti-whiplash design, with supportive springs and a new-style head restraint that helps prevent the rearward lurching of the head that causes whiplash and other neck injuries."

So while the headrest might not be comfortable, it would probably spare you some pain in a rear collision.[/b]

I'm not collision expert by any means, but I do not see how this headrest will reduce whiplash more so than a normal flat (comfortable) headrest. To me, it looks like it will make it worse. Instead of giving your body a smooth somewhat flat surface to absorb impact from a rear end collision there is no support for your neck. So, as your body is thrown back in a rear collision your head will be stopped by the top of the angled headrest, but since there is no support at the neck your head will then be directed downward towards your lap in a very unsafe manner.

:drive

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by Niveko2k


            There are "headrest pillows" that goes between the headrest and the main seatback. It basically is a tube-ish shaped pillow that have this strap attached to it that hugs the two metal tubes that support the headrest. This really helps support the neck. I'm 5' 3" by the way... ya i'm short. I'll try to find a picture. Or better yet I'll take one when I get my digi cam back.

Edit: Here they are:[/b]

Thanks Niveko2k that is one very possible option. I hardly ever lean back against my headrest except when I'm a passenger in my car on long roadtrips and want to sleep when its my wife's turn to drive. So, its not a constant everyday problem for me. It was just extremely annoying to discover this issue on my first long road trip when i couldn't sleep at all because of the oddly designed headrest!

:stickpoke

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

QUOTE

Originally posted by mazda6s_in_ky
I'm not collision expert by any means, but I do not see how this headrest will reduce whiplash more so than a normal flat (comfortable) headrest.  To me, it looks like it will make it worse.  Instead of giving your body a smooth somewhat flat surface to absorb impact from a rear end collision there is no support for your neck.  So, as your body is thrown back in a rear collision your head will be stopped by the top of the angled headrest, but since there is no support at the neck your head will then be directed downward towards your lap in a very unsafe manner.

:drive[/b]

Like you, I am not collision expert. But what I do know is that in a wreck, no part of your body "stops". My guess is that the headrest is designed to move given enough force (i.e. you head slamming into it at 9 G's of load). I know Nissan has developed "active headrests". I don't know what that entails exactly, but it sounds cool.

--Tom

 

Reading Topic: Front seat headrests are poorly designed

My 1998 Trans Am has adjustable headrests that go up, down, backwards, forwards, and tilt forward and backward. Its a nice feature, but I honestly never use it. I just raise them so my head hits them if I lean back and leave it alone. I think this is one of those things where you wish you had it, but if you did, you probably wouldnt use it. Besides, who drives with their head against the headrest anyway....if you wanna sleep, do like others have said, and get a pillow.

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

I love to take short naps in my car while going down the highway at 80. HEHE

I think the "cradle" theory sounds good. I put my money on that idea.

 

Replying to Topic 'Front seat headrests are poorly designed'

Pull them out, and turn them around backwards, re-insert.

 

I have a 6 manual, and I took the head rests completely out. I sit up when I drive and the head rests thrust my head forward and after 1/2 hr of driving I could not see out of my side view mirrors. My periferal vision was hampered by my head not being able to turn to view my mirrors for lane changes etc. NICE GOING Mazda! COmplained to the dealer and called mazda USA threatened to leave the car at the dealer citing it could not be driven safely with the current head rests in my 2007. Mazda USA said I'd need to take it up with the DOT and that my 1995 Mazda 626 front headrests could not be grandfathered into their new design. THEY refused me, even after I had a letter from my board certified chiropractor that the head rest height was too high and only needed to be slightly above the Median post of the head to be equally effective. Let's leave it that today 2013 I don't use the head rests. I don't like to but I can't drive for moe than 1/2 hr without it pressing down on my spine and hurting my back. BTW!!! the 1995 front head rests are the EXACT size and length in the metal frame as my 2007. They even have the same notch markings. My old 1995 that was donated, the foam would not have the cushionability that newer PU foam would and the reason I did not want to risk that, Iwould want newer foam for the headrests. BUT with the 1995 head reasts at least my spine would'nt hurt. I would truely like to see the test data submitted to the DOT for their approval on this! Mazda did you ever try the combination of the 1995 front headrests with your "active" seat??? I have yet to get a response from Mazda. I love my mazda! but between Philly, PA and NYC there are a lot of oppertunities for whiplash! Any Suggestions??

 

My wife and I have had the same issue with our 2014 Mazda 6. They seem to far forward. They push my head forward and downward with my chin into my chest. There is no possible way to get comfortable and long tripps in the passanger seat is unbearable causing neck pain. Mazda USA and the dealer were of no assistance and tough titties is not a solution. About to trade our brand new 6 in for a big loss, I went to the used car lot and tried all make and model headrest that would fit. 2012 Toyota Camry fit well and comfortable. Found a black leather pair on Ebay that matched our interior and are much happier with our car and much more comfortable. Good fit, good match, head is only inches from the headrest and should be protected in an accident.

 

Is there any aftermarket headrests that anyone here knows of that can fit into the holes to replace these pathetic factory headrests and still look somewhat factory installed?

Please help![/QUOTE]

Yes. We found 2012 Totota Camry fit well, are more strait up and much more comfortable. My wife and I were having sever neck pain from riding in our new 2015 6. Something had to change. Found a pair of black leather on ebay that matches our black and almond interior. Are much happier with our new car.

 

OMG!!! I have the same problem. if you find something please let me know!!!

 

User-Unfriendly Head Restraints

I was interested in buying a CX-5 - my wife and I test drove one. The headrests are so far forward it feels as though they are trying to force me to have scoliosis - completely uncomfortable.

The headrests in my Mazda 3 are in a comfortable position, though not adjustable. It seems to me the Mazda engineers have made a big mistake in their 2016 headrest design.

As far as vehicles which have adjustable headrests, the Subaru line has horizontally adjustable headrests with 5 or 6 positions available. The Outback and Forrester headrests are adjustable, and both are competitors to the CX5.

I am really disappointed - so many of the other 2016 improvements in the Mazda products represent progress.