Concerns regarding head restraints

[gino75]

I am getting very tempted to buy the Mark 1 Leon. I have heard that there are concerns regadring head restarints and protecting against whiplash. As I have long terem neck damage this is a slight concern. Please could someone confirm if the concerens relate only to the standard models or does this apply to seats in the sportier editions

 

[Romeoisgraham]

Sorry I never heard of any restraints.

 

[Havok316]

the seats are different but ive herd nothing regarding head restraints. There shouldnt be a problem as its passed all the checks etc. I balls down to how you sit and how you adjust your seating. But the seats are very very confortable

 

[Mitchy]

Been on this forum near enough 3 yrs now and never once heard of anyone complaining about the head restraints

Who has informed you there is a problem with them?

 

[Havok316]

Sorry I never heard of any restraints.

I think hes talking about the head rests

 

[gino75]

DOH!
Dorry I meant Headrests,
I read on a review somewhere that the Leon headrests did not protect against whiplash

 

[Cowie]

sorry mate but never seen a headrest that did protect against whiplash,you'd have to bolt your head to the rest to stop any movement

 

[DPJ]

DOH!
Dorry I meant Headrests,
I read on a review somewhere that the Leon headrests did not protect against whiplash

Are you referring to this ?

 

[Jonny]

Are the standard head rests adjustable? Obviously they go up & down, but can't remember if they tilted forward... I vaguely remember the head rests on the standard LCR seats seemed to be a fair way from my head, but the Recaro ones I know are adjustable.


*edit* Just found a photo of my old seats... they are fully adjustable... but they were too big to adjust comfortably (for me anyway)

 

[Havok316]

LOL dont complain mate if if protected you against whiplash you wouldnt be able to claim

im kidding

 

[ZBOYD]

That's a bit of random comment for 4car to make.

Says there is an issue, but doesn't go into any detail? That's a statement that's about as helpful as a hole in the head.

It also appears to lump both Mk1 and Mk2 together in the same review? Another example of sloppy journalism.

 

[DPJ]

That's a bit of random comment for 4car to make.

Says there is an issue, but doesn't go into any detail? That's a statement that's about as helpful as a hole in the head.

It also appears to lump both Mk1 and Mk2 together in the same review? Another example of sloppy journalism.

I'd guess it refers to an earlier version of this Thatcham based article Z. I'd guess a lot of manufacturers fell short. The new Leon is covered in the link I've just quoted. (Struggling to find anything else).

 

[Seat til I die]

sorry mate but never seen a headrest that did protect against whiplash,you'd have to bolt your head to the rest to stop any movement

thats what they are there for though, protection/safety.

whoever drives with their head 'resting' or ever touching head rest... i would say nobody.

i could be wrong but i thought the sole purpose of a head rest was to protect against whiplash in an accident.

anyway, i have never heard anything or known of any problems regarding leon headrests. the rear seats where they fold down arent the best, but the front seats and head restraints are tip-top, so far as i know.

 

[andycupra]

I remember some time ago that VAG group seats are not the best safety wise. Im sure there was a programme on the TV about it. maybe 5th gear? probably a good coulpe of years ago now.

 

[ZBOYD]

The way i'd look at it, if you want near 100% head rest/restraint safety, wear a helmet and hans device. A bit OTT maybe, but in the event of an accident, a head restraint won't keep your neck immobile.

Head restraints are also only as good as how they are used. A lot of people drive round with head restraints improperly set for their height.

 

[Cowie]

The way i'd look at it, if you want near 100% head rest/restraint safety, wear a helmet and hans device. A bit OTT maybe, but in the event of an accident, a head restraint won't keep your neck immobile.

Head restraints are also only as good as how they are used. A lot of people drive round with head restraints improperly set for their height.

thats what i was getting at,virtually all cars have head rests but a lot of folk still get whiplash

 

[james_tiger_woo]

According to scientific advice - to protect your neck in the event of an accident - your head must be no further than 10cm from the headrest:

The risk of whiplash injury is not simply related to head restraint position, but is dependent on a combination of factors related to both head restraint and seatback design [99]. Traditionally, attempts have been made to prevent injury by changes in the headrest geometry. A headrest located less than 10cm from the head has proved more beneficial than a distance of more than 10cm [119] [96]. Research into the injury mechanisms of neck injury have shown that the dynamic behaviour of seat backs is one of the parameters most influencing neck injury risks [102].

This is taken from this article - http://euroris.swov.nl/knowledge/content/50_vehicle/cars.htm

It doesn't really matter what car you're in, but you have to be sat in it comfortably.

Or buy a Volvo.....

 

[james_tiger_woo]

Head restraints

The risk of whiplash injury is related to both head restraint and seatback design and dynamic seat back tests [99]. Evaluation in real crashes has shown that an effective anti-whiplash system can reduce average whiplash injury risk by 50%; that energy absorption in the seat back reduced occupant acceleration and the risk of sustaining a whiplash injury; and further reductions in injury risk could be achieved by improved head restraint geometry [101].

• A headrest located less than 10cm from the head has proved more beneficial than a distance of more than 10cm [119] [96]. The greatest protection is provided by:
  
• Correct vertical adjustment. The top of the head rest must, if possible, be at the same height as the top of the head. The minimum is just above the ears.
• Correct horizontal distance between head and head rest. This must be as small as possible: in any case less than 10 cm and preferably less than 4 cm.

 

[andycupra]

As said above, headrests need to be set correctly to be as effective as possible.
The design of the headrests and seat also has an impact, just because it has a headrest doesnt mean its totally effective.

I believe the headrest on VAG cars are further away from the back of the head that they could be to be more effective.
If you look at volvo headrests thay sit further forward.

I would expect its possible to fit different head rests, or indeed modify existing. but clearly this wont have type approval and would need to be done proffessionally.

 

[Cowie]

Yea andy i tilt my headrest as far forward as possible as they do seem to sit a bit back from the top of the seat,its the only comfortable way i can drive with using them