Godawful headrests...

[MGDavis]

Really hating the forward-canted headrests in my car. I'm a tall guy, so there is no way to set it above my head, out of the way. Has anyone sorted this out somehow? My wife's Impala has the same thing going on. There's probably some NHTSA study that shows a microscopically smaller chance of neck injury in a rear-end collision of you have annoying goram forward-canted headrests, so in they went.

 

[Sonic]

Thankfully, I'm short enough that they don't really bother me the way they bother you.

 

[Danny5]

I have no idea what you are talking about. NONE.

Maybe try reclining your seat back

 

[Sonic]

Reclining his seat might work, but if he just reclines his seat, then his upper body wouldn't be supported and eventually he might get fatigued or sore. I also noticed that the headrests are 'raked' forward quite a bit. I can imagine that would be a problem for tall drivers. Can they be turned around, or do they only fit in the holes the proper way?

 

[MGDavis]

I have no idea what you are talking about. NONE.

Maybe try reclining your seat back

It has nothing to do with the angle of the seat back. It's all about the angle of the headrest to the seat back. If you're tall you have to bend your neck forward quite a bit to sit with your back fully against the seat. Eventually it gets uncomfortable. The only way to sit with your neck straight is to lean forward in the seat.

 

[Certifried]

I haven't had any problems with it, but I'm only 6'. Only issue I have so far is that I can't remove one of my rear headrests so I can't put the back seat down.

 

[laborsmith]

Back when the 100 year Anniversary Corvette was introduced, there was a lot of discussion about the redesigned headrest and the Chevy response was that it was a safety mandated redesign. This would have been around April of this year if anyone has a desire to look for the discussion - I don't.

Laborsmith

 

[Gimpster]

My wife absolutly hates the head rests in my Sonic, and flipped the passenger side one backwards ... shes short too which I thought was odd. I tried to tell her I didn't think it was safe, but she couldnt be swayed.

Personally I love em... most cars dont have enough support for me up there, my Mustang being one of those.

 

[AxelRipper]

I have no issue with the design of them, my issue is that they seem a bit hard. seems like it could hurt pretty bad in a collision.

 

[Fit4Sonic]

I have no issue with the design of them, my issue is that they seem a bit hard. seems like it could hurt pretty bad in a collision.

The headrests in my Honda sound exactly the same.

Supposedly, in the event of an accident, the Honda headrests -- which have the same forward leaning positioning -- will tilt even further forward [via a supposed motor] in the event of a collision. If I'm not mistaken, forward tilting headrests are more supportive in the event of an accident than those which are positioned either parallel with the seats or those which tilt backward. In other words, if headrests are perfectly comfortable, then they're not safe.

Maybe Chevy put similar technology into the Sonic.

There is evidence Chevy designed the Sonic in large part as GM's answer to the Honda Fit and Civic. Yes, other compacts too, obviously. But more in competition with the 2009+ Honda Fit Sport.

I agree! Newer, forward-tilting headrests are uncomfortable for me too.

 

[laborsmith]

I am chuckling because the discussion regarding head rests when the Centennial Corvette was introduced specifically compared the new headrests to Honda, I can not remember which Honda model but I do remember there were pictures comparing the two.

Laborsmith

 

[Danny5]

I am chuckling because the discussion regarding head rests when the Centennial Corvette was introduced specifically compared the new headrests to Honda, I can not remember which Honda model but I do remember there were pictures comparing the two.

Laborsmith

I am very confused how you can have a centennial Corvette The Corvette was introduced in 53, and at last check, it's only 2011!

 

[Sonic]

Well...you see....he also owns a DeLorean...

 

[alcuin]

The Centennial Corvette marks Chevrolet's 100th birthday, not the Corvette's 100th birthday.
Chevy celebrates birthday with 2012 Corvette Centennial Edition | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

 

[wingman]

Havent noticed the headrests being uncomfortable. Probably cause I am 5'10" and have terrible posture!

 

[laborsmith]

True, alcuin. I just got used to referring to it as the Centennial Corvette, not as the Corvette celebrating Chevrolet's 100 year anniversary.

No Delorean here, but I do own a Corvair.

Laborsmith

 

[MGDavis]

Well...you see....he also owns a DeLorean...

But he cant get it over 85 or so...

 

[RockTheShazbot]

The way i sit i dont even notice that they are slanted forward

 

[laborsmith]

MGDAVIS: I'm not certain if its a Delorean that can't get over 85 or perhaps you mean the Corvair. We have had the Corvair up to 90, and if not for the sensation that the nose was about to lift up, might have tried to hold it there.
It is rock solid to the low 80's but get nervous any faster. On the other hand, the Corvair was designed for the old US Highways, not the Interstates, which were designed and built for speeds considerably higher than the current posted limits. But whatever the speed, with the top down and the sun shining, its hard to imagine getting closer to driving bliss.

The biggest fault is it despises any gas with ethanol, so it runs with leaded racing fuel at $6.99 per gallon and 22mpg on a good day which does have an effect.

Laborsmith

 

[MGDavis]

MGDAVIS: I'm not certain if its a Delorean that can't get over 85 or perhaps you mean the Corvair. We have had the Corvair up to 90, and if not for the sensation that the nose was about to lift up, might have tried to hold it there.
It is rock solid to the low 80's but get nervous any faster. On the other hand, the Corvair was designed for the old US Highways, not the Interstates, which were designed and built for speeds considerably higher than the current posted limits. But whatever the speed, with the top down and the sun shining, its hard to imagine getting closer to driving bliss.

The biggest fault is it despises any gas with ethanol, so it runs with leaded racing fuel at $6.99 per gallon and 22mpg on a good day which does have an effect.

Laborsmith

hehe, nah, Sonic was implying you had a DeLorean up above, meaning you could time travel a la Back to the Future... but you had to get the car up to 88MPH to time hop...