ellent Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 I just bought a new Ford Edge a few days ago. I could hardly wait to drive it home. That's when all the trouble started. By the time I got home 25 minutes after leaving the lot, I had severe neck and back pain. Instead of sitting upright, the head restraints push the head forward. You can see a photo of the problem at http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2008...-from-hell.html. I have searched the web and this forum. I understand that the danger of whiplash from rear collisions is reduced if the head restraint actually touches the back of the head at the right spot. My problem is that when this happens, my neck and back can't be supported by the back of the seat which I am pushed away from. I see that some folks in this forum have solved this problem by reclining more. However, I like to sit up straight and look ahead rather than lie down while driving or being forced to look at my navel as opposed to the road thanks to the jutting head restraint. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem. Does the DVD headrest solve the problem? All help welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacificann Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 I see that some folks in this forum have solved this problem by reclining more. From what I've read, the more you recline, the less effective the head restraint (it's not a head rest) becomes in preventing whiplash injury. There must be a better solution. Would love to hear of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcondo Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 This has come up before http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php?sho...mp;hl=headrests Cheers, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted December 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 I just bought a new Ford Edge a few days ago. I could hardly wait to drive it home. That's when all the trouble started. By the time I got home 25 minutes after leaving the lot, I had severe neck and back pain. Instead of sitting upright, the head restraints push the head forward. You can see a photo of the problem at http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2008...-from-hell.html. I have searched the web and this forum. I understand that the danger of whiplash from rear collisions is reduced if the head restraint actually touches the back of the head at the right spot. My problem is that when this happens, my neck and back can't be supported by the back of the seat which I am pushed away from. I see that some folks in this forum have solved this problem by reclining more. However, I like to sit up straight and look ahead rather than lie down while driving or being forced to look at my navel as opposed to the road thanks to the jutting head restraint. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem. Does the DVD headrest solve the problem? All help welcome Here is more information regarding these uncomfortable new designs: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/golf...afe-but-painful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedtheKat Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Here is more information regarding these uncomfortable new designs: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/golf...afe-but-painful Hi ellent, I also like my seat back up straight and had a problem with the forward angle of the head restraints on my Edge. Initially, I flipped the head restraints so they faced backwards, but that seemed to defeat the safety objective by having a much larger gap between my head and the restraint. Eventually, I removed them again and made a very slight bend in the aluminum shafts on the restraints, immediately where they exit the restraint itself, to reduce the forward angle. Now I have them facing forwards again and they still slide up and down, but there is a little more room between my head and the restraint, which allows (for me) a more comfortable driving position. I'm not suggesting that this is a great solution and I'm sure there are reasons not to do it, but this adjustment worked for me and the head restraints never bother me now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted December 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Hi ellent, I also like my seat back up straight and had a problem with the forward angle of the head restraints on my Edge. Initially, I flipped the head restraints so they faced backwards, but that seemed to defeat the safety objective by having a much larger gap between my head and the restraint. Eventually, I removed them again and made a very slight bend in the aluminum shafts on the restraints, immediately where they exit the restraint itself, to reduce the forward angle. Now I have them facing forwards again and they still slide up and down, but there is a little more room between my head and the restraint, which allows (for me) a more comfortable driving position. I'm not suggesting that this is a great solution and I'm sure there are reasons not to do it, but this adjustment worked for me and the head restraints never bother me now. Thanks. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow. Also have posted a plea for input or help on a physicians' website to see if any of the spine doctors weigh in. I'll keep all posted on any progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 I just bought a new Ford Edge a few days ago. I could hardly wait to drive it home. That's when all the trouble started. By the time I got home 25 minutes after leaving the lot, I had severe neck and back pain. Instead of sitting upright, the head restraints push the head forward. You can see a photo of the problem at http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2008...-from-hell.html. I have searched the web and this forum. I understand that the danger of whiplash from rear collisions is reduced if the head restraint actually touches the back of the head at the right spot. My problem is that when this happens, my neck and back can't be supported by the back of the seat which I am pushed away from. I see that some folks in this forum have solved this problem by reclining more. However, I like to sit up straight and look ahead rather than lie down while driving or being forced to look at my navel as opposed to the road thanks to the jutting head restraint. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem. Does the DVD headrest solve the problem? All help welcome An update from ellent: I am having the same problems from our new Ford Edge. Here is the website from the regulators: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/ruling...2FinalRule.html In addition, once there you will find an email address to send your concerns. I just sent one to Louis.Molino@nhtsa.dot.gov with this content: I am hoping you can address this issue. I understand the need to prevent whiplash having had one in my late 20's. However, the new restraints that the Ford Edge and many of the newer cars have force the head down and forward for many of us causing severe pain in the neck and back. The pain comes from the fact that when we sit upright in the seat, the head is pushed so far forward that the cervical spine, and lumbar spine are artificially pushed forward away from the seat and thus go unsupported. I have prowled about on the web and note that many people have this problem and they are removing their head restraints or taking them out and turning them around putting themselves at risk even more than from the older restraints. Still others are reclining to dangerous positions while driving. A pillow propped up behind me allows me to drive 30 minutes before the pain starts as opposed to the 15 minutes without the pillow. As a former emergency physician of many years and an injury prevention enthusiast, I find myself frustrated and feeling victimized by the new head restraint regulations. I know the rule was well-intended but it is causing pain for many who might not ever have a rear-end collision but who do drive every day. I am hoping you can direct me to an after-market solution that retains the enhanced safety feature and also relieves the back pain being caused by being forced into an unnatural driving solution. Perhaps if we all send an email detailing our problems something will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 Repeat everything negative said about these head restraints. Cadilac CTS, Subaru, etc. are the same. Stupid safety "nannies" by over-reacting to what I suspect was a statistically insignificant number of events have made the situation worse. Life is a risk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 The only reason we got airbags was because people weren't wearing seatbelts. That's why they were so powerful originally - they had to fire before the unbelted passenger hit the dash/steering wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matts 2010 Edge Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Let me put my fire suit on before I say this. Ok. Well if you dont like how this feels why did you buy the car? Now, Im not trying to be a dick, by any means, I am just saying. When I test drove my Edge I made sure I liked driving it, I made sure that I was comfortable while driving. I understand what you are saying about hte headrest. I felt the same way when I first drove the Edge but I was reasured by the fact that I could ajust the seat either up or down, front or back, and change the incline to a spot that I found that I could drive with no problems. It did take me a while to find that perfect sweet spot, but I was able to find it. Again, I am not trying to ruffle anybodys feathers; Im just saying. Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I think the issue is that all new cars are like this due to federal guidelines so it wouldn't matter which brand or model you buy - they're all similar. Most people probably assume they can adjust it later or get used to it. I'm ok with it but it does bother me a bit on long trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted December 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Here is an update to my search for overcoming head restraint discomfort: You can email NHTSA if you want to add in your concerns. I did and got a nice reply but no answers for "fixing" my problem from Louis.Molino@dot.gov A slide show pdf accompanied his reply. Among other info in the slide show pdf, I gleaned the following: First: • "Two primary methods of achieving IIHS “Good”in Rear Impact 1. Improve overall seat system design (conventional) 2. Add active or re-active head restraints " Next: "4. Manufacturers have decreased backset to meet Contact Time 5. However, customers do not accept the backset position 6. Therefore, customers are choosing Comfort over Safety" Next: the one slide that spoke to my concerns as I have long been a stakeholder in injury prevention and control: Customers are choosing Comfort over Safety Customers are choosing Comfort over Safety • Customers are circumventing the head restraints 2008MY CUV “When seat back is in a more upright position, the headrest hits you at the back of the head. We had to reversethe headrests so we could drive the car.” 2007MY Sedan “Headrests are so uncomfortable, I removedthem.” • Customers are reclining the seat backwards to move away from the head restraint 2008MY Sedan “…I have to reclinemy seat…[to get] comfortable now.” • Dealers are complaining, because customers are making different purchase decisions to avoid forward positioned head restraints 2009MY Sedan “We are getting a ton of complaintson the headrest angle…It is forcing people to look down if their seat is set for a more upright position…” 2009MY Truck “Lost a saletoday because the customer said the headrests were uncomfortable.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted December 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 An Option to Overcoming Head Rest Restraint Discomfort It turns out that Cabelas (the hunter's megastore) and Ford are partners. (Who knew?) Which may be why the service manager at our local Ford dealership suggested that I swing by there yesterday. There I got a neck support pillow I slipped it over the head restraint and got some relief when driving. Both with it wrapped around the neck or hanging down to support the thoracic spine. It's not a cure but it's better because it fills in the gap of spinal contact with the seat back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Domingues Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Let me put my fire suit on before I say this. Ok. Well if you dont like how this feels why did you buy the car? Now, Im not trying to be a dick, by any means, I am just saying. When I test drove my Edge I made sure I liked driving it, I made sure that I was comfortable while driving. I understand what you are saying about hte headrest. I felt the same way when I first drove the Edge but I was reasured by the fact that I could ajust the seat either up or down, front or back, and change the incline to a spot that I found that I could drive with no problems. It did take me a while to find that perfect sweet spot, but I was able to find it. Again, I am not trying to ruffle anybodys feathers; Im just saying. Matthew I drive a 2007 SEL + and I have the seat pretty straight. (Now my wife on the other hand is almost lying down in this or our other two cars.) I don't know if my back is not straight to begin with but my head doesn't come anywhere near the Headrest. I read a couple of these posts and actually tried to find some position that was uncomfortable to drive and could not find one. I really love this car. Now I wish the Edge I bought had a power reclining seat back instead of the manual lever so that my wife and I could have that as well programmed because I also love the Memory Seat option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I drive a 2007 SEL + and I have the seat pretty straight. (Now my wife on the other hand is almost lying down in this or our other two cars.) I don't know if my back is not straight to begin with but my head doesn't come anywhere near the Headrest. I read a couple of these posts and actually tried to find some position that was uncomfortable to drive and could not find one. I really love this car. Now I wish the Edge I bought had a power reclining seat back instead of the manual lever so that my wife and I could have that as well programmed because I also love the Memory Seat option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 UPDATE First thanks to all for your comments and replies. My problem is at last solved so I am now free to love the Ford Edge. I am not 100% but 99% and was able to drive five to six hours on a trip to the Bay Area by myself with no discomfort. Here is the final fix: After reading on several blogs that owners who were handy with their sewing machines and hands, I searched Reno area and found Motor Sheep. The owner of this company which does much internet biz but also local business read my email with links, etc and really studied the problem. He responded and I drove to his shop the next day. He tried several lumbar pre-made restraints by attaching then to the head restraint area where my neck had been uncomfortably flexed. Problem solved--I thought. Wasn't sure but needed to do the long trip. I left his shop satisfied because now he had several other suggestions if the restraint I bought did not work. Seeing how handy he was with his industrial sewing machine I was quite confident that if anything further was needed that he would be able to solve the issue for me. Now two long trips later, I am satisfied that the issue is resolved OK for me. I recommend Motor Sheep and its owner, Art Daub. He can be reached at renomotorsheep@yahoo.com and the website address of his shop is http://www.motor-sheep.com/index.html. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igcitng Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 UPDATE First thanks to all for your comments and replies. My problem is at last solved so I am now free to love the Ford Edge. I am not 100% but 99% and was able to drive five to six hours on a trip to the Bay Area by myself with no discomfort. Here is the final fix: After reading on several blogs that owners who were handy with their sewing machines and hands, I searched Reno area and found Motor Sheep. The owner of this company which does much internet biz but also local business read my email with links, etc and really studied the problem. He responded and I drove to his shop the next day. He tried several lumbar pre-made restraints by attaching then to the head restraint area where my neck had been uncomfortably flexed. Problem solved--I thought. Wasn't sure but needed to do the long trip. I left his shop satisfied because now he had several other suggestions if the restraint I bought did not work. Seeing how handy he was with his industrial sewing machine I was quite confident that if anything further was needed that he would be able to solve the issue for me. Now two long trips later, I am satisfied that the issue is resolved OK for me. I recommend Motor Sheep and its owner, Art Daub. He can be reached at renomotorsheep@yahoo.com and the website address of his shop is http://www.motor-sheep.com/index.html. The link does not work. Also not clear what you had done. Don't the headrests move up and down to adjust for height so they are not uncomfortable? If you cannot sit straight it is not in the correct place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 (edited) The link does not work. Also not clear what you had done. Don't the headrests move up and down to adjust for height so they are not uncomfortable? If you cannot sit straight it is not in the correct place. Thanks for your comment. Here is the correct link: http://www.carseatcoversreno.com/ Not everyone can sit up straight no matter how high or low the head rest is. The fix for me was to lift the head restraint and then add a lumbar restraint so my neck could not be flexed forward. If you have this problem, please contact Art Daub who owns motor sheep (http://www.carseatcoversreno.com/) Edited January 20, 2010 by ellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribby2001 Posted January 26, 2010 Report Share Posted January 26, 2010 (edited) The real fix is to elect politicians that do not have the infinite desire to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is a classical product of higher taxes and greater deficits to support a nonproductive ever expanding goverenment forever bent on creating more laws and regulating every aspect of our lives until we have lost any resemblence of freedom and suffocate to death. It's called Socialism. But that's a case for the off-topic thread. Bless you for taking the time to research this! Edited January 26, 2010 by Tribby2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igcitng Posted January 26, 2010 Report Share Posted January 26, 2010 Headrests=socialism??? Come on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kempie Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 The real fix is to elect politicians that do not have the infinite desire to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is a classical product of higher taxes and greater deficits to support a nonproductive ever expanding goverenment forever bent on creating more laws and regulating every aspect of our lives until we have lost any resemblence of freedom and suffocate to death. It's called Socialism. But that's a case for the off-topic thread. Bless you for taking the time to research this! This is a product of crash dummies. The seat/headrest is best for dummies to withstand the crashes. Since dummies dont have to drive very far they dont mind the headrest. Since I , despite what my wife sometimes thinks, am not a dummy, couldnt get used to the headrest I had to turn it around. Therefore I put my life in my own hands. Perhaps I am a dummy, but I'm a comfortable one and captain of my fate...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted January 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 This is a product of crash dummies. The seat/headrest is best for dummies to withstand the crashes. Since dummies dont have to drive very far they dont mind the headrest. Since I , despite what my wife sometimes thinks, am not a dummy, couldnt get used to the headrest I had to turn it around. Therefore I put my life in my own hands. Perhaps I am a dummy, but I'm a comfortable one and captain of my fate...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellent Posted January 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Try lifting the head restraint, putting a lumbar rest between the head restraint and the top of the seat. That way you keep the safety feature but the head restraint can't flex the neck (because of the lumbar restraint) and you keep the safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kempie Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thanks for the info Ellent. However, I prefer to "walk on the wild side". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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