Headrest tilt mod

[davespicer]

Hi,

 

I'm considering a used Yeti as my next car choice, circa 2010-2011, and it seems ideal except for the head restraints.  If I sit with my shoulders against the seat, my head is pushed forward, regardless of what height the restraint is set at.  I'm aware that angling the seat back and sitting slightly forward works for a lot of people, it's just not a posture I find comfortable for long-distance driving.

 

I've read that Audis of the same vintage have head restraints that are designed to be adjustable for tilt and have a piece of plastic behind the metal posts to prevent movement.  Owners have simply cut away the plastic to allow the tilt mechanism to be used.  Is the same true of the Yeti headrests?

 

Here are some posts about the Audi mod:

 

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/rs4-b7-platform-discussion-121/headrest-adjustment-mod-2712847/

 

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/242409-Driver-side-adjustable-headrest-mod?highlight=headrest%20tab

 

Any feedback appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Dave

[Urrell]

If I push back it does push my head forward a bit but that is not the normal sitting position, for non adjustable headrests they are just about perfect for me and I cannot remember anybody mentioning they are uncomfortable.

[Llanigraham]

In the 5 years I've had my Yeti I have never had a problem with the position of the headrests, and have always found the seating to be excellent.

 

As far as I can see there is nothing in the Yeti headrests anything like that fitted to those Audi ones.

 

What this thread does suggest is that you are using the wrong posture in the Yeti seats. This article may help:

http://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/how-can-i-make-sure-i-have-found-the-perfect-driving-position/

[weasley]

It might be possible to simply source some tilting headrests from another VAG - no doubt they use common post dimensions.

[davespicer]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

 

Using headrests from another VAG seems like the best option.  The difficult bit is working out which ones will fit and my local dealer hasn't been able to give me an answer on that one beyond, "some do, some don't".

 

Urrell and Lllanigraham, I'm glad you don't have a problem with them.  There a lots of discussions about headrest angle across the net and there are always two camps: those who can't understand why anybody would have a problem with the fixed head restraint and those who can't understand why anybody wouldn't.  :-)  Neither are right or wrong, it's just inevitable that removal of one of the seat adjustments won't suit everybody.

[Urrell]

There a lots of discussions about headrest angle across the net .

Relating to the Skoda Yeti?

[twoladies]

Well, I am short and the headrests were impossible!!  So I bought two little cushions which fit underneath and that has done the trick!!  I think they came from China of course :clap:

[eribaMotters]

Is this thread misleading?

I always believed that bit sticking out of the top of the seat was a head "restraint" and not a head "rest".

It is designed to be a safety feature and limit whiplash, not something to rest your head on and nod off.

 

Colin

[twoladies]

When you are vertically challenged (5') it shoves your head forward and is extremely uncomfortable!  Unfortunately, I think it would break my neck and not restrain it!!  I did turn them back to front, but it didn't really help.  Specially designed cushion is just the ticket.

 

Also had to buy a drop-down sun visor!!  Very useful at the moment.

[davespicer]

Relating to the Skoda Yeti?

 

A mix.  It's not exclusively a Yeti issue as most cars now have fixed restraints which angle forward.  Ford and Honda use a much more agressive angle and receive the most ire.

 

From Llanigraham's earlier post, it doesn't seem like the Audi-style mod is possible.  I guess I'll have to accept that the Yeti isn't for me and look elsewhere.  I had no problems with comfort in a Vauxhall Astra (with active head restraints), but the dog would prefer a Yeti. 

[Fenix]

When I picked my second hand Yeti up - it took me a while to realise the front headrests were odd. 

 

And another day or so to realise so were the ones in the rear.

 

No idea what headrest should go where now - but the  "lower" ones are in the front seats and I think its more comfy this way.

[rallyejake]

I have just bought a yeti and am having this same problem, I feel the head restraints are pushing my head to far forward forward (I also have a spinal fusion in my neck  which makes things worse) The head restraints are causing me major problems with neck pain and headache and make driving unbearable. I had the same but much lesser problem in my previous car a volvo v70. I have ended up turning the restraint in the yeti back to front which takes away the problem but also removes the safety issue of reducing whiplash - something I really can't afford to lose as my neck has enough problems already. I may pay an upholsterer to reshape the restraint and reduce its depth by 4 to 5 cm. This will hopefully correct the head restraint posture for me.

Funny enough my wife has a fabia and they do not cause this problem in her car - i will try them in the yeti and see if the fit is any better or hopefully correct. 

[paco]

Had the same problem with my first Yeti 2012 1.2, I turned them round to be back to front I hoped they  would still retain my head in the event of a accident, luckily I never had to find out, I drove it for 6years then replaced with another Yeti 2017 1.2 model and the head restraints are no problem in their correct position so it would appear that Skoda have altered the design ? I am a six footer with a long back ! 

[Brijo]

On 12/02/2016 at 15:43, Fenix said:

... the  "lower" ones are in the front seats and I think its more comfy this way.

 

I'm glad this topic came up again - I missed it first time round. 

 

M'lady, who is not too tall, has often complained that the front passenger's head restraint/rest is out of her reach and she uses a cushion behind her neck when 'relaxing' during a long drive.  I've now found that our long-departed friend Fenix had hit on the answer; the squat 'rear' head thingie projects forward at a lower point on its profile and it does indeed interchange with the 'front' version.  We are now trying out mixed versions front and back

Edited 22 June, 2018 by Brijo
typo

[Fenix]

I'd completely forgotten about the headrest issue. Glad your wife is comfortable now ! 

 

I'm still enjoying the yeti. Great cars. 

[Brijo]

22 minutes ago, Fenix said:

I'd completely forgotten about the headrest issue. Glad your wife is comfortable now ! 

 

I'm still enjoying the yeti. Great cars. 

 

Well hello!  I thought you'd gone, after two-years-plus.  Thank you in person, then  !