Notices
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018) Forum for all 1990 - 2018 ES Models

Headrest Adjustment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 08:17 AM
  #1  
2018ES's Avatar
2018ES
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default Headrest Adjustment

1000 miles into new 2018 Lexus ES 350 and I need a chiropractor for my neck and lower back. The forward pitch of the headrest is horrific and no seat adjustments correct the angle without compromising my back. I can't be the only one. Please help!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
Knucklebus's Avatar
Knucklebus
Instructor
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 408
From: Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by 2018ES
1000 miles into new 2018 Lexus ES 350 and I need a chiropractor for my neck and lower back. The forward pitch of the headrest is horrific and no seat adjustments correct the angle without compromising my back. I can't be the only one. Please help!
Wrong forum I suspect. I have 18 way adjustable seats and my headrest is just right in my GS 350 AWD.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 09:29 AM
  #3  
2018ES's Avatar
2018ES
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

Glad you are happy, but I am not and hope someone has a solution short of replacing it thereby voiding the factory warranty. The pitch forces ones head forward and alternative adjustments to avoid it puts strain on either the sacrum/coxis or having to shift ones shoulder forward to accomodate.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 09:32 AM
  #4  
bclexus's Avatar
bclexus
Lexus Champion
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,921
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by 2018ES
Glad you are happy, but I am not and hope someone has a solution short of replacing it thereby voiding the factory warranty. The pitch forces ones head forward and alternative adjustments to avoid it puts strain on either the sacrum/coxis or having to shift ones shoulder forward to accomodate.
Once again - you have posted on the wrong forum. You have asked a question about an ES 350 on the GS 350 forum.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 09:42 AM
  #5  
2018ES's Avatar
2018ES
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

thank you for the clarification!
Have a good day and enjoy your GS's!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2018 | 06:40 PM
  #6  
GES's Avatar
GES
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 234
Likes: 26
From: OH
Default

Originally Posted by 2018ES
1000 miles into new 2018 Lexus ES 350 and I need a chiropractor for my neck and lower back. The forward pitch of the headrest is horrific and no seat adjustments correct the angle without compromising my back. I can't be the only one. Please help!
Not sure if you know that the headrest has at least 3 adjustment positions. Pull on the headrest forward and you will hear clicks for every forward position. If you pull further the headrest goes all the way back. But in any case the headrest is meant to keep your head and neck straight. This is important to prevent whiplash type injury to the neck in case of an accident. In case of a rear end collision the head moves forcefully backward and then forward. This can result in whiplash injury to the spine. So the forward pitch of the headrest is intentional and very good in my opinion.

Last edited by GES; Jun 25, 2018 at 06:57 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2018 | 11:50 AM
  #7  
2018ES's Avatar
2018ES
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

Perhaps mine is set in the most forward position. Thank you for the tip...I understand the need for a headrest but the current pitch has me sitting forward a good 2 inches. I will try and report back. Thank you!
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2018 | 07:22 PM
  #8  
st1800's Avatar
st1800
Advanced
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 622
Likes: 114
From: 🇨🇦
Default

Apparently some people remove the headrest and bend the bars. Tricky operation I would think, but still retains the headrest in a safe position.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2018 | 07:05 AM
  #9  
jfelbab's Avatar
jfelbab
Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Default

I'm 5' 6" and the head restraint can be adjusted to fit perfectly for me. My wife is 5' and she has no issue either. That said, I've read that many very short and very tall drivers often have difficulty with proper adjustment of head restraints in many vehicles.

I find a lot of adjustment available on both the driver and passenger seats as well as the head restraint positions. I prefer to sit fairly far away from the steering wheel and have the seat tilted back a bit. My head never touches the head restraint when I'm driving and I have about 2-3 inches of space between my head and the restraint.

Proper positioning is where the back of your head, at about eye level, is aligned with the middle of the head restraint and there are 2-4 inches of space between the restraint and the back of your head. See Page 121 of the 2018 ES-350 owners manual for adjustment instructions. Note that there are 4 horizontal (front-to-back) adjustment positions.

Just a reminder that properly adjusted head restraints can reduce head injuries by over 40%.

The only issue we have is likely due to us moving from a RX350 to the ES. We moved the seat up high for visibility as we did in the RX and we often bump our heads on the roof pillar when entering and exiting the vehicle. Took a while getting used to sitting so low again.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2018 | 04:16 PM
  #10  
Albo's Avatar
Albo
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 394
Likes: 40
From: New Jersey
Default

I bought neck pillows for the headrest. And it solved my problem . I'm 6foot
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2018 | 09:26 AM
  #11  
2018ES's Avatar
2018ES
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

If you don't mind sharing, what kind of pillows and then what did you do to compensate for the seat adjustment, tilt the seat back further to achieve a straight up head rest? Thanks.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2018 | 09:29 AM
  #12  
Albo's Avatar
Albo
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 394
Likes: 40
From: New Jersey
Default

I went with JDM style VIP pillows. Pair of them cost like $130 so very pricey. There are much cheaper options out there. But since I'm on the taller side j had to lean the seat back a bit and pull the head rest up a little so it's like floating in the sockets not locked in. My girlfriend is on the shorter side so she never even touched the headrest so the neckpillow works very well for her
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2018 | 04:20 AM
  #13  
Jonnywalte's Avatar
Jonnywalte
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

I've was looking for one of these for the wife recently and I know exactly what you mean about it being a mission to find one with black leathers and JDM style VIP pillows.
For some stupid reason they all have the ****ty cream or grey trim.
Jon

Last edited by Jonnywalte; Aug 15, 2018 at 01:21 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dlyuster
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
6
Jun 17, 2024 07:52 PM
Mystique
RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015)
1
Nov 8, 2018 01:49 PM
heidihidin
Maintenance
0
Jun 30, 2018 02:39 PM
pherbst
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
107
Mar 10, 2015 09:50 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:12 PM.