IStoSC

I love driving our car but the possibility of a roll over particularly when the top is down really scares me...maybe I'm just paranoid...especially after seeing this:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...car-it-is.html

Do we have "U-bars" that come out from our rear headrest? I understand that the rear headrest is made so it can support a roll-over but I wanted to know if bars move out of the headrest vertically to add a few more inches of safety. The back headrest are just too low in my opinion...

I am fairly paranoid and even sit a bit lower (like it will help) when the top is down because I feel like the the top of my head is only 6 inches or so from the top of the windshield...I'm sure our cars have to be be safe during a rollover...right?

SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

Yes, there are pictures on this forum that show the roll bars, don't recall where, but they are hidden in the rear head rests. I don't think they come out, they are just there under the headrests. I'll look to see if I can find them.

redliner8

iTrader: (1)

Good question. Talwang took the backseat headrest apart, here's a picture. Seems like the U safety bar? I'm not sure if anything 'pops up' if the vehicle is overturned:

IStoSC

^yea, I've seen that but am scared that they aren't tall enough...if the car were to to rollover I feel like my head would protrude out of the top higher than the windshield which is 6" higher and the rearheadrest which is about the top of my head when I'm sitting with tires on the ground...

SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

Try looking on about the third page of this forum under spoiler cleaning VVIBob has put up a picture of the layout of the rear head rests. I guess if you still don't feel safe, you'll just have to drive more cautiously when the top is down, and wear a helmet. lol

VVTiBob

Unless your so tall that your head is well above the seat's headrest, or you choose not to wear your seat belt there is little or no risk. Remember most cars since the mid to late eighties come with seat belt "pretensioners", including ours. In the event of a crash, the pretensioners will tighten the belt almost instantaneously, reducing the seat occupants movements, or ability to slip out of, or under, loose fitting seat belts in a violent crash. Like airbags, pretensioners are triggered by sensors in the car's body. So if you believe in airbags, trust your pretensioners too.

I have no doubt there was concern over this issue during the design phases of our cars. I suspect Toyota/Lexus did extensive rollover testing. I find it hard to believe they would have produced a car for 10 years, if the body style was known for decapitating its occupants.

But on the other hand, folks who choose to ride in an open convertible and NOT wear their seat belt are a whole other matter. And maybe, just maybe, that line of DNA should come to an end anyway.

For your own peace of mind you should have someone take a photo of you sitting in the car and see exactly where your head and headrest meet.

SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget we are supposed to keep the shiney side up.

IStoSC

Thanks guys...just paranoid about it as this car is terrible on on/off ramps and there have been a few times where I was within the speed limit and felt the car slipping so I am cautious...I always wear a belt and try to drive as safely as possible...

T8LEX

iTrader: (2)

i think you should scrap the SC and go get a volvo!

huy33

So I guess the 5'4" folks don't have to worry?

grabber2

How about a helmet when top down

cjs18

Agreed that this kind of behavior is Darwin award material.

Further thinking the rollover issue, it appears that the CG of the SC430 is reasonably low in comparison with its track so you'd think a skid would happen before a rollover in many situations. But if it did occur it's hard to believe that the aluminum / plastic hardtop would offer much crush protection but it could be better than nothing (and then again it just might consume 2" of survival space). Nevertheless, as you suggest, I think the defining characteristic is the imaginary line between the top of the windshield pillars and the top of the roll bars in the rear seat headrests.

Habious

If you really want to know, lay a 2x4 over the windshield and the rear headrest...then get in the car.

VVTiBob

I laid a 2x4 once....it wasn't comfortable at all.