Why do the headrests move when you adjust the seats front/back?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 44
From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Why do the headrests move when you adjust the seats front/back?
When I adjust my driver or passenger seat backwards or forwards, the headrest moves either up or down. Any idea why this is so? Can it be turned off?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Because the engineers have figured out that if you move the seats farther back, then you must be tall, so it adjusts the headrest up for taller drivers. If you move the seat very forward, you must be short so it lowers the headrest.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Because the engineers have figured out that if you move the seats farther back, then you must be tall, so it adjusts the headrest up for taller drivers. If you move the seat very forward, you must be short so it lowers the headrest.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
But people like to sue & they love to collect! That's how we got where we are. It sucks but there's no going back anymore.
Simpler to maintain? Sure. There's nothing in them except levers, knobs, wheels, springs & pushrods. Whatever breaks can be fixed with hand tools, a good pair of eyes & ears & very little knowledge of electricity. More fun? Probably. Safer? Absolutely not.
Simpler to maintain? Sure. There's nothing in them except levers, knobs, wheels, springs & pushrods. Whatever breaks can be fixed with hand tools, a good pair of eyes & ears & very little knowledge of electricity. More fun? Probably. Safer? Absolutely not.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
But people like to sue & they love to collect! That's how we got where we are. It sucks but there's no going back anymore.
Simpler to maintain? Sure. There's nothing in them except levers, knobs, wheels, springs & pushrods. Whatever breaks can be fixed with hand tools, a good pair of eyes & ears & very little knowledge of electricity. More fun? Probably. Safer? Absolutely not.
Simpler to maintain? Sure. There's nothing in them except levers, knobs, wheels, springs & pushrods. Whatever breaks can be fixed with hand tools, a good pair of eyes & ears & very little knowledge of electricity. More fun? Probably. Safer? Absolutely not.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Because the engineers have figured out that if you move the seats farther back, then you must be tall, so it adjusts the headrest up for taller drivers. If you move the seat very forward, you must be short so it lowers the headrest.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
The height will be in the right range without you touching it to protect you from neck injury in case of accident, without you becoming actively involved. (A Passive safety device... someday they'll all have it.) (BTW how many years did we drive around with the headrests fully lowered because it was a PIA to adjust or because they looked better fully lowered?)
The term "Headrest" is a misnomer anyway. They arent for resting your head on. They are to decrease the amount of rearward head motion in a collision. "Head Restraint" is better.
Actually, test it. There is no such "logic" to it. Set your seat in the farthest back position AND lower the headreast. Then meve your seat forward and the headrest will rise. That does not fit with your reasoning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
For that matter how many years did we drive around in cars without seatbelts, airbags, crush zones, padded dash boards, hard bumpers, etc., etc. I for one am kind of tired of the government trying to protect us from ourselves. I survived all of that and lots of other people did also. My favorite car has only seat belts, and lots of knobs partruding from the dash. I have owned it since new in 1965 and still use it in the summer. 65 Corvette. I feel more secure in it than I do in most of today's cars.Its also much more reliable and simpler to maintain than any of todays cars.
I'm glad MB thought enough to adjust the head restraints accordingly. I'm juts disappointed it took them a while to design seats that offer enhanced whiplash protection.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
That is certainly your purgative. I for one appreciate any safety features they include in the car and it is perhaps the biggest reason I pay a premium for a MB. If they didn't do everything technologically possible, within reason, to help avoid injury, I'd have a hard time justifying paying a premium for a MB. Safety is the single most important aspect I look for in a car. It's not just my safety that I'm concerned about but that of my family and friends as well. I've certainly paid enough to allow them every benefit possible in the event of a crash and I fully expect MB to be in the forefront of safety.
I'm glad MB thought enough to adjust the head restraints accordingly. I'm juts disappointed it took them a while to design seats that offer enhanced whiplash protection.
I'm glad MB thought enough to adjust the head restraints accordingly. I'm juts disappointed it took them a while to design seats that offer enhanced whiplash protection.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
In other words, the moment you move the seat, the head rest has to rise to be in the higher, seat position/headrest relationship position for that new seat position. That's why it moves up. You put it all the way down, which doesn't match the set relationship. It has to be higher for that seat position. Its not random headrest movement.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 1, 2007 at 11:37 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
After you lower it, the moment you move the seat forward to a more forward position, the headrest seeks the height it should be at for the rearward position it is now in, because it shouldnt be all the way down for that seat position. It is not an instantaneous upward movement, so it goes upward at its normal motor speed.
In other words, the moment you move the seat, the head rest has to rise to be in the higher, seat position/headrest relationship position for that new seat position. That's why it moves up. You put it all the way down, which doesn't match the set relationship. It has to be higher for that seat position. Its not random headrest movement.
In other words, the moment you move the seat, the head rest has to rise to be in the higher, seat position/headrest relationship position for that new seat position. That's why it moves up. You put it all the way down, which doesn't match the set relationship. It has to be higher for that seat position. Its not random headrest movement.
I never meant to imply it was random, just that it is n't as simple as you explain. either way, you win. How exactly does this help to resolve the initial question? Boy, you are bright.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 44
From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Makes sense to me that it's a automatic safety feature. It's what my gut told me, but it's nice to have it confirmed.
I asked because we have a headrest monitor attached to the poles of the headrests and sometimes I move the seat to get in and out and I don't want the cables to the monitors getting stretched.
I asked because we have a headrest monitor attached to the poles of the headrests and sometimes I move the seat to get in and out and I don't want the cables to the monitors getting stretched.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
You have totally missed my point. There is nothing wrong with safety items, however they should not be substituted for driving and accident avoidance skills. Perhaps you are too young to remember the basic cars that had none of this stuff. Too many people do not have these skills as they rely on the safety devices.
Not sure about being too young. I turned 31 last month and I am starting to feel really old. Soon it will be all over...
So you see I need those extra safety features to keep me alive a little bit longer 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I agree completely. Safety features are supposed to augment good driving, not replace them. Having said that I want MB to be at the forefront of safety technology, as that is really the primary reason I would purchase one.
Not sure about being too young. I turned 31 last month and I am starting to feel really old. Soon it will be all over... So you see I need those extra safety features to keep me alive a little bit longer
Not sure about being too young. I turned 31 last month and I am starting to feel really old. Soon it will be all over...
So you see I need those extra safety features to keep me alive a little bit longer
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Active Head Restraints
Anyone know what Mercedes decided not to have Active Head Restraints, as they have in Volvos? The head restraint is actually curved in a certain manner so that the back of your neck is appropriately restrained at the correct place, position, and angle automatically based on your height.
I have this feature in my Volvo S80 and this is further augmented by a whiplash protection mechanism that is built into the seat. In the event of a rear-end collision, the seat back actually tilts back along with your spine to cushion and absorb the impact.
Before the Volvo I hurt my back from a rear-end collision and it took years for me to recover. I still prefer driving the W211 to the S80 but wish the W211's seats were better designed for safety. The head restraint moving automatically is nice but I think it is only in 2007 they added whiplash protection to the front seats and this technology has been around for about 8 years.
I think people overlook the important of the seats as a safety feature and the importance of properly positioning the head restraints. I often see people who have adjusted their head restraints all the way up or down.
I have this feature in my Volvo S80 and this is further augmented by a whiplash protection mechanism that is built into the seat. In the event of a rear-end collision, the seat back actually tilts back along with your spine to cushion and absorb the impact.
Before the Volvo I hurt my back from a rear-end collision and it took years for me to recover. I still prefer driving the W211 to the S80 but wish the W211's seats were better designed for safety. The head restraint moving automatically is nice but I think it is only in 2007 they added whiplash protection to the front seats and this technology has been around for about 8 years.
I think people overlook the important of the seats as a safety feature and the importance of properly positioning the head restraints. I often see people who have adjusted their head restraints all the way up or down.
