More safety and comfort: retrofitting headrests – this is what you should know

Thomas Wachsmuth September 12, 2023 Car repair & tuning guide

Reading time 4 Min.

Recently updated on October 29, 2023 at 08:21 am

Whether from a shock from behind or when you lean against it in a relaxed manner - the headrest in the car plays a crucial role in safety and comfort. But what if the beloved vehicle does not yet have any of these protective components or the existing headrest does not meet the desired requirements? One retrofitting could be the solution here. First of all Why: The main function of the headrest is to provide the so-called in the event of a rear collision whiplash to prevent. In such an accident, the occupant's head is thrown backwards by the force of the impact, which can result in injuries to the cervical spine. A well-positioned headrest supports the head and thus minimizes the risk of injury.

Retrofit headrests

What should be considered? Positioning and stability are the key words. The headrest should ideally be adjusted so that the top edge is at least at eye level. It should also be stable so that it can effectively support the head in the event of an accident. Retrofitting is particularly important in older vehicles that have no or inadequate headrests useful. But when is this allowed and when is it not? One thing is clear here too: all modifications to the vehicle must comply with the specifications Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) are equivalent to. This means that after installing a new headrest Approval by the TÜV is usually required.

You should also know that not all seats are suitable for retrofitting. At sports seats or Leather seats Retrofitting can be more difficult as they often have special shapes and materials. At Standard seating On the other hand, retrofitting is usually easier. Some car seats already have integrated devices for the headrests at the factory, but for others a corresponding hole must first be drilled.

The rough process looks like this:

First you should check whether the seat is suitable for retrofitting a headrest.
If so, you can buy suitable headrests in specialist stores or online.
When choosing, you should make sure that the headrest fits the seat and the conditions of the car and meets the TÜV specifications.
After purchasing, you can either install the headrest yourself or have it done by a specialist workshop.
Once the installation is complete, you should take the vehicle to the TÜV to have the conversion approved.

However, there are some disadvantages to keep in mind: Retrofitting can be expensive, especially if you hire a specialist workshop. Additionally, it is important to remember that drilling holes in the car seat can weaken the seat's structure, which could be problematic in the event of an accident. You have to pay close attention to where the headrest is attached and how.

Summary: Retrofitting headrests

Models without headrests: VW T4, VW Golf 3, Peugeot 206 etc.
Benefits: Beautifies the interior and increases safety.
Objective: Retrofitting the headrests on the back seat is also possible.

quick start Guide:

Buy headrests: Only for the specific vehicle model; Pay attention to the distance between the bars; Consider color matching to seats.
Cut out openings: Find hidden holes in the seat cover and carefully cut them free (of course, only if they exist).
Insert rails and supports: Push the guide rail into holes while wearing work gloves.
adjust height: Optimum height = top edge of headrest at eye level.

Costs:

Self-retrofitting: Price of the headrests.
Workshop: Between €100 and €250, depending on workshop and headrest model. Possibly more expensive for classic cars.

Conclusion: Retrofitting headrests can increase both comfort and safety in the car. However, it is important to choose the right headrest for the respective model and to install it correctly. If you are unsure, you should contact a workshop and get advice. Safety first!

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

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