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Styling Different head restraints?

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Styling Different head restraints?

SB1500

SB1500

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I'm wondering if it's as simple as getting some Punto soft head restraints and fitting them into the Panda? Just to make it a bit more tolerable as your head bounces forward and back! Unless that's abnormal and there's something going on with my Panda, but it's gotten to the point where I'm motivated to make a thread about it
 
Is this in regards to the headrest feeling like it's made from some kind of iron or concrete!? Lol
 
varesecrazy said:
What year panda?

1242cc..

After years with a similar motor.. you should be able to make direct comparisons..

Give us a pic of your current rests..

AFAIK thay all mount on steel spikes
( we robbed some for the rear sockets on our sei..)
Click to expand...

Sorry, it's a 2017 1.2 Panda Easy. I thought they'd be okay! Even though they're the same material as the last Panda's, the lack of the 'hole' meant it felt more comfortable on the initial drive. But on long journey's it's playing ping pong with my head! Lol

I've attached a picture of the ones I'm referring to in my car. They are adjustable this time, unlike the last Panda leading me to think they can be removed easily without needing to modify them in any kind of way.. I must give it a try.


quotethepigeon said:
Is this in regards to the headrest feeling like it's made from some kind of iron or concrete!? Lol
Click to expand...

Yes! Those ones. I do wonder why Fiat does this to us, surely it's pennies to put 'conventional' ones in Lol
 

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SB1500 said:
I'm wondering if it's as simple as getting some Punto soft head restraints and fitting them into the Panda? Just to make it a bit more tolerable as your head bounces forward and back! Unless that's abnormal and there's something going on with my Panda, but it's gotten to the point where I'm motivated to make a thread about it
Click to expand...

Sewing machine, some elastic and a bit of thin foam - make yourself a couple of natty little covers. They are a little hard as they are.
 
Be Glad for the EU!!

Safety first anti whiplash head restraints should not be tampered with. However I got some from a Hyundai that were far worse and put them in a vice and bent them a fraction to give me clearance. It worked but you need a
heavy bench, a strong vice and some scaffolding tube.Correctly adjusted the head rest should be set so its top is slightly above the top of your head and you should have clearance from your head as it will move forwards in the event of a crash and you don't want it to injure you.
I have found that if you adjust right you do get used to the EU headrests. Most new cars have exactly the same issue for the same reason.

Happy suffering! or straightening
 
varesecrazy said:
Only driven ours for 10 minutes.. :(

Will let you know if its the suspension..
Jolting people around..
Click to expand...

Did you get a new-new shape Panda recently? :D

AB100 said:
Sewing machine, some elastic and a bit of thin foam - make yourself a couple of natty little covers. They are a little hard as they are.
Click to expand...

I was contemplating this, but it'd be a new venture for me! I used to keep a hat over these head restraints in the old Panda, perhaps that's the comfort I'm expecting lol Looks a bit odd but, got comments about it!

Panda IIs said:
Yep; that's abnormal, maybe trip to Doctors ;0
Click to expand...

As in, abnormal for the car to do lol Though perhaps something else is amiss and I should call a chiropractor... :devil:

The Panda Nut said:
Be Glad for the EU!!

Safety first anti whiplash head restraints should not be tampered with. However I got some from a Hyundai that were far worse and put them in a vice and bent them a fraction to give me clearance. It worked but you need a
heavy bench, a strong vice and some scaffolding tube.Correctly adjusted the head rest should be set so its top is slightly above the top of your head and you should have clearance from your head as it will move forwards in the event of a crash and you don't want it to injure you.
I have found that if you adjust right you do get used to the EU headrests. Most new cars have exactly the same issue for the same reason.

Happy suffering! or straightening
Click to expand...

Why are these called EU headrests?! I can only suspect some kind of heavy regulation on their design? Or is it to do with the material? Hmm.. I will try and set them as you say and see how it goes

babbo_umbro said:
Agree - surprised your head is making contact with the headrest.
Click to expand...

On longer journeys I sit back and my head makes contact with them, is that bad posture / bad to do?

isthisagoodidea said:
I don't think my head ever touches the head restraints when I'm driving ..only sometimes when waiting in traffic or when having a snooze when parked up ....
Click to expand...

It's on longer journeys I've been bothered by it. But it sounds like maybe I should be further away from it from some of the other replies :idea:
 
SB1500 said:
Did you get a new-new shape Panda recently? :D



I was contemplating this, but it'd be a new venture for me! I used to keep a hat over these head restraints in the old Panda, perhaps that's the comfort I'm expecting lol Looks a bit odd but, got comments about it!



As in, abnormal for the car to do lol Though perhaps something else is amiss and I should call a chiropractor... :devil:



Why are these called EU headrests?! I can only suspect some kind of heavy regulation on their design? Or is it to do with the material? Hmm.. I will try and set them as you say and see how it goes



On longer journeys I sit back and my head makes contact with them, is that bad posture / bad to do?



It's on longer journeys I've been bothered by it. But it sounds like maybe I should be further away from it from some of the other replies :idea:
Click to expand...

Hi there. Yes there is some regulation on the safety of head restraints that seems to dictate how they are and where they sit. I too find them uncomfortable.
 
quite simply......Now listen
Head restraints and exactly that ''restrants''
TO STOP YOUR HEAD BENDING TOO FARE BACK if you get hit hard from behind
They are not designed for resting your head on when driving
If I did that in my FIORINO I would be look at the head lining!
Leave your head restraints alone
LUIGI
 
2668GRIFFIN said:
quite simply......Now listen
Head restraints and exactly that ''restrants''
TO STOP YOUR HEAD BENDING TOO FARE BACK if you get hit hard from behind
They are not designed for resting your head on when driving
If I did that in my FIORINO I would be look at the head lining!
Leave your head restraints alone
LUIGI
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with changing them for a more comfortable set from a different Fiat if possible, they'll still do their job exactly as you say!
 
Having messed with the head restraints previously simply to get the seats apart, here's what I've got:

1. Avoid messing with them if you can. The anti-whiplash system works with OEM restraints alone; so if you add thickness, height, or angle, you'd be liable in a crash and they simply might not work as intended. That being said...

2. All of the OEM Fiat headrests are the same. I don't mean that in a bluff, 'hurr durr headrests are dumb' sort of way. They almost always have the same fitment bars with the same indentations and the same length/width so nearly all of them are interchangeable from the Panda to the 500L. That being said...

3. All of the OEM Fiat headrests are rubbish. They're either all made of that annoyingly hard rubberized foam material, or the softer cloth ones have that darned concrete underneath somewhere so swapping them out doesn't help much. For the record, the old 'hole' style headrests were abandoned because they might injure people if those people didn't set the headrest height properly. That's why not even the cheapo Chinese cars have them anymore. Shame really, as the wife really liked the hole for her pony tail.

4. Unfortunately, unlike in a Volvo, Merc or BMW, if you're resting your head on the headrest (I'm fully aware of the irony), you're doing it wrong. Head 'restraints' in cheaper brands and lower models are designed to do exactly that: restrain your head from snapping back and breaking your neck in a rear-ender. Higher end 'headrests' are actually designed for you to rest your head and have the internal depth (and mechanisms) to cope with that head position. If you want to sit back, lay your head on the 'rest' and relax, you'll have to upgrade to a significantly more 'relaxing' (read: expensive) car.
 
oyumurtaci said:
Having messed with the head restraints previously simply to get the seats apart, here's what I've got:

1. Avoid messing with them if you can. The anti-whiplash system works with OEM restraints alone; so if you add thickness, height, or angle, you'd be liable in a crash and they simply might not work as intended. That being said...

2. All of the OEM Fiat headrests are the same. I don't mean that in a bluff, 'hurr durr headrests are dumb' sort of way. They almost always have the same fitment bars with the same indentations and the same length/width so nearly all of them are interchangeable from the Panda to the 500L. That being said...

3. All of the OEM Fiat headrests are rubbish. They're either all made of that annoyingly hard rubberized foam material, or the softer cloth ones have that darned concrete underneath somewhere so swapping them out doesn't help much. For the record, the old 'hole' style headrests were abandoned because they might injure people if those people didn't set the headrest height properly. That's why not even the cheapo Chinese cars have them anymore. Shame really, as the wife really liked the hole for her pony tail.

4. Unfortunately, unlike in a Volvo, Merc or BMW, if you're resting your head on the headrest (I'm fully aware of the irony), you're doing it wrong. Head 'restraints' in cheaper brands and lower models are designed to do exactly that: restrain your head from snapping back and breaking your neck in a rear-ender. Higher end 'headrests' are actually designed for you to rest your head and have the internal depth (and mechanisms) to cope with that head position. If you want to sit back, lay your head on the 'rest' and relax, you'll have to upgrade to a significantly more 'relaxing' (read: expensive) car.
Click to expand...

That is the ideal answer! Better leaving it then, for good reasons!
 
SB1500 said:
That is the ideal answer! Better leaving it then, for good reasons!
Click to expand...

So far, the best I've found with the same bar width/depth (compatible with the anti-whiplash system) are the new Egea/Tipo ones as they're actually soft but look absolutely ridiculous in the Panda. Add to that the fact that you need to disarm the anti-whiplash system just to fit them (and get the front headrests out in the first place) means IMHO they're not worth the hassle.
 
oyumurtaci said:
So far, the best I've found with the same bar width/depth (compatible with the anti-whiplash system) are the new Egea/Tipo ones as they're actually soft but look absolutely ridiculous in the Panda. Add to that the fact that you need to disarm the anti-whiplash system just to fit them (and get the front headrests out in the first place) means IMHO they're not worth the hassle.
Click to expand...

Are the head rests in the panda not removable?
 
They are not designed to come out.
There used to be a little button on one of the plastic guide holes but not any more.
If you have the anti whiplash that's why
After all that's been covered on this I still can't believe you want to change them
You better check with your insurance company if you are allowed to disarm the anti whiplash system and you want to modify the seat design
LUIGI
 
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