How do I adjust my headrest?

Headrests are actually head restraints, designed as a safety feature to help protect both the drivers and passenger(s) from injury should the vehicle be involved in a collision. To help minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a crash, the head restraint must be adjusted properly.

Here are guidelines for proper positioning of head restraints:

• The top of the head restraint should be as high as your head.
• The head restraint should be positioned as close to your head as possible.

Before you start, ensure your seat is in a comfortable position.

• Sit in an upright position with the base of your spine as far back as possible.
• Do not recline the seat back more than 30 degrees from the vertical position.

Make sure that your driving position is comfortable and that you can maintain full control of your vehicle at all times.

Here’s how to adjust your head restraint:^*

1. Adjust the top of the head restraint so that it’s level with the top of your head.
   • Pull the head restraint up until it is level with the top of your head.
   • Note: Some head restraint adjustments require you to push a button at the base of the headrest to release and drop it to its lowest position before raising it to the desired position.
2. Adjust the head restraint so that it’s as close to your head as possible.
   • Grab the top of the head restraint and pull it forward. When you release it, it will spring back to the upright position.
   • Then you can tilt or pivot it to the optimum position.

^*For the exact adjustment of your vehicle’s head restraints, please see your Owner Manuals.

WARNING:

To minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a crash, the driver and passenger occupants should not operate the vehicle until the head restraint has been adjusted to its proper position. The driver should never adjust the head restraint while the vehicle is in motion.

The adjustable head restraint is a safety device. Whenever possible, it should be installed and properly adjusted while the adjoining seat is occupied. It’s important to install the head restraint properly to minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a crash.

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See how to adjust your headrest in this video.

If your vehicle is equipped, see how to adjust power seats.

Make your ride comfortable by learning how to adjust your steering column.