"Active Head Restraints"?

[MS3.MAN]

"Active Head Restraints"? / Volvo WHIPS-equipped seats interchangeable with MS3?

Hello All,

I'm considering a MS3.

• Are the Mazda3 & MS3 head restraints the same or different?
  
• Does the 2007 MAZDASPEED3 have "Active Head Restraints"? Per the official 2007 MAZDASPEED3 spec sheet it has "Whiplash-reducing front seat headrests"
  
• Will the 2008 MAZDASPEED3 have "Active Head Restraints"?

Thanks!

 

[MS3.MAN]

NHTSA: New Whiplash Regulation Takes Effect 9/1/08

How will the 2008 M3 & MS3 seats change as a result of the following NHTSA regulation? Will the 2008 M3 & MS3 manufactured after 9/1/08 be able to pass the IIHS whiplash test?

Do head restraints have to meet government standards? Yes. Since January 1, 1969, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 202 has mandated head restraints in the front outboard seats of all new passenger cars. On September 1, 1991, head restraint standards were extended to pickups, vans, and SUVs. Manufacturers may install either of two types of restraints. The first is an integral head restraint with a seatback that is high enough to meet the head restraint height requirement. The second type is an adjustable head restraint consisting of a cushion attached to the seatback by sliding metal shafts. Adjustable restraints can be moved and sometimes locked at different heights; some also can be adjusted horizontally to change the distance between the back of the head and restraint.

In December 2004, NHTSA upgraded FMVSS 202 to require head restraints that are higher and closer to the back of people's heads. The new height requirements for front and rear seat head restraints are similar to the ones mandated in the European Union.

FMVSS 202 establishes a minimum of 29.5 inches from an occupant's hip to the top of a head restraint. This compares with 27.5 inches under the previous rule. Adjustable restraints in their lowest (down) position mushttp://www.mazdas247.com/forum/calendar.php
Calendart be at least 30 inches from an occupant's hip; the previous rule did not specify a minimum height for adjustable restraints. Another change is that all adjustable restraints must lock once in position. Under the previous rule, the amount of space between the back of an occupant's head and the head restraint (backset) was not regulated. Now the backset must be 2.2 inches or less. Manufacturers will have to comply starting September 1, 2008.

Head restraints will not be required in rear seats, but if they are voluntarily installed they must meet a height requirement. Fixed restraints in rear seats must be at least 30 inches from an occupant's hip, and adjustable restraints cannot be adjusted below 30 inches. There will not be a backset requirement for head restraints installed in rear seats.​

 

[Adammazda06]

From the 2008 Mazda Spec Deck on the MX connect site. (Mazda Dealers Online) Those are the only changes to the 2008 3.

SAFETY CHANGES

�� Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) standard on
MAZDA3i Sport (not available on Mazda 3i Sport
produced prior to 9/1/2007)

�� Dual front seat-mounted side-impact air bags standard on
MAZDA3s Sport 4-Door and MAZDA3s Sport 5-Door

�� Side-impact air curtains (front & rear coverage) standard
on MAZDA3s Sport 4-Door and MAZDA3s Sport 5-Door

 

[MS3.MAN]

Thanks for the info from the Mazda Spec Deck Adam.

 

[MS3.MAN]

Head Restraint: MS3 VS M3?

Is the MS3 head restraint:

• the same as the M3?
• or different from the M3?

 

[Adammazda06]

Is the MS3 head restraint:

• the same as the M3?
• or different from the M3?

i cant imagine it being different.

 

[MS3.MAN]

A Google image search turned up the following comparison:

MS3
2004 M3 5-door

Note: Be sure to click on the images of the front seats for a larger image.

Adam,
It looks like you're correct. However, I wish the seats were different since the IIHS found the M3 head restraint to be marginal in their whiplash test.

 

[MS3.MAN]

New M3 competitor

With the Mazda 3, ...
... the "Touring" classification captures the models high-function, fun-to-drive personality. It will come with class leading safety features like Traction control, ABS brakes and brake-force distribution and a full compliment of airbags, including side curtains.

Active head restraints will also be fitted. The latter are safety devices designed to reduce the risk of whiplash related injuries in a crash. It will also be the first five-door in its class to come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

 

[MS3.MAN]

AHR info

More AHR links:
#2
#3

 

[MS3.MAN]

I would like to buy a Mazdaspeed3. However, it is missing one recommended safety feature - active head restraints (AHR). The IIHS has rated the Mazda3 seats as marginal. I would appreciate it very much if someone can could assist me in positively answering the following two questions?

1. Since the Mazda3 is built on the Ford C1 platform, the same platform used for the Volvo C30 / C70 / S40 & V50, are any of these Volvo AHR-equipped seats interchangeable with the Mazdaspeed3 front seats? Is the seat mount bolt pattern the same?
2. Per Wikipedia, the safety and electrical components are shared among the Ford C1 platform models. If this is correct, shouldn't the Mazda3 control module be compatible with either the Mazda3 or Volvo seat and its built-in side air bag?

Thanks!

 

[Ryz]

Holy crap dude, people have gone of the track at 120 and survived in the MS3, if you're that worried buy a minivan.

 

[Craighjr]

Yeah seriously I was reading this thinking "April fools day!!!!" Don't buy the car over it's head rests. Wow you must crash alot or really just worry alot!

 

[ZooMIN3]

MS3.MAN,

What's stopping you to stop by and actually take a peek at the MS3 model you plan on buying? I have an 08 MS3, and I don't recall anything with a "active head restraint" system, or whatever its called. I'll have to check it out now that you mention it.

-J

 

[ZooMIN3]

Ok guys, lets not bash the guy. He has some questions regarding safety... maybe he has had concussions before and is worried about some of the what if's in the future...... you've read the stories on fellow Speeders that lost their Speeds due to an accident. s*** happens. Everyone is entitled to have a "Wild Child" if they so desire. Even if they have safety questions. So if some of you have the time, I don't I'm not near my car, but go take a quick peek and see if your Speed3 has "active head restraint" system anywhere in the manual or on the seat itself. I don't remember seeing anything on the head rest for that matter..... but if its there, I missed it. Lets just help the guy out. (cool)

-J

 

[Mocoso]

I dont believe the MS3 comes with "active head restraint" systems...didnt see it in owners manual and havent seen it on actual seat... frankly the only cars Ive seen those on tend to be the 2x more expensive luxury brutes: Volvo, MB, BMW, Lexus... I dont expect active head restraints to be making it down to 20K cars (not yet at least... just like everything else... it trickles down once volume goes up)

And I dont think the MS3 and M3 seats are the same... my headrests look nothing like the google picture (maybe thats the leather GT package being shown.. sports dont look that way)

 

[Hirudin]

The Volvo C30 has active head restraints. Starts at something like $22,000.

One of the Mazda salespeople I talked to at my local dealer told me the MS3 had AHR, but she also tried to tell me airbags were equipped in the inside (driver's right side, passenger's left side) of the seats...

 

[ZooMIN3]

The Volvo C30 has active head restraints. Starts at something like $22,000.

One of the Mazda salespeople I talked to at my local dealer told me the MS3 had AHR, but she also tried to tell me airbags were equipped in the inside (driver's right side, passenger's left side) of the seats...

You mean like, passenger side air bags, right? I know I saw that on there somewhere!? lol I'll have to take a look at this. Thanks guys for your responses. I'll have to look up AHR once I get home. I never heard of it before. For some weird reason, you put a "seat belt" on your head....lol

-J

 

[Mocoso]

The Volvo C30 does NOT have active head restraints... it has what it calls WHIPS...per their site and quoting Volvo "If your car is hit from behind at low speed, WHIPS ensures the front seat follows the backward movement of the body and tips to cushion the head and upper part of the body - all of which helps significantly reduce the strain on the spine and neck." - its trying to do what AHR do but in a different approach

AHR: Usually is for cars that actively raise and move headrest forward in the event of an accident..

The MS3 does have (not sure if its optional or not) side impact airbags on the seats themselves but they are NOT on drivers right side/passengers left side LOL .... (ok maybe it does if yer in England but not in the US or Canada...)

IMHO: Having AHR or not isnt going to be a guarantee of safety... 1/3 of the cars that HAD AHR still rated poor in overall safety..

 

[Hirudin]

The Volvo C30 does NOT have active head restraints... it has what it calls WHIPS
....

Oh... sorry. I thought I'd remembered the C30 had a fancy head rest thing... Wrong again!

...
The MS3 does have (not sure if its optional or not) side impact airbags on the seats themselves but they are NOT on drivers right side/passengers left side LOL .... (ok maybe it does if yer in England but not in the US or Canada...)
...

HAHA! Yeah, maybe the salesperson was reading the MPS manual..?

And for the record, the salesperson pointed directly at the INSIDE of the seets, above the arm rest, and said "airbags come out here".

 

[Mocoso]

Oh... sorry. I thought I'd remembered the C30 had a fancy head rest thing... Wrong again!


HAHA! Yeah, maybe the salesperson was reading the MPS manual..?

And for the record, the salesperson pointed directly at the INSIDE of the seets, above the arm rest, and said "airbags come out here".

LOL! Airbags there would only be helpfull in case wife got pissed at you and was about to kick yer ass...
amazes me how people who make a living selling cars wouldnt take the time to do the homework on the cars...