Folding the Rear Seat

The rear seatbacks (or cushions) can be folded to make it easier to carry long items or to increase the cargo capacity of the vehicle.

WARNING

The purpose of the folding rear seatback (or cushion) is to allow you to carry longer items than would otherwise fit. Never allow passengers to sit on top of a folded seatback while the vehicle is moving. Improper seating and no seat belts are available for use. This may result in serious injury or death in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Items carried on a folded seatback must not extend above the top of the front seats. This may allow cargo to slide forward and cause injury or damage during sudden stops.

To fold the rear seat cushion and seatback (5-door and wagon)

1. Set the front seatback to the upright position and, if necessary, slide the front seat forward.

2. Lift the front of the seat cushion upward.

3. Lift the rear of the seat cushion. Place the rear seat cushion in the upright position.

4. Pull the lock release lever (visible in red).

5. Remove the head restraint from the rear seatback.

6. Store the head restraint by inserting the head restraint posts into the holder on the lower part of the seat cushion.

7. Fold the rear seatback forward and down firmly.

8. To use the rear seat, move the head restraint on the seatback and adjust it to the desired position.

9. Lift and push the seatback rearward firmly until it locks in place with a click. Make sure the seatback is locked in place (red indicator not visible).

10. Return the seat cushion to its original position by pressing the rear side of the seat cushion first. Make sure the seat cushion is locked in place.

11. Return the rear seat belt to its proper position.

To fold the rear seatback (for 3-door):

1. Set the front seatback to the upright position and, if necessary, slide the front seat forward.

2. Lower the rear head restraints to their lowest position.

3. Pull the lock release lever (1) and fold the rear seatback forward and down firmly.

If the seat belt locks after folding the rear seatback, pull out the locked seat belt, release it, and then pull it out again.

To unfold the rear seat

1. To use the rear seat, lift and pull the seatback rearward. Pull the seatback firmly until it locks in place with a click. Make sure the seatback is locked. When you return the seatback to the upright position, always check that it is locked in this position by pressing on the upper part of the seatback.

If you cannot see the red line on the bottom of the folding lever, the seatback is fully locked.

2. Return the rear seat belt to its proper position.

3. When the seatback is fully installed, check the seatback folding lever again.

WARNING

When returning the rear seatback to the upright position after it has been folded:

Be careful not to damage the seat belt webbing or buckle. Do not allow the seat belt webbing or buckle to become caught or pinched by the rear seat. Make sure the seatback is fully locked in its upright position by pressing on the upper part of the seatback. Otherwise, in an accident or sudden stop, the seat may fold forward and allow cargo to enter the passenger compartment, which may result in serious injury or death.

CAUTION - Rear Seat Belts

When returning the rear seatback to the upright position, remember to return the rear shoulder belts to their proper position.

WARNING - Cargo

Cargo must always be secured to prevent it from being thrown about the vehicle in an accident and causing injury to vehicle occupants. Pay special attention to items placed on the rear seats, as they may strike the front seat occupants in a frontal collision.

WARNING - Loading Cargo

Make sure the engine is off, the automatic transaxle is in P (Park) or the manual transaxle is in R (Reverse) or 1st, and the parking brake is firmly applied whenever loading or unloading cargo. Failure to take these steps may allow the vehicle to move if the shift lever is accidentally moved out of position.