Kia Sportage: Folding the rear seat

The rear seatbacks can be folded to facilitate carrying long items or to increase the luggage capacity of the vehicle.

WARNING

Never allow passengers to sit on top of the folded down seatback while the vehicle is moving.This is not a proper seating position and no seat belts are available for use. This could result in serious injury or death in case of an accident or sudden stop.

WARNING - Objects

Objects carried on the folded down seatback should not extend higher than the top of the front seatbacks. This could allow cargo to slide forward and cause injury or damage during sudden stops.

1.Insert the rear seat belt buckle in the pocket (if equipped) between the rear seatback and cushion, and insert the rear seat belt webbing into the guide to prevent the seat belt from being damaged.
2.Set the front seatback to the upright position and if necessary, slide the front seat forward.
3.Lower the rear headrests to the lowest position.

4.Pull on the seatback folding lever, then fold the seat toward the front of the vehicle.

5.When you return the seatback to its upright position, always be sure it has locked into position by pushing on the top of the seatback.
6.Return the rear seat belt to the proper position.

WARNING - Rear seatback

When returning the rear seatback from a folded to an upright position, hold the seatback and return it slowly. Ensure that the seatback is completely locked into its upright position by pushing on the top of the seatback. In an accident or sudden stop, the unlocked seatback could allow cargo to move forward with great force and enter the passenger compartment.

When returning the rear seatbacks to the upright position, remember to return the rear shoulder belts to their proper position. Routing the seat belt webbing through the rear seat belt guides will help keep the belts from being trapped behind or under the seats.

CAUTION - Damaging rear seat belt buckles

When you fold the rear seatback, insert the buckle in the pocket between the rear seatback and cushion. Doing so can prevent the buckle from being damaged by the rear seatback.

WARNING - Cargo

Do not place heavy objects in the rear seats, since they cannot be properly secured and may hit vehicle occupants in a frontal collision.

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