Kia Sportage: Rear seat adjustment / Folding the rear seat

The rear seatbacks may 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. Ignoring this warning 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.

To fold down the rear seatback:

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

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

3. Insert the rear seat belt buckle in the pocket between the rear seatback and cushion, and insert the rear seat belt webbing in the guide to prevent the seat belt from being damaged.

4. Lift up the front portion of the seatback folding lever, then fold the seat toward the front of the vehicle. 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.

5. To use the rear seat, lift and push the seatback rearward by lifting up the front portion of the folding lever. Push the seatback firmly until it clicks into place. Make sure the seatback is locked in place.

WARNING - Rear Seatback

When returning the rear seat to the upright position:

• Be careful not to damage the seat belt webbing or buckle.
• Ensure the seatback is completely locked into its upright position by pushing on the top of the seatback. Failure to adhere to any of these instructions could result in serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

CAUTION - Damaging rear seat belt buckles

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

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

WARNING - Cargo

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

WARNING - Cargo loading

Make sure the engine is off, the automatic transaxle is in P (Park) 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.