Kia Optima: 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

The purpose of the fold-down rear seatbacks is to allow you to carry longer objects that could not be accommodated in the luggage area. Never allow passengers 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. 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 the rear seatback :

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

2. Lower the rear headrest to the lowest position.

3. Open the trunk.

4. Pull out the lock release knob (1).

5. Fold the seatback forward and down firmly.

6. To use the rear seat, lift and push the seatback backward firmly until it clicks into place.

7. Return the rear seat belt to the proper position.

✽ NOTICE

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

WARNING

When you return the rear seatback to its upright position after being folded down:

Be careful not to damage the seat belt webbing or buckle. Do not allow the seat belt webbing or buckle to get caught or pinched in the rear seat. Ensure that the seatback is completely locked into its upright position by pushing on the top of the seatback. Otherwise, in an accident or sudden stop, the seat could fold down and allow cargo to enter the passenger compartment, which could result in serious injury or death.

CAUTION - Rear seat belts

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

WARNING - Cargo

Cargo should always be secured to prevent it from being thrown about the vehicle in a collision and causing injury to the vehicle occupants. Do not place objects in the rear seats, since they cannot be properly secured and may hit the front seat occupants in a frontal collision.

WARNING - Cargo loading

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