Kia Picanto: Rear seat adjustment / Folding the rear seat: (if equipped)

The rear seatbacks in your Kia Picanto can be folded forwards to accommodate longer items or increase the available luggage space. Prepare the seats and seat belts before folding the backrests to prevent interference or damage.

WARNING

The folding rear seatbacks provide space for objects that would otherwise be too long to fit in the luggage compartment. The folded area is intended for carrying cargo.

Never allow anyone to sit on a folded seatback while the vehicle is moving. It is not a designated seating position and provides no usable seat belt protection, leaving the person at risk of serious injury or death during a collision or sudden stop. Objects carried on the folded backrests must not extend above the tops of the front seats. Cargo stacked higher can slide forwards during sudden braking, causing injury or damage.

Folding the rear seatbacks forwards creates additional cargo room and improves access to the luggage area. Before returning the rear seats to passenger use, restore both the backrests and restraints correctly.

• Lift the seatback and move it firmly into its upright position until the latch clicks into place.

• After raising the backrest, return the rear seat belts to their proper positions so that passengers can use them correctly.

WARNING

Do not fold the rear seat if the resulting arrangement prevents the driver’s seat from being positioned correctly for the driver’s build. The driver must retain a suitable seating position; an unsuitable position can increase the risk of injury during sudden braking or a collision.

CAUTION

• Move the front seat fully forwards when folding or unfolding the rear seat to provide adequate clearance. Never force a rear backrest into position if space is insufficient, as this can damage the headrest or other seat components.

• Before using a rear seat belt, remove it from the retaining openings at the sides of the seatback. Pulling the belt while it remains in these openings can damage the webbing or the openings themselves.

• Use the belt-retaining openings only when the rear seat is unoccupied or when preparing to fold the seatback. Release the belts before passengers use the rear seats.

To fold down the rear seatback:

1. Place the rear seat belt buckle in the pocket between the backrest and cushion. Arrange both belts so they will not interfere with luggage or cargo, then place the belt webbing into the retaining openings on the two sides of the seatback.

2. Set the front seatback upright and move the front seat forwards as needed to provide clearance for the rear backrest.

3. Lower the rear headrests completely to their lowest positions before folding the seatback.

4. Pull the seatback lock-release lever, then guide the backrest firmly forwards and down into its folded position. Maintain control of the backrest throughout the movement.

   Figure 1. Type A
   Figure 2. Type B
   Figure 3. Type A
   Figure 4. Type B

To unfold the rear seat:

1. Lift the backrest and guide it rearwards into its upright position. Pull it firmly into place until the latch clicks, then push against the top of the seatback to confirm that it is securely locked.

   The red line beside the folding lever should no longer be visible when the seatback is fully locked. Check this indication together with the physical latch check.

2. Return the rear seat belts to their correct positions, with the webbing and buckles accessible for passenger use.

3. Once the backrest is fully upright and latched, check the folding lever again to confirm that the seatback is properly secured.

WARNING

Returning the seat upright

Hold the seatback and guide it slowly when returning it to the upright position. An uncontrolled backrest can spring forwards and strike someone, causing injury.

WARNING

After folding the rear seat, confirm that the driver’s seat can still be set correctly for the driver’s build. Do not use a folded-seat arrangement that compromises the driving position, as it can increase bodily injury during a sudden stop or collision.

WARNING

When raising a folded rear seatback, keep the seat belt webbing and buckle clear of the seat and its mechanisms. Do not allow either to become trapped, pinched or damaged. Push against the top of the upright backrest to verify that it is fully locked. An unsecured backrest may fold forwards during sudden braking or a collision, allowing cargo into the passenger compartment and causing serious injury or death.

CAUTION

Protecting rear seat belt buckles

Before folding the rear backrest, tuck the buckle into the space between the seatback and cushion. This keeps it out of the backrest’s path and helps prevent crushing or other damage.

CAUTION

Rear seat belts

Whenever the rear seatbacks are returned upright, restore the shoulder belts to their proper positions. Make sure they are released from their storage openings and ready for use.

WARNING

Cargo

Secure all cargo to prevent it from striking occupants during a sudden stop or collision. Do not place loose objects on the rear seats, where they cannot be properly secured and may be thrown towards the front-seat occupants in an accident.

WARNING

Cargo loading

Before loading or unloading your Kia Picanto, switch off the engine and apply the parking brake securely. Select P (Park) for an automatic transmission, N (Neutral) for an automated manual transmission, or 1st gear for a manual transmission. Without these precautions, the vehicle may move if the selector is accidentally shifted to another position.