How to Fold Down the Rear Seats?
4 Answers
Open the car door and locate the release handle on the backrest. Each position in the rear has a release handle. After folding it down, you can have one side for seating and the other side for placing items. Once you find the release handle, pull it and fold down the seat according to the angle. You can fold it down completely or halfway, adjusting it based on your needs. When flattening the seat, make sure to fold it forward.
I used to frequently fold down the rear seats to load large items and noticed significant operational differences between car models. Most vehicles have a small pull handle or button hidden at the top of the rear seatbacks—just a gentle pull will flip the backrest forward. Some cars are more thoughtfully designed with release switches on the side of the seats or the inner walls of the trunk, making it convenient to operate from the rear. If your car lacks these features, you might need to crawl into the trunk to find the release lever under the seats. When operating, remember to lower the headrests all the way down first, or they might get stuck. After folding them flat, it's best to lay down a mat to protect the seat fabric—last time I moved without cardboard padding, the seats got several scratches, which broke my heart.
Folding down the rear seats is actually quite simple. First, clear any items from the seats and make sure nothing is stuck in the gaps. Usually, you can find the release button by lifting the front edge of the seat cushion—just press it while pushing the backrest forward. Remember to check if there's a child safety lock in the trunk; if it's engaged, you'll need to unlock it first. Last time I helped my neighbor fold down her SUV seats, I noticed there were safety anchors attached at the base of the seats—they had to be detached to fully flatten them. The whole process takes about five minutes, and once folded, the space instantly doubles. You can even fit a stroller without folding it, making weekend trips with kids super convenient.
Folding down the rear seats depends on the car model. I've driven sedans and SUVs. In sedans, usually only the backrest can be folded down - first lower the headrest to its lowest position, then pull the release lever near the shoulder area. SUVs offer much more flexibility, with many models allowing the entire seat to flip forward, including the seat cushion. When operating, pay attention to hooks and fasteners at the seat edges, and don't force metal components. Once I didn't notice a seatbelt buckle stuck in the seat gap, and when folding it down, the seatbelt got tangled inside - took me half an hour to free it. I recommend checking the owner's manual first, as designs vary significantly between brands.
