Manual Reclining Seatbacks
Caution: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver's seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver's seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
In vehicles with seats that have manual reclining seatbacks, the lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seat.
To recline the seatback, do the following:
- Lift the recline lever.
- Move the seatback to the desired position, then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
- Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following:
- Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback will return to the upright position.
- Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
In vehicles with seats that have power reclining seatbacks, the control used to recline them is located on the outboard side of the seat behind the power seat control. See Power Seats for more information.
| • | To recline the seatback, tilt the top of the control rearward. |
| • | To bring the seatback forward, tilt the top of the control forward. |
Caution: Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job when reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear the safety belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.
