seats TOYOTA RAV4 1998 Owners Manual

'98 Rav4U
18
ÐStowing
Install the removed sun roof panel on
the tail gate as follows.
NOTICE
If the rear seats are reclined, return
them to the upright position beforeclosing the tail gate. Otherwise, theywill interfere with the installed sun
roof panel, possibly damaging thepanel.
1. Remove the holder from the tail gate by turning the bolts counterclock-
wise.2. Set the front edge of the sun roofpanel into the holders.

'98 Rav4.U29
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1- 3
Seats, Seat belts, Steering
wheel and Mirrors
Seats
Front seats
Rear seats
Flattening seatbacks
Head restraints
Seat belts
SRS driver and front passenger
airbags
Child restraint
Tilt steering wheel
Outside rear view mirrors
Anti- glare inside rear view
mirror
Seats
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are not properly seated.
Do not allow sitting on top of a
folded- down seatback, or in the
luggage compartment. Persons not
properly seated and not properly re-
strained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
During driving, do not allow pas-
sengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Severe inju-
ries can occur in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.

'98 Rav4U
30
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.
CAUTION

Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a pas-
senger or luggage.
After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.
After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
Do not put objects under the seats.
The objects may interfere with the
seat- lock mechanism or unexpect-
edly push up the seat position ad-
justing lever; the seat may suddenly
move, causing the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
While adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may catch
and injure your hands or fingers.
ÐAdjusting front seats
Front seatsÐ
ÐSeat adjustment precautions

'98 Rav4.U31
1. SEAT POSITION ADJUSTING LEVER
Pull the lever up. Then slide the seat
to the desired position with slight body
pressure and release the lever. 2. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING LEVER
Lean forward and pull the lever up.
Then lean back to the desired angle
and release the lever.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision, avoid
reclining the seatback any more than
needed. The seat belts provide maxi-
mum protection in a frontal or rear
collision when the driver and the pas-
senger are sitting up straight and
well back in the seats. If you are re-
clined, the lap belt may slide past
your hips and apply restraint forces
directly to the abdomen. Therefore, in
the event of a frontal collision, the
risk of personal injury may increase
with increasing recline of the seat- back.
For easy access to the rear seat, do
this.
1. Lift the seatback angle adjusting lever or press the pedal behind the seat-
back.
The seat will slide forward.
2. Move the seat to the front- most posi- tion.
After passengers are in, lift up the seat-
back and return the seat until it locks.
CAUTION
After putting back the seat, try
pushing the seat forward and rear-
ward to make sure it is secured in
place.
Never allow anyone to rest their
foot on the release pedal while the
vehicle is moving.
ÐMoving passenger 's seat for
rear seat entry
(2- door hardtop and soft- top)

'98 Rav4U
32
Lean forward and pull the lock release
lever. Then lean back to the desired
angle and release the lever.
CAUTION
Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.
To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision,
avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
passengers are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats. If you
are reclined, the lap belt may slide
past your hips and apply restraint
forces directly to the abdomen.
Therefore, in the event of a frontal
collision, the risk of personal injury
may increase with increasing recline
of the seatback.
After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
1. Remove the head restraint. Unlock
the seatback and fold it down.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ºLuggage stow-
age precautionsº in Part 2 for precautions
to observe for loading luggage.
Rear seatsÐ
ÐAdjusting seatback angle
ÐFolding up rear seats
(2- door hardtop and soft- top)

'98 Rav4U
34
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
position: Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught under the seat
and are arranged in their proper
position for ready use.
Make sure the seat is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback or
by trying to pull up the edge of the
bottom cushion.
BEFORE FOLDING REAR SEAT
Stow the rear seat belts as shown in
the illustration.
This prevents the belts from falling out
when you fold the seatback.
NOTICE
The seat belts must be stowed before
you fold the seatback.
FOLDING REAR SEAT
1. Remove the head restraint. Unlock the seatback and fold it down.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ºLuggage stow-
age precautionsº in Part 2 for precautions
to observe for loading luggage.
ÐFolding up rear seats
(4- door hardtop)

'98 Rav4U
36
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
position: Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught under the seat
and are arranged in their proper
position for ready use.
Make sure the seat is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback or
by trying to pull up the edge of the
bottom cushion.
Rear seats
Front seats Rear seats: Remove the head restraint.
Then pull out the strap to unlock the
seatback, and push down the seatback.
Front seats: Remove the head restraint
and slide the seat to the front- most
position. Push the seat further forward
to release the slide- lock, and unlock
and push down the seatback.
When returning the seatback upright, be
careful not to make yourself hit by the
seatback which will bound with consid-
erable spring force.
After returning the seat to its original
position, be certain to replace the head
restraint.
CAUTION

Do not allow passengers to ride on
the flattened seat while driving; use
the seat in the normal position.
After putting back the seat, try
pushing the seat and seatback for-
ward and rearward to make sure it
is secured in place. Be certain to
replace head restraint.
Flattening seatbacks
(2- door hardtop and soft- top)

'98 Rav4.U37
NOTICE
Before closing the back door, makesure the rear headrests are removedfrom the flattened seats.
Rear seats
Front seats Rear seats: Pull out the strap to unlock
the seatback, and push down the seat-back.
Front seats: Remove the head restraint
and slide the seat to the front- most
position. Push the seat further forward
to release the slide- lock, and unlock
and push down the seatback.
When returning the seatback upright, be
careful not to make yourself hit by the
seatback which will bound with consid-
erable spring force.
After returning the seat to its original
position, be certain to replace the head
restraint.
CAUTION

Do not allow passengers to ride on
the flattened seat while driving; use
the seat in the normal position.
After putting back the seat, try
pushing the seat and seatback for-
ward and rearward to make sure it
is secured in place. Be certain to
replace head restraint.
Flattening seatbacks
(4- door hardtop)

'98 Rav4.U39
Do not allow the child to stand up or
kneel on either rear or front seats. An
unrestrained child could suffer serious in-
jury or death during emergency braking or
a collision. Also, do not let the child sit
on your lap. It does not provide sufficient
restraint.
Pregnant woman.
Toyota recommends the
use of a seat belt. Ask your doctor for
specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as
possible over the hips and not on the
waist.
Injured person. Toyota recommends the
use of a seat belt. Depending on the inju-
ry, first check with your doctor for specific
recommendations.
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats
properly wearing their seat belts
whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more likely
to suffer serious bodily injury or
death in the event of sudden braking
or a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe
the following: Use the belt for only one person at
a time. Do not use a single belt for
two or more peopleÐeven children.
Avoid reclining the seatbacks too
much. The seat belts provide maxi-
mum protection when the seatbacks
are in the upright position. (Refer
to the seat adjustment instructions.)
Be careful not to damage the belt
webbing or hardware. Take care that
they do not get caught or pinched
in the seat or side doors.
Inspect the belt system periodically.
Check for cuts, fraying, and loose
parts. Damaged parts should be re-
placed. Do not disassemble or
modify the system.
Keep the belts clean and dry. If
they need cleaning, use a mild soap
solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive clean-
ersÐthey may severely weaken the
belts. (See ºCleaning the interiorº
in Part 5.)
Replace the belt assembly (includ-
ing bolts) if it has been used in a
severe impact. The entire assembly
should be replaced even if damage
is not obvious.

'98 Rav4.U43
Adjust to a snug fitToo high
Keep as low on hips as possible
Remove excess length of the belt and
adjust the belt position.
To shorten the belt, pull the free end of
the belt.
Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hipsÐnot on your waist, then ad-
just it to a snug fit.
CAUTION
High- positioned and loose- fitting lap
belts could cause serious injuries due
to sliding under the lap belt during a
collision or other unintended result.
Keep the lap belt positioned as low
on hips as possible.
To release the belt, press the buckle- re-
lease button.The rear seat belts can be stowed when
not in use.
Seat belts must be stowed before you fold
the seatback. (See ºRear seatsÐFolding
up rear seatsº in this chapter.) ÐStowing the rear seat belts
(4- door hardtop)