1997 TOYOTA RAV4 remove seats

18
Install the removed sun roof panels on
the back door as follows.
If the rear seats are reclined, return
them to the upright position before
closing the back door. Otherwise,they will interfere with the installed sun roof panels, possibly damagingthem.
NOTICE
1. Remove the holder from the back door by turning the bolts counter- clockwise.
The upper holder is for the front sun roof
panel and the lower one is for the rear panel.2. Set the front edge of the sun roof panel into the holders.
The fore part of holders is for the front sun roof panel and the back part is for the rearpanel.
ÐStowing

24
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
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 seat-
back.
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 Luggagestowage precautionsº in Part 2 for precau-
tions to observe in loading luggage.2. Unlock the seat cushion. Swing the
whole seat up and forward.
ÐFolding up rear seats (2-door models)

25
3. Lock the raised bottom cushion inplace by attaching the support rod
onto the hook. Then store the head
restraint in the head restraint re-
straining holes in the bottom cush-ion.When returning the rear seat to its
original position, first remove the
head restraint. Unlock the seat and re-
turn it. Be certain to replace the headrestraint.
CAUTION!
When returning seats to their origi-
nal 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 rearward on the top of the seat-
back or by trying to pull up the
edge of the bottom cushion.

26
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 seatbacks.
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 Luggage stowage precautionsº in Part 2 for precau-
tions to observe in loading luggage.2. Unlock the seat cushion. Swing the
whole seat up and forward.
ÐFolding up rear seats (4-door models)

27
3. Lock the raised bottom cushion inplace by clipping the strap to the
hook. Then store the head restraint
in the head restraint retaining holes
in the bottom cushion.When returning the rear seat to its
original position, first remove the
head restraint. Unlock the seat and re-
turn it. Be certain to replace head re-straint.
CAUTION!
When returning seats to their origi- nal 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
rearward on the top of the seat-
back or by trying to pull up the
edge of the bottom cushion.

28
Rear seats
Front seatsRear
seats: Remove the head restraint.
Then pull out the strap to unlock the
seatback, and push down the seat-back.
Front seats: Remove the head re-
straint and slide the seat to the front-
most position. Then unlock the seat- back and push it down.
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 seatback forward and
rearward to make sure it is secured
in place. Be certain to replace headrestraint.
Before closing the back door, make
sure the rear headrests are removed
from the flattened seats.
NOTICE
Rear seats
Front seats
Flattening seatbacks (2-door models)
Flattening seatbacks(4-door models)

29
Rear
seats: Pull out the strap to unlock
the seatback, and push down the seat- back.
Front seats: Remove the head re-
straint and slide the seat to the front-
most position. Then unlock the seat-back and push it down.
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 seatback forward and
rearward to make sure it is secured
in place. Be certain to replace headrestraint.
For your safety, adjust the head re-
straint before driving.
To raise: Pull it up.
To lower: Push it down while pressing the lock release button.
The head restraint is most effective when
it is close to your head. Therefore, usinga cushion on the seatback is not recom- mended.
CAUTION!
Adjust the top of the head restraint
so that it is closest to the top of
your ears.
After adjusting the head restraint,
make sure it is locked in position.
Do not drive with the head re-
straints removed.
ÐHead restraints