Folding passenger seat

[Graham]

When we bought our 2006 Smart a few days a go, owners showed me how passenger seat folded down. But, I don't seem to be able to do it. I followed instructions in manual that says to push both levers back until seatback unclicks. But nothing happens when I do this and seatback is still firmly in place. Is there any trick to this that I am missing? Or does it perhaps need lubing?

Edited September 6, 2010 by Graham

[Leadwing]

The seat is not spring loaded, therfore, it's going to remain upright. The seat requires that both levers be lifted at the same time, and unless you have a third arm to pull the seat backrest forward, this is an awkward thing to do but it can be done. Making sure that the seat is NOT all the way back makes life easier. The manual suggests that you "remove the seatbelt from it's belt guide, slide the passenger's seat into it's centre position, press both levers backwards at the same time (the backrest will move forward a few millimetres out of it's locked position), release both levers and fold the backrest forward". Theoretically, the seat will release from it's locked position and can then be folded forward.

Since the car is an '06, maybe a little lubrication on the pivoting points would help. I only suggest this because if you use it all year round, the dampness of winter might be making things a bit sticky.

Good luck with it.

Ron

[ishkabibble]

Does the passenger seat fold down on all of them? Another little surprise! I guess it's just not adjustable?Ish.

[FlossyTheSmart]

Yes, the passenger seat will fold forward on all of them. Not a comfort adjustment though, for sure. It doesn't lock in any position other than upright either. Even if you wanted to be forced to lean forward slightly.

[Graham]

The seat is not spring loaded, therfore, it's going to remain upright. The seat requires that both levers be lifted at the same time, and unless you have a third arm to pull the seat backrest forward, this is an awkward thing to do but it can be done. Making sure that the seat is NOT all the way back makes life easier. The manual suggests that you "remove the seatbelt from it's belt guide, slide the passenger's seat into it's centre position, press both levers backwards at the same time (the backrest will move forward a few millimetres out of it's locked position), release both levers and fold the backrest forward". Theoretically, the seat will release from it's locked position and can then be folded forward.

Since the car is an '06, maybe a little lubrication on the pivoting points would help. I only suggest this because if you use it all year round, the dampness of winter might be making things a bit sticky.

Good luck with it.

Ron

I used those instructions, but nothing happens. But previous owner was able to do it. I will have to ask him if there is a trick or if he ever had it stick. A bit of WD-40 may be all it needs.

Thanks for input!

[ianjay]

As others have mentioned, it is just not easy to do. Best design for a three-armed person I've ever come across.I crouch like an idiot in the front passenger footwell facing the seat, push the levers with both hands and somehow use my third arm to grab the seat when one of the levers lets go a tiny bit before the other one. Once you've done it a couple of times, you'll want to meet the bright light that designed it.Now that the surface is down, you have a nice, shiny, uneven and very slippery surface on which to pile things. There is kind of a cup holder in one spot.When I am on a long trip alone, it is where I put a couple of pillows and any munchie snacks that won't melt in the sun or cause damage should one of the basic fundamental laws of physics come into play if you happen to stop.

[Francesco]

As others have mentioned, it is just not easy to do. Best design for a three-armed person I've ever come across.I crouch like an idiot in the front passenger footwell facing the seat, push the levers with both hands and somehow use my third arm to grab the seat when one of the levers lets go a tiny bit before the other one. Once you've done it a couple of times, you'll want to meet the bright light that designed it.Now that the surface is down, you have a nice, shiny, uneven and very slippery surface on which to pile things. There is kind of a cup holder in one spot.When I am on a long trip alone, it is where I put a couple of pillows and any munchie snacks that won't melt in the sun or cause damage should one of the basic fundamental laws of physics come into play if you happen to stop.

QFT!

[Dennis]

It's pretty easy with practice. Here's a video Duck put online.

[Leadwing]

It's pretty easy with practice. Here's a video Duck put online.

I just went out and tried it the way Duck did it. NOW I know why they say to slide the passenger seat part way forward.After sliding the pass. seat partially forward, the seatback folded forward quite easily. Thanks Duck for providing that video. Who knew it would be so simple?Thanks Dennis for re-posting the link to the video. Ron

[Graham]

I just went out and tried it the way Duck did it. NOW I know why they say to slide the passenger seat part way forward.After sliding the pass. seat partially forward, the seatback folded forward quite easily. Thanks Duck for providing that video. Who knew it would be so simple?Thanks Dennis for re-posting the link to the video. Ron

Hmm - I can't see just what he is doing in the video. But I will go have another look!

[Duck]

Helps to push your head in against the seat to relieve the pressure on the latches -Iain

[Cacarella]

Helps to push your head in against the seat to relieve the pressure on the latches -Iain

God, you made that look so easy.If I can't do that tomorrow morning I'll feel like a total failure.

[Britsmart]

After a couple of times doing it, it gets easier I struggled when I first got the car

[Duck]

They really ought to have had a torque tube running between the two latches so that pushing one pushes the other as well. Then you could use one hand to release both latches, and the other hand to pull the seat forward (instead of using your head/arm).-Iain

[Graham]

After a couple of times doing it, it gets easier I struggled when I first got the car

I could not get it to fold - tried many times using all the input provided.Finally, today, I used some Teflon spray lube on the catches and on the pivot point. Now, it folds easily But, it doesn't seem too useful. However, I did a trial with a set of golf clubs on storage shelf and it is possible to put them in if they are angled forward with seat folded out of the way.That's one more item out of the way!Hope you guys don't mind me asking many questions while we get to know this car

[Leadwing]

Hope you guys don't mind me asking many questions while we get to know this car

Just one of the many reasons why people come to this site. Good information and help is right at the top of the list. :)Ron

[Alex]

Easiest way that doesn't involve a second person or that third arm that I misplaced somehow is to do it from the open hatch. Seat slid back, one hand each release lever, forehead onto the seat back... Bingo!

[Francesco]

I have large-ish hands, and most often have to do it from the passenger's side (at Costco, of course!) so I usually just lift both levers with my fingers and kind of use my thumbs to edge the seat-back forward enough to unlatch it.

[Duck]

When I was single, I used to always drive with the passenger seat down. Better visibility, something to lean on, etc - just generally liked the "Feel" of the cabin with it down.My friends considered it something of a life turning-point when they noticed me driving around with the seat up. -Iain

[Graham]

When I was single, I used to always drive with the passenger seat down. Better visibility, something to lean on, etc - just generally liked the "Feel" of the cabin with it down.My friends considered it something of a life turning-point when they noticed me driving around with the seat up. -Iain

I was thinking that a quick disconnect for the passenger seat might be more useful than the fold down - Certainly increase cargo carrying capability!

[Duck]

Your airbag light will come on, and need to be cleared from the dealer if you disconnect the electrical connection to the side-impact airbag. Be careful!-Iain

[Francesco]

Only if you turn the key while the seat is disconnected. There is an EU-only option for a one-seat fortwo, for deliveries. Perhaps there is a special harness that gets hooked up there to fool the SAM into thinking the airbag is still there?

[Speedie]

As always when working on anything with the car - disconnect the battery! Sure it is a pain but the cost of a new SAM or an airbag reset or even replacing a fuse is much more.Cheers,Cameron

[bilgladstone]

Only if you turn the key while the seat is disconnected. There is an EU-only option for a one-seat fortwo, for deliveries. Perhaps there is a special harness that gets hooked up there to fool the SAM into thinking the airbag is still there?

I seem to remember hearing that FastEddy can do the single seat option...

[Speedie]

Yes - they had a French courier car option that deleted the seat, put in some cargo caging and put a bypass on the airbag - probably just resistor of the right value (but no frigging way I'm going to hook anything up to a live air bag to try and measure it! ).Cheers,Cameron