Crossover owners Nissan Qashqai often face the need to expand the cargo compartment to transport large items. The standard trunk configuration may not be sufficient when moving, repairing or transporting construction materials. The solution to this problem lies in the proper removal of the rear row of seats, which turns the car into a full-fledged cargo van.
The process of freeing up space does not require complex specialized equipment or a visit to an official service center. Interior design Nissan Qashqai (both the first generation J10 and the second J11 and restyled versions) provides for rapid transformation of the interior. It is enough to know the location of the latches and the correct sequence of actions to avoid scratches on the upholstery or breakage of the plastic latches.
Preparing the car for seat removal
Before starting any manipulations with the interior of the car, it is necessary to ensure safety and comfort of work. First of all, move the front seats as far forward as possible to gain easy access to the rear seat mountings. This is critical because tight spaces can lead to accidental impacts with a tool or key on the dashboard or door frames.
Be sure to clear the trunk floor and the area under the seat cushion of small debris, stones and sand. The presence of foreign objects under the pillow may prevent it from lifting completely or cause damage to the upholstery when bending. It is also recommended to remove all personal items from the pockets on the backs of the front seats, as they may fall out during operation.
You will need a minimum set of tools for difficult situations, although in most cases only your hands will be enough. If you plan to remove the cushion frequently, it makes sense to have a soft cloth or mats ready to protect the floor as you stack the removed pieces.
- π οΈ Check that there is free space for folding the removed elements
- π§Ή Remove all debris from under the pillow and from the luggage compartment
- π Adjust the front seats for maximum access to the anchorages
Removing a removable rear sofa cushion
The simplest and first stage of dismantling is to remove the lower seat cushion. It is not fixed rigidly, but is supported by two hooks in the front and has grooves in the back. First you need to lift the front edge of the pillow. This should be done with a sharp but controlled upward movement, using the space between the cushion and the trunk floor.
Once the front is raised high enough, the hooks will release from the slots on the floor. Pull the cushion slightly towards you to release the back part, which usually fits under the panel or is secured into grooves in the floor. If the seat does not budge, check to see if the hooks are blocked by an object or if the upholstery is twisted.
After removal, the pillow can be carefully folded and stored in the trunk or taken out of the car. It is important not to drop it on the floor, so as not to stain the upholstery or damage the plastic of the floor. Removable pillow is the first step to increasing trunk space and can be removed without any tools.
β οΈ Caution: When lifting the cushion, be careful not to snag or damage the floor trim or plastic pads, as they can be fragile in the cold.
- Once a month
- Rarely, once every six months
- Often, almost every week
- Never, only things
Removing the rear seat backs
After removing the pillow, access to the backrest fixation mechanisms opens. Unlike a pillow, a backrest Nissan Qashqai are attached more securely. On the top of each backrest, near the headrest or just below, there are release levers or buttons. They can be made in the form of handles that need to be turned up or pulled towards you.
On some trim levels, especially early years of production, fixation can be carried out through hatches on the side pillars or in the luggage compartment. You need to find these hatches, open them and turn the levers to the unlock position. After this, the back should fold forward. If it does not fold, check whether the mechanism is blocked by the child lock button or whether the drive cable is caught.
It's important to note that folding mechanism may have different types of fixation depending on the year of manufacture. On restyled versions, the levers are often integrated into the headrest or located on the upper part of the backrest. Fold the backrest smoothly so that it lies flat without hitting the doorways.
- π Locate the release levers on the top of the seatbacks or in the trunk
- π Turn the latches to the unlock position
- πͺ Carefully fold the backrest forward, controlling the trajectory of the fall
βοΈ Checklist before removing backrests
Complete dismantling of backrests for maximum space
Sometimes simply folding the backrests is not enough if you need a perfectly flat floor or maximum loading height. In such cases, it is necessary to completely remove the backrests. To do this, you need to find fastening bolts or special clamps that hold the backrest in a vertical position. On some models this is done by removing the headrest and unscrewing the bolts under it.
The process may differ for left and right sides as design features may vary. On the right side there is often an unlocking lever accessible from the interior, and on the left there may be hidden fastenings. Use a suitable screwdriver or wrench to loosen the clamps. Be extremely careful with plastic parts, as they can easily break if too much force is applied.
After unscrewing all the fasteners, the backrest can be carefully removed. It is recommended to do this together, as the backrest has significant weight and dimensions. Remove it so as not to scratch the doors or thresholds. Completely removing the backrests allows you to get an almost flat floor from the trunk to the front seats.
β οΈ Caution: Do not use excessive force when removing bolts, as the threads in aluminum or plastic inserts may be damaged, resulting in the need to replace the part.
Features of fastening head restraints
Headrests on Nissan Qashqai often have a locking button located on the headrest leg. To remove it, you need to press this button and pull the headrest up until it stops. If the headrest does not move, it may be blocked by the safety lock lever, which must first be unlocked.
Working with transformation mechanisms and locks
In the interior design Nissan Qashqai Often there are additional locks that prevent accidental folding of the seats while driving. These mechanisms can be integrated into the center console or located in the luggage compartment. It is important to find and deactivate them before starting work.
Some modifications have separate folding of the backrests (40:20:40 or 40:60), which requires individual work with each section. Each section has its own release cable or lever. If one section does not fold, check whether it is blocked by the adjacent one or whether the drive cable is kinked.
It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the cables and levers themselves. Over time, they can become rusty or dirty, making them difficult to work with. In such cases, it is recommended to lubricate the mechanism with a special silicone lubricant to ensure smooth movement. Cable drive - This is a weak point that requires regular maintenance.
- π§ Find and disable all additional blockers
- π Check the condition of the cables and levers for rust
- π§ If necessary, lubricate the mechanisms with silicone lubricant
Before completely removing the backrest, take a photo of the mounting process on your phone. This will help you quickly and correctly put everything back in place if you forget the procedure or the location of the bolts.
Table of fastener characteristics by generation
The design of the rear seat mountings varied depending on the generation of the car and the year of manufacture. Below is a table that will help determine the dismantling features for your model.
| Generation | Pillow mounting type | Backrest mounting type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| J10 (2007-2013) | Hooks at front, slots at back | Levers on top | Difficult-to-reach bolts under the casing |
| J11 (2014-2021) | Hooks at front, latches at back | Levers on the headrest | Improved lever ergonomics |
| J11 Restyling | Same as J11 | Levers on the headrest | Added hatches in the trunk |
| J12 (2021+) | Electronic drive (optional) | Electronic drive | Requires activation via menu |
When working with the latest models Nissan Qashqai (J12) the presence of electronic transformation systems should be taken into account. In such cases, the mechanical influence can be limited and control is carried out through Settings β Comfort β Folding seats. However, the basic principle of dismantling remains similar, although it requires a more careful approach to electronic components.
Installation and reassembly
The process of installing seats back into the car is a mirror image of dismantling them. First you need to install the backrests, making sure that they are fixed in an upright position. Check that all levers and cables have returned to their original state and that the interlocks have engaged.
Then the cushion is installed. The front edge must be lowered so that the hooks fit into the grooves on the floor. Lightly press the cushion to ensure it is securely in place. The back should fit snugly to the floor, leaving no gaps.
Finally, check the operation of all mechanisms: try folding and unfolding the seats to make sure they work smoothly and without jamming. If everything is in order, you can return the front seats to their original position.
β οΈ Attention: After installation, be sure to check that the seat backs are securely fixed. Incorrect installation may result in injury to passengers during sudden braking.
Proper installation of the cushion and seatbacks is critical to the safety of passengers. Failure to fully engage the fasteners may result in malfunction indicators or personal injury.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Can the seats be removed without tools?
Yes, in most cases, you only need your hands to remove the cushion and fold the backrests. However, to completely remove the backrests on some models, you may need a screwdriver or wrench to loosen the bolts.
What to do if the backrest doesn't fold?
Check whether the mechanism is locked with the child lock button. Also make sure that the drive cable is not twisted or pinched. Sometimes a slight rocking of the back while pressing the release lever helps.
How to protect upholstery when transporting goods?
Use special protective covers or thick fabric to cover the seats. Do not place heavy objects directly on the upholstery to avoid stretching the material and causing contamination.
Can cargo be transported with the rear seats folded down?
Yes, this is the main purpose of transformation. However, make sure that the load does not put pressure on the release levers to avoid accidental folding of the seats while driving.
How often do mechanisms need to be lubricated?
It is recommended to check and lubricate the transformation mechanisms once a year or after use in severe conditions. Use only special silicone lubricants that do not leave marks on the fabric.