How to Use Stow 'n' Go Seats in a Dodge or Chrysler Minivan

Minivans offer customers maximum interior space for the size of the car. Slightly larger than a full-size car, the platform can accommodate a driver and six passengers—or a driver, three passengers, and more. To carry really large items such as chests of drawers or chairs, the middle row even folds down on some models, turning the rear space into one large platform.

Of course, knowing how to fold all the seats in a Dodge or Chrysler minivan is critical to making efficient use of interior space. Luckily, their "Stow n Go" seating system makes this very easy. Dodge invented the minivan, so if anyone figured it out, it's them.

Part 1 of 2: Folding the rear seats

If you don't have many passengers but need room for larger items, you can simply fold down the third row of seats and they'll stow away in the trunk.

Step 1: Open the rear hatch and empty the trunk. The trunk needs to be completely free so that the rear seats can be stowed away - they will eventually be hidden under the trunk floor.

If there is a carpet or cargo net on the floor, remove it before proceeding.

Step 2: Locate an inch-wide nylon cord labeled "1".. The cord will be on the side behind the rear seats.

Pulling on this will lower the headrests and fold half of the seat back into the other half.

• Attention: On some models, the back of the seat does not lie completely flat until step 3.

Step 3: Locate the cord marked "2" and pull on it.. This will push the seat back completely against the bottom half.

On some models, this cord partially displaces the stowage seats.

Step 4: Locate the cord numbered "3" and pull it at the same time as the cord numbered "2".. Release the number "2" by pulling the cord "3" and the seats will move back and tuck into the boot floor.

Part 2 of 2: Folding the middle seats

In situations where you need a lot of cargo space, you can also fold down the center row of seats and they just tuck into the floor too. It's also handy if you want to give passengers in the back plenty of legroom!

Step 1: Move the front seats fully forward. Then, on the floor in front of the middle seats, find two panels of carpet.

Set these panels aside for now; the places where the seats are located must be free for the following steps.

Step 2: Locate the lever on the side of the seat.. You are looking for a lever that allows you to recline the seatback towards the lower half of the seat.

Before using this lever, lower the head restraints towards the seatback so that they do not protrude when the seat is folded in half.

While pulling the lever, try to lower the seatback until it is almost flush with the bottom half.

Step 3: Open the floor compartment to remove the seats. This step requires both hands, but is very easy if you know what to do. Find the handle on the floor in front of the seats, in some cases a little under them.

Click on this handle to open a spacious closet that can fit a folded seat. Hold the cabinet lid with your left hand while doing the next part.

Pull the handle on the floor; this will force out the middle seats. By pulling on the nylon cord loop located at the base of the seatbacks, they will fall forward into the cabinet space.

Step 4. Replace the compartments and carpet.. Close the cabinet door so that it is flush with the opening, and then replace the carpet panels in that area.

You should now have enough space for any large cargo you need to transport in the minivan. Now that you know how to use Stow 'n' Go seats, you can take full advantage of the size and space inside your vehicle.