Britax COMPANION User manual

Companion™
User Guide

Table of Contents
Safety Information 2-5
Features 6-7
Using the Restraint 8-17
LATCH Storage 8
Adjustable Canopy 8
Adjustable Handle 9
Harness Buckle 10
Adjusting Buckle Position 10-11
Adjusting Width of Head Pad 12
Chest Clip 12
Checking Harness Height 14
Harness Height Adjustment 15
Securing Child in Restraint 16-17
Vehicle Safety Belts 18
Vehicle Seating Positions 19
Base Installation 20-25
LATCH Installation 20-21
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation 22-23
Lap Belt Installation 24-25
Recline Adjustment 13
Attaching Restraint to Base 13
Removing Restraint from Base 13
Installation without Base 26-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation 26-27
Lap Belt Installation 28
Installation in Aircraft 29
Care and Maintenance 30-33
Warranty 34
This product and its components are subject to change without notice.
© 2007 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. P231400 R5:10.07

2
Use only in a rear facing position when using this restraint in the
vehicle. This infant restraint cannot be used forward facing in a
vehicle.
Use only with children who weigh between 4 and 22 pounds (2 and
10 kg) and whose height is 30 inches (76 cm) or less.
Snugly adjust the belts provided with this restraint around your
child. A snug strap should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively
straight line without sagging. It does not press on the child’s flesh
or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.
An optional Low Birth Weight Foam insert may be used to help
obtain a snug fit for infants whose weight is less than 7 pounds (3
kg.). To order optional foam, call Britax at 1-888-4BRITAX.
Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child restraint LATCH
anchorage system if available or with a vehicle belt.
Follow all instructions labeled on the child restraint and in these
written instructions.
According to accident statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recommends that parents select the rear seat as the
safest location for a properly installed child restraint. Please study
the sections on Vehicle Safety Belts and Vehicle Seating Positions in
this booklet to ensure the child’s safety. If in doubt about installing
the child restraint, consult the vehicle owner’s manual.
Secure this child restraint even when it is not occupied. In a crash,
an unsecured child restraint may injure vehicle occupants.
Consult your child’s doctor before using this child restraint. Some
infants must be secured with a device that allows them to lie
flat.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

3
NEVER use a rear-facing infant carrier in a seating position with an
air bag. Death or serious injury can occur.
Never use the adjuster strap to lift or carry this child restraint. Doing
so could cause damage to the harness adjuster and webbing.
Always carry a child restraint by the handle or shell.
The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision is the
structure of the vehicle; a child restraint will not protect an infant
when the vehicle is seriously impacted. However, correctly installed,
a child restraint will substantially improve the chances for survival in
most crashes. Make sure that all users fully understand the correct
ways to use this child restraint in a vehicle.
This child restraint must not be used in boats, or other non-certified
applications.
NEVER leave child unattended.
NEVER place carrier on beds, sofas, or other soft surfaces. Infant
carrier can roll over on soft surfaces and suffocate the child.
NEVER use in or on strollers unless approved by Britax.
NEVER install forward facing in a vehicle.
NEVER place carrier near edges of counter tops, tables, or other
elevated surfaces. Child’s movement can slide carrier.
NEVER leave child carrier when straps are loose or undone. Child
can strangle in loose restraint straps.
DO NOT use infant carrier in shopping carts.
Watch your child closely when restraint is not installed in a vehicle
to avoid tipping over and strangulation.
Harness must be used at all times when child is in carrier.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

4
Safety Information
IMPORTANT NOTES
Your infant carrier has been assembled for children weighing less
than 11 lbs. If/When your child weighs 11 lbs. or more, re-route the
buckle strap position as indicated on pages 10-11 and on the label
affixed to the restraint shell.
Adjust harness to fit clothes the child is wearing. Remove bulky
coats and/or jackets before putting child in restraint.
Because of the side impact crash protection it provides, Britax
strongly recommends the infant carrier be used with the head pad.
Verify that the child restraint is secure and that the harness is properly
adjusted around the child each time the child restraint is used.
Cover the restraint when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight. Parts
of the child restraint could become hot enough to burn the child.
Store the child restraint in a safe place when it is not being used for
an extended period of time. Do not place heavy objects on top of it.
Stop use of a child restraint that is older than six years or has been in a
severe crash to prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage.
Do not leave children alone in a vehicle, even for a short time.
Do not, except as described in this booklet, attempt to disassemble
any part of the child restraint or change the way its harness or the
vehicle belts are used.
Do not leave loose objects, e.g. books, bags, etc., in the back of
a vehicle. In the event of a sudden stop, loose objects will keep
moving, potentially causing serious injuries.
Do not leave folding vehicle seats unlatched. In the event of a
sudden stop, a loose seat back could prevent the child restraint from
protecting the child as well as it should.
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint.
Do not hang accessories or toys from handle. Doing so could create
a hazard for the child.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

5
Safety Information
This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor
vehicle safety standards. This restraint is certified for use in motor
vehicles and aircraft.
Fill out the registration card and mail it in today!
Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must register
this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address,
email address if available, and the restraint’s model number and
manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety, Inc. 13501 South Ridge
Drive Charlotte, NC 28273 or call 1-888-4BRITAX or register online
at www.BritaxUSA.com/registration. For recall information, call the
U.S. Government’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:
1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.NHTSA.gov.
WARNING! DO NOT place a child restraint
rear-facing in the front seat of a vehicle with
a passenger air bag. DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY can occur. The back seat is the
safest place for children 12 and under.

4
3
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
15
5
21
13
16
20
22
23
24
8
13
14
10
17
19
18
25
Features
6
Canopy
Handle
Head Pad
Handle Release Button
Harness Slots
Comfort Pads
Chest Clip
Harness
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Buckle
Belly Pad
Perma-Book™ (under cover)
Harness Adjuster Lever (under
button hole slot)
Harness Adjuster Strap
Restraint Belt Guides
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

4
3
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
15
5
21
13
16
20
22
23
24
8
13
14
10
17
19
18
25
Features
7
Release Handle
Base Belt Guides
Lock-off
Anti Rebound Bar
Attachment Clips
Recline Adjustment Knob
Harness Yoke
LATCH Connector Storage
Ring
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
LATCH Connector
LATCH Harness Adjuster
Serial Number
23.
24.
25.

LATCH Storage
Removal:
Press button on LATCH connector to
release from storage ring.
Attachment:
Attach each LATCH connector to storage
ring on front of base, then remove slack
(Fig. A).
Adjustable Canopy
To raise, pull canopy at top of canopy arch
toward foot of restraint. To collapse, push
canopy at top of canopy arch (Fig. B).
Using the Restraint
A
B
8

Adjustable Handle
To adjust, press both handle release buttons
(Fig. C) while rotating handle into position.
Adjust the handle to one of the following
three positions: Carrying & In-Stroller
Position, Optional In-Stroller Position, or
In-Vehicle & Stationary Position (Fig D).
Using the Restraint
C
D
9

Harness Buckle
To Unfasten Buckle (Fig A):
Brace the rear of the buckle with hand.
Use thumb to press release button until tongues
are ejected from buckle.
To Fasten Buckle (Fig B):
Hold the buckle with one hand.
Use the other hand to insert one tongue at
a time into the buckle. Proper connection is
confirmed with a positive click after inserting
the second buckle tongue.
IMPORTANT: Periodically clean the buckle to
ensure proper operation. See section, Cleaning
the Buckle, on page 33.
Re-Routing Buckle Position
Your infant carrier has been assembled with
the buckle strap in the inner position for infants
weighing less than 11 lbs. (5 kg.). Once your
child reaches 11 lbs. (5 kg.) re-route the buckle
position to the outer position for the remainder
of use with that child. Figure C shows both
harness buckle position slots.
Remove Buckle
With restraint removed from the base, pull
seat cover and foam back so the buckle slots
are visible.
•
•
•
•
1.
10
Using the Restraint
A
B
D
C
Inner Slot
Outer Slot

Locate metal retainer attached to the opposite
end of the buckle strap from the buckle on
the top side of the restraint.
Pull retainer up to loosen (Fig D).
Turn the retainer so that the short side will go
down through the slot in the restraint shell to
the bottom side of the restraint (Fig. E).
From the bottom of the restraint, turn the
retainer so the short side will go up through
the slot in the restraint shell to the top side of
the restraint (Fig. F).
Continue to push retainer back through the
slot in the cover.
Replace Buckle
Turn the retainer so that the short side will go
down through the desired cover slot and the
slot in the restraint shell to the bottom side of
the restraint (Fig. G).
From the back side of the restraint, turn retainer
so that the short side will go up through the
other slot in the restraint shell (do not insert
through cover) to the top side of the restraint.
Pull buckle away from restraint until tight,
then verify that the strap is not twisted and
the release button is facing outward (Fig H).
Replace cover.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11
Using the Restraint
E
F
G
H

Adjusting Width of Head Pad
Your head pad features optional width
adjustment, use the following steps to
adjust the head pad.
Note: Because of the side impact crash
protection it provides, Britax recommends
the infant carrier be used with the head pad.
To inflate:
Squeeze top center of head pad to inflate
sides to desired width (Fig A).
To deflate:
Press release valve, indicated with label
on head pad, to deflate head pad to
desired width.
Chest Clip
Securing the Chest Clip
Secure the chest clip by sliding the harness
into the slot on the right side of the chest
clip (Fig B).
IMPORTANT: The correct height for the
chest clip is at the center of the chest, level
with the armpits (Fig. C).
Releasing the Chest Clip
Release the chest clip by sliding the
harness out of the slot on the right side of
the chest clip.
12
Using the Restraint
B
C
A

Attaching Restraint to Base
To install, align restraint rear facing with slots in
base, then push down until it clicks into base
(Fig. E). Pull up from child restraint handle to
be sure it is properly secured. Rotate handle to
“in vehicle position”.
13
Using the Restraint
Recline Adjustment
To adjust recline, release tension of LATCH or
vehicle belt then turn knob on front of base
until desired angle is achieved (Fig. D).
When correctly reclined, the red line on base
will be parallel to level ground.
If there is a problem stabilizing the base,
place a rolled towel in the crease of the
vehicle seat to help level the base.
•
•
D
E
F
WARNING! Only raise base as
described above. Do not raise the base
off of the front edge of vehicle seat; doing so
will reduce the protection for your child.
WARNING! Neverattachrestraint
to base unless the base is secured in a
vehicle as described on pages 20-25.
Removing Restraint from Base
To remove child restraint from base, squeeze and hold release handle on
the rear of the restraint, then lift restraint by handle (Fig. F).

Checking Harness Height
To Check Harness Height:
Place child in restraint, then secure
harness (see pages 24–25).
After first ensuring the buckle position
is correct (see page 10), observe where
the harness is positioned on the child.
Harness straps should be located in
the nearest slot at or below the child’s
shoulder
If harness height is correct, continue
using child restraint without adjustment.
If harness height requires adjustment,
refer to Harness Height Adjustment on page 15.
1.
2.
•
3.
14
Using the Restraint
Weight Range
Rear Facing ONLY
4–22 lbs. (2–10 kg)
Maximum Height
The child is too tall when the top of the head
is less than one inch from top of restraint or
height exceeds 30 inches (76 cm).

Harness Height Adjustment
Loosen the harness by pressing the
harness adjuster lever while pulling the
harness straps forward as far as possible
(Fig. A).
From the rear of the restraint, unhook the
harness straps from the yoke (Fig. B).
Pull straps through the shell, cover, and
head pad.
Thread straps through proper slots in
head pad.
Use bottom slots in head pad when using
with bottom slots in shell. Use top slots
in head pad when using with middle or
top slots in shell.
Thread the harness straps through slots
in shell, at the new height, toward the
bottom of the restraint (Fig. C).
Reattach harness straps to the yoke
(Fig. B).
Pull harness adjuster strap to tighten
the harness.
Verify that all straps are threaded at the
same height and are not twisted.
1.
2.
3.
4.
•
5.
6.
7.
8.
15
Using the Restraint
B
A
C

Securing Child in Restraint
Loosen the harness by pressing the
harness adjuster lever while pulling the
harness straps forward (Fig. A).
Slide the harness strap out of one side
of chest clip to release (Fig. B).
Unfasten the buckle by pressing down
on the release button (Fig C).
Move the harness straps to the sides of
the restraint.
Place child in the restraint.
Position the harness straps around the
child and fasten the child restraint
buckle (Fig D) and secure chest clip
(Fig E).
Proper connection of the buckle is
confirmed with a positive click after
inserting the second buckle tongue.
Gently pull up on the harness straps to
tighten the lap section of the harness,
which should fit low on the child’s
body.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
•
7.
16
Using the Restraint
B
A
C

Slowly pull the adjuster strap to tighten
the harness around the child (Fig. F).
Snugly adjust the belts provided with this
child restraint around your child. A snug
strap should not allow any slack. It lies in
a relatively straight line without sagging.
It does not press on the child’s flesh or
push the child’s body into an unnatural
position.
Position the chest clip at the center of
the child’s chest, level with the child’s
armpits.
Verify that harness is not twisted and
child is properly secured.
Make sure that harness height and
buckle position is correct. Refer to
Checking Harness Height on page 14
for instructions.
IMPORTANT:
Always pull on the harness after securing
the child to make sure the buckle and
harness are locked. If not, the buckle
or adjuster area may be clogged with
food, drink, or objects that need to
be removed. See pages 31 and 33 for
cleaning instructions.
Always make sure that the harness
is tight before each use, or after any
adjustments.
8.
•
9.
10.
11.
•
•
17
Using the Restraint
D
F
E

Vehicle Safety Belts
NOTE: The information in this section
applies only to installation with vehicle
belts.
IMPORTANT: Some vehicles have no
seating positions which are compatible
with this child restraint, or any other child
restraint. If in doubt, contact the vehicle
manufacturer for assistance.
The following types of vehicle belts are not
compatible with this child restraint:
Front vehicle belts with top or bottom
anchorage points in the door.
Motor driven automatic vehicle belts.
Three-point belts that have separate
retractors for the shoulder section and
the lap section.
2-point Emergency Locking Retractor
(ELR) vehicle belts with use of base.
2-point Emergency Locking Retractor
(ELR) vehicle belts without the use of a belt shortening clip when
installing without base.
The owner’s manual for your vehicle will have information on the
types of vehicle belts in your vehicle. If your belt type is listed above,
select another seating position or use LATCH connectors.
This child restraint can fit securely in most vehicles using the existing
vehicle belts. However, some vehicle designs prevent a secure fit
of the child restraint due to the position of the vehicle belt lower
anchorage points.
18
Vehicle Safety Belts