Britax Diplomat User manual

PLEASE READ
INSTRUCTIONS
STORE UNDER
COVER
Diplomat™
User Guide

Table of Contents
Safety Information
Warnings......................................................................................................2
Important Notes...........................................................................................4
Certification..................................................................................................5
Registration ..................................................................................................5
Important Harness Adjustments...................................................................6
Child Seat Features...........................................................................................8
Vehicle Compatibility
Vehicle Safety Belts.......................................................................................10
Vehicle Buckle Positions................................................................................11
Vehicle Seating Positions ..............................................................................11
Installation : Rear-facing
LATCH Installation........................................................................................12
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation ......................................................................14
Lap-Belt Installation .....................................................................................16
Installation : Forward-facing
LATCH Installation........................................................................................18
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation.......................................................................20
Lap-Belt Installation .....................................................................................22
Aircraft Installation...........................................................................................24
Installation : Versa-Tether
Safety Information........................................................................................25
Using the Versa-Tether .................................................................................26
Tether Connector Strap ................................................................................27
Child Seat Functions
Switching the LATCH Connectors ................................................................28
Storing the LATCH Connectors ....................................................................29
Recline Adjustment ......................................................................................29
Infant Body Pillow ........................................................................................29
Chest Clip.....................................................................................................30
Harness Buckle .............................................................................................30
How to Adjust Harness Height.....................................................................31
Securing Your Child ......................................................................................31
Care and Maintenance.....................................................................................33
Warranty...........................................................................................................37
©2008 Britax Child Safety Inc,. All rights reserved.
This product and its components are subject to change without notice.
Printed in USA P312900_R1_06_08

2
3
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur if the following
are not observed :
Use only with children who weigh between 5 – 40 lbs (2.3 – 18.1•
kg) and whose height is 40 in. (101.6 cm) or less.
Use rear-facing for children who weigh between 5 – 35 lbs (2.3 –•
15.9 kg).
Use forward-facing for children who weigh between 20 – 40 lbs (9.1•
– 18.1 kg).
This child seat must be in the recline position when installed rear-•
facing.
Adjust the belts provided with this child seat so they fit snugly 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.
Secure the top tether strap provided with this child seat.•
Secure this child seat with vehicle’s child seat Lower Anchors and Tethers•
for CHildren (LATCH) system if available or with a vehicle belt.
Follow all instructions on the child seat labels and in this user guide.•
Register your child seat with the manufacturer, Britax Child Safety,•
Inc. by visiting www.BritaxUSA.com/registration, OR complete and
return the registration card that was shipped with this child seat.
To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage, discontinue•
use of a child seat that is older than six years or has been in a
moderate or severe crash. See date of manufacture located on child
seat (page 9).
This child seat must not be used in the home, in boats, or in other•
non-certified applications.
Based on crash statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety•
Administration (NHTSA) recommends that parents select the back
seat as the safest location for a properly installed child seat. Please
study the Vehicle Compatibility section on pages 10-11 to ensure
your child’s safety and consult your vehicle owner’s manual.
Secure this child seat even when it is not occupied. In a crash, an•
unsecured child seat may injure vehicle occupants.
When using in a vehicle with air bags, refer to your vehicle owner’s•
manual for child seat installation instructions and precautions.
Never use adjuster strap to lift or carry this child seat. Doing so could•
cause damage to harness adjuster and webbing. Always carry this
child seat by its shell or tether straps.
The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision is•
the body of the vehicle itself. A child seat will not protect a child
when a vehicle is seriously impacted. However, correctly installed, a
child seat will substantially improve the chances for survival in most
crashes. Make sure all users fully understand the correct ways to use
this child seat in a vehicle.

4
5
Safety Information Safety Information
Important Notes
Verify that the child seat is securely installed and that the harness is•
properly adjusted around the child each time the child seat is used.
Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. Remove•
bulky coats and/or jackets before putting the child in child seat.
Cover the child seat when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight.•
Parts of child seat could become hot enough to burn a child.
Store the child seat in a safe place when it is not being used. Avoid•
placing heavy objects on top of it.
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 seat or change the way the harness or vehicle’s
seat 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 cause the child seat not to
perform as intended.
Do not allow children to play with this child seat.•
Do not use anything to raise the child seat off vehicle seat except as•
described in these instructions. In a crash, this could cause the child
seat not to perform as intended.
Certification
This child seat system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. This child seat is certified for use in motor vehicles
and aircraft
Registration
Child seats can be recalled for safety reasons. You must register
this child seat to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address,
and the child seat’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 child seat
rear-facing in the front seat of a vehicle with a
passenger air bag unless deactivated. DEATH
or SERIOUS INJURY can occur. See your vehicle
owner's manual for child seat installation
instructions. The back seat is the safest place for children 12
and under.

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7
Forward-Facing
Weight 20 pounds (and 1 year) – 40 pounds (9.1
– 18.1 kg).
Only use forward-facing with children :
who are at least one year of age• and
who weigh between 20• – 40 lbs. (9.1 – 18.1 kg)
and
who are 40” (101.6 cm) or less in height• and
when the top of the child’s ears are below the top of the child seat•
shell and
when the harness straps are at or above the child’s shoulders (Fig. B)•
IMPORTANT: See How to Adjust Harness Height on page 31.
Important Harness Adjustments
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
All infants should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1
year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. That means that if your
infant reaches 20 pounds before her first birthday, she should remain
rear-facing at least until she turns 1 year old. It is best for children
to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the
manufacturer.
Rear-Facing
Weight 5 – 35 lbs (2.3 – 15.9 kg).
Only use rear-facing with children:
who weigh between• 5 – 35 lbs (2.3 – 15.9 kg) and
when the top of the child’s head is 1 in. (2.5 cm)•
or more below the top of the child seat shell (Fig.
A) and
when the harness straps are at or slightly below the child’s shoulders•
(Fig. A)
If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because the
child exceeds height or weight requirements, review the forward-facing
guidelines on page 7.
If the child cannot be snugly secured within these requirements because
the child is too small, selection of a different child seat (such as an infant
carrier) may be required.
IMPORTANT: See How to Adjust Harness Height on page 31.
Safety Information Safety Information
1 inch
2.5 cm
Rear-Facing
A
Forward-Facing
b
WARNING! Do NOT use the child seat rear-facing if any of the
following apply :
the child is less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg) in weight• or
the child exceeds 35 lbs (15.9 kg) in weight• or
the top of the head is less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) from the top of the child seat•
shell (Fig. A) or
the harness straps are above the child’s shoulders•
WARNING! Do NOT use the child seat forward-facing if
any of the following apply :
the child is less than one year of age• or
the child is less than 20 lbs (9.1 kg) in weight• or
the child exceeds 40 lbs (18.1 kg) in weight• or
the child exceeds 40 in. (101.6 cm.) in height• or
the top of the ears are above the top of the child seat shell• or
the harness straps are below the child’s shoulders•

8
9
Child Seat Features Child Seat Features
Head Restraint1
Head Restraint Adjustment Knob2
Cover3
Shell4
Rear-Facing Lock-Off5
Comfort Pad6
Chest Clip7
Serial Number and Manufactured Date15
(under cover)
Versa-Tether16
(Top Anchorage Strap) -in pouch
Forward-Facing Lock-Off17
Base18
Harness Yoke19
Belt Guard20
LATCH Connector Strap21
LATCH Adjuster Release Button22
Harness Straps8
Harness Buckle9
Belly Pad10
Infant Body Pillow11
Harness Adjuster Release Button12
Harness Adjuster Strap13
Recline Handle (Front of Base)14
LATCH Adjuster23
LATCH Connector24
(Stored under cover)
LATCH Connector Release Button25
IMPORTANT: When not in use, this user guide should be
stored under the cover. DO NOT discard the foam inserts
found under the cover.
15
18
16
17
19
20
21
22
24
25
23
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

10
11
If the buckle lies near the position marked wrong
( ) when the vehicle belt is tightened, try fitting the
child seat in another seating position in the vehicle
OR consult your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you
can lower the vehicle buckle position by twisting the
vehicle buckle stalk.
If it is not possible to achieve the correct position ( )
for the buckle, then another seating position MUST
be used.
Vehicle Seating Positions
Vehicle Compatibility Vehicle Compatibility
WARNING! Forward-facing vehicle seats MUST be used with
this child seat. Side-facing or rear-facing seats CANNOT be used. See
diagram below.
Vehicle Safety Belts
NOTE: The information in this section only applies to installation with
vehicle safety belts.
IMPORTANT: Vehicle seats and safety belts differ from vehicle to vehicle.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about vehicle
safety belts and their use with child seats. Some vehicles have no seating
positions which are compatible with this child seat or any other child seat.
If in doubt, contact the vehicle manufacturer for assistance.
This child seat can fit securely in most vehicles using existing vehicle belts.
However, some vehicle designs prevent a secure fit of the child seat.
The vehicle owner’s manual will have information on the types of vehicle
belts in your vehicle. If your belt type is listed below, select another seating
position or use the Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH).
NOTE: Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the kind of
retractors used in your vehicle and how to operate them.
Vehicle Buckle Positions
WARNING! The following types of vehicle
belts are not compatible with this child seat :
Front vehicle belts with top or bottom anchorage•
points in the door. (Fig. A & B)
Motor-driven, automatic vehicle belts. (Fig. B)•
Lap-shoulder belts that have separate retractors•
for shoulder section and lap section in which lap
section retractor does not lock.
Non-locking, two-point Emergency Locking•
Retractor (ELR) vehicle belts.
Lap-shoulder ELR vehicle belts without use of the•
lock-off.
A
b
WARNING! The position of the vehicle
belt buckle can adversely affect the stability
of the child seat.
DO NOT place a child seat
rear-facing in the front
seat of a vehicle with a
passenger air bag unless
deactivated. DEATH or
SERIOUS INJURY can
occur. See your vehicle
owner's manual for child
seat installation instruc-
tions. The back seat is the
safest place for children 12
and under.
WARNING!

12
13
The LATCH connector is• not in an upright position
(Fig. D).
The LATCH strap is twisted.•
A positive click is• not heard when the LATCH
connector and LATCH anchor are connected.
NOTE: If a positive click is not heard, but the LATCH
connector is in an upright position, you should not
switch the LATCH connectors. The strap may be
too tight or twisted, or there may be debris in the
LATCH connector.
Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while8
pulling the LATCH adjuster strap tight (Fig. F).
Verify all connections are secure and that the9
child seat is stable.
The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved more•
than 1 in. (2.5 cm) front-to-back or side-to-side at the
belt path. If the child seat is not secure, repeat the
procedure or use an alternate seating location.
When properly installed in the rear-facing position, the•
back angle of the child seat should be 30º – 45º from
vertical (not to exceed 45º) when the car is parked on
a level surface (Fig. G).
If necessary, the proper recline angle can be achieved•
by placing a rolled towel or pool noodle in the crease
of the vehicle seat to level the child seat’s base.
Rear-facing installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether. See•
pages 25 – 27.
LATCH Installation
Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing LATCH•
installation.
Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH•
anchors. If LATCH anchors are not available, you
must use vehicle belt installation methods.
If stored, remove the LATCH strap and connectors1
from the storage slots under the cover. See page 29.
Press and hold one LATCH adjuster release button,2
then pull to extend LATCH strap to full length.
Repeat for the remaining LATCH connector.
Thread each LATCH connector through the3
adjacent rear-facing belt slot (Fig. B).
The LATCH strap must rest behind the child seat•
buckle strap.
Recline the child seat and place it sideways on4
the vehicle seat with the front facing you.
Attach the closest LATCH connector to the farthest5
LATCH anchor (Fig. C).
Check that the LATCH connector strap is not•
twisted, and that the LATCH connector is in an upright
position (Fig. D) to ensure proper installation.
Rotate the child seat into the rear-facing6
position.
Attach the remaining LATCH connector to the7
adjacent LATCH anchor (Fig. E).
NOTE: It may be necessary to switch the LATCH connectors as shown on
page 28 if ANY of the following conditions exist :
Installation : Rear-facing Installation : Rear-facing
e
30–45º
0º
90º
G
D
Top
Release
Button
C
f
WARNING! This child seat must be in the
recline position when installed rear-facing. See
Recline Adjustment on page 29.
ARear-Facing
WARNING! Do not raise the child seat off the front edge of the
vehicle seat. This could cause your child seat not to perform as
intended.
b

14
15
To prevent breakage, never extend the lock-off arm•
beyond its normal open position and always keep
the lock-off closed when not in use.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking•
retractor (ALR), use of the lock-offs is not required
as long as the ALR is locked. Check your vehicle
owner’s manual to determine what type of retractor
your vehicle has and how to lock the retractor.
Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and that the8
child seat is secure.
The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved•
more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) front-to-back or side-to-
side at the belt path. If the child seat is not secure,
repeat the procedure or use an alternate seating
location .
When properly installed in the rear-facing position,•
the back angle of the child seat should be 30º – 45º
from vertical (not to exceed 45º) when the car is
parked on a level surface (Fig. G).
If necessary, the proper recline angle can be•
achieved by placing a rolled towel or pool noodle
in the crease of the vehicle seat to level the child
seat’s base.
Rear-facing installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether.•
See pages 25 – 27.
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation
Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing, lap-shoulder•
belt installation.
When not in use, always store LATCH connectors in•
storage slots. See page 29.
Recline the child seat and place it rear-facing on1
the vehicle seat.
Lift the child seat cover and open the rear-facing2
lock-off farthest from where the vehicle belt will
be buckled (Fig. B).
Pull the vehicle belt out then pass it through the3
rear-facing belt slot (Fig. C).
Vehicle belt can be routed over or under the cover.•
Route the vehicle belt across the child seat then4
through the opposite rear-facing belt slot.
The vehicle belt must rest behind the child seat•
buckle strap.
Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted, position5
the lap belt portion through the open lock-off,
then buckle (Fig. D).
Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat6
while removing slack first from the lap portion of
the vehicle belt, then from the shoulder portion
(Fig. E).
Position the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt7
through the open lock-off, tighten belt, close the
lock-off arm (Fig. F), and replace the child seat cover.
The lock-off is properly closed when a positive click is heard.•
Installation : Rear-facing Installation : Rear-facing
D
b
e
C
30–45º
0º
90º
G
f
WARNING! This child seat must be in the
recline position when installed rear-facing. See
Recline Adjustment on page 29.
ARear-Facing
WARNING! Do not raise the child seat off
the front edge of the vehicle seat. This could
cause your child seat not to perform as intended.

16
17
Lift the child seat cover and open the rear-facing2
lock-off farthest from where the vehicle belt will
be buckled (Fig. B).
Pull the vehicle belt out then pass it through the3
rear-facing belt slot (Fig. C).
The vehicle belt can be routed over or under the•
child seat cover.
Route the vehicle belt across the child seat then4
through the opposite rear-facing belt slot.
The vehicle belt must rest behind the child seat•
buckle strap.
Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted, position5
the belt through the open lock-off, then buckle
(Fig. D).
Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat6
while removing the slack from the vehicle belt.
Tighten the belt, close the lock-off arm (Fig. E)7
and replace the cover.
The lock-off is properly closed when a positive click•
is heard.
To prevent breakage, never extend the lock-off arm beyond its normal•
open position and always keep the lock-off closed when not in use.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking•
retractor (ALR), use of the lock-offs is not required
as long as the ALR is locked. Check your vehicle
owner’s manual to determine what type of retractor
your vehicle has and how to lock the retractor.
Verify that the vehicle belt is tight, locked, and8
that the child seat is secure.
The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved•
more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) front-to-back or side-to-
side at the belt path. If the child seat is not secure,
repeat the procedure or use an alternate seating
location.
When properly installed in the rear-facing position, the back angle of the•
child seat should be 30º – 45º from vertical (not to exceed 45º) when the
car is parked on a level surface (Fig. F).
If necessary, the proper recline angle can be achieved by placing a rolled•
towel or pool noodle in the crease of the vehicle seat to level the child
seat’s base.
Rear-facing installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether.•
See pages 25 – 27.
Lap-Belt Installation
Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing, lap-belt•
installation.
When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors•
in storage slots. See page 29.
Recline the child seat and place it rear-facing on1
the vehicle seat.
Installation : Rear-facing Installation : Rear-facing
b
e
C
30–45º
0º
90º
f
D
WARNING! Do not raise the child seat off the front edge of
the vehicle seat. This could cause your child seat not to perform as
intended.
WARNING! This child seat must be in the
recline position when installed rear-facing. See
Recline Adjustment on page 29.
WARNING! Do not use this seat with a non-
locking, two-point Emergency Locking Retractor
(ELR) vehicle belt.
ARear-Facing