Britax MARATHON 65 User manual

MarathonTM 65
IMPORTANT : Lire attentivement et suivre toutes les instructions avant
d’installer ce siège pour enfant. Garder ce guide dans la pochette sous la
housse (Voir les pages des caractéristiques pour référence).
IMPORTANT: Thoroughly read and follow all instructions before
installing this child seat. Store this user guide in the pocket behind
the cover (See features pages for reference).
Canadian User Guide
Guide d’utilisation canadien

©2011 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA P475200_R1:04.11
This product and its components are subject to change without notice.
Safety Information..........................................................................2
Warnings...........................................................................................2
Important Notes................................................................................3
Certification .......................................................................................4
Registration.......................................................................................4
Important Child Seat Usage Information ........................................4
Vehicle Compatibility .....................................................................6
Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts ........................................................6
Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts ......................................................8
Vehicle Seating Positions.................................................................9
Child Seat Features........................................................................10
Child Seat Functions......................................................................12
Adjusting the Harness Height..........................................................12
Adjusting the Buckle Position..........................................................13
Fastening the Buckle........................................................................14
Releasing the Buckle........................................................................14
Using the Chest Clip .......................................................................14
Using the Lock-Offs..........................................................................14
Infant Body Pillow.............................................................................15
Recline Positions ..............................................................................15
Using the Lower Universal Anchorage System (LUAS).................16
Using the Lower Connectors...........................................................17
Using the Versa-Tether®..................................................................17
Rear-Facing Installation.................................................................20
LUAS Installation...............................................................................20
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation..........................................................22
Lap Belt Installation ..........................................................................24
Forward-Facing Installation...........................................................26
LUAS Installation...............................................................................26
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation..........................................................28
Lap Belt Installation ..........................................................................30
Aircraft Installation.........................................................................32
Securing Your Child .......................................................................32
Care and Maintenance...................................................................34
Tips and Troubleshooting..............................................................40
Warranty ..........................................................................................41
Table of Contents

2
Warning
Section Title
 The restraint system must be used in a rear-facing position
when it is used for an infant.
 Use rear-facing for children who weigh between 2.3 and 18.1
kg (5 – 40 lbs) and whose height is 124.5 cm (49 in.) or less.
Use forward-facing for children who weigh between 10 and
29.5 kg (22 – 65 lbs) and whose height is 124.5 cm (49 in.) or
less AND are able to walk unassisted.
 Snugly adjust the belts provided with this child restraint around
your child.
 Secure the top tether strap provided with this child seat.
 The child restraint must be secured to the vehicle with a lower
connector system, if the restraint system is installed in a seating
position that is equipped with a Lower Universal Anchorage
System (LUAS), or a vehicle seat belt if the restraint system is
installed in a seating position that is not equipped with a LUAS
and by means of a tether strap.
 This child restraint system, even when unoccupied, must be
firmly secured to the vehicle.
 Follow all instructions on this child restraint and in the written
instructions located in the pocket behind the cover.
 Register your child restraint with the manufacturer.
 This child seat cannot be used in positions 1 or 2 when installed
rear-facing (see page 15).
 Use the inner buckle slot when installed rear-facing with the
vehicle seat belt.
 Use the outer buckle slot when installing the child seat forward-
facing with a child weighing 13.6 kg (30 lbs) and above or if the
buckle is under the child in the inner position.
 This child seat cannot be used in position 3 when installed
forward-facing (see page 15).
 HUGS™ chest pads must be used in forward-facing mode.
Removal of HUGS is optional only for rear-facing mode.
 To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage,
discontinue use of this child seat if it is older than seven years
or has been in a moderate or severe crash (see page 3). See
Serial Number and Manufactured Date Label on child seat
(page 11).
 This child seat can only be used in the following classes of
vehicles: multi-purpose passenger vehicles, passenger cars or
trucks.
 Based on crash statistics, Britax recommends that parents
select the back seat as the safest location for a properly
installed child seat. Please study Vehicle Seating Positions on
page 9 to ensure your child’s safety and consult your vehicle
owner’s manual.
 When using in a vehicle with air bags, refer to your vehicle
owner’s manual for child seat installation instructions and
precautions.
 Never use the harness 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.
 Follow all warnings that appear on the restraint system,
otherwise death or serious injury can occur.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur:

3
 Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle
manufacturer for the maximum weight rating for their LUAS.
Use vehicle seat belt (not LUAS) for installations with children
who weigh more than the vehicle LUAS limit. Unless specified
otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 18.1 kg (40
lb) child is the vehicle LUAS limit.
 The use of non-Britax Child Safety, Inc., covers, inserts, toys,
accessories, or tightening devices is not approved by Britax.
Their use could cause this child seat to not perform as intended
in a crash.
 This child restraint system must be used only in a forward-
facing seating position equipped with a vehicle seat belt or a
lower universal anchorage system.
Important Notes
 Verify that the child seat is securely installed and the harness is
properly adjusted around the child each time the child seat is used.
 Discontinue use of this child seat if it has been in a moderate
or severe crash. It is not necessary to replace a car seat after a
minor crash defined by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) as:
* The vehicle is driveable from the crash site; and
* The vehicle door nearest the child seat was not damaged; and
* No vehicle occupants were injured; and
* There is no visible damage to the child seat; and
* The airbags (if present) did not deploy.
 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.
Metal 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 unsecured or 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.

4
Certification
This child seat system conforms to all applicable Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS 213 and 213.1). This Restraint
is Certified For Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.
Registration
Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must
register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name,
address, e-mail address if available and the restraint’s model
number and manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety, Ltd., P.O
Box 7289, RPO Brunswick Square, Saint John NB E2L 4S6, or call
1-888-427-4829, or register online at www.Britax.ca/registration.
For your convenience, record all the information about your
child seat below. Refer to the Serial Number & Manufactured
Date Label for all information, see page 11.
Model Name and Number:_________________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________________________
Batch Number: ___________________________________________________
Date of Manufacture: ______________________________________________
Important Child Seat Usage Information
Rear-Facing: 2.3 – 18.1 kg (5 – 40 lbs)
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: All infants and
toddlers should ride in a Rear Facing Car Seat until they are
2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height
allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.
Britax strongly recommends that children ride rear-facing to the
highest weight or height specified.
WARNING! REAR-FACING use of this child seat is
ONLY for children who meet ALL of the following requirements.
If the child cannot be secured within these requirements
because they are too small, use of the infant positioning insert
or selection of a different child seat (such as an infant car seat)
may be required. If the child cannot be secured within these
requirements because the child is too large, review the forward-
facing guidelines on page 5.
Safety Information

5
An infant positioning insert may be necessary for small infants
to achieve a snug fit if the child is under 5.4 kg (12 lbs) and the
lowest harness slots fall above the infants shoulders. The infant
positioning insert is sold separately at select retailers and on www.
britaxusa.com.
Use rear-facing with children:
 who weigh between 2.3 and 18.1 kg
(5 – 40 lbs) and
 when the top of the child’s head is at
least 2.5 cm (1 in.) 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).
IMPORTANT: See Adjusting the Harness Height on page.12
WARNING! FORWARD-FACING use of this child seat
is ONLY for children who meet ALL of the requirements below.
If the child cannot be secured within these requirements
because they are too large, another type of child seat (such
as a booster) may be required. If the child cannot be secured
within these requirements because the child is too small,
review the rear-facing information above.
Forward-Facing: 10 – 29.5 kg (22 – 65 lbs) and are able to walk
unassisted
Britax strongly recommends that children should be secured with
a harness system until they exceed the weight or height limits
specified.
Use forward-facing only with children:
 who weigh between 10 and 29.5 kg (22 – 65 lbs) and
 who are able to walk unassisted and
 who are 124.5 cm (49 in.) or less in height and
 when the top of the ears are below the top of the child seat
shell and
 when the harness straps are at or above the child’s shoulders,
parallel to level ground (Fig. B).
IMPORTANT: When using position 2, it may be necessary to adjust
the harness to a higher position than when the seat is in position 1.
See Adjusting the Harness Height on page 12.
Safety Information
2.5 cm
1 inch
Rear-Facing
A
Shoulder Level
Above Shoulder Level
Below Shoulder Level
Position 1 Position 2
Forward-Facing Harness Height
B

6
Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts
NOTE: The information in this section only applies to installation
with vehicle seat belts.
Vehicle seats and seat belts differ from vehicle to vehicle. Refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about your
vehicle seat belts and their use with child seats.
Lap-Shoulder (3-Point) Belt
1. ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) with Sliding Latch Plate
a Has a latch plate that freely
slides along the vehicle seat
belt webbing.
b Has a retractor that stops the
belt from being pulled out
again once the belt webbing
has been pulled out at least
61 cm (24 in.).
c Tightens by feeding the
belt webbing back into the
retractor.
2. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with Locking Latch Plate
a Has a latch plate that locks
the vehicle belt.
* This type of latch plate locks
the vehicle belt when the
vehicle belt and latch plate lie
flat. When using this type of
vehicle belt with a child seat,
ensure the latch plate and
vehicle belt lie flat against the
child seat or the vehicle belt
may remain unlocked.
b Has a retractor that locks
only in an emergency
situation such as sudden
stop or crash.
3. Switchable Retractor in ALR Mode with Sliding Latch Plate
a Has a latch plate that freely
slides along the vehicle
seat belt webbing.
Vehicle Compatibility
Latch
plate
Latch
plate
Latch
plate

7
b Has a retractor that can be
switched to function as an
ALR. Pull the belt all the
way out of the retractor to
set the automatic locking
function.
* To use a child seat with this
type of vehicle seat belt,
you will need to switch to
the ALR mode or use child seat lock-offs.
4. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with a Sliding Latch Plate
a Has a latch plate that freely
slides along the vehicle
seat belt webbing.
b Has a retractor that locks
only in an emergency
situation such as sudden
stop or crash.
IMPORTANT: This belt type requires
the use of the lock-offs built into the
seat for rear- and forward-facing installations. See page 14 for information on
using the lock-offs.
Lap Belt
5. ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor)
a Has a latch plate that is
sewn into the webbing.
b Has a retractor that stops the
belt from being pulled out
again once the belt webbing
has been pulled out at least
61 cm (24 in.).
c Tightens by feeding the
belt webbing back into the
retractor.
Vehicle Compatibility
Latch
plate

8
6. Locking Latch Plate
a Has a latch plate that
prevents the webbing from
becoming loose.
b Tightens by pulling on the
belt webbing.
Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts
WARNING! The following types of vehicle seat belts are NOT
compatible with this child seat. If any of the belt types listed below are
in the chosen seating position, choose another vehicle seating position
or check your vehicle owner’s manual for information on installing a car
seat in your vehicle.
1 Lap-shoulder belts
with top or bottom
anchor points on
the vehicle door.
2 Motorized,
automatic vehicle
seat belts.
3 Lap-shoulder
belts that have a
separate retractor
each for the
lap section and
shoulder section.
4 Inflatable lap-
shoulder belts.
5 Lap belts forward
of the vehicle seat
bight.
6 Lap belts with a
sewn-in latch plate
that have a retractor
that locks only in case
of a sudden stop.
Vehicle Compatibility
Adjuster
Latch
plate

9
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.
Some vehicles have no seating positions
which are compatible with this child seat. If in doubt, contact the
vehicle manufacturer for assistance.
This child restraint system must be used only in a forward-
facing seating position equipped with a vehicle seat belt or a
lower universal anchorage system. Side-facing or rear-facing
seats CANNOT be used. See the diagram below.
Vehicle Seating Positions
Vehicle Compatibility

10
Child Seat Features
1 Cover
2 Harness Height Adjuster
3 Head Pad
4 Comfort Pads
5 Infant Body Pillow
6 Harness Holder
7 Lower Connector Bar
8 Lower Connector Strap (LUAS component)
9 Lower Connector Adjuster Release Button (LUAS component)
10 Lower Connector Adjuster (LUAS component)
11 Lower Connector Release Button (LUAS component)
12 Lower Connector (LUAS component)
13 User Guide Storage (in pocket behind cover)
14 HUGS™ (Harness Ultra Guard System) Chest Pads
15 Chest Clip
16 Harness Buckle
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
1
2
3
5
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

11
Child Seat Features
17 Belly Pad
18 Harness Adjuster Lever (under cover)
19 Harness Adjuster Strap
20 Recline Adjustment Handle
21 Shell
22 Serial Number & Manufactured Date Label
23 National Safety Mark
24 Harness Slots
25 Forward-Facing Belt Slot
26 Forward-Facing Lock-Offs (Red – under cover on front of shell)
27 Rear-Facing Lock-Offs (Blue – under cover on front of shell)
28 Rear-Facing Belt Slot
29 Base
30 Versa-Tether®(Top Tether Strap)
31 Harness Yoke
32 Harness Straps
33 Lower Connector Storage
34 Versa-Tether®Carry Clip
30
32 31
33
34
1
22
23
21
25
26
27
24
28
7
29

12
Adjusting the Harness Height
1 Loosen the harness.
a Lift harness adjuster lever
b Pull both harness straps forward
NOTE: In rear-facing mode, always position the harness straps at or
below your child’s shoulders. See page 5.
In forward-facing mode, always position the harness straps at or
above your child’s shoulders. See page 5.
2 Squeeze the harness height
adjuster, slide the harness
into the desired position and
release.
* Ensure the harness has locked
into position.
Child Seat Functions
1b
1a

13
1 Unbuckle the harness. Remove
the belly pad and push the
buckle through the cover.
IMPORTANT:
 ALWAYS position the buckle in the
inner slot for rear-facing use when
using a vehicle seat belt installation.
 The vehicle belt must pass in front of
the buckle strap for rear-facing use.
 Position the buckle in the slot closest
to but not under the child for rear-facing use when using the LUAS
installation.
 NEVER leave the buckle in the adjustment slot.
 Use the outer buckle slot when installing the child seat forward-facing
with a child weighing 13.6 kg (30 lbs) and above or if the buckle is
under the child in the inner position.
ADJUSTMENT
SLOT
Adjusting the Buckle Position
2 Turn the buckle webbing
and slide it between buckle
positions.
3 Slide the buckle retainer into
the buckle slot, and ensure the
red release button faces out.
Child Seat Functions

14
Fastening the Buckle
Insert one tongue at a time into the
buckle.
NOTE: Proper connection is
confirmed with a click after
inserting each buckle tongue.
Releasing the Buckle
Using the Lock-Offs
IMPORTANT: Both parts of the lock-off must be opened to secure a vehicle
belt.
Press the release button and pull
the tongues from the buckle.
NOTE: Periodically clean the
buckle to ensure proper operation.
See page 38.
Using the Chest Clip
1 Open the chest
clip.
a Press tabs
b Pull apart
2 Push together to fasten.
NOTE: Always position the chest clip at armpit
level.
1 Open the locking tab.
2 Open the clamp.
To Open:
1 Close the clamp over the
vehicle belt.
2 Slide your palm or thumb
along the locking tab until a
click is heard.
To Close:
Child Seat Functions
LOCKING
TAB
CLAMP
1
2
LOCKING
TAB
CLAMP 1
VEHICLE
BELT
2

15
Infant Body Pillow
The infant body pillow is designed
to provide better fit and comfort for
infants using this child seat. Fold the
flaps in for additional side support.
NOTE: Remove the infant body pillow
after the child can sit comfortably in the
child seat without additional support.
Recline Positions
This child seat has 3 positions. To adjust, pull the recline handle then rotate
the child seat shell into the desired position. Release the recline handle,
then verify the child seat has locked into position.
NOTE: Set the recline position BEFORE installing.
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3
Rear-Facing
When installed in the rear-facing position, the child
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to maintain head and neck control (not to exceed
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installing the seat in rear-facing mode, recline the
seat to position 3 and use the guide line on the child
seat to help achieve an acceptable recline angle for
rear-facing installations.
Forward-Facing
IMPORTANT: In forward-facing installations, it is important that the base of
the child seat rests completely flat on the vehicle seat. As illustrated below,
it is permissible to allow up to 20% or 7.6 cm (3 inches) of the base to hang
over the edge of the vehicle seat. Some vehicle seats do not allow enough
of the child seat base to contact the vehicle seat. If this is the case, adjust
the recline angle to a more upright position. Not doing so could cause the
child seat not to perform as intended.
Acceptable overhang Unacceptable overhang
Child Seat Functions
90°
0°
90°
0°
90°
0°
UP TO 7.6 cm
OF OVERHANG
ACCEPTABLE
OVER 7.6 cm
OF OVERHANG
NOT ACCEPTABLE

16
Using the Lower Universal Anchorage System (LUAS)
The Lower Universal Anchorage System or LUAS, is a system available
on this child seat that offers an alternative to vehicle seat belt installation
methods. See pages 10 and 11 for LUAS components on this child seat.
The figure above shows typical locations for lower anchors and tether
anchors in a vehicle. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to learn if it is
equipped with LUAS, the maximum weight rating for the lower anchors, and
for information on the lower anchor locations and seating positions available
for use with this child seat.
Standard vehicle seat spacing between LUAS anchors is 27.9 cm (11 in.).
This child seat can be used in a seating position with up to 50.8 cm (20 in.) of
space between the LUAS anchors if the vehicle manufacturer allows.
Child Seat Functions
WARNING! In some cases, the vehicle
head restraint can prevent the child seat head pad
from being raised high enough to properly adjust
the harness for the fit of your child when using a
forward facing reclined position. DO NOT force the
child seat head pad past the vehicle head restraint.
Doing so could cause the child seat not to perform
as intended. If the location of the vehicle head
restraint interferes with the child seat head pad,
raise or remove the vehicle head restraint. If the vehicle head restraint
cannot be removed, move the child seat to the upright position or try a
different seating location.

17
To remove the lower connector from the storage slot or lower
anchor:
1 Press and hold the red release
button.
2 Pull the lower connector from the
storage slot or lower anchor.
To attach the lower connector to the storage slot or lower
anchor:
Firmly push the lower connector into
the slot or lower anchor until a click is
heard.
Using the Lower Connectors
Where to find the Lower Connectors
The lower connectors are located in the back of the base of the child seat.
Store the connectors in the slots when not in use.
NOTE: The lower connectors store top
down in the slots.
Child Seat Functions
Top
Using the Versa-Tether®
WARNING! Failure to follow the guidelines below may
cause the child seat not to perform as intended:
 You MUST always use the Versa-Tether when using the
child seat forward-facing. Using the tether will improve the
stability of your child seat and reduce the risk of injury.
 Attach the Versa-Tether only to tether anchors identified by
your vehicle manufacturer as tether anchorage points. Only
use the designated tether anchor for each seating position.
 If your vehicle does not currently have a tether anchor
attachment, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or contact
your vehicle manufacturer for assistance. DO NOT modify
your vehicle without advice from your vehicle manufacturer.
 Store the Versa-Tether in the pouch on the back of the child
seat when not in use. DO NOT install the child seat with the
Versa-Tether attached to the carry clip.

18
Child Seat Functions
Rear-Facing Tether Connector Strap
Because every vehicle model is different, a location to
anchor the tether for rear-facing installations may vary.
Use the rear-facing tether connector strap to assist in
creating an anchor point.
1 Find a fixed location in the vehicle that is bolted
to the floor.
* If you cannot find a location to create an
anchor point, contact the vehicle manufacturer
to identify a tether connection point.
2 Route the strap through the anchor point.
3 Thread the metal D-ring through the
loop on the end of the strap.
4 Pull the metal D-ring through until
the strap is tight.
5 Use the D-ring as an attachment
point for the tether.
NOTE: Store the tether connector strap in
the tether pouch when not in use.
OR
Rear-Facing Rear-Facing
OR
Forward-Facing
IMPORTANT: The Versa-Tether®carry clip is only for
use when you wish to carry the child seat between
locations. Do not install the child seat with the Versa-
Tether attached to the carry clip. Secure the excess
Versa-Tether webbing in the elastic strap during use.
Store the Versa-Tether in the storage pouch when not in
use. Always ensure any excess webbing is contained
within your vehicle.
Attaching the Versa-Tether
Tether anchor locations vary from vehicle to
vehicle. Check your vehicle owner’s manual
and look for the tether anchor symbol shown
in the diagram to help identify where the
top tether anchor points are located in your
vehicle. Britax recommends that the tether be
used at all times when installing the child seat.
Using the tether will improve the stability of
your child seat and reduce the risk of injury.
See the diagrams below for possible rear-
and forward-facing Versa-Tether installation
configurations.
Tether Configurations
3
5