Britax MARATHON User manual

R8:xx/04
P216800
Marathon
User Guide

Table of Contents
SafetyInformation................................ 2-5
Child Restraint Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
VehicleSafetyBelts.................................8
Vehicle Seating Positions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Rear-Facing Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Rear-Facing LATCH Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Rear-Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Rear-Facing Lap Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Forward-Facing Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-20
Forward-Facing LATCH Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
Forward-Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation. . . . . . . . 18-19
Forward-Facing Lap Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Switching the LATCH Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
InstallationInAircraft ..............................22
Versa-Tether®.................................. 23-25
Checking Buckle Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ReclineAdjustment................................26
UsingtheBuckle..................................27
UsingtheChestClip...............................27
SecuringYourChild............................. 28-29
Checking Harness Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Adjusting Harness Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Care and Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-35
Warranty ........................................36
This product and its components are subject to change without notice.
© 2006 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
P275900 R2.06.06

2
• Use only in a rear-facing position when using restraint with
an infant weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg). The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear-facing until at least 1
year of age and 20 pounds.
• Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 65 pounds
(2.3 and 29 kg) and whose height is 49 inches (124 cm) or
less. Rear facing 5–33 pounds (2.3–15 kg) and forward-facing
maximum 65 pounds (29 kg).
• 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.
• Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child
restraint.
• Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child restraint
anchorage system if available or with a vehicle belt.
• Follow all instructions on this child restraint and in the written
instructions located on lanyard, under cover in front of seat.
• Register your child restraint with the manufacturer.
• Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with
children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the
vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for
the maximum weight rating for their LATCH anchors. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48-
pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit.

3
• Discontinue 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.
•This child restraint must not be used in the home, in boats, or
other non-certified applications.
• Based on crash 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 section on Vehicle Safety Belts 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.
• When using in vehicle with air bags, refer to the vehicle
owner’s manual for child restraint installation instructions and
precautions.
• Restraint must be in the full upright position when installed in
forward-facing mode with children over 33 pounds (15 kg).
• 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 this child restraint by the shell or tether straps.
• The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision
is the structure of the vehicle itself; a child restraint will not
protect a child 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.

4
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, 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. For recall information, call the U.S.
Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-
800-424-9153), or go to http://NHTSA.gov. Visit BritaxUSA.com
to register online.
WARNING! DO NOT place a child
restraint 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 under 12.

5
Safety Information
IMPORTANT
• Verify that the child restraint is secure and that the harness is
properly adjusted around the child each time the child restraint
is used.
• Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. The fit
for a child in winter clothes will differ from a child in summer
clothes.
• 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.
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 restraint or change the way its harness or the
vehicle restraint 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 use anything to raise the restraint off the vehicle seat. In
an crash, it could slide and may not protect the child as well as it
should.

Restraint Features
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
1Harness Slots
2Comfort Pads
3Chest Clip
4Harness Holder
5HUGS™
Shoulder Pads
6Harness
7Harness Adjuster
Lever (under
cover)
8Buckle & Belly
Pad
9Perma-Book™
(under cover)
10 Harness Adjuster
Strap
11 LATCH Connector
12 Recline Handle
13 LATCH Adjuster
14 LATCH Harness

Restraint Features
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
15 Cover
16 Versa-Tether
®
17 Harness Yoke
18 Forward-Facing
Lock-off
19 LATCH Connector
Pouch (under
cover)
20 Belt Guard
21 LATCH Bar
22 Rear-Facing Lock-off
23 Base

Vehicle Safety Belts
8
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.
Non-locking (ELR) two-point vehicle
belts.
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
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) connectors.
This child restraint can fit securely in most vehicles using the existing
vehicle belts. However, some types of vehicle designs prevent a secure
fit of the child restraint due to the position of the vehicle belt lower
anchorage points.

Vehicle Seating Positions
9
WARNING:
• Forward facing vehicle seats MUST be used with this child
restraint. Side facing or rear-facing seats CANNOT be used.

Installation: Rear-Facing
10
Rear-Facing
LATCH Installation
• Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing
LATCH installation.
1 Verify that your vehicle is equipped with
LATCH anchors.
• If LATCH anchors are not installed, you
must use standard vehicle belt installation
methods.
2If stored, remove LATCH connectors
from storage pouches under cover.
3Press and hold the LATCH adjuster
release button, then pull to lengthen
LATCH harness to full length.
4Fully recline the restraint and place it
sideways on the vehicle seat, with the
front facing toward you.
5Verify that the LATCH harness is not
twisted, then attach the farthest connector
to LATCH anchor (Fig. B).
• A positive click confirms attachment.
• If LATCH connectors will not attach with a
positive click, it may be necessary to switch
the LATCH connectors as shown on page 21.
6Rotate seat into rear-facing position.
7Verify that the LATCH harness is not
twisted, then attach the closest connector
to LATCH anchor (Fig. C).
• A positive click confirms attachment.
B
A
C

Installation: Rear-Facing
11
8Push the child restraint firmly into the
vehicle seat while pulling each LATCH
harness tight (Fig. D).
9Verify that all connections are secure
and the restraint is stable.
NOTE:
• The back angle of the child restraint
should not exceed 45º when properly
installed in the rear-facing position.
• Installation can be improved by the
use of the Versa-Tether®(see pages 23–25). The recline angle
can be adjusted by tightening the tether as described on page
24, using anchor point 3.
• If there is a problem stabilizing the child restraint, place a rolled
towel in the crease of the vehicle seat to help level the child
restraint base.
WARNING: DO NOT raise the base beyond horizontal or off of the
vehicle seat; doing so will reduce the protection for the child.
Removal
• Release each LATCH harness from the LATCH anchor by
pressing the red release button on the LATCH connector.
• If connected, disconnect the Versa-Tether®from the tether
anchor.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in
storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
D

Installation: Rear-Facing
12
Rear-Facing
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation
• Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing
lap-shoulder belt installation.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH
connectors in storage pouches sewn in
cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
1Place the child restraint rear-facing and
in full recline position on the vehicle seat.
2Open rear-facing lock-off farthest from
where the vehicle belt will be buckled.
3 Pull the vehicle belt out, then pass it
through the first rear-facing belt slot (Fig.
B) .
• The vehicle belt can be routed over or
under the cover.
4 Route vehicle belt behind and under
the buckle strap, then through the
second rear-facing belt slot.
5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not
twisted, then buckle ( Fig. C) .
6Push the restraint firmly into the seat
while removing slack from the lap portion
of the vehicle belt, then the shoulder
portion ( Fig. D).
B
C
A

Installation: Rear-Facing
13
7 Position both sections of vehicle belt
through the rear-facing lock-off farthest
from vehicle buckle, then close lock-off
arm ( Fig. E) .
• Lock-off is properly closed when a positive
click is heard.
• To prevent breakage, never bend the lock-
off arm up or down.
8Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and
the child restraint is stable.
NOTE:
• The back angle of the child restraint
should not exceed 45º when properly
installed in the rear-facing position.
• Installation can be improved by the
use of the Versa-Tether®(see pages
23–25). The recline angle can be
adjusted by tightening the tether as
described on page 24, using anchor
point 3.
• If there is a problem stabilizing the
child restraint, place a rolled towel in the crease of the vehicle
seat to help level the child restraint base.
WARNING: DO NOT raise the base beyond horizontal or off of the
vehicle seat; doing so will reduce the protection for the child.
Removal
Release the tether, if used, then reverse the above directions.
D
E

Installation: Rear-Facing
Rear-Facing
Lap Belt Installation
• Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing lap
belt installation.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH
connectors in storage pouches sewn in
cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
1Place the child restraint rear-facing and
in full recline position on the vehicle seat.
2Open rear-facing lock-off farthest from
where the vehicle belt will be buckled.
3Pull the vehicle belt out, then pass it
through the closest rear-facing belt slot
(Fig. B).
• The vehicle belt can be routed over or
under the restraint cover.
4 Route vehicle belt behind and under the
buckle strap, then through the second rear-
facing belt slot.
5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not
twisted, then buckle ( Fig. C) .
6Push the child restraint firmly into the
vehicle seat while removing slack from the
vehicle belt.
B
C
A
14

Installation: Rear-Facing
7 Position the vehicle belt through the
rear-facing lock-off farthest from the
vehicle buckle, then close lock-off arm
( Fig. D) .
• Lock-off is properly closed when a positive
click is heard.
• To prevent breakage, never bend the lock-
off arm up or down.
8Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and
the child restraint is stable.
NOTE:
• The back angle of the child restraint should not exceed 45º when
properly installed in the rear-facing position.
• Installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether®
(see pages 23–25). The recline angle can be adjusted by
tightening the tether as described on page 24, using anchor
point 3.
• If there is a problem stabilizing the child restraint, place a rolled
towel in the crease of the vehicle seat to help level the child
restraint base.
WARNING: DO NOT raise the base beyond horizontal or off of the
vehicle seat; doing so will reduce the protection for the child.
Removal
Release the tether, if used, then reverse the above directions.
D
15

Installation: Forward-Facing
16
Forward-Facing
LATCH Installation
• Figure A illustrates the forward-facing
LATCH harness routing.
1 Verify that your vehicle is equipped with
LATCH anchors.
• If LATCH anchors are not installed, you must
use standard vehicle belt installation methods.
2If stored, remove LATCH connectors
from storage pouches under cover.
3Press and hold the LATCH adjuster
release button, then pull to lengthen
LATCH harness to full length.
4Place the restraint sideways on the vehicle
seat, with the back facing toward you.
• Restraint must be in the full upright
position when installed in forward-facing
mode with children over 33 pounds (15kg).
5Verify that LATCH harness is not twisted,
then loosely attach the farthest connector
to LATCH anchor (Fig. B).
• A positive click confirms attachment.
• If LATCH connectors will not attach with a
positive click, it may be necessary to switch
the LATCH connectors as shown on page
21.
6Rotate seat into forward-facing
position.
7Verify that LATCH harness is not twisted,
then loosely attach the closest connector
B
A
C

Installation: Forward-Facing
17
8Kneel on the child restraint to force it
into the vehicle seat while pulling each
LATCH harness tight (Fig. D).
9Verify that all connections are secure
and the restraint is stable.
• Installation can be improved by the use of
the Versa-Tether®(see pages 23–25).
Removal
• Release each LATCH harness from
the LATCH anchor by pressing the
red release button on the LATCH connector.
• If connected, disconnect the Versa-Tether®from the tether
anchor.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in
storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
WARNING: Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for
installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds
(21 kg). Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual or contact the
vehicle manufacturer for the maximum weight rating for their
LATCH anchors. Unless specified otherwise by the vehicle
manufacturer, assume a 48-pound child is the vehicle LATCH
anchor limit.
D

Installation: Forward-Facing
18
Forward-Facing
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation
• Figure A illustrates the forward-facing lap-
shoulder vehicle belt route.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH
connectors in storage pouches sewn in
cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
1Place the child restraint forward-facing
on the vehicle seat.
• Restraint must be in the full upright
position when installed in forward-facing
mode with children over 33 pounds (15kg).
• Installation can be improved by the use of
the Versa-Tether
®
(see pages 23–25).
2 Pull the vehicle belt out, then pass it over
the LATCH bar, through the forward-facing
belt slots, then over the LATCH bar on the
other side (Fig. B) .
3 Verify that the vehicle belt is not
twisted, then buckle ( Fig. C) .
B
A
C