Graco Child Restraint User manual

FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH IN A SUDDEN STOP OR
CRASH.
ZZZJUDFREDE\FRP
Child Restraint
Owner’s Manual
READ THIS MANUAL.
Do not install or use this child restraint until
you read and understand the instructions
in this manual.
PD156938B
*UDFR 86


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information....................................4
Warnings.......................................................6
Basic Information............................................9
WhatisLATCH?..............................................10
LATCH System................................................
Before You Begin
Use
Height & Weight Limits..................................
Features..................................................
Rear-facing Installation With LATCH............
Forward-facing Installation With LATCH.........18
Rear-facing Installation With
Vehicle Seat Belts.........................................20
Forward-facing Installation With
Vehicle Seat Belts.........................................22
Placing Child in Child Restraint.......................24
Operations and Adjustments.......................... 28
• Harness Straps .............................. 28
• Harness Tie.................................... 30
• Buckle............................................ 30
• Recline / Upright Positions............. 30
• Changing Harness Strap Slots........ 32
• Removing LATCH from Vehicle
Anchor Points ............................... 36
• LATCH Storage ............................. 37


Vehicle Seat Belts.............................................38
• Locking Clip......................................45
Additional Information.....................................47
• Tether Storage ................................ 47
• Body Support ................................ 48
• Head Support ................................ 49
• Harness Cover ............................... 49
• Care and Cleaning ........................ 50
• Aircraft Use .................................... 51
• Second Hand Child Restraint ......... 51
Replacement Parts...........................................52
•Locking Clip ................................... 52
•Instruction Manual Storage ............ 52
TABLE OF CONTENTS


No child restraint can guarantee protection
from injury in every situation, but proper use
helps reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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:
Graco Children’s Products, Inc.
150 Oaklands Blvd.
Exton, PA 19341
or call 1-800-345-4109
or register online at
http://www.gracobaby.com/carseatregistration
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


LATCH
Read and understand instruction manual and
child restraint labels.
Infants less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) must use child
restraint rear-facing.
Do not use child restraint rear-facing in
vehicle seat with air bag.
Secure children in rear seat of vehicle
whenever possible.
Never leave child unattended.
Install child restraint securely with vehicle seat
belt or LATCH belt.
 Do not use after date shown on back of child
restraint.
Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives,
etc.) to use child restraint without first
understanding all instructions.
This child restraint may be installed in a vehicle
using either the vehicle seat belt or the LATCH
system (for vehicles equipped with LATCH).


WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:
Failure to follow these instructions and
child restraint labels can result in child
striking the vehicle’s interior during a
sudden stop or crash. Secure child
restraint with a vehicle seat belt or
LATCH that is properly routed as shown
in this manual.
Select a suitable location for the child
restraint in your vehicle.
Choose the correct mode of use for the
child restraint depending on your child’s
size. Infants less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) must
use this child restraint rear-facing.
Serious crippling injury or death can
result if infant faces front of vehicle.
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that children should be
at least one year of age before being
positioned forward facing.
Vehicle seat belt system MUST hold
child restraint securely. Not all vehicle
seat belts can be used with a child
restraint.
If vehicle seat belt does not hold child
restraint securely, read “Vehicle Seat
Belts” section.


WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:
Never put a child restraint in a front
vehicle seat unless recommended by
vehicle owner’s manual. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) alerts vehicle owners that
according to accident statistics, children
are safer in the back seat. For vehicles
with air bags, refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation
information.
If child restraint is in a crash, it
must be replaced. DO NOT use it again!
A crash can cause unseen damage and
using it again could result in serious
injury or death. DO NOT use child
restraint if it is damaged or missing
parts.
DO NOT use accessories or parts other
than those provided by Graco. Their use
could alter the performance of the child
restraint.
Rear-facing child restraint must be
properly leveled:
• Too reclined can result in injury
or ejection.
• Too upright can result in
breathing difficulties.


Insert the harness straps in the proper
slots for your child. Never leave child
unattended, even when sleeping. Child
may become tangled in harness straps
and suffocate or strangle.
DO NOT remove LATCH system from
child restraint. If using vehicle seat belt
to secure child restraint, LATCH
connectors must be stored. (see
section “LATCH storage”)
Never attach two
LATCH connectors
to one vehicle lower
anchor point unless
specifically allowed
by the vehicle
manufacturer.
WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death: (continued)
NEVER use the Rear Facing LATCH belt
and the Forward Facing LATCH belt at
the same time. You can only use one
LATCH belt at a time depending on
which mode you install the child
restraint.
WARNING
DO NOT place this child restraint
in a vehicle seating
location that has a
front air bag. If an air
bag inflates, it can hit
the child and child
restraint with great
force and cause
serious injury or death
to your child. Check vehicle owner’s
manual for information about side air
bags and child restraint installation.


BASIC INFORMATION
Certification
This child restraint meets or exceeds all
applicable requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 for use in motor vehicles
and aircraft.
Unoccupied Child Restraint
Dangerous Vehicle Seats
Child Restraint Useful Life
Always secure child restraint to LATCH or a
vehicle seat belt, even when unoccupied.
In a crash, and unsecured child restraint can
injure passengers.
Do not use child restraint on rear-facing or
side-facing vehicle seats.
STOP using child restraint and throw it away
after the date MOLDED into the back of the
child restraint.
DO NOT use this car
seat after December
Warm Weather
Child restraint parts can get very hot in the sun
or warm weather.
To avoid burns, always check before
putting child in child restraint.
Vehicle Seat Protection
Protect vehicle seat. Use a child restraint mat,
towel, or thin blanket under and behind child
restraint.
YEAR
Look For:


WHAT IS LATCH?
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards have defined a new system for
installing child restraints in vehicles. The system
is called LATCH. LATCH stands for:
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren.
LATCH in the vehicle consists of a top
tether anchor point and two lower
anchor points.
Some vehicle owner manuals use the
term ISOFIX to identify the new child
restraint anchor system. This child
restraint with LATCH can also be used
in vehicle seating positions equipped
with ISOFIX.
Newer vehicles may have one or more seating
positions equipped with LATCH anchor points.
If vehicle is equipped with LATCH, the vehicle
lower anchor points may be visible at the vehicle
seat crease. If not visible, they may be marked
with a symbol (Fig. a) or a colored dot.
See your vehicle owner’s manual for exact
locations, anchor identification, and
requirements for use with a child restraint.
Check vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle top
tether anchor locations. They may be identified
using one of the anchor symbols(Fig. b or Fig. c).
Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for
installations with children weighing more than 48
pounds (21.7 kg).
NOTE: Some vehicle manufacturers have lower
maximum weight ratings for LATCH anchors, so
you must consult your vehicle owner’s manual
or call the vehicle manufacturer to confirm the
limits on your vehicle’s LATCH anchors.


WHAT IS LATCH?(continued)
Vehicle
Top Tether Anchor
Points
Vehicle
Lower Anchor
Points
Vehicle
Seat Crease
(Fig. b)
(Fig. c)
(Fig. a)
Typical seat in a
passenger vehicle.
Other vehicle types
may have different
LATCH locations.


LATCH SYSTEM
Child Restraint Top
Tether - BLACK
LATCH consists of a permanently attached lower
anchor belt and a top tether strap.
ONLY use LATCH in a seating position
recommended by vehicle manufacturer. NEVER
use forward facing and rear facing LATCH belts
at the same time.
LATCH lower vehicle anchor points are defined
as 11 inches from the center of one LATCH
anchor to the center of another LATCH anchor.
If allowed by your Vehicle Owners Manual, the
center seating position may be used if the
anchor spacing is 11” or greater.
FORWARD FACING LATCH BELT - BLACK
Vehicle Top
Tether Anchor
Point
REAR FACING LATCH BELT - GRAY
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
Forward Facing Lower
Anchor Belt - BLACK
Rear Facing Lower
Anchor Belt - GRAY


HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS
1”
IMPORTANT: This child restraint is certified
for use rear-facing with children up to
40 lbs. (18.1 kg). However, some children
approaching 40 lbs. (18.1 kg) may be too tall to
fit rear-facing. Top of head must be at least 1”
below the top of the child restraint. Child should
use car seat forward-facing only if child is over
20 lbs. (9 kg) and can sit upright unassisted.
( ,see p. 14)
Forward-facing
Rear-facing
65 lbs.
(29.5 kg)
5 lbs.
(2.2 kg)
40 lbs.
(18.1 kg)
*
20 lbs.
(9 kg)
A preterm infant or low birth weight
infant may be at special risk in a vehicle
or aircraft.
According to the American Academy of
Pediatrics, these infants may suffer
breathing difficulties if improperly
reclined in a child restraint.
Graco advises that you have your
physician or hospital staff evaluate your
infant and recommend the proper child
restraint or car bed before you and your
infant leave the hospital.
Preterm or
Low Birthweight Infants
Rear-facing:5 to 40 lbs. (2.2-18.1 Kg)
• Infants who weigh less than 20 lbs.
(9 kg) MUST be rear-facing.
• Infants or toddlers 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18.1 kg) may be rear-facing.


*
HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS (continued)
Outgrowing Child Restraint
Prevent serious injury or death:
• Top of child’s ears must be at
or below the child restraint
seat back.
• Child’s shoulders MUST not be
above top harness slots.
WARNING
Forward-facing: 20 to 65 lbs. (9 to 29.5 kg)
• Child must not exceed 50 inches (127 cm).
The top of the child’s ears should be at or
below the child restraint seat back.
• Toddlers 20 to 65 lbs.
(9 to 29.5 kg) who are capable of
sitting upright unassisted may be
forward-facing. If unable to sit
unassisted, use rear-facing when
below 40 lbs.
•Toddlers 40 to 65 lbs. (18.1 to 29.5 kg) and
up to 50 inches (127 cm) tall MUST be
forward-facing.
*
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that children should be at least
one year of age before being positioned
forward facing. They also recommend that
the child should ride rear facing as long as
possible.


FEATURES
Harness slots
Harness
buckle
Crotch
strap
Harness
release
lever
Harness adjustment
strap
Forward facing
LATCH belt
(stored)
Rear facing
LATCH belt
(stored)
Harness strap
Harness tie
Tether strap**
Tether hook
LATCH
Connector
Rear facing LATCH
storage bar
Forward facing
LATCH storage
bars
Adjustment belt
Forward facing
LATCH belt***
Tether storage
bar
Harness slots
Rear facing
LATCH belt***
**Vehicles are now (or can be) equipped with
tether anchor points behind some seats. A
tether anchors the top of the child restraint
to the body of the vehicle. When used
properly with the vehicle seat belt or LATCH,
a tether helps reduce injury in a sudden stop
or crash.
***United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have
defined a new system for installing child restraints in vehicles.
The system is called LATCH. LATCH may ONLY be used
IN PLACE of vehicle belt if vehicle is equipped with
LATCH anchor points. Please refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for LATCH locations in vehicles.
Splitter plate
Harness straps
Harness
cover plate


REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH
Adjust child restraint to recline position
(fig. a). Flip recline feet under child
restraint for rear facing use.
Make sure Forward Facing LATCH belt is
stored. (see fig. c, pg. 37)
Place rear-facing on vehicle seat equipped
with LATCH anchors.
For ease of installation, extend LATCH belt
to its maximum length.
Hook connectors to vehicle lower anchors
(fig. b). Belt must lay flat and not be
twisted. Pull connectors to be sure they
are securely attached to the anchor points.
(fig. c).
Press down firmly in center of child restraint
while pulling LATCH adjustment belt. (fig. d).
Pull front to back and left to right at belt path
to check for secure installation (fig. e).
1
2
3
4
Check that the lower anchor belt stays tight
and does not slip from the tightened position. If
it does not stay tight, try another seating
position or contact Customer Service.
Check level indicator on child restraint (fig. f).
Vehicle must be on level ground and child in
child restraint when checking level indicator.
Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. f). If
necessary, place rolled towels under child
restraint, at vehicle seat crease, until entire ball
is in green zone. Then re-check level indicator.
7
5
6
DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must be
stored (see “Tether Storage” page 47).
Periodically check that child restraint is securely
installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.
To remove LATCH, (see “Removing LATCH from
Vehicle Anchor Points”, p. 36).


REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH(continued)
LATCH
Openings
Tether
Flip feet under seat fig. a
fig. b
fig. c fig. d fig. e
LAPC0110A
fig. f


FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH
Adjust child restraint to Upright position
(fig. a). Flip recline feet out for
forward facing use.
Make sure Rear Facing LATCH belt is
stored. (see fig. b, pg. 37)
Place forward-facing on vehicle seat
equipped with LATCH anchors.
For ease of installation, extend LATCH
belt to its maximum length.
Hook connectors to vehicle lower
anchors (fig. b). Belt must lay flat and
not be twisted. Pull connectors to be
sure they are securely attached (fig. c).
Slide child restraint back until the
restraint is in contact with the vehicle
seat back.
1
2
3
4
5
Press down firmly in center of child restraint to
compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening
LATCH belt by pulling adjustment belt (fig. d).
Pull front to back and left to right at belt path
to check for secure installation (fig. e).
Check that the lower anchor belt stays tight
and does not slip from the tightened position.
If it does not stay tight, try another seating
position or contact Customer Service.
6
7
Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor
hardware (B) and tighten adjustment belt to
remove any slack (fig. f).
Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.
Periodically check that child restraint is
securely installed; adjust if necessary.
8
To remove LATCH, (see “Removing LATCH from
Vehicle Anchor Points”, p. 36).


FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH (continued)
Pull to
Tighten
Tether
LATCH
A
B
fig. a
fig. b fig. c fig. d
fig. e
fig. f


WARNING
LATCH belts MUST be stored when
using vehicle seat belt to install child
restraint.
Store Rear Facing and Forward Facing
LATCH belt as shown. (see fig. a).
Adjust car seat to recline position.
Flip recline feet under seat (fig. b).
Place rear-facing on vehicle seat.
Thread vehicle seat belt through
openings and buckle belt (fig. c).
Press down firmly in center of child
restraint to compress vehicle seat cushion
while tightening vehicle seat belt (fig. d).
1
Pull front to back and left to right at the belt
path to check for secure installation. (fig. e).
Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight.
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” page 38.
Check level indicator on child restraint.
Vehicle must be on level ground and child
in child restraint when checking level indicator.
Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. f). If
necessary, place rolled towels under child
restraint, at vehicle seat crease, until entire
ball is in green zone. Then re-check level
indicator.
DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must
be stored (see “Tether Storage” page 47).
Periodically check that child restraint is
securely installed and properly leveled;
adjust if necessary.
2
3
4
5
REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
6
To remove LATCH, (see “Removing LATCH
from Vehicle Anchor Points”, p. 36).