Graco Contender Slim User manual

GRACO CONTENDER SLIM
Type: Convertible
Last date made: Current
First made: 2021
Weight limits: 5 to 40 lbs. rear facing,
22 to 65 lbs. forward facing; forward facing not
recommended for children under two.
Harness: 5-point harness
P. 1 of 2
Harness: Shoulder straps are attached to a splitter plate behind seat. Pull
strap end in front of seat to tighten harness. Lift lever at lower front of seat
and pull on shoulder straps to loosen. Harness covers MUST be used for
forward-facing child weighing 25 lbs. or less.
Harness slots: There is one set of slots, which may be raised or lowered
to one of eight positions by grasping handle at top of headrest (diagram 1).
Be sure headrest is locked into place once adjusted. When head
support is in lowest position, pull flap forward (diagram 2).
Crotch strap: Adjustable. The crotch strap is sewn to a metal anchor
which must lie flat against underside of seat. To change slots, turn metal
anchor sideways, feed up through shell of restraint, and reinsert through
desired slot. Crotch strap should be close to, but not underneath child. If
lower anchor strap/safety belt is in rear-facing belt path, be sure it is in
front of buckle strap when buckle is in inner-most position and behind
when in the outer-most position (diagram 3).
Angle adjustment: Reclined position (diagram 4)
must be used for rear-facing; upright position
(diagram 5) must be used for forward-facing. Ball in
level indicator on side of restraint must be entirely in
light blue in rear-facing mode for 0-3 month old, or entirely in blue area for child over 3 months
(diagram 6). A rolled towel may be used to achieve proper recline if needed.
SEE PAGE 2
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3
4 5 6
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Important: This information sheet is not a substitute for complete manufacturer’s directions and current recall list. #450 (c)
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., 27943 Seco Canyon Rd., Ste 301 Santa Clarita CA 91350 (800) 745-SAFE ©SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. 3/22

Belt path: If LATCH is not in use, secure hooks to locations provided at
sides and rear of seat (diagram 7). May be installed using Ford or
Lincoln inflatable safety belt.
Rear-facing:The vehicle belt is routed under child’s legs through
blue slots on each side of shell. Route safety belt between crotch strap
slots (diagram 3, pg. 1).
Forward-facing:The vehicle belt is routed through slots behind
seat, indicated by orange labels.
LATCH: Attach to vehicle lower anchors, using appropriate belt path.
Discontinue use of lower anchors at 45 lbs. If vehicle manufacturer states
lower weight limit for LATCH anchors, use vehicle belt. Lower anchors
may be used in center seating position when position is designated as a
LATCH location in vehicle owner's manual and when spacing between
anchors is 11 inches or greater (refer to Safe Ride News LATCH
manual). To move the LATCH strap from one belt path to another, pull
strap out of belt path such that both connectors are on the same side
(diagram 8). Unsnap seat pad at front and feed lower connector with
adjuster closest to it through appropriate belt path. Secure seat pad.
Tether: Yes, for forward-facing use only. If tether is not in use, attach hook
to location provided on either side of back of seat (diagram 9).
OTHER: Body support (diagram 10) must be used if child’s shoulders
are below lowest set of slots, and may only be used in rear-facing
mode.
When forward-facing, harness covers MUST be used for child
weighing 25 lbs. or less.
Infant head support may only be used in rear-facing mode.
Cup holder is optional and can be used on either side.
Restraint expires seven years from date of manufacture.
P. 2 of 2
Graco Contender Slim
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8
9
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Important: This information sheet is not a substitute for complete manufacturer’s directions and current recall list. #450 (c)
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., 27943 Seco Canyon Rd., Ste 301 Santa Clarita CA 91350 (800) 745-SAFE ©SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. 3/22

1
www.gracobaby.com
Read This Instruction Manual
CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
Contender™Slim
FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS
CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE
RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
IN A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.
Do not install or use this child restraint
until you read and understand the
instructions in this manual.
NWL0001276815C 8/21

2
2-A Car Seat Features
1 Important Pages 6-23
2 Features Pages 24-29
1-A A Quick Guide to Your Manual
1-B Welcome to the Graco Family!
1-C Right Mode of Use
1-D Before You Begin
Register This Child Restraint
If You Need Help
Certification
Car Seat’s Useful Life
Vehicle Seat Protection
Warm Weather Use
1-E Safety Warnings

3
4-A Forward-Facing Use
4-B Install Forward-Facing with LATCH
4-C Install Forward-Facing with Vehicle Seat Belt
4 Forward-Facing Pages 45-58
3-A Rear-Facing Use
3-B Install Rear-Facing with Lower Anchor Attachment
3-C Install Rear-Facing with Vehicle Seat Belt
3 Rear-Facing Pages 30-44
5-A Securing Child 5-Point Harness
5 Securing Child Pages 59-66

4
7-A Moving the Lower Anchor Attachment
7 Moving the Lower Anchor Attachment Pages 69-71
6-A Accessories
6 Accessories Pages 67-68

5
8-A How to Uninstall Lower Anchor Connectors and Tether
8-B Choosing Vehicle Seat Location
8-C Unsafe Vehicle Seat Locations
8-D Vehicle Seat Belts
8 Vehicle Information Pages 72-82
9-A Cleaning Seat Pad
9-B Cleaning Buckle
9-C Cleaning Harness, Lower Anchor Attachment and Tether
9 Care & Cleaning Pages 83-86

66
1-A A Quick Guide to Your Manual
This car seat is for children: Rear-Facing: 5-40 lb (2.2-18 kg)
Forward Facing: 22-65 lb (10-30 kg)
• Children less than 22 lb (10 kg) MUST use this car seat rear-facing. Review section 1-C for more
information.
Note: Preterm or low birth weight infants may be at special risk in a vehicle or aircraft. According to the
AAP, these infants may suffer breathing issues if improperly reclined in a car seat. When rear-facing, use
the corrected age for preemies. Graco advises that you have your physician or hospital staff evaluate your
infant and recommend the proper car seat or car bed before you and your infant leave the hospital.
Get to Know Your Car Seat
What Seating Location Should I Use?
Review section 2-A to see all of the features of this infant car seat.
The best seating location for this infant car seat is one that:
• Is recommended by your vehicle owner’s manual, and
• Results in a secure installation of this car seat.
Some vehicles have specific requirements for where the car seat can be installed, so be sure to check your
vehicle owner’s manual for available seating positions, if any.
Review section 8-B, 8-C and 8-D of this manual AND your vehicle owner’s manual.

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This car seat is for children: Rear-Facing: 5-40 lb (2.2-18 kg)
Forward Facing: 22-65 lb (10-30 kg)
• Children less than 22 lb (10 kg) MUST use this car seat rear-facing. Review section 1-C for more
information.
Note: Preterm or low birth weight infants may be at special risk in a vehicle or aircraft. According to the
AAP, these infants may suffer breathing issues if improperly reclined in a car seat. When rear-facing, use
the corrected age for preemies. Graco advises that you have your physician or hospital staff evaluate your
infant and recommend the proper car seat or car bed before you and your infant leave the hospital.
Which Installation Method Should I Use?
This car seat can be installed in your vehicle using either the vehicle seat belt OR the lower anchor attachment.
Both are equally safe to use. INSTALL USING ONLY ONE METHOD.
Vehicle Seat Belt: Review section 8 and your vehicle owner’s manual to learn how to install your car seat
with the vehicle seat belts.
LATCH or Lower Anchor Attachment: The LATCH system or lower anchor attachment allows you to securely
attach your safety seat in your car without using the vehicle seat belt and possibly to get a better fit. All 2003
and newer model year vehicles are required to have a LATCH system, although some manufacturers began
including LATCH earlier. Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the LATCH system.
According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. The center
of the back seat can be the safest during a possible side impact.
NEVER place this child restraint rear-facing in a vehicle seating location
that has an active front air bag.
In the event there is no back seat, review your vehicle owner’s manual to see how to
use your child restraint.

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LATCH consists of lower anchors and a tether anchor, which are built in to your vehicle,
and a lower anchor attachment and a tether that are built into your car seat. The lower
anchor attachment is used INSTEAD of the vehicle’s seat belt to secure the child seat to the
vehicle. The tether is used IN ADDITION to the lower anchor attachment OR the vehicle’s
seat belt to secure a forward-facing car seat to the vehicle.
Review your vehicle owner’s manual for exact location and use.
What is LATCH?
Vehicle Tether
Anchor Points
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
Typical seat in a passenger
vehicle. Other vehicle types may
have different lower anchor and
tether anchor locations.
Vehicle Seat Bight

99
When Installing This Car Seat
Vehicle Seat Belt
There are two types of vehicle seat belts that can be
used. Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt or Lap Only Seat Belt.
Review section 3-C & 4-C of this manual AND your
vehicle owner’s manual before installing.
Lower Anchor Attachment
The lower anchor attachment consists of two lower anchors,
which are built in to your vehicle, and lower anchor connectors
that are built in your car seat. Review section 3-B & 4-B of this
manual AND your vehicle owner’s manual before installing.

1010
Does Your Car Seat Fit Your Child Correctly?
To make sure your child is secured properly, review section 3, 4 and 5 to understand all of
the actions you need to take to properly adjust the car seat to fit your child.
Harness Height, Rear-Facing
Harness straps at or just below the child’s shoulders (A)
and top of head must be 1” (2.5 cm) below the headrest
adjustment handle (B). Review section 5.
Buckle Position (C)
The correct slot is the one that is closest to your child
without being underneath them. Review section 5.
Harness Tightness (D)
If your fingers slide off the harness straps without
pinching the straps, it is tight enough. Review section 5.
For Rear-Facing, You Need to Adjust:
1” (2.5 cm)1” (2.5 cm)
A
C
B
D

1111
Harness Height, Forward-Facing
Harness straps at or just above the child’s shoulders (A)
and top of child’s ears below top of headrest (B). Review
section 5.
Buckle Position (C)
The correct slot is the one that is closest to your child
without being underneath them. Review section 5.
Harness Tightness (D)
If your fingers slide off the harness straps without pinching
the straps, it is tight enough. Review section 5.
For Forward-Facing, You Need to Adjust:
A
C
B
D

1212
Rear-Facing Installation
Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1”
(2.5 cm) at the Belt Path (A)
Review section 3
Level Indicator’s Ball in the Correct
Blue Zone (B)
Review section 3
Harness Straps at or Just Below Child’s
Shoulders (C)
Review section 5
Chest Clip Even With Armpits (D)
Review section 5
Cannot Pinch Harness Straps at the
Shoulder (E)
Review section 5
B
A
D E
C
Did You Do Everything Correctly?

1313
Forward-Facing Installation
Use the Tether Strap when using Forward-
Facing (A)
When used properly, the tether helps reduce
injury in a sudden stop or crash.
Review section 4
Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1”
(2.5 cm) at the Belt Path (B)
Review section 4
Harness Straps at or Just Above Child’s
Shoulders (C)
Review section 5
Chest Clip Even With Armpits (D)
Review section 5
Cannot Pinch Harness Straps at the
Shoulder (E)
Review section 5
A
D E
CB

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1-B Welcome to the Graco Family!
Your child’s safety depends on you. No car seat can guarantee protection from injury in
every situation, but proper use helps reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Even if this car seat seems easy to figure out on your own, you must follow the detailed
instructions in this instruction manual to ensure the steps below are performed correctly.

1515
*Check your local and state laws and the AAP/NHTSA recommendations. See page 21 for
more information.
5 lb
(2.2 kg)
22 lb
(10 kg)
40 lb
(18 kg)
65 lb
(30 kg)
Rear-Facing with 5-Point Harness
Must be 49” (125 cm) or less:
5-22 lb (2.2-10 kg) less than 1 year old MUST be
rear-facing.
22-40 lb (10-18 kg) SHOULD be rear-facing.*
Forward-Facing with 5-Point Harness
Must be 49” (125 cm) or less:
22-40 lb (10-18 kg) can sit upright unassisted CAN be
forward-facing.
40-65 lb (18-30 kg) MUST be forward-facing.*
1-C Right Mode of Use

1616
1-D Before You Begin
Please fill out the prepaid registration postcard attached to the harness and mail it in
today or register online at www.gracobaby.com/carseatregistration.
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.
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 169, Elverson, PA 19520-9901
or call 1-800-345-4109
or register online at
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.
Register This Child Restraint

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Model Name_________________________
Model Number _______________________
Date of Manufacture __________________
Date of Purchase _____________________
For future reference or if you change addresses, record the model name, model number, date
of manufacture and purchase date of this car seat on the below. You can find this information
either on the registration card if you still have it or on the date label located on the back of the
car seat.
In the U.S.A, please contact our Customer Service Department with any questions you
may have concerning parts, use, or maintenance. When you contact us, please have your
product’s model number and date of manufacture ready so that we may help you efficiently.
These numbers can be found on a sticker on the back side of your car seat.
For additional resources or to get your car seat checked by a child passenger safety
technician, please visit the following web sites:
www.nhtsa.gov • www.seatcheck.org • www.safekids.org
If You Need Help

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STOP using this car seat and throw it away 7 years after the date of manufacture. Look for
this sticker on back of the car seat.
Graco Children’s Products Inc. advises against loaning or passing along a car seat unless
you know the complete history of the product. We also advise against purchasing a car
seat second hand.
This child restraint meets or exceeds all applicable requirements of Federal motor vehicle
safety standard 213 for use in motor vehicles.
This child seat is certified for use in aircraft. Use only on foward-facing aircraft
seats. Follow the instructions for vehicle installation. For rear-facing installation,
see section 3-C and 8-D Lap Belt Installation. For forward-facing installation, see
section 4-C and 8-D Lap Belt Installation, but do not use tether.
Contact the airline for their specific polices.
Certification
Car Seat’s Useful Life
Protect vehicle seat. Use a car seat mat, towel, or thin blanket under and behind car seat.
Vehicle Seat Protection