Graco Quest User manual

Instruction Manual
English PM-1101AA 1/99
Do not use this car seat until you read and
understand these instructions!
Incorrect use can mean serious injury or
death to a child in a sudden stop or
accident!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
No car seat can guarantee protection from
injury in every situation, but proper use
helps reduce the risk of serious injury or
death.
❃Registration Information
Child restraints (car seats) could be recalled for safety
reasons.You must register this restraint to be reached
in a recall. Fill out the registration card attached to
car seat and mail today or send your name, address,
and the restraint's model number and manufacturing
date to: Graco Children's Products Inc.
P.O. Box 100
Elverson, Pa. 19520-9974
or call 1-888-224-6549
For recall information, call the U.S.Government's Auto
Safety Hot Line at 1-800-424-9393 (202-366-0123 in
D.C. area).
❃Safety First Check List
✔Read and understand instruction manual and
car seat labels.
✔A vehicle combination lap/shoulder belt MUST be
used properly when using car seat without
harness system.
✔Do not use vehicle lap-only belt across front of
child.
✔Secure children in back seat whenever possible.
✔Never leave child unattended.
✔Do not use car seat after date shown on back or
six (6) years after manufacturing date whichever
comes first.
✔Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives, etc.) to
use car seat without first understanding all
instructions.
Save this instruction
manual for future use.
Store on back of car seat.
1

Page:
1 Important Information
3 Warnings
4 Basic Information
6 Height and Weight Limits
7 Adjust Car Seat to Fit Child
9 Car Seat Installation
10 Car Seat Use
12 Booster Car Seat Use
15 Active Toddlers
❃Vehicle Seat Belts:
16 Vehicle Seat Belts
❃Removal and Re-assembly of Harness
System:
22 Removal of Harness System
23 Re-assembly of Harness System
❃Special Information:
24 Aircraft Use
24 Second Hand Car Seats
24 Inspection
25 Product Care & Cleaning
26 Product Label Location
27 Need Help?
27 Tether Strap
28 Replacement Parts
29 Replacement Parts Order Form
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
❃Booster Car Seat Without Harness
30 - 65 Lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 Kg)
❃Car Seat With Harness
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)

Failure to follow the instructions in this manual
and car seat labels can result in your child striking
the vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or
accident. Secure this car seat with a vehicle belt
as shown in this manual.
Never put a car seat in a front vehicle seat unless
recommended by vehicle owner's manual.
Experts agree that children up to age 12 are safer
in the back seat. For front passenger air bags,
refer to vehicle owner's manual for car seat
installation instructions.
Not all vehicle seat belts can be used with the
Quest Car Seat. Read "Vehicle Seat Belts" section.
If this car seat is in an accident, it must be
replaced. Do not use it again! An accident can
cause unseen damage and using it could cause
serious injury or death.
DO NOT use accessories or parts supplied by
other manufacturers. Their use could alter the
function of the car seat and cause serious injury
or death.
Never leave child unattended, even when sleeping.
3
WARNINGS

BASIC INFORMATION
❃Certification
This car seat meets or exceeds all applicable
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213:
• For use in motor vehicles.
• For air travel use see "Aircraft Use" section.
❃Government Alert
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
alerts vehicle owners that:
• According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the back seat of a
vehicle than in the front seat.
• All children up to age 12 should ride in the back
seat of a vehicle.
❃Unoccupied Car Seat
Always secure car seat with a vehicle seat belt, even
when unoccupied. An unsecured car seat can injure
other passengers in a sudden stop or accident.
❃Dangerous Vehicle Seats
Car seat must be used on vehicle seats which face
forward. Do not use on rear-facing or side-facing
vehicle seats.
4
Rear-facing
Vehicle Seat Side-facing
Vehicle Seat

BASIC INFORMATION continued
❃Car Seat Useful Life
Due to changing requirements and normal wear and
tear, DO NOT use car seat after:
• Date shown on back of car seat.
Look for:
❃Vehicle Seat Protection
Continuous use of a car seat may cause vehicle seat
damage. To protect upholstery, use a car seat mat,
towel or thin blanket under car seat.
❃Warm Weather
Hot parts can burn unprotected skin. Always check
metal and plastic parts before putting child in
car seat.
Metal and plastic parts can become very hot in warm
weather, even in the shade. Drape a blanket over
car seat to protect it from direct sunlight when not in
use.
5
Do not use this car
seat after December (Year)
Car Seat Mat, Towel or Blanket

BASIC INFORMATION continued
WARNING
Read this section carefully. Incorrect use can
cause serious injury or death.
Find child's weight and follow instructions for harness
system use.
The instructions are specific to whether you plan to
use the car seat with or without the harness system.
Car Seat With Harness Requirements:
• Weight is 30 - 40 lbs.(13.6 - 18 kg).
• Minimum of 35 inches (89 cm) tall.
• Child's shoulders are
NOT above top harness
slots.
WARNING
To avoid injuries from
whiplash, top of child's ears
must be below top edge of
headrest. If ears are
above headrest, child is too
large for car seat.
6
❃Height and Weight Limits
Booster Car Seat Without Harness Requirements:
• Weight is 30 - 65 lbs.(13.6 - 29.5 kg).
• Height from 35 - 50 inches (89 - 127 cm) tall.
• Top of child's ears are
NOT above top of booster
car seat.
Booster Car Seat
Without Harness
Car Seat
With Harness
30 lbs. 40 lbs. 65 lbs.
(13.6 kg) (18 kg) (29.5 kg)

WITH HARNESS
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)
ADJUST CAR SEAT TO FIT
CHILD
❃Adjust Harness Straps
Harness straps MUST be through slots at
or just above (closest to) child's shoulders.
• To Lengthen or Shorten
Harness Strap
1When shortening, lift adjuster bar and
pull ends of harness straps down until
all slack is removed.
2When lengthening, lift adjuster bar and
pull harness straps from front of
car seat to desired length.
3Pull harness straps on front side to lock
adjuster bar.
4When adjusting
harness straps, pull
harness straps through
tongue to remove all
slack.
Harness straps must
be snug on child's chest and low and
snug on hips, just touching thighs.
7
Minimum
2 inches
(5 cm)
Adjuster Bar
WARNING
End of each strap must be at least
2 inches (5 cm) below metal plate.

WITH HARNESS
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)
ADJUST CAR SEAT TO FIT
CHILD continued
• To Change Harness Strap
Slots
1Lift adjuster bar and
pull harness straps
out of current slots.
2Thread harness
straps through
desired slots
at or just above
(closest to) child's
shoulders.
NOTE: For ease in
threading harness
straps, reach behind pad.
3Thread harness
straps behind
opening in metal
plate and adjuster
bar as shown.
4Lift adjuster bar
and thread straps
over adjuster bar,
creating loop,
and down behind
metal plate as
shown.
5Pull ends of
harness
strap down.
8
WARNING
End of each strap must be at least
2 inches (5 cm) below metal plate.
Metal Plate
Minimum
2 inches
(5 cm)

WITH HARNESS
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)
❃Car Seat With Harness System
30 - 40 lbs. (13.6 - 18 kg)
If necessary, install Harness System
(see "Re-assembly of Harness System"
section).
Never put car seat in a front vehicle seat
unless recommended in vehicle owner's
manual.
1Place car seat firmly on
vehicle seat and against
vehicle seat back.
2Thread vehicle seat
belt through belt
slots (pad cut out for
illustration purposes
only).
Buckle vehicle
seat belt.
3Press down firmly in
center of car seat
to compress
vehicle's cushion
as you tighten
vehicle lap belt.
HINT: Use your
knee to press down
in center of car seat.
4Test for secure installation:
• Pull front to back.
• Pull left to right.
If vehicle seat belt
does not hold car seat
securely, see "Vehicle
Seat Belt" section
or move car seat to another seating
location and repeat steps 1 through 4.
Slot
CAR SEAT INSTALLATION
9

WITH HARNESS
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)
CAR SEAT USE
❃Placing Child in Car Seat
WARNING
Avoid serious injury or death:
Vehicle seat belt MUST be routed
through back of car seat when using
harness system. Never place vehicle
belt in front of child when using
harness system.
Do not use harness straps that are
loose or unbuckled. Harness straps
must be snug and positioned over
shoulders or child could be seriously
injured.
Do not use head supports, strap
covers, blankets, thick cushions, or
padding under harness straps or child.
They interfere with proper fit of
harness straps and child could be
ejected.
1Unhook harness tie
from harness strap
on child's left.
2Push in red button on
buckle to release
tongues and pull out.
3Place child in car seat.
Child's back MUST be flat
against back of car seat.
10

WITH HARNESS
30 - 40 Lbs. (13.6 - 18 Kg)
CAR SEAT USE continued
11
4Place child's arms
through harness straps
and insert both tongues
into buckle.
Pull up on tongues to
be sure they are locked
in buckle.
5From back of harness
tie, slide harness
strap over harness
tie tab.
6Position harness tie
at mid-chest, level
with the armpits and
away from child's
neck.
IMPORTANT:
Harness tie must
be used to keep
harness straps close
and positioned on child's shoulders.
7Check that harness
straps are snug
with just enough
room to insert one
finger between
harness straps
and child's chest.
NOTE: Harness
straps must be
through slots
at or
just above (closest to) child's shoulders.
8The thigh straps must
be low and snug on
hips, just touching
thighs.

WITHOUT HARNESS
30 - 65 Lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 Kg)
BOOSTER CAR SEAT USE
❃Placing Child in Booster Car Seat
Without Harness System
30 - 65 lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 kg)
If necessary, remove Harness System
(see "Removal of Harness System"
section).
Read vehicle owner's manual for specific
instructions on how to use vehicle seat belts.
WARNING
To avoid serious injury or death:
• Shoulder belt
MUST be properly
positioned over shoulder ( NOT
touching child's neck and NOT low
off shoulder).
•
DO NOT use shoulder
belt loose or
positioned under
arm.
• Never use a vehicle
lap-only belt across
front of child; severe
abdominal, head
and/or neck injuries
or death can result
in a sudden stop or
accident.
• Lap portion of lap/shoulder belt
MUST be low and snug on hips, just
touching thighs.
•
DO NOT allow child to
slide down in booster
car seat which could
position vehicle lap
belt across child's
abdomen and vehicle
shoulder belt over
neck or face.
• Vehicle belts
MUST lay flat against
child and MUST not be twisted. 12

WITHOUT HARNESS
30 - 65 Lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 Kg)
BOOSTER CAR SEAT USE
continued
WARNING
To avoid serious injury or death:
• If child will not keep vehicle shoulder
belt properly positioned on shoulder
or vehicle lap belt properly
positioned low and snug on hips,
just touching thighs, DO NOT use
this booster car seat. Use a different
child restraint system.
1Place child in booster car seat.
Child's back MUST be flat
against back of booster
car seat.
2Place vehicle combination
lap/shoulder belt across
child's chest and low and
snug on hips, just
touching thighs.
Buckle vehicle
combination
lap/shoulder belt.
Pull vehicle shoulder belt
to adjust vehicle lap belt snugly.
3Shoulder belt MUST lay
across child's shoulder
in red zone as shown.
If outside of red zone,
see next steps
for Comfort Clip use.
13

WITHOUT HARNESS
30 - 65 Lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 Kg)
BOOSTER CAR SEAT USE
continued
14
4Thread vehicle shoulder belt
through Comfort Clip
exactly as shown.
5 Check to be sure vehicle shoulder belt is
properly positoned over shoulder and snug
against child.
Comfort Clip

WITHOUT HARNESS
30 - 65 Lbs. (13.6 - 29.5 Kg)
ACTIVE TODDLERS
❃Comfort Clip Use
Most vehicle shoulder belts are attached to
automatic retractors which allow a child to
pull vehicle belt out and change position of
seat belt while sitting in booster car seat.
An improperly positioned vehicle seat belt
can cause serious injury or death. Use of
Comfort Clip helps restrict movement of
vehicle seat belt. (See Booster Car Seat
Use section.)
❃Vehicle Combination
Lap/Shoulder Belt with Sliding
Latch Plate
Movement of the vehicle seat belt through
the latch plate can allow an active toddler
to slide down in booster car seat and
re-position vehicle lap belt over abdomen
and vehicle shoulder belt over neck or face.
A Locking Clip may be used on this type of
vehicle seat belt to prevent movement of
seat belt through latch plate limiting
toddler's movement. (See "To Install
Locking Clip" in the "Continuous Loop
Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt with Sliding
Latch Plate" section.)
15

Read vehicle owner's manual for specific
instructions on how to use vehicle seat
belts.
Identify vehicle seat belt. Car seat must be used
with a vehicle seat belt that will stay tight while
driving. If vehicle does not have a lap belt that will
stay tight, see vehicle dealership.
Booster car seat must be used with a vehicle
combination lap/shoulder belt.If vehicle does not
have a combination lap/shoulder belt, see vehicle
dealership to have one installed or DO NOT use this
booster car seat without harness.
❃Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt
with Locking Latch Plate
OK to use. Follow vehicle owner's
manual for specific instructions on how
to use vehicle seat belts.
NOTE: When used with the harness
system, the locking latch plate on
some seat belts may slip and loosen
after being buckled through car seat.
If this happens, flip latch plate over as
shown and re-buckle. Test installation
again to see if this works. If not, move
car seat to another seating position.
16
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
Booster Car Seat Without Harness
Car Seat With Harness
Booster Car Seat Without Harness
Car Seat With Harness or

VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
continued
17
❃Lap-Only Belts
• Manually Adjustable
Lap-Only Belts.
• Retractor Lap-Only
Belts.
Lap belts with retractors may or may not hold a
car seat securely.
Follow these steps to determine if you have a retractor
system that will hold car seat securely.
a. Pull belt all the way out.
b. Allow belt to retract about
6 inches (15 cm).
c. Pull out on belt again.
If belt is locked and you cannot pull the belt out any
further, you have an Auto Locking Rectractor which
may be used with a car seat. Remember, when
installing a car seat, pull belt all the way out, buckle
belt, and then tighten.
If you can pull the belt out again, (step c), you have an
Emergency Locking Retractor which must not be used
with a car seat.
Do not use this type of vehicle
seat belt to secure child and
booster car seat.
WARNING
Never use a lap-only belt across
front of child; severe abdominal,
head and/or neck injuries or
death can result from a sudden
stop accident.
Booster Car Seat Without Harness
Car Seat With Harness

VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
continued
18
❃Continuous Loop Combination
Lap/Shoulder Belt with Sliding Latch
Plate
Pull on latch plate. If
belt slides freely through
latch plate, a locking clip
must be used (stored
on back of car seat).
(See "To Install Locking Clip"
section.)
This vehicle seat belt system allows latch plate to slide
freely on vehicle seat belt and is OK to use with
booster car seat.
For active toddlers, a Locking Clip may be used to
prevent movement of the lap portion of lap/shoulder
belt limiting a toddler's movement (see "Active
Toddlers" section).
Pull on latch plate. If belt
slides freely through latch
plate, a locking clip may
be used (stored on back
of car seat). (See "To Install
Locking Clip" section.)
• To Install Locking Clip
WARNING
Failure to use locking clip where required will
result in car seat not being securely held in place
and child being seriously injured in a sudden
stop or accident.
1Place car seat in seating position to be used.
2With Harness System: Thread belt through
openings in car seat and tighten lap belt.
Without Harness System: Place vehicle
lap/shoulder belt over child's chest and thighs.
Buckle belts. Pull vehicle shoulder belt to adjust
lap belt snugly.
Booster Car Seat Without Harness
Locking Clip
(Back of
car seat.)
Latch Plate
Pull
Latch Plate
Pull
Locking Clip
(back of
car seat)
Car Seat With Harness

19
3With vehicle lap belt properly
tightened, hold the combination
lap/shoulder belts together just
behind the sliding latch plate,
and unbuckle belt.
4Continue holding vehicle seat
belts together and slide Locking
Clip on belts 1/2 inch (1 cm)
or less away from latch
plate.
IMPORTANT: Locking Clip
MUST be no more than
1/2 inch (1 cm) away from
latch plate.
5Re-buckle vehicle seat belt.
HINT: When using car seat with harness system, it
may be necessary to press car seat into vehicle
cushion in order to re-buckle.
6With Harness System: Test installation again to
see if car seat is secure. If not, remove locking
clip, adjust vehicle seat belt and re-attach locking
clip.
Without Harness System: Check installation to see
if all slack is removed from lap portion of vehicle
seat belt. If not, remove Locking Clip, adjust
vehicle seat belt and re-attach locking clip.
WARNING
Remove Locking Clip from vehicle seat belt
when not being used with a car seat. The
vehicle seat belt will not properly restrain an
adult or child and serious injury could occur.
Do not use locking clip as a vehicle seat belt
shortener.
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
continued
1/2 " (1 cm)
Locking
Clip
Latch
Plate