RECARO Performance Racer User manual

Child Safety Seats
Convertible Child Restraint System for
children 5 to 65 lbs (2.3 to 29.5 kg).
Approved in accordance with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Only suitable for use in vehicles with 2-point
(lap), 3-point (lap & shoulder) seat belts and
LATCH anchorages.
El manual de instructiones Performance
Racer / Performance Rally esta disponible en
español en www.recaro.com. Por favor visite
el internet para bajar una versión en español.
Please read instructions prior to
installation. Store this manual in
the seat base.
Performance Racer / Performance Rally
Instruction Manual

Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars
Even great parents can forget a child in the back seat.
Unfortunately, heatstroke is one of the leading causes
of death among children. Be sure to follow these three
important rules to prevent child heatstroke in your car:
1. Never leave a child alone in a car
• It’s never OK to leave a child alone in a car, even for a few
minutes, and even if the car is on.
• Opening windows will not prevent heatstroke.
• Heatstroke happens even on cloudy days and when outside
temperatures are below 70 degrees.
• Don’t let kids play in an unattended vehicle.
2. Look Before You Lock
• Always check the back seats of your vehicle before you lock it
and walk away.
• Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car
seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual
reminder when your child is in the back seat.
• If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has
been altered, always check that your child arrived safely.
3. Take Action if You See a Child Alone in a Car
• Don’t wait more than a few minutes for the driver to return before
calling.
• Don’t worry about getting involved in someone else’s
business—protecting children is everyone’s business. “Good
Samaritan” laws offer legal protection for those who offer
assistance in an emergency.
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they
are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible
and spray the child with cool water. Call 911 or your local
emergency number immediately.

1D
Contents
Section 1: Safety Warnings ......................................... p. 4-6
Section 2: Register Your New Child Restraint.................p. 7
Section 3: Getting to Know Your Child Restraint....... p. 8-12
Section 4: Adjusting the Harness System
to Fit Your Child.................................................p. 13
Section 5: Securing the Child in the Child Restraint.... p. 14-15
Section 6: Choosing a Seating Location
in Your Vehicle........................................ p. 16-17
Section 7: Learning About Your Vehicle
Safety Systems ...................................... p. 18-20
Section 8: Installing the Child Restraint
Rear-Facing in Your Vehicle................... p. 21-31
Section 9: Installing the Child Restraint
Forward-Facing in Your Vehicle.............. p. 32-41
Section 10: Certication ..................................................p. 42
Section 11: Use in Aircraft ...............................................p. 42
Section 12: Care and Maintenance.................................p. 43
Section 13: Trim Cover Removal/Installation ............ p. 44-49
Section 14: Trouble Shooting .................................... p. 50-51
Section 15: Replacement Parts & Accessories ...............p. 52
Section 16: Warranty.......................................................p. 53
Section 17: Additional Contact Information .....................p. 54
Section 18: Glossary ................................................. p. 55-56

32
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the RECARO family of high quality child safety
products and thank you for purchasing your new RECARO
Child Restraint System.
RECARO has over 100 years experience in the design and
manufacture of premium automotive products. To assure all
products RECARO manufactures are worthy of the name,
we’ve subjected them to a comprehensive development
program complying with American FMVSS 213 safety
standards.
Although each RECARO child restraint system is equipped
with state-of-the-art safety features such as Side Impact
Protection (SIP), it is not a guarantee that this child restraint
will prevent injury or death. However, if you stress careful
driving and proper use of your child restraint, it can lower the
risk of injury or death.
Therefore, please make sure to carefully review all
information in this instruction manual to properly restrain
your child. Also, before using your new child restraint for the
rst time, please review all components carefully to make
sure nothing has been damaged during shipping. Failure to
follow these instructions and the labels on the seat can result
in serious injury or even death.
The RECARO child seat you have purchased is a high
quality product. Its different settings and its stable and
ergonomic design ensure that the RECARO child seat
is a safe and comfortable place for your child to sit when
traveling in your car. However, before you use it, you need to
adjust it to your child’s size and then install it carefully so that
the seat will perform as required. These instructions will help
you do this, so please read them carefully.
Remember, parents are a child’s best examples. Be sure
to ALWAYS buckle your seat belt and your children will
be much more likely to do the same. Thank you again for
choosing RECARO and enjoy your child restraint. If you
have any questions or need assistance of any kind please
contact us at:
RECARO Child Safety, LLC
1600 Harmon Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Tel: 1-888-9RECARO
Internet: www.recaro.com
E-mail: [email protected]
El manual de instructiones Performance Racer/Performance
Rally esta disponible en español en www.recaro.com. Por
favor visite el internet para bajar una versión en español.
Sincerely,
The RECARO Child Safety Team

54
WARNING!
Section 1: Safety Warnings
• Failure to follow warnings provided on the child restraint labels
and stickers could cause serious injury or death.
• Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 65 pounds
(2.3 and 29.5 Kg) and whose height is 49 inches (124.5 cm)
or less. Rear-Facing 5 - 40 pounds (2.3 and 18.1 kg) and
Forward-Facing 20 - 65 pounds (9.1 and 29.5 kg) and at
least 1 year of age. Do NOT use for a child who weighs more
than 65 pounds (29.5 kg).
• Do NOT use the lower anchors of the child restraint
anchorage system (LATCH system) to attach this child
restraint when restraining a child weighing more than 45
pounds (20.4 kg).
• Do NOT use this child restraint system until you have read
and understood the instructions in this manual and in your
vehicle’s owner’s manual. Do NOT let others install or use this
child restraint system unless they understand how to use it.
• NEVER give this child restraint to someone else without also
giving them this manual.
• Discontinue use of your child restraint six (6) years after
“manufactured in” date located on a sticker on the side of
the seat structure.
• Do NOT make any technical modication to the child restraint
system and use it only as outlined in these instructions unless
specied by RECARO. Otherwise, the safety function of the
seat will be reduced or completely voided.
• Before each use, inspect the child restraint. Make sure
nothing on the child restraint is damaged, loose or broken.
If anything on the child restraint appears damaged, loose or
broken, do NOT use the restraint.
• If the child restraint has been in a crash or vehicle accident,
it must be replaced; do NOT use the child restraint again. A
crash can cause unseen damage and using the child restraint
again can cause serious injury or death.
• This child restraint must NOT be used in the home, boats or
other non-certied applications.
•NEVER leave a child unattended even when sleeping.
• The child restraint should be securely belted to the vehicle,
even when it is not occupied, since in a crash an unsecured
child restraint system may injure other occupants.
• Do NOT place a child restraint in the front seat of a vehicle
with a passenger air bag. According to accident reports,
children under the age of 12 are safest when properly
restrained in the back seat.
• Snugly adjust the belts provided 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
esh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.
• Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child restraint
LATCH anchorage system if available or with a vehicle belt.
• Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child
restraint.
• Do NOT lubricate buckles, fasteners or any part of the child
restraint.
• Do NOT add accessories, toys, padding or other items to the
child restraint unless provided by RECARO.
• NEVER allow a child to play with the child restraint; it is NOT
a toy.
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
SAFETY WARNINGS
SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur

76
Section 2: Register Your New
Child Restrain
t
Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall.
Send your name, address, email address if available,
and the restraint’s model number, serial number and
manufacturing date to:
RECARO Child Safety, LLC
1600 Harmon Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
or call: 1-888-9RECARO
or register online at:
http://www.registermyrecaro.com
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.
ALL information provided to RECARO on the registration
card or on the online registry will NOT be sold,
distributed, or used for any purposes other than to
contact you in the event of a recall.
• Placing your child in a hot child restraint may result in burns.
• There is no guarantee that the child restraint will prevent
injury or death in a particular crash. However, if you stress
careful driving and proper use of the child restraint, it can
lower the risk of injury or death in most crashes.
• NEVER use a used child seat unless you know its complete
history.
Extreme Weather
When it is HOT, RECARO recommends the following tips to
reduce possible injury or discomfort to your child:
• Park your vehicle in the shade to help keep the restraint
cooler.
• Cover the child restraint with a sheet or blanket when not in
use.
• ALWAYS check surface temperatures of the child restraint
before placing a child in it.
When it is COLD, RECARO recommends the following tips to
reduce possible injury or discomfort to your child:
• Remove the child’s bulky clothing before restraining the child.
This will help belts and other safety features function properly.
• After restraining the child in the seat, cover the child and
the restraint system with a blanket or their jacket to maintain
warmth and comfort of the child.
.
8
)
SAFETY WARNINGS
REGISTER YOUR NEW CHILD RESTRAINT
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur

98
Section 3: Getting to Know Your
Child Restraint
This child restraint is known as a convertible child restraint
because it converts from a Rear-Facing into a Forward-
Facing restraint system as your child grows.
It is important to know the difference between these two use
modes, be able to choose which mode is appropriate for your
child, and be able to choose which sections of this instruction
manual apply to the mode that you desire.
To facilitate choosing the right set of the instructions for the
mode that you desire, look for color codes on the sides of the
pages in this instruction manual.
Rear-Facing instructions are indicated in BLUE, and Forward-
Facing instructions are indicated in PINK. Note that general
information and information applying to both user modes is
GRAY.
NEVER use the child restraint system for a child who is not
within the height, weight, and age ranges recommended in this
instruction manual.
RECARO strongly encourages keeping children rear-facing up
to the maximum Rear-Facing weight or height limits of your
child restraint.
Child Fit Information and Requirements
Rear-Facing:
The child restraint is NOT appropriate for all children. You must
conrm the child meets ALL of the height, weight and other t
requirements. Please measure and weigh the child to verify the
Performance Racer/Performance Rally is the correct seat for them.
NOTE: If the child does NOT meet ALL of the height, weight or
other t requirements for this child restraint, the child CANNOT
use it. If that is the case, please see the other ne child restraint
systems that are offered by RECARO.
A child CAN use the child restraint in the Rear-Facing position
ONLY if: • The child’s weight is between 5 and
40 pounds (2.3 kg and 18.1 kg)
and,
• The harness CAN be positioned
AT or JUST BELOW the child’s
shoulders, when the child is seated
and,
• The child’s seated height* is LESS
than 22.5 inches (57 cm) and,
• When sitting in the child restraint the top of the child’s head
is NOT closer than 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top edge of the
headrest.
*NOTE: A child’s seated height measures the distance from the
top of their head to the bottom of their tailbone, when they are
sitting.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT

1110
Forward-Facing
A child CAN use this child restraint in the Forward-Facing
position ONLY if: • The child is at least 12 months of
age and,
• The child’s weight is between 20 and
65 pounds (9.1 kg and 29.5 kg)
and,
• The harness CAN be positioned
AT or JUST ABOVE the child’s
shoulders, when the child is
seated and,
• The child’s standing height* is
LESS than 49 inches (125 cm)
and,
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT
• When the child is sitting and the headrest is in the highest
position, the top of the child’s ears must be BELOW the top of
the headrest.
• If ANY portion of the child’s head exceeds the top edge of the
child restraint, there must be a vehicle headrest support.
*NOTE: A child’s standing height measures the distance from
the top of their head to the bottom of their feet, when they are
standing.
Safety Stripe SystemTM
Your child restraint is equipped with the easy-to-use RECARO Safety
Stripe SystemTM. You will notice that your harness has a white stripe on
the outside edges. This added safety feature will allow you to ensure
that your harness is not twisted. The white stripe should always remain
at the outside edge of the harness above the lower buckle. If it is not,
please loosen your harness system and remove any twist prior to use.
Child Restraint Features:
It is important to become familiar with the features of your
child restraint system. These diagrams help you identify key
features.
Headrest
Chest Clip
Pockets (2)
Recline
Adjuster
Seat Base
Harness
Adjuster Strap
Trim Cover &
Comfort Padding
Chest Clip
Buckle
Latch
Plates (2)
Integrated 5-Point
Harness
Side Impact Protection
Level Line
Harness Release
Lever
Cup
Holders (2)
HERO
Harness Pad
QuickFlip
Recline Wedge
Under Base
(Select Models)

1312
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT
*Stored in slots on
side of seat
Child Restraint Features:
It is important to become familiar with the features of your
child restraint system. These diagrams help you identify key
features.
Top Tether Hook
LATCH
Connectors (2)*
Harness System
Adjustment Knobs (2) Top Tether
Storage Pouch
Harness Connector
Bracket
Forward-Facing
Belt Path and
Belt Lock-off
Rear-Facing
Belt Path
LATCH
Strap
Top Tether Strap
2a
Section 4: Adjusting the Harness
System to Fit Your Child
Place your child in the child restraint prior to installing in the
vehicle and determine if the shoulder strap height needs to be
adjusted.
• When using in Rear-Facing mode, the shoulder straps must
be located AT or JUST BELOW the child’s shoulders.
• When using in Forward-Facing mode, the shoulder straps
must be located AT or JUST ABOVE the child’s shoulders.
1. Loosen the harness system.
Press the harness release
and pull the shoulder straps
forward.
2a. Rotate the harness system
adjustment knobs to raise
the shoulder straps or to
lower the shoulder straps.
2b. Refer to the labels, near the
harness system adjustment
knobs.
NOTE: The headrest will move
up and down. STOP when
resistance is felt.
3. Pull shoulder straps to
ensure the system is secure.
1
Headrest Adjustment
To Lower:
Rotate Knob
Clockwise
To Raise:
Rotate Knob
Counter-Clockwise
2b
ADJUSTING THE HARNESS SYSTEM TO FIT YOUR CHILD

1514
SECURING THE CHILD IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT
Section 5: Securing the
Child in the Child Restraint
1. Loosen the harness system.
Press the harness release
lever and pull the shoulder
straps forward.
2. Open the chest clip by
squeezing the tabs and
separating.
3. Open the buckle by pressing
the red button. Place the
harness straps to the side or
place the chest clips into the
harness pockets to hold.
4. Place the child in the child
restraint with his/her bottom
fully into the seat. Position the
harness straps around the
child and fasten both latch
plates into the buckle.
2
3
4
5. Fasten the chest clip.
6. Pull up on each shoulder
strap to tighten the lower
section of the harness.
7. Tighten the harness by pulling
the harness adjuster strap
straight out. The harness
webbing should be snug
around the child in both the
lap and shoulder sections.
Adjust the chest clip so it is at
the child’s armpit level.
8. The harness is tight enough
when you cannot pinch a loop
of webbing.
9. If you nd the harness is not
tight tting, a newborn insert
may be required.
5
6
7
8
SECURING THE CHILD IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT
Please contact 1-888-9RECARO and RECARO will ship you a
newborn insert and instructions.
1

1716
CHOOSING A SEATING LOCATION IN YOUR VEHICLE
Section 6: Choosing a Seating
Location in Your Vehicle
Forward-Facing vehicle seats must ALWAYS be used
with this child restraint. If your vehicle does not have
rear seats, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to help
identify safety features in your vehicle or contact the
vehicle manufacturer.
Do NOT install this child restraint into any of the following
types of seating positions:
• NEVER install on a rear-facing
vehicle seat.
• NEVER install in the rear seat of
small extended cab pickup.
• NEVER install on a side-facing
vehicle seat.
If the vehicle backrest angle is adjustable, adjust vehicle’s
backrest into the upright position. Be sure this area is at
and clear of objects that might get in the way of installing
the child restraint.
CHOOSING A SEATING LOCATION IN YOUR VEHICLE
Do NOT place rear-facing
child seat on front seat with
air bag.
The high pressure
deployment of the airbag
can cause serious injury or
death to a child.
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger
airbags, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for
installation instructions for child restraints.
If your vehicle does not have rear seats, consult your
vehicle’s owner’s manual to help identify safety features
in your vehicle or contact the vehicle manufacturer.
RECARO and the U.S. Department of Transportation warn
that children age 12 and under MUST ride in the rear seat
away from front airbags.
Restraint systems should be securely belted to the
vehicle, even when they are not occupied, since in a
crash an unsecured child restraint system may injure
other occupants or store it somewhere outside the
passenger cabin so that it cannot injure anyone while
the vehicle is in motion. RECARO recommends storing
the child restraint in a cool and dry location.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur

1918
Section 7: Learning About Your
Vehicle Safety Systems
It is important to become familiar with the features of
your vehicle so that your child rides as safely as possible.
Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual to learn about the
safety features and adjustments available for safe travel.
Below is a diagram that helps you to identify key features.
Not all vehicles will have all features described here.
Airbags
Top Tether Anchorage
Lower LATCH Anchorage
Seat Belts
Some vehicles may have inatable seat belts. As this is new
technology, please refer to www.recaro.com for updates.
LEARNING ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Because the design and operation of vehicle belts
vary, make sure to observe the following guidelines:
• Do NOT use motorized passive restraint
shoulder belt systems.
• Do NOT use passive restraints lap or
shoulder belt mounted on a door.
• Do NOT use vehicle lap and shoulder
belt systems that have independent
retractors for the lap and shoulder portion
of the vehicle seat belt system.
NOTE: If you have a seat belt system described above, check your
vehicle’s owner’s manual for advice on where and how to install a
child restraint. Your vehicle dealer may have a replacement lap belt
that when installed will hold the child restraint tightly.
IMPORTANT!
Check to be sure which type of seat belt system you have in the chart
on the next page. Some vehicles have more than one type of belt
system depending on the seating position. The center rear position
may have a lap only belt while the side seating locations may have
a lap/shoulder system. If you are not sure which system you have,
check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or contact your vehicle dealer or
manufacturer.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
LEARNING ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS

2120
Types of Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt
System Description Installation Instructions
LATCH LATCH straps are provided with the
seat.
Page 22-25
Page 33-37
Switchable
Retractor w/
Sliding Latch
Plate
One of the most common systems.
To activate, pull the shoulder belt
out fully. As you feed the shoulder
belt back, a clicking sound will
indicate the belt is locked. Note that
the latch plate slides freely.
Page 29-31
Page 40-41
Emergency
Locking
Retractor with
Locking Latch
Plate
The latch plate locks when buckled.
The belt can be pulled to tighten but
the lap portion cannot be loosened
without unbuckling. The shoulder
belt retractor locks only in an
emergency.
Page 29-31
Page 40-41
Emergency
Locking
Retractor with
Switchable
Latch Plate
The latch plate will have a button or
“switch” to move from the adult pre-
crash position to the child pre-crash
position. The shoulder belt retractor
locks only in an emergency.
Page 29-31
Page 40-41
Lap Belt Only Most common in the rear middle
seating position, only the lap portion
of the seat belt is present.
Page 26-28
Page 38-39
Emergency
Locking
Retractor with
Sliding Latch
Plate (MUST
use lock off)
The latch plate has no locking
features and no moving parts. The
shoulder belt retractor locks only in
an emergency.
Page 32
Page 42-43
LEARNING ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Section 8: Installing the Child
Restraint Rear-Facing in Your
Vehicle
LATCH Installation – Rear-Facing
If your vehicle has lower anchors, the LATCH connector system
can be used. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine
if lower anchors are available and their applicable seating
locations. If lower anchors are not available, the vehicle seat belt
must be used.
NOTE: Your child restraint seat is shipped with the LATCH
connectors installed for the Rear-Facing mode.
• Use ONLY in reclined position when installed Rear-Facing.
1
1. Adjust the child restraint into
the recline position by pulling
the recline adjust handle and
rotating the seat back. Rotate
until the recline adjust handle
locks into position.
2
2. Locate the LATCH
connectors at the side of the
shell; press the red buttons
and remove the connectors
from their storage.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
REAR-FACING - LATCH Installation

2322
3. Lengthen the LATCH strap by
pressing the LATCH adjuster
release button and pulling the
webbing to full length.
3
4
5a
4. If the LATCH strap is currently
located through the Forward-
Facing, unroute one LATCH
connector so both connectors
sit on the side of the seat
where the LATCH strap is
attached to the shell.
5a. Lift the trim cover at the front
and route the LATCH strap
through the Rear-Facing belt
path (circled in blue). Make
certain the LATCH strap is
routed behind the crotch belt.
5b. Make sure the arrows molded
on the LATCH connectors are
facing up and replace the trim
cover.
5b
REAR-FACING - LATCH Installation
6. Place the child restraint
on the vehicle seat facing
rearward. Attach each LATCH
connector to the lower
anchors in the vehicle.
7. While pressing down on the
seating surface on the same
side as the adjuster, pull the
loop on the LATCH strap to
tighten.
Repeat as needed until the
child restraint cannot be
moved more than 1 inch (2.5
cm) in any direction at the
belt path.
8. The level line indicator on the
seat base should be level with
the ground when the vehicle
is parked. The backrest
should be at approximately a
45 degree angle.
REAR-FACING - LATCH Installation
6
7
8

2524
9. If the level to ground line is not
level, more recline is needed.
Loosen the LATCH belt and
place a tightly rolled towel or
foam pool noodle under the
base below where the child’s
feet will be located.
On select models, ip
forward the QuickFlip recline
wedge.
NOTE: Do NOT place anything
under the base, except as shown
in Fig. 9.
10. Follow steps 1-8 to secure the child restraint after adjusting
the angle.
11. After adjusting the recline angle, check that the child
restraint is tight and properly secured. The child restraint
should not move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in any direction
at the belt path.
12. To remove the LATCH connectors from the vehicle, rst
loosen the adjuster by pressing the adjuster button and
lengthening the strap (see Fig. 3). Press the red buttons
on the LATCH connectors and remove from vehicle lower
anchors (see Fig. 6).
13. Replace them into the storage slots on the side of the seat.
REAR-FACING - LATCH Installation
Lap Belt Only Installation – Rear-Facing
Do NOT use this method of installation with an emergency
locking retractor.
• Use ONLY in reclined position when installed Rear-Facing.
1. Adjust into the recline
position by pulling the recline
adjust handle and rotating
the seat back. Rotate until
the recline adjust handle
locks into position.
2. Lift the trim cover and foam
at the front and locate the
Rear-Facing belt path
(circled in blue).
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
3. Place the child restraint
on the vehicle seat facing
rearward. Slide latch plate to
the end of seat belt webbing.
REAR-FACING - Lap Belt Only Installation
9
1
2
3

2726
4. Route the seat belt through the
Rear-Facing belt path.
Make certain the vehicle belt is
routed behind the crotch belt .
5. Make sure the seat belt is not
twisted, then buckle the seat
belt. Replace the trim over the
front edge of the seat bottom.
6. While pressing on the seating
surface, pull the end of the
seat belt strap to tighten or
feed back into the automatic
retractor.
Repeat as needed until the
child restraint cannot be moved
more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in
any direction at the belt path.
7. The level line indicator on the
seat base should be level with
the ground when the vehicle is
parked. Refer to the label on
the side of the base.
REAR-FACING - Lap Belt Only Installation
8. If the level to ground line is not
level, more recline is needed.
Loosen the seat belt and
place a tightly rolled towel or
foam pool noodle under the
base below where the child’s
feet will be located.
On select models, ip
forward the QuickFlip recline
wedge.
NOTE: Do NOT place anything
under the base, except as shown
in Fig 8.
9. Follow Steps 1–7 to secure the child restraint after adjusting
the angle.
10. After adjusting the recline angle, check that the child
restraint is tight and properly secured. The child restraint
should not move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in any direction
at the belt path.
REAR-FACING - Lap Belt Only Installation
6
7
4
5
8

2928
REAR-FACING - Locking Lap/Shoulder Belt Installation
Locking Lap/Shoulder
Belt Installation – Rear-Facing
• Use ONLY in reclined position when installed Rear-Facing.
1. Adjust into the recline position
by pulling the recline adjust
handle and rotating the seat
back. Rotate until the recline
adjust handle locks into
position.
2. Lift the trim cover and foam at
the front and locate the Rear-
Facing belt path (circled in
blue).
3. Place the child restraint on the
vehicle seat facing rearward.
Route the lap/shoulder belt
through the Rear-Facing belt
path. Make certain the vehicle
belt is routed behind the crotch
belt.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
REAR-FACING - Locking Lap/Shoulder Belt Installation
4. Make sure the seat belt
is not twisted, then buckle the
seat belt. Replace the trim
cover over the front edge of the
seat bottom.
If necessary, switch the
retractor or the latch plate to
the locked mode according
to your vehicle’s owners’s
manual.
5. While pressing on the seating
surface, remove slack from the
shoulder belt.
Repeat as needed until the
child restraint cannot be moved
more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in
any direction at the belt path.
6. The level line indicator on the
seat base should be level with
the ground, when the vehicle
is parked. Refer to the label on
the side of the base.
6
5
4
3
2
1

3130
REAR-FACING - Locking Lap/Shoulder Belt Installation
7. If the level to ground line is not
level, more recline is needed.
Loosen the seat belt and
place a tightly rolled towel or
foam pool noodle under the
base below where the child’s
feet will be located.
On select models, ip
forward the QuickFlip recline
wedge.
NOTE: Do NOT place anything
under the base, except as shown
in Fig 7.
8. Follow Steps 1–6 to secure the child restraint after
adjusting the angle.
9. After adjusting the recline angle, check that the child
restraint is tight and properly secured. The child restraint
should NOT move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in any
direction at the belt path.
10. Ensure that the vehicle belt is locked based on your seat
belt system and the chart on page 21.
Non-Locking ELR Lap/Shoulder Belt
Installation – Rear-Facing
If you have this seat belt conguration you will require a
locking clip. Please contact 1-888-9RECARO and
RECARO will ship you a locking clip and installation
instructions.
Some older vehicles (typically pre-1996 model year) have
lap/shoulder belt systems which remain loose and cannot be
locked for use with a child restraint unless a separate locking
clip is used. These systems use emergency locking retractors
which lock only during a sudden stop or crash. Check your
vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine which type of seat
belt system is in each seating location. There may be a label
located on the door side of the seat belt with instructions for
use with a child restraint.
• Use ONLY in reclined position when installed Rear-Facing.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
REAR-FACING - Non-Locking ELR Lap/Shoulder Belt Installation
7

3332
Section 9: Installing the Child Restraint
Forward-Facing in Your Vehicle
Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine if lower
anchors and top tether anchors are available and for what seating
positions.
If your vehicle has lower anchors, then the LATCH connector
system on your child restraint can be used. If lower anchors are
not available, then the vehicle seat belt must be used.
Your vehicle may also have top tether anchors located behind the
vehicle seats. The top tether can be used with the vehicle seat belt
or LATCH connector system. Do NOT use a cargo tie down for
the top tether attachment.
Lower anchors are designed to a maximum limit that can vary by
vehicle. Due to this variation, the Performance Racer/Performance
Rally requires use of the vehicle seat belt for any child weighing
more than 45 lbs (20.4 kg).
NOTE: The child restraint is shipped with the LATCH strap
in the Rear-Facing belt path. If you are switching the child
restraint from Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing, you will need
to reroute the LATCH strap through the Forward-Facing belt
path.
• Use ONLY the fully up-right position when installed Forward-
Facing.
• Select Models: The QuickFlip recline wedge MUST be in the
stored position, when used Forward-Facing.
WARNING!
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur
LATCH Installation – Forward-Facing
FORWARD-FACING - LATCH Installation
2. Locate the LATCH connectors
at the side of the seat, press
the red buttons and remove the
connectors from the storage
slots.
3. Lengthen the LATCH strap by
pressing the LATCH adjuster
release button and pulling the
webbing to its full length.
4a. Place the child restraint on the
vehicle seat facing forward.
Route the LATCH connector
through the Forward-Facing
vehicle seat belt path.
1. Adjust into the upright position
by pulling the recline adjust
handle and rotating the seat
back upright. Check to be sure
it locks into position.
FORWARD-FACING - LATCH Installation
3
4a
2
1

3534
5. Before attaching the LATCH
connectors, locate the top tether
anchor behind the seating
position. Refer to your vehicle’s
owner’s manual if it is difcult to
nd. Remove the restraint’s top
tether from its storage pouch
and attach it to the anchor but
do not tighten.
6. Attach each LATCH connector
to the anchors in the vehicle.
7. While pressing down on the
seating surface, pull the loop on
the LATCH strap to tighten.
Repeat as needed until the child
restraint cannot be moved more
than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in any
direction at the belt path.
4b. Make sure the arrows on the
LATCH connectors face up and
the strap is not twisted.
FORWARD-FACING - LATCH Installation
8. Snugly tighten the top tether
by pulling the free end of the
tether strap while pressing the
top of the child restraint back
into the vehicle seat.
9. Recheck that both the LATCH strap and the top tether strap
are tight and properly secured.
10. To remove the LATCH connectors from the vehicle, rst
loosen the adjuster by pressing the adjuster button and
lengthening the strap (see gure 3). Press the red buttons
on the LATCH connectors and remove from the vehicle
lower anchors.
11. To remove the top tether, press the release button on the
tether adjuster and pull the restraint forward to loosen. It
may be necessary to press the top of the child restraint
into the vehicle seat back to depress the release button on
the tether adjuster. Unhook the top tether hook from the
vehicle anchor.
12. Fold the top tether strap and place it in the storage pouch
when not in use. Place the LATCH connectors in their
storage locations when not in use.
FORWARD-FACING - LATCH Installation
8
7
6
5
4b