The First Years VIA I440 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
This Infant Seat is for use
by children who meet BOTH
of the requirements below:
Weight is:
4 to 22 pounds
(1,8 to 10 kg)
Height is:
30 inches or less
(76 cm)
WARNING
• Failure to use this Infant Seat properly increases the
risk of serious injury or death in a sudden stop or
crash.
• Do not install or use this Infant Seat until you have
read and understand the instructions in this manual.
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
Model - I440

Dear Parents,
Thank you for purchasing The First Years Via I440.
We hope that it will make your baby’s travel safer, easier,
and more pleasant.
We believe theVia I440 is the easiest Infant Seat to use.
We do more testing than most companies to make it as safe
as possible. And, we use the latest methods to assure the
highest quality.
The First Years monitors the molding of every key plastic
part. Our MoldTrac technology allows us to watch every part
as it is molded. In addition, we place a number on each seat
so key parts can be traced. You will find this number on the
bottom of your seat and on the top of your base.
We have tried very hard to keep our instructions simple and
understandable. We apologize for beginning our instructions
with so many warnings but they are very important for you to
properly restrain your child. Read and understand all of the
instructions and warnings. The safety of your child depends
on it!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact
the the First Years Staff at 1-888-899-2229
1
Section 1 - Introduction
Keep this instruction manual for future use.
Store in pocket on the back of Infant Seat.
No car seat can guarantee protection from injury
in every situation, but proper use helps reduce
the risk of serious injury or death.

2
Section 2 - Table Of Contents
Section 1 Introduction................................................1
Section 2 Table Of Contents.....................................2
Section 5 Infant Seat parts........................................7
Section 4 Use Recommendations............................6
Section 6 Selecting A Vehicle Seating Location.....10
Section 7 Installation and Use
7.1 Base Installation.............................................
7.2 Base Installation w/ Auto Lap belt................
7.2.1
Base Installation w/ Auto Lap/Shoulder Belt. .....
7.3 Base Installation w/ LATCH Bars.................
7.4 Base Installation w/ Locking Clip.................
7.5 Infant Seat Installation...................................
7.6 Installation Pictograms.................................
7.7 Handle Use.....................................................
7.8 I440 Removal From Base..............................
7.9 Harness System.............................................
A-Chest Clip......................................................
B-5 Pt. Buckle...................................................
C-Harness Adjuster.........................................
.................................16
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25626
26
26
27
28
Section 3 Warnings....................................................2

Section 2 - Table Of Contents
Section 9 Additional Information............................36
Section 8 Safety Checklist/Safe Practices.............34
Section 7 Installation and Use
7.12 Head Bolster...........................................
7.13 Babies with Low Birth Weight............
7.14 Pad Removal........................................
7.15 Pad Installation....................................
- continued
31
31
32
33
Section 10 Care and Cleaning.................................37
Section 11 Replacement Parts................................37
7.9 D-Shoulder Height Adjuster................
7.10 Canopy.................................................
7.11 Cold Weather Boot / Cover.................
29
30
30
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
DO NOT place rear-facing child seat
on front seat with air bag. DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
The back seat is the safest place for
children 12 and under.
NO coloque el asiento infantil para el automóvil orientado hacia
atrás en el asiento delantero del vehículo que tenga una bolsa
neumática de seguridad. El niño podría MORIR O SUFRIR
LESIONES GRAVES. El asiento trasero es el lugar más seguro
para los niños de 12 años o menores.
GNINRAW
AIR BAG WARNING!
• NEVER use this Infant Seat in any vehicle seating position
equipped with an active air bag. Read your vehicle’s
owners manual to see to turn off your airbag if you have
no back seat or a child
must ride in the front
seats. For side airbags see
page 10.
3

• Failure to follow these instructions and Infant Seat
labels can result in injury or death to a child from
striking the vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or
crash.
- Even if the Infant Seat seems easy to use
on your own, it is important to read these
instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual for
details you might miss.
• The instructions in this manual and in your vehicle
owner’s manual must be followed carefully. If there is
a conflict between the two, the vehicle owner’s manual
must be followed.
• Failure to use the automobile seat belt or LATCH or to
adjust it properly can result in your child striking the
vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or crash.
Serious injury or death can occur.
• DO NOT allow others (baby sitters, friends,
grandparents, etc.) to use this Infant Seat unless
they read and understand the instructions and labels.
and can demonstrate proper use to your satisfaction.
• Use only car seat accessories manufactured by
Compass. Accessories can affect your child’s safety in
a sudden stop or crash.
Section 3 - Warnings
4
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
• DO NOT modify or attach any toys, padding, or other
items to this Infant Seat. Untested modifications or
padding could result in injury in a crash.
• Secure this Infant Seat with the vehicle seat belt or
LATCH bars at all times (even when there is no child in
it). An unsecured child restraint can injure others if a
crash occurs.

4
• Direct sunlight can make Infant Seat surfaces hot
enough to burn your child. Use caution and check
the vehicle and Infant Seat on hot, sunny days.
• NEVER leave child unattended under any circumstance.
• DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it has been in a crash.
(There may be hidden damage and it must be
replaced.)
Your insurance company may provide
some assistance replacing this infant seat.
• DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it is damaged in any
way or has missing parts.
•
•
STOP USING THIS INFANT SEAT AND THROW IT
AWAY after the date on the back of the seat.
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
THROW IT AWAY in a dark trash bag.....Do Not sell to a
thrift or consignment shops or
at flea markets.
NEVER place the Infant Seat
in a shopping cart.
NEVER place the infant seat on
your hip. Carry the Infant Seat at
your side at all times.
•
5

•
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
6
Section 4 - Use Recommendations
The First Years advises parents that children should use a child
restraint with a built-in harness system until they exceed the
weight or height limits specified by the manufacturer.
I440 Infant Seat Use Requirements:
This child restraint is designed for use by children whose:
- Weight is between 4 and 22 lbs (1,8 and 10 kg), and
- Height 30 inches or less (76 cm).
Child MUST meet both of these requirements to use this
Infant Seat.
DO NOT use this Infant Seat when
top of child’s head is closer
than 1 inch fron the top
edge of seat back. Severe head or
neck injuries can result without
proper head support.

7
Section 5 - Infant Seat Parts
Harness
Adjuster
Aluminum
Handle
Head Bolster
5 Point
Harness
Full Rotation
Canopy
Instruction
Storage
Harness
Retention
Hooks
Serial
Number
Plate
Harness
Height
Adjust
Knob
Base Release
Knob
Handle
Release
Buttons
The Infant Seat must be used with a base.
Base Height
Adjust

8
Section 5 - Infant Seat Parts
L.A.T.C.H. (2)
Steel
Retention
Hooks
Base
Height
Adjust
Angle
Indicator
Auto Belt
Lock Off
The Infant Seat must be used with a base.
Lower Anchors

Section 6 -SelectingAVehicle SeatingLocation
• Use only in a rear facing position when using this
restraint in a vehicle.
•
DO NOT use this infant seat in a forward facing
position.
• Only use this Infant Seat with the vehicle’s seat belts
or LATCH System.
• DO NOT use this Infant Seat with vehicle seat belts
mounted to the vehicle doorordoor frame.
• DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it cannot be properly
installed. Some child restraints will not fit some vehicle
seating positions.
• NEVER use this
Infant Seat in any
vehicle seating
position equipped
with an active air bag.
Read your vehicle’s
owners manual to see
to turn off your airbag if you have no back seat or a
child must ride in the front seats.
For side airbags see page 10.
•
NEVER attempt to install the Infant
Seat without the base. The Infant
seat has not been designed to be
used with out a base.
DO NOT use this Infant Seat in rear seat of a
compact pickup truck. Severe head injury or death
can occur.
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
DO NOT place rear-facing child seat
on front seat with air bag. DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
The back seat is the safest place for
children 12 and under.
NO coloque el asiento infantil para el automóvil orientado hacia
atrás en el asiento delantero del vehículo que tenga una bolsa
neumática de seguridad. El niño podría MORIR O SUFRIR
LESIONES GRAVES. El asiento trasero es el lugar más seguro
para los niños de 12 años o menores.
GNINRAW
•
• ALWAYS use the base with the carrier
in this child restraint.
9

10
Use Of Via I440 Infant Seat Child Restraint In Conjunction
With Side Airbags
To determine the types of side impact air bag(s) your vehicle may
have for individual seating positions, please refer to your owner’s
manual.The First Years Via I440 Infant Seat child restraint may be
used in any rear seating position equipped only with side impact
The First Years Policy Statement
airbags that are roof mounted with“curtain”type deployment.
For all other vehicles with other types of side impact airbags,
please refer to your specfic vehicles owner’s manual for appropriate
use of child restraints , or call the automobile manufacturer for
more information.
1
. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
alerts vehicle owners that, according to accident statistics,
children under age 13 are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions rather than in front seating
positions.
2
. Refer to vehicle owner’s manual for car seat installation
instructions for your specific vehicle.
- Use of Infant Seat in a vehicle rear seat location.
- Never put Infant Seat in a front seat location unless
permitted by vehicle owner’s manual.
- For vehicles with air bags, refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation information.
- If a vehicle front seat location with an air bag must be
used, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for
manufacturer’s instruction to disable air bags that
could cause serious injury to child and move seat back
as far as possible.
Section 6 -SelectingAVehicle Seating Location

Section 6-SelectingAVehicleSeatingLocation
3. Vehicle Seats:
DO NOT use this Infant Seat with the following vehicle
seats:
Seats Which
Face Sides Of
Vehicle
Seats Which
Face Rear
Of Vehicle
Rear Seats Of
Small Extended
Cab Pickup
Trucks
NO NO NO
11
4. Latch Bar Location
LATCH
Bar
Locations
Consult your automobiles owner’s manual or manufacturer
for location and availability of LATCH anchor points.

12
Section 6-SelectingAVehicleSeatingLocation
5.Vehicle Seat Belt Systems:
Use only the vehicle’s lap and shoulder
belt, lap belt or LATCH system
when restraining this Infant Seat.
Design and operation of vehicle seat
belt systems vary from vehicle to vehicle
and from seating location to seating
in the same vehicle. Not all vehicle seat
belts betls can be used with a child
restraint. Refer to the information in this
section information on the various types
of vehicle seat belt systems.
Lap and
Shoulder Belt
YES
This type of belt system has a latch plate
that will not allow the lap portion of the
belt to loosen once it is buckled. The belt
is tightend by pulling hard on the shoulder
portion of the vehiclebelt while pushing
down on the restraint.
LAP SHOULDER BELTS
Combination lap-shoulder belt with
locking latch plate
Combination lap-shoulder belt with
sliding latch plate
This type of belt system has a latch plate
that allows the belt to slide through even
when it is buckled. Many vehicles with
this type of seat belt system can be
locked by pulling all the seat belt webbing
out. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual
for details on switching the retractor from
ELR mode toALR mode.The belt is tightend
by pulling hard on the shoulder portion of the
vehicle belt while pushing down on the restraint.
Press
Press
YES
Lap Belt Only

Section 6-SelectingAVehicleSeatingLocation
LAP BELTS
Manually-adjusted lap belt
This type of lap belt is tightened by
pulling on the excess belt once it is
buckled.
Press
Press
Lap belt with automatic
locking retractor(ALR)
This belt system’s retractor locks
automatically and does not allow the lap
belt to lengthen once it is buckled.
Tighten by feeding the autobelt back
into the retractor while pushing down
on the infant restraint.
Unsafe Vehicle Seat Belt Systems:
Passive Restraints
Motorized
Shoulder Belt
Passive Restraints
Lap Or Shoulder
Belt Mounted On
Front Door
NO NO
DO NOT use this Infant seat with the following
vehicle seat belts.
Lap Belt with Emergency Locking
Retractor-ELR
Do Not Use! -This lap belt stays loose
when when buckled and can move until
locks in sudden stop or crash.
13

Section 6-SelectingAVehicleSeatingLocation
14
Lap and Shoulder Belt with
Dual Retractors
Do Not Use!- Each autobelt Strap has
a retractor at each end and is attached
to the latch plate at one end.
Unsafe Vehicle Seat Belt
Systems cont.-
6. Vehicle Seat Belt Retractors
Consult your vehicle’s owners manual for types of
retractors that are in your automobile and the function of
the retractors.
Acceptable Autobelt Retractor Type
ALR – Automatic Locking Retractor:Allows belt to be
pulled in one motion until fastened, then operates as a
ratchet, winding in slack, preventing further extension
(until completely rewound). In most belts, you will hear
a faint clicking sound that indicates the belt is locked
and ratcheting in.
Switchable– When Adjusted to the ELR mode -
Manually adjustable from ELR mode toALR mode. For
most, pull belt webbing all the way out of the retractor to
activate theALR mode. A slight "click" may be heard, but
the belt will ratchet in to retractor once switched intoALR
mode). In some models, the retractors switch from ELR
toALR by pushing a button.
Unacceptable Autobelt Retractor Type
ELR – Emergency Locking Retractor:Allows the belt
to befreely extended or rewound. It locks only when the
vehicle slows, changes direction or stops suddenly.

• Use only with children who weigh between 4 and
22 pounds (1,8 and 10 kg) or less and whose
height is 30 inches (76 cm) or less.
•
•
•
• Register your child restraint with Learning Curve.
DO NOT place this rear facing child seat in a front
seat that has an airbag.
• SUFFOCATION HAZARD:
Infant Carrier can roll over on soft surfaces and
suffocate child. Never place carrier on beds,
sofas or other soft surfaces.
• STRANGULATION HAZARD:
Child can strangle in loose restraint straps.
Always use harness, NEVER leave child in carrier
when straps are loose or undone.
• FALL HAZARD:
Child’s movements can slide carrier. NEVER place
carrier near edges of counter tops, tables or other
elevated surfaces. Be sure handle locks into
position before lifting carrier.
•
•
Snugly adjust the belts (Harness) provided with
this child restraint around your child.
Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child
restraint Anchorage system (LATCH) if available
or with a vehicle belt.
Follow all instructions on this child restraint and
in the written Instructions located on the bottom
of the seat. Do not use without instructions.
Call 1-888-899-2229 to obtain instructions.
NEVER leave child unattended under any
circumstance.
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
15
• Use only in a rear facing position when using this
restraint in a vehicle.

Section 7 - Installation and Use
1
2- Leveling base.
. Level Vehicle
-
- Place seat in base and check
level indicator to see if base is
level. LEVEL is indicated
by the ball being
completely in the
green area.
- Pull out on the yellow
release knob and slide the angle
foot to raise the base or to lower
the base angle.
-
Check to make sure vehicle
is on a level surface.
The base is NOT level and seat
back is NOT at 45 degree unless
the ball is in the green.
NOTE: If needed, a towel or
pool noodle can be used for extra elevation
and angle adjustment.
Base Installation - 7.1
16
↑
Rear of Vehicle
This carrier must always
be used with the base.


Section 7 - Installation and Use
2- Press down on base with knee,
tighten auto belt and insert buckle
tongue into buckle.
Close and secure “Lock Off” to
eliminate slippage. Pull on auto
safety belt to ensure the auto buckle
is secure.
3- CHECK level indicator to ensure the
ball is in the green area. Pull out on
the yellow release knob and slide
the angle foot to raise the base or
to lower the base angle.
4- CHECK base at safety belt path
for movement. Base should not
move more than 1 inch in any
direction.
5- If base moves, repeat steps until
all safety steps are met.
- After Ball is in the green area on
Level indicator, open Lock Off
and thread auto safety belt through
the labeled “Belt Here” auto safety
belt path.
7.2-Auto Belt - Base Installation
with Lap Belt
1






Lap
17

Section 7 - Installation and Use
2- Press down on base with knee,
tighten auto belt and insert buckle
tongue into buckle.
Close and secure “Lock Off” to
eliminate slippage. Pull on auto
safety belt to ensure the auto buckle
is secure.
3- CHECK level indicator to ensure the
ball is in the green area. Pull out on
the yellow release knob and slide
the angle foot to raise the base or
to lower the base angle.
4- CHECK base at safety belt path
for movement. Base should not
move more than 1 inch in any
direction.
5- If base moves, repeat steps until
all safety steps are met.
- After Ball is in the green area on
Level indicator, open Lock Off
and thread auto safety belt through
the labeled “Belt Here” auto safety
belt path.
7.2.1-Auto Belt - Base Installation
with Lap and Shoulder Belt
1






Rear of Vehicle
Shoulder
Belt
Lap Belt
18

Section 7 - Installation and Use
1
2 - Remove BOTH LATCH Lower
Anchor connectorc from the LATCH
Lower Anchor storage compartment.
3- Attach the right and left LATCH
Lower Anchor to the anchor points.
Press down on the base with your
knee and pull up on the webbing loop
until the webbing is taut.
4- CHECK level indicator to ensure the
ball is in the green area. Pull out on
the yellow release knob and slide
the anglefoot to raise the base or
to lower the base angle.
CHECK base for movement at
the belt path. Base should not move
more than 1 inch in any direction.
5-
. Consult your automobile’s owners
manual or manufacturer for location
and availability of LATCH lower
anchor points.
CRS Connector LATCH Anchor
Points- 7.3
If base moves, repeat steps until
all safety steps are met.
19
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


