Britax DECATHLON User Manual
Decathlon
User Guide
Table of Contents
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
WARNINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Important Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Vehicle Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Vehicle Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Vehicle Buckle Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Vehicle Seating Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installation: Rear Facing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
LATCH Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lap Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installation: Forward Facing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
LATCH Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Lap Belt Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installation: Versa-Tether® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using the Versa-Tether . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Using the Rear Facing Tether Connector Strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Installation: Aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Restraint Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Switching the LATCH Harness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Storing the LATCH Harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Recline Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Infant Positioning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Toddler Pillow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Chest Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
HUGS™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Harness Buckle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Harness Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Securing Your Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
This product and its components are subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
P250000 R1:11/04
•
Use only in a rear-facing position when using restraint with an
infant weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg). The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear facing until at least 1
year of age and 20 pounds.
•
Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 65 pounds
(2.3 and 29 kg) and whose height is 49 inches (124 cm) or less.
Rear facing 5–33 pounds (2.3–15 kg) and forward facing
maximum 65 pounds (29 kg).
•
Snugly adjust the belts provided with this child restraint 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 flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.
•
Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child restraint.
Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child restraint
•
anchorage system if available or with a vehicle belt.
Follow all instructions on this child restraint and in the written
•
instructions.
•
Register your child restraint with the manufacturer.
Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with
•
children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the
vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for
the maximum weight rating for their LATCH anchors. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit.
• This child restraint must not be used in the home, in boats, or
other non-certified applications.
•
Based on crash statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recommends that parents select the back seat as
the safest location for a properly installed child restraint. Please
study the section on Vehicle Safety Belts in this booklet to
ensure the child’s safety. If in doubt about installing the child
restraint, consult the vehicle owner’s manual.
•
Secure this child restraint even when it is not occupied. In a
crash, an unsecured child restraint may injure vehicle occupants.
•
When using in vehicle with air bags, refer to the vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation instructions and
precautions.
Restraint must be in the full upright position when installed in
•
forward facing mode with children over 33 pounds (15 kg).
Never use the adjuster strap to lift or carry this child restraint. Doing
•
so could cause damage to the harness adjuster and webbing.
Always carry this child restraint by the shell or tether straps.
•
The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision is
the body of the vehicle itself; a child restraint will not protect a
child when the vehicle is seriously impacted. However, correctly
installed, a child restraint will substantially improve the chances
for survival in most crashes. Make sure that all users fully
understand the correct ways to use this child restraint in a
vehicle.
32
Safety Information
Safety Information
IMPORTANT:
•
Verify that the child restraint is secure and that the harness is
properly adjusted around the child each time the child restraint
is used.
•
Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. The fit for
a child in winter clothes will differ from a child in summer clothes.
•
Cover the restraint when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight.
Parts of the child restraint could become hot enough to burn the
child.
•
Store the child restraint in a safe place when it is not being used.
Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it.
•
Discontinue use of a child restraint that is older than six years or
has been in a severe crash to prevent injury due to deterioration
or hidden damage. See date of manufacture, located on restraint.
Do not leave children alone in a vehicle, even for a short time.
•
•
Do not, except as described in this booklet, attempt to disassemble any part of the child restraint or change the way its harness or
the vehicle restraint belts are used.
•
Do not leave loose objects, e.g. books, bags, etc., in the back of a
vehicle. In the event of a sudden stop, loose objects will keep
moving, potentially causing serious injuries.
•
Do not leave folding vehicle seats unlatched. In the event of a
sudden stop, a loose seat back could prevent the child restraint
from protecting the child as well as it should.
•
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint.
•
Do not use anything to raise the restraint off the vehicle seat,
except as described in these instructions. In a crash, it could slide
and may not protect the child as well as it should.
This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor
vehicle safety standards. This restraint is certified for use in motor
vehicles and aircraft.
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 Britax Child Safety, Inc. 13501 South Ridge Drive
Charlotte, NC 28273 or call 1-888-4BRITAX. For recall
information, call the U.S. Government's Auto Safety Hotline at
1-888-327-4236.
Visit BritaxUSA.com to register your restraint online!
WARNING! DO NOT place a child
restraint in the front seat of a vehicle with
a passenger air bag unless the air bag is
turned off. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY
can occur. The back seat is the safest place
for children under 12.
54
Features
Features
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 Cover
2 Shell
3 Forward Facing Lock-off
4 Rear Facing Belt Slot
5 Rear Facing Lock-off
6 Forward Facing Belt Slot
7 Toddler Pillow Attachment Strap
8 Versa-Tether®
9 Versa-Tether Pouch
10 Harness Straps
11 Harness Yoke
12 Belt Guard
13 Base
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
LATCH
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren
14
15
16
14 LATCH Adjuster
15 LATCH Connector Release Button
16 LATCH Connector
17 Toddler Pillow
18 Infant Positioning System: Infant Pillow
19 Infant Positioning System: Body Pillow
20 Comfort Pads
17
18
19
10
20
21
22
23
24
25
16
26
21 Chest Clip
22 HUGS™Shoulder Pads
23 Harness Buckle
24 Harness Adjuster Release Button
25 Harness Adjuster Strap
26 Recline Handle
6
7
Vehicle Compatibility
Vehicle Compatiblity
Vehicle Safety Belts
IMPORTANT:
•
The information in this section only applies to installation with
vehicle safety belts.
•
Some vehicles do not have seating positions which are compatible
with this child restraint. If in doubt, contact the vehicle manufacturer.
The following types of vehicle belts are not compatible with this child
restraint:
Front vehicle belts with top or bottom
anchorage points in the door.
Motor driven automatic vehicle belts.
Three-point belts that have separate
retractors for the shoulder section and
the lap section.
Non-locking (ELR) two-point vehicle
belts.
The owner's manual for your vehicle will
have information on the types of vehicle
belts in your vehicle. If your belt type is
listed above, select another seating position
or use LATCH connectors.
This child restraint can fit securely in most
vehicles using the existing vehicle belts.
However, some types of vehicle designs
prevent a secure fit of the child restraint due
to the position of the vehicle belt lower
anchorage points.
Vehicle Buckle Position
WARNING: The position of the vehicle belt
buckle can affect the stability of the child
restraint. In an accident, an improperly
positioned buckle could become loose and the
child would be unprotected.
If the buckle lies near the position marked
as wrong ( ) when the vehicle belt is tightened, try fitting the child restraint in another seating position in the vehicle.
If it is not possible to achieve the correct
position ( ) for the buckle, then another seating position MUST be used.
Vehicle Seating Positions
WARNING: Forward facing vehicle seats MUST be
used with this child restraint. Side Facing or rear facing
seats CANNOT be used (see diagram below).
8
9
Installation: Rear Facing
Installation: Rear Facing
LATCH Installation
• Figure A illustrates a typical rear facing
LATCH installation.
• Verify that your vehicle is equipped
with LATCH anchors. If LATCH anchors
are not available, you must use vehicle
belt installation methods.
1 If stored, remove LATCH connectors
from storage slots under cover (pg. 25).
2 Press each LATCH adjuster release
button, then pull LATCH harness to full
length.
3 Thread each LATCH connector through
adjacent rear facing belt slot (fig. B).
4 Fully recline the restraint then place it
sideways on the vehicle seat, with the
front facing toward you.
5 Attach the farthest LATCH connector
to the farthest LATCH anchor (fig. C).
•
A positive click confirms attachment.
•
If LATCH connectors will not attach with
a positive click, it may be necessary to
switch the LATCH connectors as shown
on page 25.
6 Rotate seat into rear facing position.
7 Verify that the LATCH harness is not
twisted, then attach the closest LATCH
connector to the closest LATCH anchor
(fig. D).
10
8 Push the child restraint firmly into the
vehicle seat while pulling each LATCH
harness tight (fig. E).
9 Verify that all connections are secure
and the restraint is stable.
• The restraint is tight when it cannot be
moved more than 1” (2.5 cm) at the
belt path.
A
B
• The back angle of the child restraint
should not exceed 45º when properly
installed rear facing.
• If there is a problem stabilizing the
restraint or achieving necessary angle,
place a tightly rolled towel in the crease
of the vehicle seat to help level the
restraint.
•
Installation can be improved by the use
of the
Versa-Tether® (pgs. 21–23).The
recline angle can be adjusted by
tightening the tether as described on
page 22, using anchor point 3.
WARNING: Do not raise the restraint off of the front edge of the vehicle seat;
doing so will reduce the protection for your child.
D
E
Removal
1 While pushing the restraint firmly into the vehicle seat, press the
red release button on the LATCH connector to release.
2 If connected, disconnect the Versa-Tether from the tether anchor.
3
When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in
C
storage slots (pg. 25)
.
11
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