BRITAX FRONTIER 85 User Manual

Frontier 85

User Guide

IMPORTANT: Thoroughly read, understand, and follow all instructions
before installing this child seat. Store this user guide in the pocket behind
the cover (See features pages for reference).

©2009 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA P392700_R1:12.09

This product and its components are subject to change without notice.

Warnings ......................................................................................................2

Safety Information .......................................................................................4

Important Notes .................................................................................................... 4

Certification ...........................................................................................................4

Registration ...........................................................................................................5

Child Seat Features .....................................................................................6

Child Seat Fit Requirements ......................................................................8

Vehicle Compatibility ..................................................................................10

Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts ............................................................................10

Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts ..........................................................................14

Child Seat Functions ...................................................................................16

Installing the Child Seat ..............................................................................26

General Information .............................................................................................26

Harness Mode .................................................................................................26

Booster Mode ..................................................................................................27

Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode ..................................................28

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) – Short Path .......................28

Lap-Shoulder Belt – Selecting a Belt Path ..........................................................32

Lap-Shoulder Belt – Short Path ...........................................................................34

Lap-Shoulder Belt – Long Path ...........................................................................38

Lap Belt – Short Path............................................................................................42

Switching Between Modes .........................................................................46

Harness to Booster Mode .................................................................................... 46

Booster to Harness Mode .................................................................................... 48

Positioning the Child Seat: Booster Mode ...............................................52

Using LATCH ........................................................................................................53

Lap-Shoulder Belt.................................................................................................54

Securing Your Child ....................................................................................55

Harness Mode ......................................................................................................55

Booster Mode .......................................................................................................58

Care and Maintenance ................................................................................60

Tips and Troubleshooting ...........................................................................69

Warranty .......................................................................................................72

Table of Contents

2

3

Section Title

Section Title

Harness mode: use only with children who weigh between 25 •
and 85 lbs (11.4 and 38.6 kg) and whose height is between 30
and 57 in. (76.2 and 144.8 cm) and are at least 2 years of age.

Booster mode: use only with children who weigh between 40 •
and 120 lbs (18.2 and 54.5 kg) and whose height is between
42 and 65 in. (106.7 and 165.1 cm).

Snugly adjust the belts provided with this child restraint around •
your child.

Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child seat.•
Use only the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt system when •

restraining the child in this booster seat.
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 located in the pocket behind the cover of the child
seat.

Register your child restraint with the manufacturer.•
For harness mode refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or •

contact the vehicle manufacturer for the maximum weight
rating for the LATCH anchors in your vehicle. Use the vehicle
belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children
who weigh more than the vehicle LATCH anchor limit. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 40
pound (18.2 kg) child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit.

Use this child seat forward-facing only.•
According to accident statistics, children are safer when •

properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front
seating positions.

This child seat must not be used in the home, in boats, or other •
non-certified applications.

To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage, •
discontinue use of this child seat when it is older than nine

years or has been in a moderate or severe crash. See date of
manufacture and expiration date located on child seat shell.
See page 6.

The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision •
is the body of the vehicle itself. A child seat may not protect a
child when the vehicle is seriously im pact ed. However when
correctly installed, a child seat will substantially improve the
chances for survival in most crashes.

Cover the child seat when the vehicle is parked in direct •
sunlight. Parts of the child seat can become hot enough to
burn a child.

Secure this child seat even when it is not occupied. In a crash, •
an unsecured child seat may injure vehicle occupants.

Store the child seat in a safe place when it is not being used. •
Avoid placing heavy objects on top of the child seat.

Never use the harness or adjuster strap to lift or carry this child •
seat. Doing so could damage the harness adjuster and webbing.
Always carry this child seat by the shell or tether straps.

Do not allow children to play with this child seat.•
The use of non-Britax covers, inserts, toys, accessories, or •

tightening devices is not approved by Britax. Their use could
cause this child seat to fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or not perform as intended in a crash.

Always check the back seat upon leaving your vehicle to prevent •
leaving a child restrained in a child seat alone in the vehicle.

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 striking passengers and causing
serious injuries.

Do not leave folding vehicle seats unsecured. In the event of a •
sudden stop, a loose seat back could cause the child seat not
to perform as intended.

WARNING!

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur:

4

5

Important Notes

Verify that the child seat is securely installed and that the •
harness is properly adjusted around the child each time the
child seat is used.

Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. •
Remove bulky coats and/or jackets before putting the child in
the child seat.

Do not, except as described in this booklet, attempt to •
disassemble any part of the child seat or change the way the
harness or vehicle’s seat belts are used.

Do not use anything to raise the child seat off of the vehicle seat. •
In a crash, this could cause the child seat not to perform as
intended.

Certification

This child seat system conforms to all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles
and Aircraft when Used in Harness Mode.

This Restraint is Not Certified for Use in Aircraft when
Used in Booster Mode.

Belt positioning booster seats
require lap-shoulder belt installation not
available in aircraft.

Follow lap-belt installation instructions found
on page 42, to install this child seat in aircraft.

NOTE: The Versa-Tether cannot be used in aircraft.

Install your child seat in a window seat to avoid
blocking the aisle.

If the aircraft lap belt is too short, ask the flight attendant for a belt
extender.

Registration

Child seats can be recalled for safety reasons. You must register
this child seat to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address,
and the child seat’s model number and manufacturing date to
Britax Child Safety, Inc., 13501 South Ridge Drive, Charlotte,
NC 28273, or call 1-888-4BRITAX, or register online at www.
BritaxUSA.com/registration. 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.

Serial Number:___________________________________

Batch Number:___________________________________

Date of Manufacture:______________________________

Safety InformationSafety Information

6

7

Cover1
Manufactured Date and 2

Expiration Date Label
LATCH Strap3
Arm Rest4
Cup Holder5
Head Restraint6
Head Restraint Cover7
Harness Slot8

9

User Guide Storage (in

pocket behind cover)

Shoulder Belt Guide10
Comfort Pads11
HUGS™ Chest Pads12
Chest Clip13
Harness Straps14
Harness Buckle15
Lower Belt Guide16
Belly Pad17
Harness Adjuster Release 18

Lever (under flap)
Harness Adjuster Strap19

Head Restraint Adjuster 20
Locking Screw Storage Slot
LATCH Connector21
LATCH Connector Storage Slot22
LATCH Connector Release 23
Button
LATCH Adjuster24
LATCH Adjuster Release 25
Button
Belt Slot26
Harness Yoke Storage (on belt 27
shield)
Versa-Tether28

®

Hook

Versa-Tether29

®

Storage Clip

Locking Screw30
Head Restraint Adjuster31
Shell32
Versa-Tether (Top Anchorage 33
Strap)
Versa-Tether34

®

Adjuster

Versa-Tether35

®

Webbing
Storage Strap
Harness Height Adjuster36
Belt Shield37
Harness Yoke (behind Belt 38
Shield)
Positioning Block39

6

7

8

10

15
16

18

17

19

30

31
32

33

34

35
36

37

39

38

4

3

2

1

28

27

29

25

26

24

23

22

20

21

5

9

11
12

14

13

Child Seat FeaturesChild Seat Features

8

9

Harness Mode:

Children must:

be at least two years of age 1 and
weigh between 25 – 85 lbs (11.4 – 38.6 kg) 2 and
stand 30 – 57 in. (76.2 – 144.8 cm) in height 3 and

WARNING! Harness mode use of this child seat is ONLY

for children who meet ALL of the following requirements. If the
child does not meet all harness mode requirements because
the child is too small, another type of child seat MUST be used.
If your child does not meet all harness mode requirements
because they are too large, you may need to use this child
seat in booster mode. Thoroughly review all fit requirements

before using the child seat.

WARNING! Booster mode use of this child seat is ONLY for

children who meet ALL of the following requirements. Use only the
vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt to secure the child. If the child does not
meet all booster mode requirements because the child is too small,
you may need to use this child seat in harness mode. Thoroughly

review all fit requirements before using the child seat.

Children must:

be at least 40 – 120 lbs (18.2 – 54.5 kg) 1 and
stand 42 – 65 in. (106.7 – 165.1 cm) in height 2 and
the top of the child’s ears must be below the top of the head 3

restraint and
the vehicle belt must be appropriately positioned at or above 4

the child’s shoulder through the shoulder belt guide.

Shoulder level

Above Shoulder Level
Below Shoulder Level

NOTE: Britax recommends booster mode only after the child
outgrows harness mode.

the top of the child’s 4
ears must be below the
top of the head restraint
when seated and

the harness straps must 5
be located at or above
the child’s shoulders
when seated.

Booster Mode:

Child Seat Fit RequirementsChild Seat Fit Requirements

10

11

Switchable Retractor in ALR Mode with Sliding Latch Plate3.

Has a latch plate that freely

a

slides along the vehicle belt
webbing.

Has a retractor that can be

b

switched to function as an
ALR by pulling the vehicle
belt fully out until a clicking
sound can be heard when
retracting.

To use a child seat with this *
type of vehicle belt, you will
need to switch to the ALR
mode or use a locking clip.

Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts

NOTE: The information in this section only applies to installation
with vehicle belts.

Vehicle seats and seat belts differ from vehicle to vehicle. Refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about your
vehicle belts and their use with child seats.

Lap-Shoulder (3-Point) Belt

ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) with Sliding Latch Plate 1.

Has a latch plate that freely

a

slides along the vehicle belt
webbing.

Has a retractor that stops the

b

belt from being pulled out
again once the belt webbing
has been pulled out at least
24 in. (61 cm).

Tightens by feeding the

c

belt webbing back into the
retractor.

ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with Locking Latch Plate2.

Has a latch plate that does

a

not allow the lap part of the
belt to become loose after it
is buckled.

Has a retractor that locks

b

only in an emergency
situation such as sudden
stop or crash.

Latch

Plate

Latch

Plate

Latch

Plate

Vehicle CompatibilityVehicle Compatibility

12

13

Locking Latch Plate6.

Has a latch plate that

a

does not allow the belt to
become loose after it is
buckled.

Tightens by pulling on the

b

belt webbing.

ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with a Sliding Latch Plate4.

Has a latch plate that freely

a

slides along the vehicle belt
webbing.

Has a retractor that locks

b

only in an emergency
situation such as sudden
stop or crash.

IMPORTANT: This belt type requires
the use of a locking clip to secure
the seat during installation. A locking
clip must be secured approximately
1 in. (2.5 cm) from the latch plate to
secure the child seat.

Call Britax Consumer Services at
1(888) 427-4829 to obtain a locking
clip.

Has a retractor that stops the b
belt from being pulled out
again once the belt webbing
has been pulled out at least
24 in. (61 cm).

Tightens by feeding the

c

belt webbing back into the
retractor.

Latch

Plate

Adjuster

Latch

Plate

Lap Belt

IMPORTANT: A Lap belt may only be used to install the child seat

in harness mode and should never be used to secure your child in
booster mode.

ALR (Automatic Locking 5.
Retractor)

Has a latch plate that is a
sewn into the webbing.

1” (2.5 cm)
from Latch

Plate

Vehicle CompatibilityVehicle Compatibility

14

15

Vehicle Buckle Positions

WARNING! The following types of vehicle belts are NOT

compatible with this child seat:

Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts

Lap-shoulder belts with 1
top or bottom anchor
points on the vehicle door.

Motorized, automatic vehicle 2
belts.

Lap-shoulder belts that have 3
a separate retractor each
for the lap part and shoulder
part.

Lap belts forward of the 4
vehicle seat bight.

Lap belts that have a retractor that locks only 5
in case of a sudden stop (emergency locking
retractor or ELR).

WARNING! Some vehicles have no seating positions which

are compatible with this child seat or any other child seat. If in
doubt, contact the vehicle manufacturer for assistance.
Forward-facing vehicle seats MUST be used with this child

seat. Side-facing or rear-facing seats CANNOT be used. See
diagram below.

Vehicle Seating Positions

DO NOT place a child seat
in the front seat of a
vehicle with a passenger
air bag unless
deactivated. DEATH or
SERIOUS INJURY can
occur. See your vehicle
owner's manual for child
seat installation
instructions. The back
seat is the safest place for
children 12 and under.

WARNING!

WARNING! The position of the vehicle

belt buckle can adversely affect the stability
of the child seat.

If the buckle lies near the incorrect position ( ) when
the vehicle belt is tightened, try fitting the child seat
in another seating position in the vehicle OR consult
your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you can lower
the vehicle buckle position by twisting the vehicle
buckle stalk. If it is not possible to achieve the correct
position (

) for the buckle, then another seating

position MUST be used.

Vehicle CompatibilityVehicle Compatibility

16

17

Harness Mode: Harness Height Adjustment

IMPORTANT: Make all adjustments for the fit of your child before
using the child seat. Place the child seat on the floor and have your
child sit in the seat. Follow the instructions on the following pages
to make the proper adjustments to the harness, buckle, and head
restraint.

WARNING! Head restraint adjustment is for use in Booster

Mode ONLY. DO NOT Use the head restraint adjuster when the
harness is attached.

Lift the head restraint 2
adjuster release to move
the head restraint.

Loosen the harness. 1

Press release levera
Pull both harness straps b
forward

Lift and slide the harness 2
height adjuster into the
desired position, then
release.

Ensure the adjuster is *
seated securely between
the notches.

Booster Mode: Head Restraint Adjustment

Remove the locking screw

1

from the head restraint
adjuster and insert into the
shell to store for later use.

IMPORTANT: The vehicle belt must be positioned at or above the
child’s shoulder through the shoulder belt guide.

IMPORTANT: In harness mode,
the harness height adjuster also
adjusts the height for the head
restraint. Always position the
harness straps at or above your
child’s shoulders.

Locking Screw

storage

Shoulder level

Above Shoulder Level
Below Shoulder Level

Child Seat FunctionsChild Seat Functions

18

19

Adjusting Buckle Position

Removing the Buckle

Unbuckle the harness by

1

pressing the release button
and pulling the tongues.

Re-threading the Buckle

IMPORTANT: Select the slot

closest to, but not under the child.

Turn and push the buckle 1
retainer through the slot in the
cover and child seat shell.

Locate the buckle retainer on

2

the bottom of the child seat.
Slide the buckle retainer up

3

or down to release it from the
child seat shell.

Pull the buckle retainer away

4

from the child seat to loosen.
Turn and push the buckle

5

retainer through the slot in the
child seat shell.

Pull the buckle retainer 2
through the slots in the cover
and child seat shell to the
bottom of the child seat.

Pull the buckle away from the

4

child seat until tight.

Ensure that the buckle strap is *
not twisted.

2

Pull the buckle retainer 6
through the slots in the child
seat shell and cover to the top
of the child seat.

Slide the buckle retainer back

3

into place to hold it against
the child seat shell.

Child Seat FunctionsChild Seat Functions

20

21

Insert one tongue at a time into
the buckle.

NOTE: Proper connection is
confirmed with an audible click
after inserting each buckle
tongue.

Fastening the Buckle Releasing the Buckle

Press the release button and
pull the tongues from the
buckle.

NOTE: Periodically clean
the buckle to ensure proper
operation. See Page 67.

Using the Chest Clip

Squeeze to

1

open

Push together to fasten

2

NOTE: Always position the chest clip at
armpit level.

Using the Positioning Block

NOTE: Set the positioning block position BEFORE installing.

Unhook the Versa-Tether from

1

the storage clip

Harness Position2

Booster Position3

Positioning

Block

Positioning

Block

Child Seat FunctionsChild Seat Functions