Britax MARATHON 70 User Manual

MarathonTM 70

User Guide

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

Table of Contents

Safety Information .......................................................................................2

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

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

Certification ...........................................................................................................5

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

Important Child Seat Usage Information ............................................................6

Vehicle Compatibility .................................................................................. 8

Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts ............................................................................8

Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts ..........................................................................12

Vehicle Seating Positions .....................................................................................13

Child Seat Features .....................................................................................14

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

Harness Height Adjustment.................................................................................16

Adjusting Buckle Position ....................................................................................17

Fastening the Buckle ...........................................................................................18

Releasing the Buckle ...........................................................................................18

Using the Chest Clip ...........................................................................................18

Using the Lock-Offs ..............................................................................................19

Infant Body Pillow ................................................................................................. 19

Recline Positions ..................................................................................................20

Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) ..................................22

Using the Lower Connectors ...............................................................................23

Using the Versa-Tether® ....................................................................................... 24

Rear-Facing Installation ..............................................................................28

LATCH Installation ................................................................................................ 28

Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation ..............................................................................32

Lap Belt Installation ..............................................................................................36

Forward-Facing Installation ........................................................................40

LATCH Installation ................................................................................................ 40

Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation ..............................................................................44

Lap Belt Installation ..............................................................................................48

Aircraft Installation ......................................................................................52

Securing Your Child ....................................................................................53

Care and Maintenance ................................................................................56

Tips and Troubleshooting ...........................................................................65

Warranty .......................................................................................................66

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

Section Title

WARNING!

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur:

• Use only in a rear-facing position when using it with an infant

weighing less than 20 lbs (9.1 kg) OR is less than 1 year of age.

• Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 70 lbs (2.3 –

31.8 kg) and whose height is 49 in. (124.5 cm) or less. Use rear-

facing for children who weigh between 5 and 40 lbs (2.3 – 18.1

kg). Use forward-facing for children who weigh between 20 and

70 lbs (9.1 – 31.8 kg) AND are at least 1 year of age.

• 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 into the

child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.

• Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child seat.

• Secure this child restraint with the vehicle’s child restraint

anchorage system if available, or with a vehicle seat belt.

• Follow all instructions on this child restraint and in the written

instructions located in the pocket behind the cover.

• Register your child restraint with the manufacturer.

• This child seat must be reclined to position 3 when installed rear-

facing (see page 20).

• Use the inner buckle slot when installed rear-facing.

• Use the outer buckle slot when installing the child seat forward-

facing with a child weighing 30 lbs (13.6 kg) and above or if the

buckle is under the child in the inner position.

• When installing in forward-facing mode this child seat must be in

position 1 or position 2 (see page 20).

• HUGS™ chest pads must be used in forward-facing mode.

Removal of HUGS is optional only for rear-facing mode.

• To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage,

discontinue use of this child seat if it is older than seven years or

has been in a moderate or severe crash (see page 4). See Serial

Number and Manufactured Date Label on child seat (page 15).

Section Title

• This child seat must not be used in the home, in boats, or other

non-certified applications.

• Based on crash statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA) recommends that parents select the

back seat as the safest location for a properly installed child seat.

Please study Vehicle Seating Positions on page 13 to ensure your

child’s safety and consult your vehicle owner’s manual.

• Secure this child seat even when it is not occupied. In a crash,

an unsecured child seat may injure vehicle occupants.

• When using in a vehicle with air bags, refer to your vehicle owner’s

manual for child seat installation instructions and precautions.

• Never use the harness adjuster strap to lift or carry this child

seat. Doing so could cause damage to harness adjuster and

webbing. Always carry this child seat by its shell or tether straps.

• The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision

is the body of the vehicle itself; a child seat will not protect a

child when a vehicle is seriously impacted. However, correctly

installed, a child seat will substantially improve chances for

survival in most crashes. Make sure all users fully understand the

correct ways to use this child seat in a vehicle.

• Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle

manufacturer for the maximum weight rating for their lower

anchors. Use vehicle seat belt (not lower connectors) for

installations with children who weigh more than the vehicle

lower anchor limit. Unless specified otherwise by the vehicle

manufacturer, assume a 40 lb (18.1 kg) child is the vehicle

lower anchor limit.

• The use of non-Britax Child Safety, Inc., covers, inserts, toys,

accessories, or tightening devices is not approved by Britax. Their

use could cause this child seat not perform as intended in a crash.

Safety Information

Important Notes

• Verify that the child seat is securely installed and the harness is

properly adjusted around the child each time the child seat is used

• Discontinue use of this child seat if it has been in a moderate

or severe crash. It is not necessary to replace a car seat after a

minor crash defined by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA) as:

* The vehicle is driveable from the crash site.

* The vehicle door nearest the child seat was not damaged.

* No vehicle occupants were injured.

* There is no visible damage to the child seat.

* The airbags (if present) did not deploy.

• Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. Remove

bulky coats and/or jackets before putting the child in child seat.

• Cover the child seat when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight.

Metal parts of child seat could become hot enough to burn a child.

• Store the child seat in a safe place when it is not being used. Avoid

placing heavy objects on top of it.

• 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 seat or change the way the harness or vehicle’s

seat 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 unsecured or unlatched. In the

event of a sudden stop, a loose seat back could cause the child seat

not to perform as intended.

• Do not allow children to play with this child seat.

• Do not use anything to raise the child seat off vehicle seat except as

described in these instructions. In a crash, this could cause the child

seat not to perform as intended.

Safety Information

Certification

This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This Restraint is Certified For Use in

Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.

Registration

Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address, e-mail address if available and the restraint’s model number and manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety, Inc. P.O. Box 91167 Allentown, PA 18109-9925, or call 1-888-427-4829, or register online at www.Britax.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.

For your convenience, record all the information about your child seat below. Refer to the Serial Number & Manufactured Date Label for all information, see page 15.

Model Name and Number: ________________________________________

Serial Number: __________________________________________________

Batch Number: __________________________________________________

Date of Manufacture: _____________________________________________

Safety Information

1 inch

2.5 cm

Rear-Facing

Important Child Seat Usage Information

All infants must ride rear-facing at least until they have reached 1 year of age and weigh 20 lbs (9.1 kg).

An infant positioning insert may be necessary for small infants to achieve a snug fit if the child is under 12 lbs and the lowest harness slots fall above the infants shoulders. The Infant positioning insert is sold separately at select retailers and on www.britaxusa.com.

Britax advises that parents strongly consider the following when using this child seat.

• Children should be secured with a harness system until they exceed the weight or height limits specified.

• Britax recommends that children ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height specified.

WARNING! REAR-FACING use of this child seat is ONLY for

children who meet ALL of the requirements below. If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because they are too small, use of the infant positioning insert or selection of a different child seat (such as an infant car seat) may be required. If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because the child is too large, review the forward-facing guidelines on page 7.

Rear-Facing: 5 – 40 lbs (2.3 – 18.1 kg)

Use rear-facing with children:

• who weigh between 5 and 40 lbs (2.3 –

18.1 kg) and

• when the top of the child’s head is at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) below the top of the child seat shell (Fig. A) and

• when the harness straps are at or slightly below the child’s shoulders (Fig. A).

IMPORTANT: See Harness Height Adjustment on page 16.

Safety Information

Shoulder Level

Above Shoulder Level Below Shoulder Level

Position 1 Position 2

Forward-Facing Harness Height

Forward-Facing: 20 – 70 lbs (9.1 – 31.8 kg) and at least 1 year of age

WARNING! FORWARD-FACING use of this child seat

is ONLY for children who meet ALL of the requirements below. If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because they are too large, another type of child seat (such as a booster) may be required. If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because the child is too small, review the rear-facing information on page 6.

Use forward-facing only with children:

• who are at least one year of age and

• who weigh between 20 and 70 lbs (9.1 – 31.8 kg) and

• who are 49 in. (124.5 cm) or less in height and

• when the top of the ears are below the top of the child seat

shell or

• when the harness straps are at or above the child’s shoulders,

parallel to level ground (Fig. B).

IMPORTANT: When using position 2, it may be necessary to adjust the harness to a higher position than when the seat is in position 1. See Harness Height Adjustment on page 16.

Vehicle Compatibility

Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts

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

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

Lap-Shoulder (3-Point) Belt

ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) with Sliding Latch Plate

a Has a latch plate that freely

slides along the vehicle seat belt webbing.

b Has a retractor that stops the

Latch

plate

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

c Tightens by feeding the

belt webbing back into the retractor.

Vehicle Compatibility

2. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with Locking Latch Plate

a Has a latch plate that locks

the vehicle belt.

* This type of latch plate locks

the vehicle belt when the vehicle belt and latch plate lie flat. When using this type of vehicle belt with a child seat, ensure the latch plat and vehicle belt lie flat against the child seat or the vehicle belt may remain unlocked.

Has a retractor that locks

Latch

plate

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

Switchable Retractor in ALR Mode with Sliding Latch Plate

a Has a latch plate that freely

slides along the vehicle seat belt webbing.

b Has a retractor that can be

switched to function as an ALR. Pull the belt all the way out of the retractor to set the automatic locking function.

* To use a child seat with this

type of vehicle seat belt, you will need to switch to the ALR mode or use child seat lock-offs.

Latch

plate

Vehicle Compatibility

4. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with a Sliding Latch Plate

Has a latch plate that freely slides along the vehicle seat belt webbing.

b Has a retractor that locks

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

IMPORTANT: This belt type requires the use of the lock-offs built into the seat for rear- and forward-facing

installations. See page 19 for information on using the lock-offs.

Lap Belt

5. ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor)

Has a latch plate that is sewn into the webbing.

Latch

plate

b Has a retractor that stops the

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

c Tightens by feeding the

belt webbing back into the retractor.

Locking Latch Plate

Has a latch plate that prevents the webbing from becoming loose.

b Tightens by pulling on the

belt webbing.

Vehicle Compatibility

Latch

plate

Adjuster

Vehicle Compatibility

Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts

WARNING! The following types of vehicle seat belts are NOT

compatible with this child seat. If any of the belt types listed below are in the chosen seating position, choose another vehicle seating position or check your vehicle owner’s manual for information on installing a car seat in your vehicle.

1 Lap-shoulder belts

with top or bottom anchor points on the vehicle door.

4 Inflatable lap-

shoulder belts.

2 Motorized,

automatic vehicle seat belts.

5 Lap belts forward

of the vehicle seat bight.

3 Lap-shoulder

belts that have a separate retractor each for the lap section and shoulder section.

6 Lap belts with a

sewn-in latch plate that have a retractor that locks only in case of a sudden stop.

Vehicle Seating Positions

Vehicle Compatibility

WARNING!

DO NOT place child seat rear-facing 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.

Some vehicles have no seating positions which are compatible with this 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 the diagram below.

Child Seat Features

5 6

8 9

10 11 12

1 Cover 2 Harness Height Adjuster 3 Head Pad 4 Comfort Pads 5 Infant Body Pillow 6 Harness Holder 7 Lower Connector Bar 8 Lower Connector Strap

(LATCH component)

9 Lower Connector Adjuster

Release Button (LATCH component)

13 14

15 16

17 18

19 20

10 Lower Connector Adjuster

(LATCH component)

11 Lower Connector Release

Button (LATCH component)

12 Lower Connector (LATCH

component)

13 User Guide Storage (in

pocket behind cover)

14 HUGS™ (Harness Ultra Guard

System) Chest Pads 15 Chest Clip 16 Harness Buckle

23 24 25

26 27

Child Seat Features

17 Belly Pad 18 Harness Adjuster

Lever (under cover) 19 Harness Adjuster Strap 20 Recline Adjustment Handle 21 Shell 22 Serial Number & Manufactured

Date Label 23 Harness Slots 24 Forward-Facing Belt Slot 25 Forward-Facing Lock-Offs (Red

– under cover on front of shell)

26 Rear-Facing Lock-Offs (Blue –

under cover on front of shell) 27 Rear-Facing Belt Slot 28 Base

29 Versa-Tether® (Top Anchorage

Strap - LATCH component) 30 Harness Yoke 31 Harness Straps 32 Lower Connector Storage

33 Versa-Tether® Carry Clip

Child Seat Functions

Harness Height Adjustment

1 Loosen the harness.

a Lift harness adjuster lever b Pull both harness straps forward

Squeeze the harness height adjuster, slide the harness into the desired position and release.

* Ensure the harness has locked

into position.

NOTE: In rear-facing mode, always position the harness straps at or below your child’s shoulders. See page 6.

In forward-facing mode, always position the harness straps at or above your child’s shoulders. See page 7.

ADJUSTMENT SLOT

Child Seat Functions

Adjusting Buckle Position

IMPORTANT:

• ALWAYS position the buckle in the inner slot for rear-facing use.

• The vehicle belt must pass in front of the buckle strap for rear-facing use.

• NEVER leave the buckle in the adjustment slot.

• Use the outer buckle slot when installing the child seat forwardfacing with a child weighing 30 lbs (13.6 kg) and above or if the buckle is under the child in the inner position.

1 Unbuckle the harness. Remove

the belly pad and push the buckle through the cover.

3 Slide the buckle retainer into

the buckle slot, and ensure the red release button faces out.

2 Turn the buckle webbing

and slide it between buckle positions.

Child Seat Functions

Fastening the Buckle

Insert one tongue at a time into the buckle.

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

Using the Chest Clip

1 Open the chest

clip.

a Press tabs b Pull apart

Push together to fasten.

NOTE: Always position the chest clip at armpit level.

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 62.

Child Seat Functions

LOCKING

TAB

CLAMP

LOCKING TAB

CLAMP

VEHICLE

BELT

Using the Lock-Offs

IMPORTANT: Both parts of the lock-off must be opened to secure a vehicle belt.

To Open:

To Close:

1 Open the locking tab. 2 Open the clamp.

1 Close the clamp over the

vehicle belt.

2 Slide your palm or thumb

along the locking tab until a click is heard.

Infant Body Pillow

The infant body pillow is designed to provide better fit and comfort for infants using this child seat. Fold the flaps in for additional side support.

NOTE: Remove the infant body pillow after child can sit comfortably in the child seat without additional support.

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