Britax P222000 User Manual

Registration Information
User Guide
Expressway
Fill out the registration card and mail it in today!
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 1-800-424-9393 (202-366-0123 in DC area).
Britax Child Safety, Inc.
13501 South Ridge Drive Charlotte, NC 28273 USA
Tel: 1-704-409-1700 ext. 1 www.BritaxUSA.com
R2:09/01 P222000
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Feature Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Checking Harness Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Adjusting Harness Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Compatible Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Incompatible Seating Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Important Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installation: ISOFIT Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Installation: Lap & Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installation: Lap Belt Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TM
Versa-Tether
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Checking Buckle Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using the Chest Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using the Puzzle Buckle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using Recline Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Securing Your Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Aircraft Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Registration Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
This product fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. The Britax Expressway can be installed in motor vehicles or aircraft using the seat belts and in motor vehicles using the Britax ISOFIT connectors. It is only intended for use as a forward facing child seat for children weighing between 20 - 40 lbs.; it is not to be used in the home, in boats, or other non-certified applications.
This product is LATCH compatible.
Please make sure that you read and understand this information booklet before using the Expressway. It is recommended that you store this booklet in the storage pocket for future use and consult it often to assure that you are using your child seat correctly.
© 2001 Britax Child Safety, Inc., All rights reserved.
i 1
Safety Information
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. SECURE THE EXPRESSWAY WITH A VEHICLE SEAT BELT AS SPECIFIED IN THIS INSTRUCTION BOOKLET.
• Secure the Expressway even when it is not occupied. In a crash, an unsecured child seat may injure other vehicle occupants.
Safety Information
seat differ from vehicle to vehicle. Please study the section on Compatible Seat Belts in this booklet for the safety assurance of your child. If in doubt about installing your child seat using the vehicle safety belts, consult your motor vehicle handbook or your Britax retailer.
• The primary protection for occupants of a motor vehicle in a collision is the body of the vehicle itself, and a child restraint will not protect a child when the vehicle body is seriously impacted. However, correctly installed, the Expressway is designed to substantially improve the chances for survival in crashes. Make sure that you fully understand the correct way to use the Expressway in your vehicle.
• DO NOT place any child seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger airbag unless the airbag is turned off ­DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur. The back seat is the safest place for children 12 and under.
• Owners of vehicles with front passenger side air bags should refer to their vehicle owner’s manual for child restraint installation instructions.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends, based on accident statistics, that parents select the rear seat as the safest location for a child seat. However, the actual dimensions of the vehicle seat and the details of the vehicle safety belts used to anchor the child
2 3
• DO NOT use child seats that are older than six years or that have been in a severe crash (i.e. main vehicle body structure distorted). This ensures that no hidden damage or deterioration has occurred.
• ALWAYS check that the child seat is still secure and that the seat belts are tight before use. If there is any slack in the seat belts, re-tighten them before starting your journey.
When the ISOFIT Connectors are not in use, they must be
securely connected to the tie wraps located under the cover on each side of the child seat.
Feature Identification
Cover
Feature Identification
TM
Comfort Pads
Chest Clip
TM
HUGS
Hook & Loop Fastener
Pull Rings
Hook & Loop
Buckle
Fastener
Belly Pad
Harness Release
Lock-off
Yoke
Side Slot
Versa-Tether
Shoulder Slots
Shoulder Straps
Lap-Belt Guide
Button
Base
Recline
ISOFIT
Release
Handle
TM
Harness Adjuster
Connectors
4 5
Checking Harness Height
Adjusting Harness Height
The shoulder harness MUST be threaded through the slots in the cover and shell nearest the top of your child’s shoulders. If in any doubt always use the slot above the shoulder rather than below it.
Once the top slots become necessary, your child may continue to use the seat until the center of the ears become level with the top of the seat shell or weight exceeds 40 lbs.
Adjusting Harness Height
1 Remove the soft pads by
releasing the hook and loop fas­tener connection.
2 Loosen the harness by pushing
the harness release button while pulling the shoulder straps for­ward as far as possible. Use the pull rings to aid in loosening the harness. (See Figure A)
A
3 From rear of seat, remove c-
clips from HUGS straps. (See Figure B)
4 Unhook the shoulder straps
from the yoke. (See Figure C)
5 Pull all straps through the shell
and cover, to the front of the seat.
6 Thread the harness straps
through the appropriate harness height slots. (See Figure D)
7 Reattach harness straps to the
yoke. (See Figure C)
8 Pull harness adjuster strap to
tighten the harness.
9 Thread HUGS straps over the
harness straps and through the same slot as the corresponding harness strap.
10 Reattach a c-clip to the loop
at the end of the HUGS straps. (See Figure B)
11 Pull HUGS down as far as it
will go and verify that all straps are threaded at the same height and are not twisted.
B
C
D
6 7
Compatible Seat Belts
NOTE: The information in this section only applies if you are installing the
Expressway using the vehicle seat belts. Before you install the child seat in your vehicle, first note that some vehi-
cles have no seating positions which are compatible with the Expressway (or any other child seat). If in doubt, return to the dealer for help.
The following are seat belts that will not work with the Expressway:
Front seat belts with top or bottom anchorages in the door (an anchorage is the point where your seat belt and buckle are attached to the vehicle).
Motor driven automatic belts of any kind.
Three-point belts that have retractors for the shoulder section and the
lap section. Such belts have latch plates (tongues) sewn both to the shoulder and lap sections.
Non-locking (ELR) two-point seat belts.
The owner's manual for your vehicle will have information on the types of seat belts in your vehicle. If you have belts of the above-listed types, select another seating position. The Expressway will work with rear seat three-point seat belts with a sliding latch plate, and with rear seat three-point seat belts that are specifically marked as appropriate for child seats. The middle rear seat of most vehicles has a lap belt which most often will work with the Expressway. However, make sure that the buckle does not catch on the child seat frame (see Checking Buckle Position on page 20).
The Expressway can fit securely in many vehicles using the existing seat belts. However, some types of vehicle designs prevent a secure fit of the child seat due to the position of the seat belt lower anchorage points.
Compatible Seat Belts
Seat Belt Anchorage Points MUST Fall Within This Shaded Area
Lower Ancorage Point
Use this simple guide to check your seat belts and determine the safest position for your Expressway. Use the gray shaded area on the side of this page to determine the best position for the Expressway. Hold the page against your vehicle seat (as shown above) with the gray area toward the back of the seat. Now check to see if the lower seat belt anchorage points are in line with the gray or the red area of this page.
If the lower seat belt anchorage points are in the gray area, then you can use this position for your Expressway.
If the lower seat belt anchorage points are in the red area, as shown above, then you should use another position for your Expressway, such as in the middle of the rear seat using the lap belt.
NOTE: Although the seat belt anchorage points fall within the gray
area, a better installation may be achieved by adjusting your Expressway to a reclining position.
Lower Ancorage Point
8
9
Seat Belt Anchorage Points MUST Fall Within This Shaded Area
Incompatible Seating Positions
DO - Follow these fitting instructions in the order shown and get to
know your Expressway before installing it in your vehicle.
DO - Keep these instructions available for further reference. DO - Secure the Expressway in your vehicle even when it is not occu-
Use the Expressway only in vehicle seats which face forward! Do not use this seat on vehicle seats facing sideways or backwards! Forward-facing vehicle seats MUST be used with this child seat.
Side-facing or rear-facing seats in vans, station wagons or trucks CANNOT be used wih the Expressway.
10 11
pied. In a crash, an unsecured child seat may injure vehicle occupants.
DO - Make sure that you adjust the harness to fit the clothes your child
is wearing - a fitting for winter clothes will be too slack for a child wear­ing summer clothes.
DO - Cover your Expressway if your vehicle is left sitting in direct sun-
light. Parts can become hot to the touch in sunny weather.
DO - Store your Expressway in a safe place when it is not being used.
Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it.
DO NOT - Use your Expressway in the home. It has not been designed
for home use and should only be used in your vehicle.
DO NOT - Use anything, i.e. a cushion or coat, to raise your
Expressway off the vehicle seat. In an accident, your Expressway could slide and be unable to protect your child as well as possible.
DO NOT - Except as described in this booklet, attempt to disassemble
any part of your Expressway or change the way its harness or your vehi­cle seat belts are used.
DO NOT - Leave loose objects in your vehicle. If you must make a sud-
den stop, loose objects will keep moving. These could cause serious injuries. Large and heavy loose objects are a definite risk.
DO NOT - Leave folding vehicle seats unlatched. If you have to sud-
denly stop your vehicle, a loose seat back could prevent your Expressway from protecting your child as well as it should.
DO NOT - Leave children alone in a vehicle, even for a short time. DO NOT - Allow children to play with the Expressway.
Important Notes
Installation: ISOFITTMConnectors
Installation: ISOFITTMConnectors
Closed
Open
IMPORTANT: Before installing the
Expressway in your vehicle, make sure that the shoulder slots are at the correct level for your child. See "Checking Harness Height" on page 6).
1 Place the child seat, with har-
ness tightened, facing away from you on the vehicle seat. (See Figure A)
2 Loosely attach the furthest
ISOFIT connector to the LATCH bar. (See Figure B) If unable to make attachment, squeeze release trigger, then try again.
3 Loosely connect tether strap to
tether anchor.
4 Rotate child seat into a forward
facing position.
LATCH Bars
5 Connect the second ISOFIT
connector to the LATCH bar.
IMPORTANT: The ISOFIT straps
must be routed around the shell. If the connections are made with a direct route to the LATCH bars, re-route the straps as shown in Figure E, then continue.
C
6 With one hand, push the child
seat down into the vehicle seat cushion, while pulling the each ISOFIT connector strap tight. (See Figure D)
7 Pull tether strap to tighten the
tether connection. (See Versa­Tether on pages 18-19)
A
8 Verify that all connections are
tight and the child seat is secure.
D
To remove your Expressway
1 Loosen and unhook the tether
strap from the vehicle.
2 Loosen the ISOFIT straps by
pushing the adjuster tab on each connector away from the child
B
seat.
3 Squeeze the red trigger to
release each ISOFIT connector.
E
12 13
Installation: Lap & Shoulder Belt
Shoulder
Lap
Installation: Lap & Shoulder Belt
IMPORTANT: Before installing the
Expressway in your vehicle, make sure that the shoulder slots are at the correct level for your child. See "Checking Harness Height" on page 6).
1 Place the child seat forward fac-
ing on the vehicle seat and pull the harness tight.
2 Pass the seat belt through both
side slots and fasten buckle. (See Figure A)
3 Before continuing, make sure
that the lap portion of the seat belt passes through BOTH lap belt positioning guides. (See Figure B)
B
This is a typical lap and shoulder
seat belt configuration.
A
4 Press to open the lock-off. (See
Figure C)
NOTE: Although the Expressway
has two forward facing lock-offs, you will only need to use one. Always use the lock-off that is far­thest away from where the seat belt is buckled.
5 Pull the shoulder seat belt tight-
ly through the lock-off to remove slack. (See Figure D)
6 Pull hard on the shoulder seat
belt, then rotate the lock-off toward the child seat until it clicks in place. (See Figure E)
IMPORTANT: Lock-off is not
engaged and vehicle belt is not secured until a click is heard.
7 Verify that the seat belt is tight
and the child seat is secure. See "Checking Buckle Position"
on Page 20. To remove your Expressway, sim-
ply unfasten the seat belt and reverse the above directions.
C
D
E
14 15
Installation: Lap Belt Only
Installation: Lap Belt Only
IMPORTANT: Before installing the
Expressway in your vehicle, make sure that the shoulder slots are at the correct level for your child. See "Checking Harness Height" on page 6).
1 Place the Expressway facing
forward on the vehicle seat and pull the harness tight.
2 Pass the seat belt through both
side slots and fasten buckle. (See Figure B)
3 Before continuing, make sure
that the lap belt passes through BOTH lower lap belt positioning guides. (See Figure B)
This is a typical lap seat belt
configuration.
A
4 With one hand, push the child
seat down into the vehicle seat cushion, while tightening the seat belt with the other. (See Figure C)
5 Verify that the seat belt is tight
and the child seat is secure. See "Checking Buckle Position"
on Page 20. To remove your Expressway,
unfasten the seat belt and reverse the above directions.
IMPORTANT: When the ISOFIT
Connectors are not in use, they must be securely connected to the tie wraps located under the cover on each side of the child seat. (See Figure D)
C
D
B
16 17
Versa-Tether
TM
Versa-Tether
TM
IMPORTANT: Britax recommends that the tether be used at all
times, regardless of the installation method. Using the tether will improve the stability of your child seat and reduce the risk of injury.
Before attaching your tether, check your vehicle's owner manual. Most U.S. cars and trucks have or can accept tether anchorages. Adding a tether anchorage generally requires that an anchorage be bolted into a steel panel. If you can't find information in your vehi­cle owner’s manual, check with your vehicle dealer or call the vehicle manufacturer's toll-free customer service number in your vehicle owner's manual. Ask for a tether anchor kit and instructions on how to install a tether anchor for a forward facing child seat. Tethers need to be attached to strong anchors and your manufacturer is most knowledgeable on what is correct. If no forward-facing tether anchorages are available, you should NOT modify your vehicle by drilling or bolting in an unapproved location.
NEVER ATTACH A FORWARD FACING TETHER TO A LOCATION THAT IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY YOUR VEHICLE MANUFAC­TURER OR TO A LOCATION THAT YOU BELIEVE IS INCORRECT OR NOT STRONG ENOUGH. IF THE TETHER COMES LOOSE IN A CRASH, THE METAL HOOK CAN BECOME AIRBORNE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Using the Versa-Tether:
1
Once the child seat is secured, facing forward, locate the teth-
er, which is behind the seat near the head area of the cover.
2
Lift the silver metal tab out on the tether and pull the belt until
it is extended to a V-shape.
3
Locate the snap hook with spring latch on the tether strap.
4
Locate an acceptable position in your vehicle to anchor the teth-
er. There are two possible locations as illustrated below.
a.
The tether is attached to a metal anchor located on the speak-
er shelf of your vehicle.
b.
If your vehicle has more than two rows of seats, the tether is routed directly over the backrest of the vehicle seat and attached to a floor mounted tether anchor.
5
Route the tether behind the vehicle seat to form a V-shape. Hook the tether to the anchor point and pull the tether strap to remove any slack, creating tension in the belt.
6 Verify that all connections are tight and the child seat is secure.
There should be minimal movement when child seat is rocked.
18 19
Checking Buckle Position
Using the Puzzle Buckle
NOTE: This section does not apply when
ISOFIT is used.
The position of the vehicle belt buckle can affect the stability of your Expressway. In an accident this could prevent your Expressway from protecting your child as well as it should.
If, when the lap belt is properly tightened, the buckle lies in the position marked as wrong ( ), then try moving the Expressway to another seating position in your vehicle.
If it is not possible to achieve the correct position for the buckle, then another seating position MUST be used.
Using the Chest Clip
NOTE: The appearance of the
chest clip may vary. Open the chest clip by squeezing
the middle tab(s).
IMPORTANT: The correct height
for the chest clip is at the middle of the chest, level to the armpit. Always make sure that the har­ness is tight before each use or after any adjustments.
20 21
If the buckle's tongues cannot be inserted properly (if click is not heard), press the red button on the buckle to release, then re-insert tongues.
Periodically clean the buckle to ensure proper operation. Refer to "Cleaning the Buckle" on page 26 for instructions.
Using Recline Positions
The Expressway has a choice of two positions for your child's comfort. It can be used in either awake or sleeping position. Both are tested and approved.
Pull the recline release handle, then slide the base of the seat into the desired position. Let go of the release handle and be certain that your Expressway has locked into place.
Awake Sleeping
Securing Your Child
Securing Your Child
Once all adjustments have been made to properly fit your child in the child seat and the child seat has been secured properly in the vehicle, follow these instructions to restrain your child in the Expressway.
1 Loosen the harness by pushing
the adjuster lever located in front of the seat.
2 While pressing the lever, pull
the shoulder straps forward. (See Figure A)
3 Unfasten the Chest Clip by
squeezing the middle tab(s) together.
4 Unfasten the buckle by press-
ing down on the middle red but­ton.
5 Move the harness straps to the
side of the seat. Use the hook and loop fastener located on the straps and side of the cover to aid in holding the straps.
6 Place child in the seat. 7 Position the harness straps
around the child and bring the
two pieces of the buckle together
- they connect like parts in a puz­zle - and insert them together into the buckle. You should hear a click to indicate that the buckle is securely fastened.
8 Gently pull up on the harness
A
straps to tighten the lap section of the harness, which should fit low down on your child's body.
D
9 Slowly pull the Adjuster Strap
located on the front of the seat, between the child's legs. This will tighten the harness around the child, making sure that the har­ness is a comfortable but SNUG fit
B
around the child. A snug fit allows you to place two fingers between your child's body and the harness. Make sure that the Chest Clip is open before firmly adjusting the straps.
E
10 Finally, fasten the Chest Clip.
Connect the two halves of the chest clip together. Double Check: The correct height for the chest
C
clip is at the middle of the chest, level to the child's armpit.
F
22 23
Aircraft Use
Care and Maintenance
Your Expressway is certified for use on an aircraft, using tradi­tional seat belt routing. Most airlines in the U.S. and Canada will allow you to use a child seat if it is labeled for use on aircraft and fits properly in the aircraft seats. Prior to travel, contact your airline about their specific policy concerning the use of child seats.
Install your Expressway in an aircraft according to the section "Installation: Lap Belt Only". (See pages 16 - 17)
Refer to sections on harness height and securing your child before using the child seat in an aircraft.
Use your Expressway only on aircraft seats which are facing forward.
Install the child seat in a window seat to avoid blocking access to the aisle.
If the aircraft lap belt is too short, ask the flight attendant for a belt extender.
The illustration above shows the Expressway correctly installed in a window seat of an aircraft.
Removing the Cover
1
Completely loosen the harness by pushing in the harness release but-
ton as you pull the shoulder straps forward as far as possible.
2
Unhook the harness straps from the yoke and the HUGS straps from
the c-clips. Pull them through to the front of the seat.(See Figure A)
24 25
3
Remove comfort pads, shoulder
pads and d-rings from the harness.
4
To remove the belly pad, you
must remove the buckle:
a
Fully recline the seat.
b
Locate the metal plate beneath
the seat which secures the buckle.
c
Twist the strap to thread the metal plate through the shell and cover, as shown in Figure B.
5
Careful not to damage the ener­gy absorbing foam, gently pull the cover off from the top of the seat, easing the chest clip and harness straps through their slots. (See Figure C)
Refitting the Cover
To re-fit the cover, simply reverse the instructions for removing the cover. Make sure that the shoulder straps are threaded through the chest clips and that there are no twists in the harness.
A
1234
B
C
Care and Maintenance
Care and Maintenance
Cleaning the Harness and Child Seat Shell
DO NOT - Take apart or attempt to take apart any of the harness
when cleaning the harness and seat. It is unnecessary and dangerous to do so.
DO NOT - Use solvents, detergents or cleaning fluids as these may
weaken the harness and seat.
DO - Only use mild soap and warm water.
Cleaning the Cover
The cover is not machine washable. Hand wash with cold water and mild soap. Air dry to prevent the cover from shrinking.
DO NOT - machine wash or dry. DO NOT - use chlorine bleach.
Cleaning the Buckle
Most problems relating to your child's seat buckle are caused by the accumulation of dust and dirt. These are easily washed out.
These problems include:
The tongues fail to lock home with an audible click.
The tongues are slowly ejected after pressing the release button.
The tongues are difficult to insert (you feel resistance).
The tongues will no longer lock properly.
To clean the buckle, follow these steps:
1 Remove the crotch strap:
a Fully recline the seat.
b Pull the fabric cover off of the seat to expose the crotch strap. You
can now grasp the metal plate under the seat, by which the strap is secured to the seat shell.
c Push the metal plate upwards, on its side,
through the slot in the shell. (See Page 25)
2 Clean the buckle unit.
a Soak the buckle in warm water (if necessary,
with mild soap) for about an hour.
b Rinse and dry thoroughly.
3 Reinstall the crotch strap.
a Hold the metal plate on the crotch and strap
sideways and push it with the narrow side facing upwards, through the slot in the fabric cover and into the plastic shell. The metal plate must be inserted through the slot in the plastic shell and not merely through the fabric cover.
b Verify proper installation by pulling up on the crotch strap several
times. If the fabric cover lifts off the seat shell significantly, the metal plate is not fitted correctly.
IMPORTANT:
Check your entire Expressway harness to remove a twist.
Make sure the straps are not twisted.
The buckle or other metal or plastic parts must be positioned
outside the side slots.
Make sure the straps are clear of food particles. Wipe the straps
clean of food particles with a damp cloth.
26 27
Warranty Information
Warranty Information
This Child Restraint was manufactured by Britax Child Safety, Inc. Britax Child Safety, Inc. ("Britax") warrants this product to the origi­nal retail purchaser as follows:
LIMITED ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
This product is warranted against defective materials or workman­ship for one year from the date of original purchase. Proof of pur­chase is required. Your exclusive remedy for this Warranty is that Britax will, at its option, provide repair or replacement components for this product or refund the original purchase price of the product. Britax reserves the right to discontinue or change fabrics, parts, mod­els or products, or to make substitutions.
To make a claim under this Warranty, you must contact your Britax Retailer or Britax Child Safety, Inc., 13501 South Ridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28273. Proof of purchase is required.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND MAIL THE PRE-ADDRESSED OWNER REGISTRATION CARD WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS OF PURCHASE.
WARRANTY LIMITATIONS
This Warranty does not include damages which arise from negli­gence, misuse or use not in accordance with the product instruction.
LIMITATION OF DAMAGES
The Warranty and remedies as set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied. In no event will
Britax or the retailer selling this product be liable to you for any dam­ages, including incidental or consequential damages, arising out of the use or inability to use this product.
LIMITATIONS OF WARRANTIES AND OTHER WARRANTY TERMS AND STATE LAW RIGHTS
Any implied Warranties, including implied Warranties of mer­chantability and fitness for a particular purpose, shall be limited to the duration and terms of the express written Warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied Warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state. Neither Britax, nor the retailer selling this product, authorizes any person to create for it any other warranty, obligation, or liability in connection with this product.
28 29
Loading...