Britax PRINCE User Manual

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Page 2

Vital information - Read now Page 1

Frequently asked questions

Page 1

Crucial parts of your child car seat Page 2

Stage 1 Preparing to install the PRINCE in the car

• Harness adjustment Page 3-4

• Forward anchorages Page 4

Stage 2

• Installing with a lap and diagonal seat-belt Page 5-6

• Installing with a lap-belt Page 7

• Reclining the PRINCE Page 8

• Correct buckle position Page 8

Fitting your child in the PRINCE

• Everyday use of the harness Page 9

Looking after the PRINCE

• Removing, cleaning and refitting the cover Page 10

• Cleaning the harness, chest pads and seat

Page 10

• Removing and cleaning the harness buckle Page 11

• Replacement cover Page 12

Important information - Read before your first journey Page 12

Final checklist Page 13

If in doubt Page 13

It is important that you read this User Guide BEFORE trying to install your child car seat (surveys have revealed that 7 out of 10 car seats are not installed correctly or being used properly - Source:RAC). This User Guide will take you through each stage of using and caring for your child car seat. There are four stages to follow which will make installing and caring for your child car seat easier.

Stage 1 Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Contents

Thank you for choosing Britax Please read this user guide. Failure to do so could endanger your child.

Preparing to install your child seat in the car Installing your child seat in the car

- from 9kg to 18kg Fitting your child seat in the car

- from 9kg to 18kg Looking after your child car seat

Installing the PRINCE in the car

Stage 3

Stage 4

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Vital information - Read now

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Frequently asked questions

No child seat is escape proof

Second-hand car seats

EXTREME HAZARD - DO NOT use the PRINCE on passenger seats fitted with airbags. DO NOT use the PRINCE on side facing vehicle seats.

DO NOT use the PRINCE in the home. It has not been designed for home use and should only be used in

your car.

DO NOT use anything, such as a cushion or coat, to raise the PRINCE off the passenger seat. In an accident

the PRINCE and your car seat-belts would not be able to protect your child as well as they should.

DO NOT attempt to dismantle, modify or add to any part of the PRINCE or change the way your car seat-

belts are made or used.

DO cover the PRINCE if your car is left in direct sunshine. Metal and plastic fittings can become hot to touch

in sunny weather.

DO keep this User Guide in a safe place for future reference.

Does the

PRINCE

fit all cars?

All makes, models and years of car differ from one another and it is not guaranteed that this restraint will fit your car. For advice as to the suitability of this restraint for your car please call our Customer Service Helpline on 01264 386034.

Can I put my child in the

PRINCE

before they reach 9kg in weight?

No, the weight range corresponds with the European Standard applying to child car seats and

PRINCE

has been tested

and approved from 9kg. In addition to weighing 9kg your child should also be able to sit unaided with confidence.

Can I install the

PRINCE

in the front seat of my car?

Yes, unless a passenger seat airbag is fitted.

Can I install the

PRINCE

using a lap-belt?

Yes, the

PRINCE

is suitable to install using either a lap and diagonal seat-belt or lap-belt.

When do I adjust the height of the harness?

When you first purchase the

PRINCE

, then periodically as your child grows (see "Harness adjustment" on page 3).

Can I buy a spare cover in the same fabric I currently have?

Spare covers are available in SELECTED fabrics only. To find out which fabrics you can choose from please contact our Customer Service Helpline on 01264 386034.

What do I do if the harness buckle does not click when I fasten it?

If you have just fitted the cover or changed the shoulder strap height, check that you have threaded the harness correctly (see "Harness Adjustment" on page 3). Alternatively, your buckle may need cleaning; see "Removing and Cleaning the Harness" on page 11.

Harness systems cannot be designed to be completely “child proof” and yet comply with the legal requirements of European Standard ECE R44. The harness must be fastened and adjusted correctly at all times and children encouraged to remain within the harness system.

The Hampshire Trading Standards Authority and Britax advise that child car seats should not be bought or sold secondhand. Many seats sold through local advertising and car-boot sales have been found to be dangerous. Please dispose of your child car seat safely.

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Crucial parts of your child car seat

Types of seat-belt

You need to know these before installing the PRINCE in your car.

This is a lap and diagonal seat belt

This is a lap-belt

Diagonal section

Lap section

1. Chest pads

2. Harness

3. Buckle

4. Adjuster button (behind the cover)

5. Adjuster strap

6. Recline bar

7. Release handle

8. Red seat-belt lock

9. Side slot

10. Cover

11. Side slot

12. Connection Piece (behind seat-belt guard)

13. Base

14. Shoulder slots

15. Shoulder straps

16. Chest pad tabs (behind shoulder straps)

17. Lap belt guide

18. Seat-belt guard

19. Adjuster strap

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The PRINCE can be used with either a lap and diagonal seat-belt or a lap-belt (approved to UN/ECE Regulation No.16 or equivalent standards).

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Stage 1 - Preparing to install the PRINCE in the car

page 3

You must adjust the height of the shoulder straps BEFORE you install your child seat in a car.

Harness adjustment

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Forward Anchorage Ruler - see page 4

Too high Too low Correct

The shoulder straps 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. However, once you reach the top slots your child may continue to use the seat until their eye line is above

the top of the seat

shell or their weight exceeds 18kg.

Loosen the harness by pushing the adjuster button in as you pu l l t h e s hould e r s trap s forward as much as possible.

2a 2b

Pull the strap through to the front of the PRINCE and out of the chest pad.

Now take the chest pad tab and twist it so that a thin edge will go through the slot first. Push the tab through to the front of the PRINCE.

Re-thread the chest pad retaining tab back through your chosen shoulder slot in the cover and seat. Make sure it is not twisted.

Now re-thread the shoulder strap through the chest pad and then through your chosen slot. Make sure the shoulder strap lies on top of the chest pad tab and is not twisted.

Shoulder Strap

Chest Pad Tab

Lift the connection piece out from behind the seat-belt guard and unhook one shoulder strap. Your connection piece design will be one of the above. Depending on the design, the shoulder straps will attach to the connection piece as shown in figure 2a or 2b.

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Forward Anchorage Ruler

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Hook the shoulder strap back onto the connection piece.

Pull the strap forward to remove any slack. Make sure the harness is threaded through the buckle tongues as shown above. Repeat from step 2 with the other strap. Then put the connection piece back behind the seat-belt guard.

Forward Anchorages

Put the ruler printed on the left-hand side of this page on your car seat in the position shown above. Now decide if both of the lower anchorage points are in line with the grey or red area of the ruler. If they are in the grey area, as shown above, then you can use this position for the PRINCE.

REMEMBER -

Although your seat-belt anchorage points fall within the shaded area, a better installation may be achieved by reclining the PRINCE.

If either of the lower anchorage points are in the red area, as shown above, then you should use another position, for example the middle of the rear seat using the lap belt.

If you are installing your seat on the other side of the car use the ruler printed on page 3.

Lower anchorage point

The PRINCE can be securely fitted in many cars using their existing seat-belts. However, some types of car design can prevent you from making a good installation due to the position of the seat-belt lower anchorage points (an anchorage point is the point where your seat-belt and buckle are attached to the vehicle).

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Stage 2 - Installing the PRINCE in the car

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Have you adjusted the harness to the correct position for your child? If not, see Stage 1 on page 3.

Installing with a lap and diagonal seat-belt

IMPORTANT - Do not use any load bearing contact points other than those described in the instructions and

marked in the child restraint.

Pass the seat-belt through both side slots.

Fasten the seat-belt.

Lap belt guide

Press the red lock open.

Place the PRINCE forward facing on the car seat and pull the harness tight.

Pull the diagonal section through the red lock. Make sure that the seat belt is not twisted.

Before going any further make sure that the lap section of the seat-belt passes below both lap belt guides.

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Removing the PRINCE from the car

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Unfasten the seat-belt and unthread it from the red diagonal belt guide.

Carefully kneel on the PRINCE to push it into the car seat. Pull the seat-belt here to tighten the lap section...

...and then pull the diagonal section of the seat-belt tight here...

...keep pulling the diagonal section as you push the red lock into grip the seat-belt.

The PRINCE should now be secure - see 'Buckle Position' on page 8.

Skeleton view

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Have you adjusted the harness to the correct position for your child? If not, see Stage 1 on page 3.

Installing with a lap belt

IMPORTANT - Do not use any load bearing contact points other than those described in the instructions and

marked in the child restraint.

Fasten the lap belt.

Place the PRINCE forward facing on the car seat and pull the harness tight.

Pass the lap belt through both side slots.

The PRINCE should now be secure - see buckle position on page 8.

Before going any further make sure that the the lap belt passes below both lap belt guides.

Lap belt guide

Carefully kneel on the PRINCE to push it into the car seat and pull the lap belt tight.

Removing the PRINCE from the car

Simply unfasten the seat-belt.

Skeleton view

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Reclining the PRINCE

page 8

Correct buckle position

Squeeze the recline bar and release handle together. Then slide the base into the required position. Let go of the release handle and make sure that the PRINCE has locked into place.

The PRINCE has a choice of three recline positions for your child‘s comfort. It can be used in either an upright, reclined or sleeping position.

IMPORTANT

Each time you adjust the PRINCE, check that it is still secure and that the seat-belt is tight. If there is any slack in the seat-belt then re-tighten it before starting your journey.

The position of the seat-belt/lap belt buckle can affect the stability of the PRINCE. In an accident this could stop the PRINCE from protecting your child as well as it should.

If, when the seat-belt/lap belt is properly tightened, the buckle lies in the position marked as wrong (

) then try fitting the PRINCE in another seating position in your car.

REMEMBER -

Check that the PRINCE is secure before each journey.

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Stage 3 - Fitting your child in the PRINCE

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Everyday use of the harness

Have you checked the position of the ‘seat-belt’ buckle? If not see ‘Correct buckle position’ on page 8.

Loosen the harness by pushing the adjuster button in as you pull the shoulder straps forward as much as possible.

Unfasten the buckle by pressing the red button (a) and place your child in the seat. Fit the harness around your child and fasten the buckle up (b).

Pull the adjuster strap forward making sure the harness is a comfortable but FIRM fit around your child.

Finally, pull both chest pads down from your childs' shoulders onto their chest.

Click!

(b)

(a)

Check that the harness is not twisted and pull the harness up to tighten the lap sections which are designed to fit low down on your child’s body.

REMEMBER -

The chest pads are an important safety feature. Never use the PRINCE without them.

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Stage 4 - Looking after the PRINCE

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Removing the covers

Cleaning the covers

Cleaning the harness, chest pads and seat

IMPORTANT - The cover is a safety feature. NEVER use the PRINCE without it.

Loosen the harness by pushing the adjuster button in as you pull the shoulder straps forward as much as possible.

Gently pull the cover off from the top of the seat, easing the buckle, chest pads and harness straps through their slots.

To refit the cover simply reverse the above instructions. Make sure the shoulder straps are threaded through the chest pads and that there are no twists in the harness.

Unfasten the buckle.

DO NOT tumble dry the covers — drip dry only.

Please read the labels on the covers for washing instructions. The covers are machine-washable.

ONLY USE mild hand soap and warm water.

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 washing-up

liquid as these may weaken the harness and the seat.

Pull the connection piece out from behind the seat-belt guard. Unhook the shoulder straps from the connection piece. Pull them through to the front of the seat and out of the chest pads.

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Removing and cleaning the harness buckle

Food and drink may find their way inside the buckle of the PRINCE harness. This can stop it from working properly. Follow the instructions below if you DO NOT hear a click when fastening the buckle.

To re-fit the buckle to your car seat hold the end bracket sideways and insert it into the seat slot. Make sure the red buckle button faces away from your child seat.

lf the buckle still does not return to its original working order, contact the Britax Customer Services Helpline on (01264) 386034.

With one hand pulling on the buckle and the other hand under the seat, twist the end bracket, found underneath the seat, sideways and then push it up through the slot.

Clean buckle with mild hand soap and water. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Then latch and unlatch the tongues into the buckle several times until a strong audible click is heard. If you still cannot hear a strong audible click after latching the buckle several times run the buckle under warm water again.

When the buckle does fasten with an audible click leave it to dry.

IMPORTANT - NEVER lubricate or oil any part

of the harness buckle.

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Replacement cover

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After an accident

The PRINCE, its cover and chest pads have been carefully designed, manufactured and tested to high safety standards.

Don’t put your child's safety at risk by using other makes of replacement cover or chest pads. They could stop the PRINCE from protecting your child as well as it should.

Replacement covers are available from your Britax stockist.

Important Information - Read before your first journey

DO make sure that the PRINCE does not become trapped by a folding passenger seat or in the door of your car. DO make sure that you adjust the harness to fit the clothes your child is wearing before each journey - a fitting

for winter clothes will be too slack for a child wearing summer clothes.

DO cover the PRINCE if your car is left standing in direct sunshine. Metal and plastic fittings can become hot to

touch in sunny weather and the cover fabric may also become faded.

DO put the lightest passenger behind the PRINCE if you do not have rear seat-belts in your car. In the event of

an accident, they will cause less damage than a heavier person.

DO store the PRINCE in a safe place when it is not being used. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it and do

not store near direct heat sources, e.g. radiators.

DO always keep the PRINCE secure, even if it is not being used by your child. DO NOT leave loose objects, such as luggage or books, in the back of your car. They must be secured, because

if you have to stop your car suddenly loose objects will keep moving and can then cause serious injuries. Large and heavy loose objects are a particular risk.

DO NOT leave folding passenger seats unlatched. If you have to stop your car suddenly a loose seat back could

injure your child.

DO NOT leave children alone in your car, even for a short time. DO NOT allow children to play with or adjust the PRINCE.

Guarantee

Britax, whilst taking into account child car seat contact with vehicle seats throughout the development of new products, cannot accept responsibility for damage occuring to vehicle seats or seat-belts.

After an accident, the PRINCE and your car seat-belts should be replaced. Although they may look undamaged, if you were to have another accident the PRINCE and your car seat-belts may not be able to protect your child as well as they should.

All Britax products are carefully designed, manufactured and tested. However, should this product prove faulty within 12 months of purchase due to a materials or manufacturing fault please return it to the original place of purchase. We will then, at our discretion, either repair it free of charge or replace it with the same or a similar product.

For guarantee purposes proof of purchase will be required. We recommend that you retain your receipt and attach it to the User Guide. They should be kept in a safe place.

Britax does not accept liability for damage arising from abuse, misuse or negligence. This guarantee is not transferable and therefore does not apply to second-hand products.

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However safe a child car seat is, however well built it is, your child's safety depends on you. Read through this final checklist everytime you use the PRINCE in your vehicle.

Final Checklist

Have you adjusted the height of the shoulder straps to the correct position for your child? See page 3, Preparing to install the PRINCE in the car.

Have you installed the PRINCE properly? See page 5, Installing with a lap and diagonal seat-belt

See page 7, Installing with a lap-belt

Have you checked the seat-belt buckle position? See page 8, Correct buckle position

Have you correctly adjusted the harness to suit your child and the clothes he or she is wearing? See page 9, Everyday use of the harness

If in doubt

Customer Service Helpline

Telephone: 01264 386034 Email: helpline@uk.britaxeurope.com Internet: www.britax.eu

If in doubt contact our Customer Service Helpline. It would help if you have the following information to hand before making any enquiry:

Make and model of vehicle

Year of vehicle

The position of the child seat in your vehicle

Age and weight of your child

Customer Service Department

Britax Excelsior Limited 1 Churchill Way West Andover Hampshire SP10 3UW United Kingdom

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