Page 1
Instruction
Manual
Para instrucciones en Español,
llamar al: 1-800-837-4044
www.centuryproducts.com
PM-1415AD 7/01
Avoid injury or death -
Read and understand this manual!
Use rear-facing only!
Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information.....................................1
Warnings.........................................................2
Basic Information.............................................4
Vehicle Seat Belts...........................................
.
16
Locking Clip............................................ 21
Shopping Cart Use......................................... 22
Additional Information....................................23
• Care and Cleaning
• Aircraft Use
• Second Hand Car Seat
This instruction manual is for:
Avanta
™
DX Infant Car Seat Series
Avanta
™
LX Infant Car Seat Series
Avanta
™
EX Infant Car Seat Series
Instructions for these models are the same
unless otherwise noted.
❃
Before You Begin
❃
Special Information
Height & W eight Limits.....................................5
Installation With Base..................................... 6
Installation Without Base................................8
Placing Child in Car Seat................................10
Operations and Adjustments......................... 12
• Harness Tie
• Adjustable Handle
• Buckle
• Removing Car Seat from Base
• Adjusting Car Seat Recline
• Adjustable Base
• Changing Harness Strap Slot
❃
Use
Page 3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
No car seat can guarantee protection from
injury in every situation, but proper use helps
reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Child restraints (car seats) could be recalled for
safety reasons. You must register this restraint
to be reached in a recall. Fill out the
registration card attached to car seat and mail
today or send your name, address, and the
restraint’s model number and manufacturing
date to:
Century Products
P.O. Box 551
Elverson, PA 19520-9973
or call 1-888-224-6549
For recall information:
• Call the U.S Government’s Auto Safety
Hotline at 1-800-424-9393
(202-366-0123 in D.C. area)
• www.nhtsa.dot.gov
• Call Century Products 1-800-837-4044
✔ Read and understand instruction manual
and car seat labels.
✔ Use car seat rear-facing only.
✔ Do not use in vehicle seat with air bag.
✔ Secure children in back seat whenever
possible.
✔ Never leave child unattended.
✔ Install car seat securely.
✔ Only use an Avanta
™
base when using car seat
with a base.
✔ Do not use after date shown on back of
car seat.
✔ Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives,
etc.) to use car seat without first
understanding all instructions.
1
❃
Registration Information
❃
Safety First Check List
Page 4
WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:
DO NOT use rear-facing child restraint in
a vehicle seating position equipped with
an air bag. Child’s head and neck may
be seriously injured when an
inflating air bag hits back of child
restraint.
Never put a car seat in a front vehicle
seat unless recommended by vehicle
owner’s manual. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
alerts vehicle owners that according to
accident statistics children up to age 12
are safer in the back seat. For vehicles
with air bags, refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation
information.
If car seat is in a crash, it must be
replaced. DO NOT use it again! A crash
can cause unseen damage and using it
again could result in serious injury or
death.
Failure to follow these instructions and
car seat labels can result in child striking
the vehicle’s interior during a sudden
stop or crash. Secure child restraint with
a vehicle seat belt as shown in this
manual.
Use car seat rear-facing only. Serious
crippling injury or death can result if
infant faces front of vehicle.
Vehicle seat belt system MUST hold
car seat securely. Not all vehicle seat
belts can be used with a car seat. If
vehicle seat belt does not hold car seat
securely, read “Vehicle Seat Belts”
section.
2
Page 5
3
DO NOT use car seat if it is damaged or
missing parts.
DO NOT use accessories or parts other
than those provided by Century or
Graco. Their use could alter the performance of the
car seat.
Car seat must be properly leveled:
• Too reclined can result in injury or
ejection.
• Too upright can result in breathing
difficulties.
Never leave infant unattended, even
when sleeping.
Strangulation Hazard: Child can strangle
in loose harness straps. Never leave child
in carrier when straps are loose or
undone.
Fall Hazard: Child’s movement can slide
carrier. Never place carrier near edges
of countertops, tables or other elevated
surfaces.
Suffocation Hazard: Infant carrier can
roll over on soft surfaces and suffocate
child. Never place carrier on beds, sofas
or other soft surfaces.
Avoid serious injury due to falls. Always
use harness to restrain child and be sure
handle “locks” into carrying position
before carrying infant. If handle is not
securely locked, car seat can flip forward
causing unrestrained infant to fall and
be seriously injured.
WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death (continued):
Page 6
DO NOT use after date shown on back of
car seat due to changing requirements and
normal wear and tear.
Look for:
BASIC INFORMATION
This car seat meets or exceeds all applicable
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 for use in motor vehicles and
aircraft.
Always secure car seat with a vehicle seat belt,
even when unoccupied. An unsecured car seat
can injure passengers.
Protect vehicle seat. Use a car seat mat, towel
or thin blanket under and behind car seat.
Car seat parts can get very hot in the sun
or warm weather.
To avoid burns, always check before putting
child in car seat.
4
Do not use car seat on rear-facing or
side-facing vehicle seats.
Do not use this car
seat after December
Year
❃
Certification
❃
Unoccupied Car Seat
❃
Car Seat Useful Life
❃
Dangerous Vehicle Seats
❃
Vehicle Seat Protection
❃
Warm Weather
Page 7
This car seat is designed for rear-facing use
only by an infant whose:
• Weight is less than 22 lbs (10 kg) and;
• Height is less than 29 inches (73.6 cm)
HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS
A preterm or low birth weight infant may
be at special risk in a vehicle or aircraft.
According to the American Academy of
Pediatrics, these infants may suffer breathing
difficulties if improperly reclined in a car seat.
Century advises that you have your physician or
hospital staff evaluate your infant and
recommend the proper car seat or car bed
before you and your infant leave the hospital.
5
❃
Preterm or Low Birth Weight
Infants
Page 8
INSTALLATION WITH BASE
Place base rear-facing on vehicle seat.
Thread vehicle lap belt through base belt Tabs
and buckle belt.
NOTE: Vehicle shoulder belt must NOT be
placed under belt Tabs.
Press down firmly on base to compress vehicle
seat cushion while tightening vehicle lap belt
(fig. a).
Pull front to back and left to right to check for
secure installation (fig. b). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.
Put car seat in base and pull up on car seat to
be sure it is locked in base.
Place child in car seat and check for secure
installation (see ).
Adjust handle to a position behind car seat.
1
3
4
5
2
7
8
6
Check level indicator on base.
Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. c).
If necessary adjust Foot.
NOTE: Vehicle must be on level ground and
child in car seat when leveling.
6
4
Page 9
(fig. a) (fig. b) (fig. c)
Tabs
Foot
INSTALLATION WITH BASE
(continued)
7
Page 10
Place car seat rear-facing on vehicle seat.
Thread vehicle lap belt through car seat Slots
and buckle belt.
NOTE: Vehicle shoulder belt must NOT be
placed through car seat Slots.
Press down firmly on car seat to compress
vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle
lap belt (fig. a).
Pull front to back and left to right to check for
secure installation (fig. b). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.
Check level indicator on car seat.
Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. c). If
necessary place rolled Towels under car seat
at vehicle seat crease.
NOTE: Vehicle must be on level ground and
child in car seat when leveling.
INSTALLATION WITHOUT BASE
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
Adjust handle to a position behind car seat.
Page 11
9
(fig. a) (fig. b)
Towels
Slots
INSTALLATION WITHOUT BASE
(continued)
(fig. c)
Page 12
Place child in car seat with child’s back flat
against back of car seat.
Place harness straps over child’s shoulders and
insert tongue(s) into buckle to lock.
Pull up on tongue(s) to be sure they are
locked.
Close harness tie:
Position harness tie at arm pit level.
Adjust that harness straps to be snug with just
enough room to insert one finger between
child’s chest and harness straps (fig. a).
For 5-Point models, check that harness straps
on chest and thighs are snug.
A rolled towel can be used on each side to
support small children (fig. b). Be sure towels
do not interfere with harness system.
To prevent serious injury or death:
• Keep harness straps snug and
positioned on shoulders. Periodically
check adjustments.
• Do not use strap covers, blankets
cushions, or padding under harness
straps or child unless provided by
Century or Graco.
• Baby must be dressed in clothing with
arms and legs that will not interfere
with buckling harness.
1
2
3
4
5
10
PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT
WARNING
Check harness system:
• Harness straps must be through slots at or
just below shoulders.
5-Point Models Only:
• Crotch strap must be through opening
closest to but not under child.
3-Point Models Only:
• Buckle tongue must be in slot closest to
but not under child.
Page 13
11
2
3
2
3
3-Point
Models
5-Point
Models
(fig. a) (fig. b)
PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT (continued)
Page 14
Adjustable Handle:
• Handle has three adjustment positions.
• Push in red buttons on each side of
handle, rotate and release red buttons.
Continue rotating handle to desired
position until you hear a “click” sound.
• IMPORTANT: Before lifting car seat, place
handle in “locked” upright carrying
position.
Removing Car Seat from Base:
• Place handle in “locked” upright carr ying
position.
• Squeeze red release handle in base (fig. b).
• Lift car seat out of base.
Adjusting Car Seat Recline (2-Positions):
• Squeeze lever up and rotate car seat
to Reclined or Semi-reclined position
(fig. c).
• Release handle.
Adjustable Base:
• Pull Level Adjuster Handle out (fig. d).
• Adjust Foot to desired position.
• Release adjustment handle. Be sure it
retracts into slot.
Harness Straps (fig. a):
• To tighten: Pull lower belt tab.
• To loosen: Pull and hold upper belt tab
while pulling harness straps.
Buckle:
3-Point Models
• To buckle: Push tongue down into slot.
Pull up on tongue to be sure it is locked.
• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull
tongue out.
5-Point Models
• To buckle: Insert both tongues into
buckle. Pull up on tongues to be sure
they are locked.
• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull
tongues out.
2-Piece Harness Tie:
• To open: Squeeze tabs and pull apart.
• To close: Snap halves together. Make
sure harness tie is locked by pulling out
on each half.
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS
12
1
2
3
5
6
7
4
Page 15
13
3-Point
Models
5-Point
Models
(fig. d)
1
2
3
6
(fig. a)
Lower
7
(fig. b)
Handle
Foot
(fig. c)
4
5
1
2
3
6
4
5
Upper
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)
7
Page 16
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)
14
Changing Harness Strap Slots:
Harness straps must be through slots at or just
below shoulders.
A Loosen harness straps:
• Pull and hold upper belt tab.
• Pull harness straps out.
B Remove both harness strap loops from
Splitter Plate on back of car seat.
C Press Tab to release metal Rod and lift Rod
out of Pockets.
D Change harness strap slots.
Make sure harness straps are threaded
through matching slot of seat pad and
car seat.
It may be necessary to remove seat pad
from top of car seat.
E Re-install metal Rod:
• Lift harness straps up over car seat top.
• Slide metal Rod into side Pockets and
press Rod down below Tab.
IMPORTANT: Harness straps MUST be
behind metal Rod.
F Re-attach harness strap loops to Splitter
Plate (fig. e):
• Lower the harness straps down over
metal Rod as shown (fig. e).
• Put right strap loop on Splitter Plate
first, then attach left strap loop.
NOTE:
• Make sure both strap loops are securely
attached within Splitter Plate hook.
• Make sure straps are NOT twisted.
8
Page 17
15
(fig. e)
Splitter Plate
Loop
Loop
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)
Rod
Pockets
Tab
Page 18
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
16
To provide the most secure installation of the
car seat:
• Read the vehicle owner’s manual regarding
car seat installation and seat belt use with
car seat.
• Follow all instruction labels on vehicle seat
belt and car seat.
If car seat is not held securely after following
instructions in this manual, vehicle seat belt
labels, and vehicle owner’s manual:
• Move car seat to another seating location
and try again, or
• Contact vehicle dealer for possible seat
belt modification parts.
Not all vehicle seat belts can be used
with a car seat. The car seat must be
held securely at all times by a lap belt
(or lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder
belt) that will not change length while
driving.
WARNING
Page 19
Vehicle seat belts located forward of seat
crease may not securely hold car seat. Check
vehicle owner’s manual or see vehicle dealer for
car seat installation requirements.
• If approved for use with car seat, install
car seat and check for secure installation by
pulling car seat front to back. If car seat
slides forward, DO NOT use these seat belts.
Seat Crease
Seat Crease
17
❃
Belts Forward of Seat Crease
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)
Page 20
Lap belts with retractors may or may not hold
a car seat securely.
Follow these steps to determine if you have a
retractor system that will hold car seat securely:
a. Pull belt all the way out.
b. Allow belt to retract about 6 inches (15 cm).
c. Pull out on belt again.
If belt is locked and you cannot pull the belt out
any further, you have an Automatic Locking
Retractor which may be used with a car seat.
Remember, when installing a car seat, pull belt
all the way out, buckle belt, and then tighten.
If you can pull the belt out again (step c), you
have an Emergency Locking Retractor which
must not be used with a car seat.
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)
The locking latch plate on some seat belts may
slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip latch plate over (fig. a) and re-buckle. Test
installation again to see if this works. If not,
move car seat to another seating position.
18
(fig. a)
Retractor
❃
Lap Belts - Manually Adjustable
❃
Lap Belts - With Retractor
Flip
Page 21
19
DO NOT use with any car seat.
❃
Passive Restraint - Lap Belt
with Motorized Shoulder Belt
DO NOT use with any car seat. Belts will not
stay tight while driving.
❃
Passive Restraint- Lap or
Shoulder Belt Mounted on Door
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)
Page 22
20
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)
Pull on latch plate (fig. a). If belt slides freely
through latch plate, a locking clip MUST
be used (see Locking Clip section).
Some combination lap/shoulder belts with
sliding latch plates may be converted into an
“automatic locking mode” that will allow use
without a locking clip. See vehicle owner’s
manual and label on vehicle belts for
instructions.
(fig. a)
❃
Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt
with Sliding Latch Plate
(fig. b)
❃
Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt
with Locking Latch Plate
The locking latch plate on some seat belts may
slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip the latch plate over (fig. b) and re-buckle.
Test installation again to see if this works. If
not, move car seat to another seating position.
Pull
Flip
Page 23
1/2 inch (1 cm)
Avoid serious injury or death:
• Failure to use locking clip where
required will result in car seat not
being securely held in place.
• Remove locking clip from seat belts
when not being used with car seat.
• DO NOT use locking clip as a vehicle
seat belt shortener.
WARNING
❃
Locking Clip
(fig. a)
21
Test installation to see if car seat is secure.
If not secure, additional belt tightening may be
required:
• Unbuckle vehicle seat belt.
• Hold belts together and remove locking
clip.
• Shorten length of lap belt portion slightly
by pulling belt through latch plate.
• Re-attach locking clip.
• Buckle vehicle seat belt.
HINT: Press car seat further down into vehicle
seat cushion to help buckle vehicle seat belt.
Test installation to see if car seat is secure. If
not secure, repeat above step until secure.
5
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
(continued)
You MUST use locking clip provided with
car seat with a vehicle seat belt that slides
freely through the latch plate or the lap belt
cannot be tightly secured.
Install car seat and tighten vehicle seat belt.
Hold seat belts together at latch plate (fig. a)
then unbuckle.
Slide locking clip on seat belts approximately
1/2 inch (1 cm) away from latch plate.
Re-buckle seat belt.
1
2
3
4
Page 24
22
SHOPPING CART USE
Prevent injuries from falls:
• Make sure car seat locks onto cart.
• Avoid tip over of cart. Use caution on
turns and irregular and ramped
surfaces.
• Never leave child unattended.
WARNING
Car seat may not fit all shopping carts. DO NOT
use if it will not lock onto cart.
Deep Basket Shopping Cart:
Lower car seat into child seat area of
shopping cart and position hook to lock
over cart wire (fig. a).
Press down firmly on car seat back to lock.
Pull up on car seat to be sure it is locked.
Shallow Basket Shopping Cart:
Lower car seat into large basket area of
shopping cart and position hook to lock
over front cross wire (fig. b).
Press down firmly on car seat back to lock.
Pull up on car seat to be sure it is locked.
To remove car seat, press in hook on back of
car seat and remove from shopping cart (fig. c).
(fig. a)
(fig. b)
(fig. c)
Press
Page 25
23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Prevent serious injury or death:
• Buckle must be properly latched.
• Periodically inspect and clean buckle
to remove objects or debris that could
prevent latching.
WARNING
Seat Pad:
Machine-wash separately on gentle cycle and
drip dry.
Harness Straps:
Surface wash only with mild soap and damp
cloth.
If harness straps are frayed or heavily soiled,
they MUST be replaced.
Shell:
Wipe with mild solution of soap and water.
Avoid wetting labels.
Never use household detergents: they can
weaken plastic.
Buckle:
Rinse buckle with warm water. DO NOT use
household detergents. Never lubricate
buckle.
❃
Care & Cleaning
Page 26
24
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (continued)
Century advises against loaning or passing
along car seat.
This car seat is certified for use on aircraft (see
label on car seat). Contact airline about their
policy.
Use this car seat only on forward-facing aircraft
seats.
Install car seat carrier (without base) on an
aircraft the same way it is installed in a vehicle.
CAUTION: DO NOT use car seat base on an
aircraft seat because aircraft seat belt buckle
may interfere with the secure fit of the car seat
carrier in the base.
❃
Aircraft Use
❃
Second Hand Car Seat
Page 27
Page 28
If a part is damaged,
missing, or you need help
or replacement parts,
DO NOT return car seat
to the store.
CALL US FIRST
Call toll-free 1-800-837-4044 from
anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
or fax at 1-610-286-4555.
or write us at:
Century Products
P.O. Box 100
Elverson, PA 19520-9974
Attention: Customer Service
Department
Store locking clip
behind instruction
manual (fig. a).
(Location may vary
slightly.)
Fold instruction manual.
Store instruction manual
behind tabs.
1
2
Century Products
Graco Children’s Products Inc.
A Division of Newell Rubbermaid
Macedonia, Ohio 44056-2096
(fig. a)
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