Century Bravo User Manual



Instruction Manual

Avoid injury or death -

Read and understand this manual!

Para instrucciones en Español, llamar al: 1-800-837-4044

www.centuryproducts.com PM-1020AC 6/01

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Information.....................................1

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

Basic Information.............................................4

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

• Locking Clip........................................ 19

Additional Information.................................. 20

• Installation of Anchor Hardware

• Tether Storage

• Care and Cleaning

• Aircraft Use

• Second Hand Car Seat

This instruction manual is for:

• Bravo5-Point Newborn/Toddler Car Seat Series

• Bravo Overhead Newborn/Toddler Car Seat Series

Instructions for these models are the same unless otherwise noted.

❃

Before You Begin

❃

Use

❃

Special Information

Operations and Adjustments......................... 10

• Harness Straps

• Harness Tie

• Overhead Shield Adjustment

• Buckle

• Recline

• Level Adjuster

• Changing Harness Strap Slots

Height & W eight Limits....................................

Rear-facing Installation.................................... 6

Forward-facing Installation...............................7

Placing Child in Car Seat.................................. 8

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 at 1-800-837-4044

✔ Read and understand instruction manual

and car seat labels.

✔ Infants less than 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) must use

car seat rear-facing.

✔ Do not use car seat rear-facing in vehicle seat

with air bag.

✔ Secure children in back seat whenever

possible.

✔ Never leave child unattended. ✔ Install car seat securely. ✔ 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.

❃

Registration Information

❃

Safety First Check List

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 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 accident. Secure child restraint with a vehicle seat belt as shown in this manual.

Infants less than 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) must use this car seat rear-facing. 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.

WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:

DO NOT use car seat if it is damaged or has 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.

Rear-facing car seat must be

properly leveled:

• Too reclined can result in injury or ejection.

• Too upright can result in breathing difficulties.

Never leave child unattended, even when sleeping. Child may become tangled in harness straps and suffocate.

WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death (continued):

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.

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

Avoid injury: DO NOT place sharp, pointed, or heavy items in storage compartments on car seat.

❃

Storage Compartments

Rear-facing: Birth to 30 lbs. (13.6 kg)

• Infants from birth to 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) MUST be rear-facing.

• Infants or toddlers 20 to 30 lbs. (9.1 to 13.6 kg) may be rear-facing.

HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS

A preterm infant 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.

❃

Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants

Forward-facing

Forward-facing: 20 to 40 lbs. (9.1 to 18.1 kg)

• Toddlers 20 to 30 lbs. (9.1 to 13.6 kg) who are capable of sitting upright unassisted may be forward-facing

. If unable to sit

unassisted, use rear-facing.

• Toddlers 30 to 40 lbs. (13.6 to 18.1 kg) and up to 40 inches (101.6 cm) tall MUST be forward-facing.

❃

Outgrowing Car Seat

Rear-facing

40 lbs.

(18.1 kg)

Birth

30 lbs.

(13.6 kg)

20 lbs.

(9.1 kg)

To avoid injuries from whiplash, top of child’s ears must be below top edge of car seat.

WARNING

IMPORTANT: This car seat is certified for use

rear-facing with children up to 30 lbs. (13.6 kg).

However, some children approaching 30 lbs. (13.6 kg) may be too tall to fit comfortably

rear-facing. When child can no longer

comfortably fit and knees remain bent, child should use car seat forward-facing only if child is over 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) and can sit upright unassisted *.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be at least one year of age before being positioned forward facing.

Adjust car seat to recline position and place

rear-facing on vehicle seat. DO NOT use any

other recline position when using rear-facing.

Thread vehicle seat belt through opening and buckle belt.

Press down firmly in center of car seat to compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle seat 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.

Position level adjuster until entire ball is in green zone (fig. c). This may require removal of vehicle seat belt and re-installation following steps 1 through 4. Then re-check level indicator.

NOTE: Vehicle must be on level ground and child in car seat when using level indicator.

REAR-FACING INSTALLATION

(fig. a) (fig. b) (fig. c)

Opening

Adjust car seat to upright or semi-upright position and place forward-facing on vehicle seat.

IMPORTANT: Level adjuster MUST be in position 1 when using car seat forward-facing.

Lift seat pad flap. Thread vehicle seat belt through opening and

behind panel. Buckle belt (fig. a).

Press down firmly in center of car seat to compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle seat belt.

HINT: Use your knee to press down in center of car seat (fig. b).

Pull front to back and left to right to check for secure installation (fig. c). Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight.

If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section. Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor hardware (B)

and tighten strap to remove any slack (fig. d). If tether anchor hardware (B) is not available, see

“Installation of Anchor Hardware“ section.

FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION

(fig. a) (fig. b) (fig. c)

Opening

(fig. d)

(B)

(A)

Pull to

tighten

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