Graco ARGOS 70 ELITE Owner's Manual
© 2013 Graco PD247328A 6/13 US
READ THIS MANUAL
Do not install or use this child restraint until
you read and understand the instructions in this
manual. FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH IN A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.
Child Restraint/Booster Seat
Owner’s Manual
ARGOS 70
ELITE
2
Table of Contents
1.0 Warnings to Parents and Other
Users .....................4-5
2.0 Registration Information .........6
2.1 Register Your Child Restraint .6
2.2 For Recall Information.......6
2.3 If You Need Help ...........7
3.0 Useful Information .............7
3.1 Certification...............7
3.2 Child Restraint Useful Life....7
3.3 Second Hand Child Restraint .7
4.0 Features...................8-9
5.0 Assembling the Child
Restraint .................10-13
6.0 WARNINGS ..............14-15
7.0 Height and Weight Limitations . . .16
7.1 WITH Built-in Harness......16
7.2 WITHOUT Built-in Harness. .17
7.3 WITHOUT Back Support....18
8.0 Choosing an Appropriate Vehicle
Seat Location ...............19
8.1 Vehicle Seat Location
Requirements ............19
8.2 Vehicle Seat Belt
Requirements ............20
8.3 SAFE Vehicle Seat Belt
Systems ................20
8.4 For Built-in Harness Only . .21
8.5 WITH or WITHOUT Built-in
Harness.............22-23
8.6 UNSAFE Vehicle Belt
Systems . ............24-25
9.0 LATCH .....................26
9.1 What is LATCH?.......26-27
9.2 LATCH System...........28
10.0 Using Child Restraint WITH
Built-in Harness ...........29-31
3
Table of Contents (cont.)
11.0 Securing the Child Restraint
in Your Vehicle ...............32
11.1 Using a Child Restraint WITH a
Built-in Harness ..........32
11.2 With a Vehicle Lap or
Lap/shoulder belt ......32-34
11.3 With LATCH ..........35-36
12.0 Securing Your Child in the
Child Restraint ............37-39
13.0 Adjust Head Support/Harness
Straps......................40
14.0 Check Harness System ........41
15.0 Harness Removal or
Re-attaching Harness ......42-46
16.0 Using Your Child Restraint WITHOUT
Built-in Harness ...........47-49
17.0 Securing Child & Booster Seat in
Vehicle .....................50
18.0 Adjusting Head Support in
Booster Mode .............51-52
19.0 Removing or
Re-attaching Back Support . . 53-55
20.0 Securing Child in Vehicle
with Shoulder Belt
Positioning Clip ...........56-59
21.0 Using the Tether..............60
21.1 Storing Lower Anchors
and Tether ..............61
22.0 Airplane Use ................62
23.0 Accessories.................63
23.1 Body Support and Harness
Covers.................63
24.0 Recline Foot ................64
25.0 Care and Maintenance ........65
25.1 Buckle Cleaning Process . . .66
26.0 To Remove Head Support and
Seat Covers..............67-68
27.0 Replacement Parts, Warranty
and Owners Manual Storage ....72
4
1.0 Warnings to Parents and Other Users
NEVER PLACE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT IN A VEHICLE
SEATING LOCATION THAT HAS A FRONT AIR BAG. If an air
bag inÀates, it can hit the child and child restraint with great force
and cause serious injury or death to your child. Refer to your
vehicle owner’s manual for information about side air bags and
child restraint installation.
5
Failure to properly use this child restraint increases the risk of serious injury or death in a sharp
turn, sudden stop or crash. Your child’s safety depends on you installing and using this child
restraint correctly.
Even if using this child restraint seems easy to ¿gure out on your own, it is very important to READ
THE OWNER’S MANUAL and the vehicle owner’s manual.
Your child’s safety depends on:
1. Choosing the correct mode of use for the child restraint depending on your child’s size.
2. Inserting the harness straps (if needed) in the proper slots for your child.
3. Selecting a suitable location for the child restraint in your vehicle.
4. Properly routing the vehicle seat belt or LATCH.
5. Properly securing the child restraint in the vehicle using a seat belt designed to restrain
both the child restraint and your child or by using LATCH. Many seat belts are NOT safe to use
with this child restraint, even though they can easily be threaded through or around the child
restraint!
6. Properly securing your child in the child restraint.
6
2.0 Registration Information
Please ¿ll in the above information. The model number and date of manufacture can be found on
a label on the child restraint. Fill out the prepaid registration postcard attached to the harness and
mail it 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 date of manufacture
to:
Graco Children’s Products Inc.
Attn: Customer Service, 3 Glenlake Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30328
or call 1-800-345-4109
or register online at:
http://www.gracobaby.com/carseatregistration
2.1 Register Your Child Restraint
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 or contact Graco:
1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com
2.2 For Recall Information
Model Number:
Date of Manufacture:
Purchase Date:
7
3.2 Child Restraint Useful Life
Please contact our Customer Service Department with any questions you may have concerning
parts, use, or maintenance. When you contact us, please have your product’s model and
date of manufacture ready so that we may help you ef¿ciently. These numbers can be found
on a label on the child restraint.
USA: 1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com
www.cpsc.gov
www.NHTSA.gov
www.seatcheck.org
2.3 If You Need Help
THIS CHILD RESTRAINT
CONFORMS to all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards and is certi¿ed for
use in motor vehicles.
It is certi¿ed for use in Aircraft
only when used with the
built-in harness. When used
as a booster without the
harness, this restraint is not
certi¿ed for use in aircraft.
3.1 CertiÀcation
Graco Children’s Products Inc. advises against loaning or
passing along a child restraint.
3.3 Second Hand Child Restraint
3.0 Useful Information
STOP using this child restraint and throw it away 10 years after
the date of manufacture. Look for this sticker on rear of child
restraint:
MODEL
Date of Manufacture
GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS, INC.
ATLANTA, GA 30328 1-800-345-4109
Made in China
PD206938A
NAME
year month day
8
4.0 Features
9
United States Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards have
de¿ned a system for
installing child restraints
in vehicles. The system
is called LATCH (Lower
Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren). LATCH
may ONLY be used
IN PLACE of vehicle
belt if vehicle is
equipped with LATCH
anchor points. Please
refer to vehicle owners
manual for LATCH
locations in vehicles.
10
1. Lay child restraint flat on back. Grab seat pad
fabric in sitting area to expose the gutters .
MAKE SURE all hands, fingers and other objects
are clear of the gutters.
2. MAKE sure the harness straps are securely
attached within the “T”-shaped slots around the
arms as shown .
With your other hand, raise seat back so that
both arms LOCK into the gutters .
KEEP GUTTERS CLEAR
KEEP GUTTERS CLEAR
A r m
Harness Strap
T-slot
5.0 Assembling the Child Restraint
Adult assembly required.
11
3. Arms should CLICK into the gutters.
Seat assembly should appear as shown .
CLICK!
12
4. Attach 4 elastic loops from the seat pad under
the seat exactly as shown in .
5. Pull elastic loop on the seat pad through the
vehicle belt guide on side of seat and attach to
hook as shown . Repeat on other side.
13
6. The assembly is now complete.
14
6.0 WARNINGS
According to accident statistics,
CHILDREN ARE SAFER WHEN PROPERLY
RESTRAINED IN REAR VEHICLE
SEATING POSITIONS, RATHER THAN
FRONT SEATING POSITIONS. For a
vehicle with a front passenger air bag, refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual as well as these
instructions for child restraint installation.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD
UNATTENDED.
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD RESTRAINT
UNSECURED IN YOUR VEHICLE. An
unsecured child restraint can be thrown around
and may injure occupants in a sharp turn,
sudden stop or crash. Remove it or make sure
that it is securely belted in the vehicle. If not
using LATCH and tether, make sure LATCH
and tether connectors are properly stored on
back of seat.
NO CHILD RESTRAINT CAN GUARANTEE
PROTECTION FROM INJURY. However,
proper use of this child restraint reduces the
risk of serious injury or death to your child.
DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT UNTIL YOU READ AND
UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS
MANUAL AND IN YOUR VEHICLE OWNER’S
MANUAL. DO NOT let others install or use the
child restraint unless they understand how to
use it.
FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD
RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A SHARP
TURN, SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. Your child
can be injured in a vehicle even if you are not
in a crash. Sudden braking and sharp turns
can injure your child if the child restraint is not
properly installed or if your child is not properly
secured in the child restraint.
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REPLACE THE CHILD RESTRAINT AFTER
AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. An accident
can cause damage to the child restraint that
you cannot see.
DO NOT MODIFY YOUR CHILD
RESTRAINT or use any accessories or parts
supplied by other manufacturers.
NEVER USE CHILD RESTRAINT IF IT HAS
DAMAGED OR MISSING PARTS. Do not use
a cut, frayed or damaged child restraint
harness, LATCH belt or vehicle seat belt.
THE CHILD RESTRAINT CAN BECOME
VERY HOT IF LEFT IN THE SUN. Contact with
these parts can burn your child’s skin. Always
touch the surface of any metal or plastic parts
before putting your child in the child restraint.
NEVER GIVE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT to
someone else without also giving them this
manual.
NEVER USE A SECOND-HAND CHILD
RESTRAINT or a child restraint whose history
you do not know.
DO NOT USE THIS child restraint without
properly assembling it.
16
FAILURE TO USE CHILD RESTRAINT IN A MANNER APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR CHILD’S
SIZE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Instructions for the use of
this child restraint differ greatly depending on the size of your child. Be sure you are using the child
restraint in the correct mode and with the correct features for your child.
7.0 Height and Weight Limitations
Your child must meet all requirements:
Weight: 20 to 70 lbs (mass between 9 and 31.8 kg)
Height: 27 to 52 inches (69 and 132 cm) in height
At least one year old and can sit upright unassisted
The harness straps must be EVEN with or just
ABOVE the child’s shoulders.
7.1 WITH Built-In Harness
17
7.2 WITHOUT Built-in Harness
Your child must meet all requirements:
Weight: 30 to 100 lbs
(mass between 13.6 and 45 kg)
Height: 38 to 57 inches
(96 and 145 cm) in height
Approximately 3-10 years of age
The shoulder belt MUST lie across child’s
shoulder as shown and the lap portion of the
belt is positioned low on the child’s hips.
Child’s ears are BELOW top of head support.
If tops of ears are above top of head support,
child is too large for seat.
If child is between 30 and 70 lbs (13.6 and
31.8 kg) and shoulders are below the
shoulder belt guides, we highly recommend
use of the built-in harness for as long as
possible (up to 70 lbs (31.8 kg).
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7.3 WITHOUT Back Support
Your child must meet all requirements:
Weigh between 40 and 120 lbs.
(mass between 18 and 54.4 kg),
and are between 40 and 57 inches
(101 and 145 cm) in height,
Approximately 4-10 years of age
The shoulder belt MUST lie across child’s
shoulder as shown and the lap portion of the
belt is positioned low on the child’s hips.
When sitting on the booster seat, your child’s
ears should be below the top of the vehicle seat
cushion / head support.
Your Graco booster seat can be used with or
without the back support as long as all
requirements are met.
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8.0 Choosing an Appropriate Vehicle Seat Location
8.1 Vehicle Seat Location Requirements
Children are safer when properly
restrained in rear vehicle seating positions.
Whenever possible secure the child restraint in
the center position of the seat directly behind
the front seats. However, this position is
sometimes equipped with a lap belt only and
cannot be used when this child restraint is
used without the built-in harness.
The vehicle seat must face forward.
Do not use child restraints on rear-facing or
side-facing vehicle seats.
Some seating positions in your vehicle may not be safe for this child restraint. Some vehicles do
not have any seating positions that can be used safely with the child restraint. If you are not sure
where to place the child restraint in your vehicle, consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call
Graco Children’s Products Inc.,1-800-345-4109.
IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD RESTRAINT
INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
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8.2 Vehicle Seat Belt Requirements
8.3 SAFE Vehicle Seat Belt Systems
MANY SEAT BELT SYSTEMS ARE NOT SAFE TO USE
WITH THE CHILD RESTRAINT. THE VEHICLE SEAT BELT
MUST BE DESIGNED TO HOLD THE CHILD RESTRAINT
TIGHTLY AT ALL TIMES. Pay careful attention to these systems; some of the seat belts that
are not safe to use look very much like seat belts that are safe to use. If you are unsure,
consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call Graco Children’s Products Inc., 1-800-345-4109.
THE FOLLOWING BELT SYSTEMS CAN BE USED WITH YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT, IF the
seat location meets all other requirements of these instructions and those in your vehicle owner's
manual. LATCH can be used in place of the following vehicle belt systems if your vehicle is
equipped with LATCH anchor points. Please refer to vehicle owners manual for LATCH locations.
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8.4 For Built-in Harness Only
Lap Belts - Manually AdMusted
When buckled, the belt is tightened
manually by pulling on the excess belt.
Lap Belts with Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR)
The automatic locking retractor will not
permit the lap belt to lengthen once it is
buckled. Tighten the belt by feeding the belt
back into the retractor while pushing down
hard on the child restraint.
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8.5 With OR Without Built-in Harness
Combination LapShoulder Belt
with Locking Latch Plate
Once it is buckled, this type of
belt has a latchplate that will not
allow the lap portion of the belt to
loosen. Belt is tightened by pulling
hard on the shoulder portion of the
vehicle belt while pushing down
hard on the child restraint.
23
Combination LapShoulder Belt
with Sliding Latch Plate This
belt has a latchplate that slides
freely along
the belt.
24
8.6 UNSAFE Vehicle Belt Systems
Lap Belts with Emergency
Locking Retractor (ELR)
This lap belt stays loose and can move
until it locks in a crash or sudden stop.
DO NOT USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYSTEMS TO SECURE THE CHILD RESTRAINT.
LATCH can be used IN PLACE OF the following unsafe belt systems if your vehicle is equipped
with LATCH anchor points. Please refer to the vehicle owners manual for LATCH locations.
NEVER USE unsafe belt systems.
Combination LapShoulder Belt with
Retractor
Each strap has a retractor at one end and
is attached to the latch plate at the other
end.
Passive Restraint - Lap or Shoulder Belt
Mounted on Door
25
Passive Restraint -
Lap Belt with Motorized Shoulder Belt
DO NOT use vehicle belts that are
attached to the door in any way or that
move along a track to automatically
surround the passenger when the door is
closed.
Lap Belts Forward of Seat Crease
Vehicle seat belts located forward of
seat crease may not securely hold child
restraint. Check vehicle owner’s manual or
see vehicle dealer for car seat installation
requirements.
If approved for use with child restraint,
install child restraint and check for secure
installation by pulling child restraint front
to back. If child restraint slides forward,
DO NOT use these seat belts.
26
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a
system for installing child restraints in vehicles. The system is called LATCH.
LATCH stands for: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren.
LATCH in the vehicle consists of a top tether anchor point and two lower anchor
points.
Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the new child
restraint anchor system. This child restraint with LATCH can also be used in
vehicle seating positions equipped with ISOFIX.
Newer vehicles have one or more seating positions with LATCH anchor points.
If vehicle is equipped with LATCH, the vehicle lower anchor points may be
visible at the vehicle seat crease. If not visible, they may be marked with this
symbol .
CHECK vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle top tether anchor locations. They
may be identified using one of the anchor symbols as shown .
ONLY use LATCH on a child restraint in a seating position recommended by
vehicle manufacturer.
9.1 What is LATCH?
9.0 LATCH
27
NOTE: Some vehicle manufacturers have lower maximum weight ratings for
LATCH anchors, so you must consult your vehicle owner ’s manual or call the
vehicle manufacturer to confirm the limits on your vehicle’s LATCH anchors.
Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children
weighing more than 48 pounds (21.7 kg).
Vehicle Top Tether
Anchor Points
Vehicle
Seat Crease
Typical seat in a
passenger vehicle.
Other vehicle types
may have different
LATCH locations.
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
See your vehicle
owner’s manual for
exact locations, anchor
identification, and
requirements for use
with a child restraint.
28
9.2 LATCH System
LATCH consists of a permanently
attached lower anchor belt and a top
tether strap.
ONLY use LATCH in a seating
position recommended by vehicle
manufacturer.
LATCH lower vehicle anchor points
are defined as 11 inches from the
center of one LATCH anchor to the
center of another LATCH anchor.
If allowed by your Vehicle Owners
Manual, the center seating position
maybe used if the anchor spacing is
11” or greater.
Child Restraint
Top Tether
V ehicle Top Tether
Anchor Point
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
Lower
Anchor Belt
29
10.0 Using Child Restraint WITH Built-in Harness
1. Loosen the harness straps by lifting the
harness adjuster lever at front of seat near
the adjustment strap and pulling the straps
toward you .
2. Open harness clip .
FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE HARNESS STRAPS
FOR YOUR CHILD INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN,
SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. 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 on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.
30
3. Unbuckle harness straps .
4. Check the crotch strap: Choose the
position that is closest to but not under
your child.
To change crotch strap position, push crotch
belt up through the bottom of the child
restraint and grab it from the top to pull out .
Reinsert crotch strap in the desired position.
Make sure crotch strap is not twisted when
reinserting into slot. Pull up on it to make sure
it is secure.
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