Graco ComfortSport User Manual

Instruction Manual

Avoid injury or death -

Read and understand this manual!

ISPC123BA 10/07 US

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instruction manual is for:

• ComfortSport 5-Point Newborn/Toddler Child Restraint

• ComfortSport Overhead Shield Newborn/Toddler Child Restraint

Instructions for these models are the same unless otherwise noted.

Before You Begin

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

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

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

What is LATCH?...............................................5

LATCH System..................................................6

Use

Height & Weight Limits....................................7

Rear-facing Installation With LATCH..................8

Forward-facing Installation With LATCH.........10

Rear-facing Installation With

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

Forward-facing Installation With

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

Placing Child in Child Restraint.......................16

Operations and Adjustments..........................18

• Harness Straps

• Harness Tie

• Buckle

• Recline / Upright Positions

• 5-Point Crotch Strap Adjustment

• Overhead Shield Adjustment

• Changing Harness Strap Slots

• LATCH Belt Routing

• Removing LATCH from Vehicle Anchor Points

• LATCH Storage

Special Information

Vehicle Seat Belts........................................... 26

• Locking Clip........................................ 31

Additional Information ...................................32

• Tether Storage

• Cup Holder

• Body Pillow/Head Support/ Harness Cover

• Care and Cleaning

• Aircraft Use

• Second Hand Child Restraint

Replacement Parts.........................................

Storage.....................................Back Cover

• Locking Clip

• Instruction Manual

Help Information.......................

Back Cover

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

No child restraint can guarantee protection from injury in every situation, but proper use helps reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY.

Registration Information

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:

Graco Children’ s Products, Inc.

150 Oaklands Blvd.

Exton, PA 19341

or call 1-800-345-4109

or register online at

http://www.gracobaby.com/carseatregistration

For recall information:

• 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

Safety First Check List

 Read and understand instruction manual

and child restraint labels.

 Infants less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) must use

child restraint rear-facing.

 Do not use child restraint rear-facing in

vehicle seat with air bag.

 Secure children in rear seat of vehicle

whenever possible.

 Never leave child unattended.

 Install child restraint securely with vehicle seat

belt or LATCH belt.

 Do not use after date shown on back of

child restraint.

 Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives,

etc.) to use child restraint without first understanding all instructions.

LATCH

This child restraint may be installed in a vehicle using either the vehicle seat belt or the

LATCH system (for vehicles equipped with LATCH).

WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:

Failure to follow these instructions and child restraint labels can result in child striking the vehicle’ s interior during a sudden stop or crash. Secure child restraint with a vehicle seat belt or LATCH that is properly routed as shown in this manual.

Select a suitable location for the child restraint in your vehicle.

Choose the correct mode of use for the child restraint depending on your child’ s size. Infants less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) must use this child restraint rear-facing. Serious crippling injury or death can result if infant faces front of vehicle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be at least one year of age before being positioned forward facing.

Vehicle seat belt system MUST hold child restraint securely. Not all vehicle seat belts can be used with a child restraint.

If vehicle seat belt does not hold child restraint securely, read “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.

Never put a child restraint 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.

WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death (continued):

If child restraint 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.

DO NOT use child restraint if it is

damaged or missing parts.

DO NOT use accessories or parts

other than those provided by Graco. Their use could alter the performance of the child restraint.

Rear-facing child restraint must be

properly leveled:

• Too reclined can result in injury or ejection.

• Too upright can result in breathing difficulties.

Insert the harness straps in the proper slots for your child. Never leave child unattended, even when sleeping. Child may become tangled in harness straps and suffocate or strangle.

DO NOT remove LATCH system from child restraint. If using vehicle seat belt to secure child restraint, LATCH connectors must be stored. (see section “LATCH storage”)

Never attach two

LATCH connectors

to one vehicle lower anchor point unless specifically allowed by the vehicle manufacturer.

BASIC INFORMATION

WARNING

DO NOT place this

child restraint in a vehicle seating location that has a front air bag. If an air bag inflates, it can hit the child and child restraint with great force and cause serious injury or death to your child. Check vehicle owner’ s manual for information about side air bags and child restraint installation.

Certification

This child restraint meets or exceeds all applicable requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.

Unoccupied Child Restraint

Always secure child restraint with LATCH or a vehicle seat belt, even when unoccupied. In a crash, an unsecured child restraint can injure passengers.

Dangerous Vehicle Seats

Do not use child restraint on rear-facing or side-facing vehicle seats.

Child Restraint Useful Life

STOP using child restraint and throw it away after the date molded into the back of the child restraint.

Look for:

Vehicle Seat Protection

Protect vehicle seat. Use a child restraint mat, towel or thin blanket under and behind child restraint.

Warm Weather

Child restraint parts can get very hot in the sun or warm weather.

To avoid burns, always check before putting child in child restraint.

Do not use this car

seat after December

Year

WHAT IS LATCH?

United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a new system for installing child restraints in vehicles. The system is called LATCH. LATCH stands for:

ower Anchorage and Tether for CH ildren.

LATCH System for Vehicles:

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 anchorage system. This child restraint with

LATCH can also be used in vehicle seating

positions equipped with ISOFIX.

Newer vehicles may have one or more seating positions equipped 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 a symbol (Fig. a) or a colored dot.

See your vehicle owner’ s manual for exact locations, anchor identification, and requirements for use with a child restraint.

Vehicle

Top Tether Anchor

Points

Typical seat in a passenger vehicle. Other vehicle types may have different

LATCH locations.

Vehicle

Lower Anchor

Points

Vehicle

Seat Crease

Check vehicle owner’ s manual for vehicle top tether anchor locations. They may be identified using one of the anchor symbols (Fig. b or Fig. c).

(Fig. a)

(Fig. b)

(Fig. c)

LATCH SYSTEM

LATCH System:

LATCH consists of a permanently attached

lower anchorage belt and a top tether strap

(Fig. a).

ONLY use LATCH in a seating

position recommended by vehicle manufacturer.

LATCH is defined

as anchorages 280mm (11.02 inches) on center. As a manufacturer, we do not recommend using the

LATCH system in the center

position if it exceeds this length.

Vehicle

Lower

Anchor

Points

Vehicle

Top Tether

Anchor

Point

Child Restraint

Top Tether

(Fig. a)

Child Restraint

Lower Anchorage

Belt

HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS

Rear-facing: 5 to 30 lbs. (2.2-13.6 kg)

• Infants who weigh less than 20 lbs.

(9 kg) MUST be rear-facing.

• Infants or toddlers 20 to 30 lbs.

(9 to 13.6 kg) may be rear-facing.

IMPORTANT: This child restraint 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 kg) and can sit upright unassisted.

Rear-facing

5 lbs.

(2.2 kg)

Forward-facing: 20 to 40 lbs. (9 to 18 kg)

• Toddlers 20 to 30 lbs. (9 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 kg) and up to 40 inches (101.6 cm) tall MUST be forward-facing.

20 lbs.

(9 kg)

30 lbs.

(13.6 kg)

Forward-facing

40 lbs.

(18 kg)

The American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends that children should be at least one

year of age before being positioned forward facing.

Preterm or Low Birth Weight

Infants

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 child restraint.

Graco advises that you have your physician or hospital staff evaluate your infant and recommend the proper child restraint or car bed before you and your infant leave the hospital.

Outgrowing Child Restraint

WARNING

Prevent serious injury or death:

• Top of child’ s ears must be below top edge of child restraint.

• Child’ s shoulders MUST not be above top harness slots.

REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

LATCH belt must be routed through

opening in child restraint for rear-facing mode. (see page 23, fig. k).

Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.

Adjust child restraint to recline position

(see fig. a and pages 18 and 19, fig. b) Place

rear-facing on vehicle seat equipped with LATCH anchors.

For ease of installation, extend LATCH belt

to its maximum length.

Hook connectors to vehicle lower anchors

(fig. b). Pull connectors to be sure they are securely attached to the anchor points. (fig. c).

Press down firmly in center of child restraint

while pulling LATCH adjustment belt. (fig. d).

Pull front to back and left to right to check for

secure installation (fig. e).

Check that the lower anchorage belt stays tight and does not slip from the tightened position. If it does not stay tight, try another seating position or contact Customer Service (see back cover).

Check level indicator on child restraint.

Vehicle must be on level ground and child in child restraint when checking level indicator.

Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. f). If necessary, place rolled towels under child restraint, at vehicle seat crease, until entire ball is in green zone. Then re-check level indicator.

DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must be stored (see “Tether Storage” page 32).

Periodically check that child restraint is securely installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.

REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

011

(continued):

Recline position

(fig. a)

(fig. b)

(fig. c)

Towels

Openings

LATCH

(fig. d)

Recline Position

Tether

(fig. f)

(fig. e)

FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

LATCH belt must be routed through

opening in child restraint for forward-facing (see page 23, fig. l).

Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.

Adjust car seat to upright position (see fig. a

and pages 18 and 19, fig. b). Secure recline stand into Upright Position by pushing tabs into lock position. Place forward-facing on vehicle seat equipped with LATCH anchors.

For ease of installation, extend LATCH belt

to its maximum length.

Hook connectors to vehicle lower anchors

(fig. b). Pull connectors to be sure they are securely attached (fig. c).

Press down firmly in center of child restraint to

compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening

LATCH belt by pulling adjustment belt (fig. d).

Use your knee to press down in center of child restraint (fig. d).

Pull front to back and left to right to check for

secure installation (fig. e).

Check that the lower anchorage belt stays tight and does not slip from the tightened position. If it does not stay tight, try another seating position or contact Customer Service (see back cover).

Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor

hardware (B) and tighten adjustment belt to remove any slack (fig. f).

Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.

Periodically check that child restraint is securely installed; adjust if necessary.

FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

Tether

(A)

(continued):

Pull to

tighten

(B)

Lock Position

(fig. a)

(fig. b)

Upright Position

Openings

LATCH

Upright Position

(fig. c)

(fig. f)

(fig. e)

(fig. d)

REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

Pull front to back and left to right to check for

WARNING

LATCH belt MUST be stored when using vehicle seat belt to install

child restraint.

Store LATCH belt by attaching to connectors

through forward-facing openings (see page 25, fig. r).

• Attach connectors to storage bar on each side (fig. a).

• Adjust LATCH belt to remove excess slack by pulling adjustment belt.

Adjust car seat to recline position

(see fig. b and pages 18 and 19, fig. b). Place rear-facing on vehicle seat.

Thread vehicle seat belt through openings and

buckle belt.

secure installation (fig. d). Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight.

If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” page 26.

Check level indicator on child restraint.

Vehicle must be on level ground and child in child restraint when checking level indicator.

Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. e). If necessary, place rolled towels under child restraint, at vehicle seat crease, until entire ball is in green zone. Then re-check level indicator.

DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must be stored (see “Tether Storage” page 32).

Periodically check that child restraint is securely installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.

Press down firmly in center of child restraint to

compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle seat belt (fig. c).

REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

(continued):

Tether

Storage

Bar

Openings

Towels

Recline Position

Installation with Lap/shoulder belt

(fig. a)

LATCH (stored)

Recline position

(fig. b)

(fig. e)

Installation with

Lap belt only

(fig. d)

(fig. c)

FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

Pull front to back and left to right to check for

WARNING

LATCH belt MUST be stored when

using vehicle seat belt to install child restraint.

Store LATCH belt by attaching to connectors

through rear-facing openings (see page 25, fig. q).

• Attach connectors to storage bar on each side (fig. a).

• Adjust LATCH belt to remove excess slack by pulling adjustment belt.

secure installation (fig. e). Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight.

If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” page 26.

Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor

hardware (B) and tighten adjustment belt to remove any slack (fig. f) . If vehicle does not have anchor points to attach tether hook, tether hook should be stored, see “Tether Storage”, page 32.

Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.

Adjust car seat to upright position (see fig. b

and pages 18 and 19, fig. b). Secure recline stand into Upright Position by pushing tabs into lock position. Place forward-facing on vehicle seat.

Lift seat pad flap (available on some models).

Thread vehicle seat belt through openings. Buckle belt (fig. c).

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

Use your knee to press down in center of child restraint (fig. d).

Periodically check that child restraint is securely installed; adjust if necessary.

FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

(continued):

Tether

Storage

Bar

Installation with

Openings

Lap belt only

Pull to

tighten

(fig. a)

(fig. b)

Lock Position

Upright Position

(fig. c)

LATCH (stored)

Upright Position

Installation with

Lap/shoulder belt

(fig. d) (fig. e)

(A)

(B)

(fig. f)

PLACING CHILD IN CHILD RESTRAINT

5-Point Models Only:

WARNING

To prevent serious injury or death:

• Keep harness straps snug and positioned on shoulders with harness tie at arm pit level.

• Do not use strap covers, blankets, cushions, or padding under harness straps or child unless provided by Graco.

• Child should be dressed in clothing that does not interfere with buckling the harness.

Check harness system:

• Rear-facing - 5-30 lbs (2.2-13.6 kg)

Harness straps must be through bottom or middle slots at or below shoulders.

• Forward-facing - 20-30 lbs (9-13.6 kg)

and are at least one year old.

Harness straps must be through middle or top slots at or above shoulders.

• Forward-facing - 30-40 lbs (13.6-18 kg)

Harness straps must be through top slots only. DO NOT use middle slots for child over 30 lbs. (13.6 kg).

• Crotch strap must be in opening closest to

but not under child.

Overhead Shield Models Only:

• Harness tongue must be in opening

closest to but not under child.

Place child in child restraint with child’ s back flat

against back of child restraint.

Place harness straps over child’ s shoulders and

insert tongue(s) into buckle. Pull up on tongue(s) to be sure they are locked.

Close harness tie:

Position harness tie at arm pit level.

Adjust harness straps to be snug. 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 (fig. a). 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. Towels should NOT be placed under child.

PLACING CHILD IN CHILD RESTRAINT (continued)

5-Point

Models

(fig. a)

Overhead

Shield

Models

(fig. b)

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS

Harness Straps (fig. a):

• To tighten: Pull lower belt.

• To loosen: Pull and hold upper belt tab while pulling shoulder harness straps.

Harness Tie:

• To open: Press tabs and pull apart.

• To close: Snap halves together. Make sure harness tie is locked by pulling out on each half.

Buckle:

MUST be in opening closest to but not under child.

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 of buckle.

Overhead Shield Models

• To buckle: Push tongue into opening. Pull up on tongue to be sure it is locked.

• To unbuckle: Press red button, pull tongue out of opening and lift shield

over top of child restraint.

Recline / Upright Positions (fig. b):

Rear-facing - MUST use Recline position. Forward-facing - MUST use Upright position

Upright Position: Rotate stand out and push

into child restraint (fig. b). Secure recline stand by pushing tabs into lock position.

Recline Position: Pull stand out and rotate into child restraint. Harness straps MUST move freely. Make sure harness straps are not pinched by recline stand.

5-Point Crotch Strap Adjustment (fig. c):

• From bottom of child restraint, pull crotch strap clip out and remove clip from crotch strap loop.

• From top of child restraint, pull crotch strap out and thread through desired slot. Make sure red button is facing away from child.

• From bottom of child restraint, re-attach clip to crotch strap loop exactly as shown.

Overhead Shield Adjustment (fig. d):

• To adjust: Press button down and slide

shield to desired position closest to child. Release button to lock shield into one of multiple positions.

NOTE: Shield does not need to contact

child when in closest position; harness system restrains child.

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

5-Point

Models

(fig. a)

Upper Tab

(to loosen)

Lower Belt

(to tighten)

Recline (fig. b)

Upright

Ove

head

Shield

Models

(fig. c)

Clip

(fig. d)

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

Changing Harness Strap Slots:

A Loosen harness straps:

Pull and hold upper belt tab. Pull harness straps out.

D Re-attach harness strap loops to Splitter

Plate:

5-Point Models (fig. e):

• For Infants or Small Toddlers:

B Remove both shoulder harness strap

loops from Splitter Plate on back of child restraint.

C Change harness strap slots.

Make sure harness straps are threaded through matching slot of seat pad and child restraint.

It may be necessary to remove seat pad from top of child restraint while relocating.

Put Top right strap loop on Splitter Plate first, then attach Top left strap loop.

NOTE: Make sure ends of straps are behind Splitter Plate.

• For Toddlers:

Put Bottom right strap loop on Splitter Plate first, then attach Bottom left strap loop.

Overhead Shield Models (fig. f):

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 and are routed behind stand (fig. g).

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

5-Point

Models

Overhead

Shield

Models

Top

Loop

Bottom

Loop

(fig. e)

Loop

Splitter Plate

(fig. g)

(fig. f)

Stand

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

LATCH Belt Routing:

LATCH belt MUST be routed through

the proper openings depending on direction of child restraint use.

A Remove pad from front of seat area by

pulling out 2-button clips on lower front edge of child restraint (fig. h) and 2-button clip in center of seat.

Removing pad will expose the rotating

LATCH belt. (fig. i)

B Rotate LATCH belt so that the belt routes

through the proper openings (Pg 23, fig. k and fig. l). Belts must remain flat and tight against the child restraint BEFORE reattaching the three seat pad 2-button clips. (fig. j) LATCH belt must not interfere with the harness.

C Re-attach pad to child restraint by

snapping the three 2-button clips back in place. DO NOT allow 2-button clip to interfere with the LATCH belt or vehicle seat belt.

(fig. h)

Rotating LATCH Belt

(under seat pad)

Belt must be flat and tight

(fig. i)

(fig. j)

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

Route LATCH belt through Rear-facing openings for:

• LATCH Rear-facing use.

• LATCH storage with Forward-facing vehicle seat belt use. Pg. 25, fig. q.

All belts must be flat and the adjuster belt must be facing out for easy adjustment.

Route LATCH belt through Forward-facing openings for:

• LATCH Forward-facing use.

• LATCH storage with Rear-facing vehicle seat belt use. Pg. 25, fig. r.

Rear-facing openings Forward-facing openings

(fig. k)

(fig. l)

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

Removing LATCH from Vehicle

Anchor Points:

A Tilt metal tab of adjuster to release tension

(fig. m).

Press down on child restraint compressing vehicle seat cushion to reduce tension on lower anchorage belt.

(fig. m)

B Press and hold LATCH release hinge.

(fig. n).

C Push connector in, lift connector up and

pull out (away from anchor point) (fig. o).

Repeat step A, B and C for other

connector.

(fig. n)

(fig. o)

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

LATCH storage:

• Locate LATCH storage bars under arm rest on sides of child restraint (fig. p).

• Fasten LATCH onto storage bar as shown.

(fig. q or r)

LATCH

Repeat for other side of seat.

storage bar

(fig. p)

(fig. q)

(fig. r)

VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

WARNING

Not all vehicle seat belts can be

used with a child restraint. The child restraint 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.

To provide the most secure installation of the child restraint:

• Read the vehicle owner’ s manual regarding child restraint installation and seat belt use with child restraints.

• Follow all instruction labels on vehicle seat belt and child restraint.

If child restraint is not held securely after following instructions in this manual, vehicle seat belt labels, and vehicle owner’ s manual:

• Move child restraint to another seating location and try again, or

• Contact vehicle dealer for possible seat belt modification parts.

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