Graco ISPC014BB User Manual

Instruction Manual

Avoid injury or death -

Read and understand this manual!

Use rear-facing only!

www.gracobaby.com

ISPC014BB 02/03 US

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

What is LATCH?..............................................6

Vehicle Seat Belts............................................ 22

Locking Clip............................................ 27

Additional Information....................................28

• Care and Cleaning

• Aircraft Use

• Second Hand Car Seat

• LATCH Storage

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

❃

Before You Begin

❃

Special Information

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

Seat Pad Assembly............................................8

Installation with Vehicle Seat Belt...................12

Installation with LATCH.................................14

❃

Use

Instruction manual is for:

• Graco Assura

Infant Car Seat/Carrier

Instructions for all models are the same unless otherwise noted.

Placing Child in Car Seat............................... 16

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

• Buckle

• Chest clip

• Adjustable Handle (on certain models)

• Adjusting or Changing Harness Straps

• Changing Crotch Strap Positions

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:

Graco Children’s Products 150 Oaklands Blvd. Exton, PA 19341 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 Graco at 1-888-224-6549 or www.gracobaby.com

✔ 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 with vehicle seat belt

or LATCH.

✔ 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

❃

LATCH

This car seat 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:

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.

DO NOT use car seat 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 car seat.

This child restraint is NOT compatible with any base, stroller or shopping cart.

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 or LATCH as shown in this manual.

Select a suitable location for the car seat in your vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

DO NOT remove LATCH system from car seat. If using vehicle seat belt to secure car seat, 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.

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. On models with handle, 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):

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 or LATCH, even when unoccupied. An unsecured car seat can injure passengers.

Do not use car seat on rear-facing or side-facing vehicle seats.

❃

Certification

❃

Unoccupied Car Seat

❃

Dangerous Vehicle Seats

DO NOT use rear-facing

car seat in a vehicle seating position equipped with an air bag.

WARNING

DO NOT use after date shown on back of car seat due to changing requirements and normal wear and tear.

Look for:

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 this car seat after December

Year

❃

Car Seat Useful Life

❃

Vehicle Seat Protection

❃

Warm Weather

BASIC INFORMATION (continued)

Vehicle

Lower Anchor

Points

Vehicle

Seat Crease

Typical seat in a passenger vehicle. Other vehicle types may have different LATCH locations or different markings.

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

ower Anchorage and Tether for CHildren.

LATCH System for Vehicles:

Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the new car seat anchorage system. This carseat 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 car seat.

(Fig. a)

WHAT IS LATCH?

Thank you for contacting Graco. 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. If you have further questions regarding LATCH usage, please contact NHTSA at 1-800-326-4236 or www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

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.

Graco 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

SEAT PAD ASSEMBLY

❃

Remove Harness

On back of car seat, press in tab and lift metal rod up and out of slots (fig. a).

Slide metal rod out of loops of harness strap (fig. b).

From front of car seat, pull harness strap out of harness strap slots (fig. c).

5-Point Models:

Remove chest clip from each harness strap (fig. d).

3-Point Models:

Remove harness strap by pressing button on front of car seat to release buckle (fig. e).

5-Point Models:

Remove harness strap by pulling harness strap from tongues (fig. f).

DO NOT remove harness strap from car seat shell.

(fig. a)

(fig. b)

(fig. c)

(fig. d)

(fig. e) (fig. f)

Tab

SEAT PAD ASSEMBLY (continued)

❃

Pad Assembly

Loosely lay seat pad in shell (fig. g).

Slip bottom pad flap over bottom of car seat (fig. h).

5-Point Models:

Thread harness straps through slots in seat pad (fig. i).

Adjust strap so each side is the same length.

Slip top pad flap over top of car seat (fig. j).

Thread elastic loops on each side of seat pad through holes and hook over slanted

pins under car seat (fig. k).

HolePin

(fig. g)

(fig. h)

(fig. i)

(fig. j)

(fig. k)

SEAT PAD ASSEMBLY (continued)

❃

Harness Assembly

5-Point Models :

Thread each end of harness strap from back to front through slot in tongues (fig. l).

DO NOT twist harness strap.

3-Point Models :

Make sure tongue and chest clip are on harness strap as shown (fig. m).

5-Point Models :

Thread each end of harness strap through chest clip.

Chest clip MUST be re-threaded exactly as shown. (fig. n)

Thread each end of harness strap through matching slots of seat pad and car seat (fig. o).

Read instruction manual for proper harness strap adjustments.

Adjust harness strap length by inserting metal rod into loops that will position harness strap for proper snugness (fig. p).

Make sure the ROD is threaded through the same loop position on both sides.

Replace metal rod into side slots and slide metal rod down below tab (fig. q).

Make sure tab holds metal rod securely.

Only use metal rod supplied by Graco or child will not be restrained.

WARNING

SEAT PAD ASSEMBLY (continued)

(fig. l) (fig. m)

(fig. n)

(fig. o)

(fig. p) (fig. q)

Tab

INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT

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, p.22.

Check level indicator on car seat. Vehicle must be on level ground

and child in car seat when checking level indicator.

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

Adjust handle (on certain models) to a position behind car seat.

Periodically check that car seat is securely installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.

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

See “LATCH Storage” on p. 29.

WARNING

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

Towels

Slots

INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT

(continued)

!El indicador debe mantenerse!El indicador debe mantenerse en verde completemente!en verde completemente!

Vehicle shoulder belt

Handle (on certain models)

Place car seat rear-facing on vehicle seat equipped with LATCH anchors (fig. a).

Thread LATCH belt through car seat Slots. Belt must lay flat and not be twisted.

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. b).

Press down firmly on car seat to compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening LATCH belt.

INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

Pull front to back and left to right to check for secure installation (fig. c).

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 car seat. Vehicle must be on level ground

and child in car seat when checking level indicator.

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

Adjust handle (on certain models) to a position behind car seat.

Periodically check that car seat is securely installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.

(fig. b)

INSTALLATION WITH LATCH

(continued):

(fig. c) (fig. d)

!El indicador debe mantenerse!El indicador debe mantenerse en verde completemente!en verde completemente!

Towels

Slots

Vehicle shoulder belt

Handle (on certain models)

(fig. a)

LATCH

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 chest clip:

Position chest clip at arm pit level.

CHECK that the harness is 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).

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. 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. Periodically check adjustments.

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

• Baby must be dressed in clothing with arms and legs that will not interfere

with buckling harness.

PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT

WARNING

Check harness system:

• Harness straps must be through slots at or

just below shoulders.

3-Point Models:

Buckle tongue must be in slot closest to but not under child.

5-Point Models:

• Crotch strap must be through opening closest to but not under child.

3-Point

Models

5-Point

Models

(fig. a) (fig. b)

PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT (continued)

Adjustable Handle (on certain models):

• Handle has four 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 and both red buttons pop back out.

• IMPORTANT: Before lifting car seat, place handle in “locked” upright carrying position.

Buckle: 3-Point Models

• To buckle: Push buckle tonge down onto seat. Pull up on buckle to be sure it is locked.

• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull buckle 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.

Chest Clip:

• To open: Squeeze tabs on both sides and pull apart.

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

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS

3-Point

Models

5-Point

Models

OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

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