Graco PD268712B User Manual
www.gracobaby.com
Contender™ 65
Child Restraint
Owner’s Manual
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.
© 2013 Graco
PD268712B
12/13 US
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
3
2
3
3
5
6
7
8
8
9
1
3
Before You Begin
Important Information......................4-6
Warnings.......................................7-10
Basic Information...............................11
What is LATCH?.............................12-13
LATCH System....................................14
Use
Height & Weight Limits..................15-17
Features.......................................18-19
Rear-FacingInstallation
With LATCH............................20-21
Forward-Facing Installation
With LATCH............................22-23
Rear-Facing Installation
With Vehicle Seat Belts............24-25
Forward-Facing Installation
With Vehicle Seat Belts............26-27
Placing Child in Child Restraint........28-3
Operations and Adjustments..........32-4
• Harness Straps................................3
• Chest Clip........................................3
• Buckle .............................................3
• Crotch Strap Adjustment.............34-3
•Recline Flip Foot................................3
• Level Indicator................................3
• Removing LATCH From
Vehicle Anchor Points...................3
• Removing Tether From
Vehicle.........................................3
•LATCH Storage.................................3
• LATCH Belt Routing for
Rear-Facing Mode..................40-4
• LATCH Belt Routing for
Forward-Facing Mode............42-4
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vehicle Seat Belts...........................44-51
• Locking Clip................................49-50
Additional Information..................52-59
•Tether Storage..................................52
• Body Support (on certain models).......53
• Head Pillow (on certain models)........54
• Harness Covers (on certain models).....54
• Care and Cleaning.......................55-57
•Buckle Cleaning Process.....................58
• Aircraft Use.......................................59
• Second Hand Child Restraint..............59
Replacement Parts..............................60
• Locking Clip Storage..........................60
• Instruction Manual Storage................60
3
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.
Read and understand instruction
manual and child restraint labels.
Infants less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) must
use child restraint rear-facing.
Infants or toddlers 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18 kg) may be rear-facing.
Do not use child restraint rear-facing
in a vehicle seat with an active front
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 the useful life date
shown on back of child restraint.
Do not allow anyone (babysitter,
relatives, etc.) to use child restraint
without fi rst understanding all
instructions.
4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(continued)
Registration Information
Model Number:
Date of Manufacture:
Purchase Date:
Register Your Child Restraint
Please fi 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
5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(continued)
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
If You Need Help:
In the U.S.A, 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 number and date of
manufacture ready so that we may help you effi ciently. These numbers can be
found on a sticker on the back side of your child restraint.
1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com
www.cpsc.gov
www.NHTSA.gov
www.seatcheck.org
6
WARNINGS
NEVER PLACE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT
REAR-FACING IN A VEHICLE SEATING
LOCATION THAT HAS AN ACTIVE 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.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for
information about side air bags and child
restraint installation.
- Prevent serious injury or death:
7
WARNINGS
- Prevent serious injury or death:
(continued)
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 (AAP) recommends that
children be rear-facing until age 2
or until they reach the maximum
rear-facing height and weight
rating for their seat.
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.
8
WARNINGS
- Prevent serious injury or death:
(continued)
Never put a child restraint in a
front vehicle seat unless
recommended by vehicle owner’s
manual. National Highway Traffi c
Safety Administration (NHTSA)
alerts vehicle owners that
according to accident statistics,
children are safer in the rear seat.
For vehicles with air bags, refer to
vehicle owner’s manual for child
restraint installation information.
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 diffi culties.
9
WARNINGS
- Prevent serious injury or death:
(continued)
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
specifi cally
allowed by the
vehicle manufacturer.
10
BASIC INFORMATION
t
Certifi cation
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 to 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 this child restraint and
throw it away 7 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
NAME
year month day
Vehicle Seat Protection
Protect vehicle seat. Use a child restrain
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.
11
PD206938A
WHAT IS LATCH?
United States Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards have defi ned 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 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 or a colored dot.
Check vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle
top tether anchor locations. They may
be identifi ed using one of the anchor
symbols .
12
.
s
t
.
WHAT IS LATCH?
Vehicle Top Tether
See your vehicle
owner’s manual for
exact locations,
anchor identifi cation,
and requirements
for use with a child
restraint.
(continued)
Anchor Points
13
Vehicle
Lower Anchor
Points
Typical seat in a
passenger vehicle
Other vehicle type
may have differen
LATCH locations
Vehicle
Seat Crease
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 BELT IN FORWARDFACING MODE
Vehicle Top
Tether
Anchor
Point
Vehicle
Lower
Anchor
Points
Child Restraint
Top Tether
Lower Anchor
Belt
14
LATCH BELT IN REAR-FACING
MODE
Lower
Anchor Belt
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points
HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS
REAR-FACING
5 lbs.
(2.2 kg)
Rear-facing: 5 to 40 lbs. (2.2 - 18 kg)
• Infants who weigh less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) MUST be
rear-facing.
• Infants or toddlers 20 to 40 lbs. (9 to 18 kg)
may be rear-facing.
• Harness height must be at or just below child’s
shoulders.
• Child’s head must be at least 1” (2.5 cm) below the red handle.
IMPORTANT: This child restraint is certifi ed for use rear-facing with children up
to 40 lbs. (18 kg). However, some children approaching 40 lbs. (18 kg) may be
too tall to fi t rear-facing. Child should use child restraint forward-facing only if
child is over 20 lbs. (9 kg) and can sit upright unassisted.
(* , see American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on
p. 8 and p. 17)
20 lbs.
(9 kg)
FORWARD-FACING
15
40 lbs.
(18 kg)
65 lbs.
(30 kg)
1” (2.5 cm)
below red
handle
HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS
Forward-facing: 20 to 65 lbs. (9 to 30 kg)
• Child must not exceed 49 inches (125 cm).
• Toddlers 20 to 65 lbs. (9 to 30 kg) who are capable of
sitting upright unassisted may be forward-facing. If unable to
sit unassisted, use rear-facing.
• Toddlers 40 to 65 lbs. (18 to 30 kg) and up to 49 inches
(125 cm) tall MUST be forward-facing.
• Harness height must be at or just above child’s shoulders.
• Child’s ears are BELOW top of head support.
See p. 8 for American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations.
(continued)
16
Preterm or
Low Birthweight Infants
A preterm infant or low birth weight infant
(preemies) may be at special risk in a vehicle
or aircraft.
According to the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), these infants may suffer
breathing diffi culties if improperly reclined in
a child restraint.
When installing the child restraint
rear-facing, use corrected age for preemies
(see pg. 37 for more information).
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.
*
17
FEATURES
l
Head support
adjustment handle
Harness
strap
Harness
buckle
Crotch
strap
Harness
release
lever
Harness
adjustment strap
Recline
Flip
Foot
Chest
clip
LATCH storage
bar
**United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards have defi ned a system for installing child
restraints in vehicles. The system is called
LATCH may ONLY be used IN PLACE of vehicle
belt if vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchor
points. Please refer to vehicle owner’s manua
for LATCH locations in vehicles.
LATCH belt
(stored) **
LATCH.
18
FEATURES
***Vehicles are now (or can be) equipped
with tether anchor points behind some
seats. A tether anchors the top of the child
restraint to the body of the vehicle. When
used properly with the vehicle seat belt or
LATCH, a tether helps reduce injury in a
sudden stop or crash.
Locking clip
storage
Instruction
manual storage
Harness
straps
Splitter plate
Harness
cover plate
19
Tether strap***
Tether storage
bar
Tether hook
LATCH ad-
juster release
button
REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH
1. Recline fl ip foot must be in
REAR-FACING position (a). (If it is
not, see page 36, Recline Flip Foot.)
2. LATCH belt must be routed through
the opening in child restraint marked
as REAR-FACING with a BLUE label
(b). (If it is not, see page 40, LATCH
Belt Routing For Rear-Facing Mode.)
3. Place rear-facing on vehicle seat
equipped with LATCH anchors. For
ease of installation, extend LATCH
belt to its maximum length.
4. Attach LATCH connectors to
vehicle lower anchors (c). Belt must
lie fl at and not be twisted. Pull
connectors to be sure they are
securely attached to the anchor
points. (d).
5. Press down fi rmly in center of child
restraint while pulling on the tail of
the LATCH belt to tighten (e).
a
CLICK!
c
e
20
b
d
6. Hold seat and pull front to back and left to right at belt path
to check for secure installation (f). The child restraint should
not move side to side or forward more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Check that the lower anchor 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.
7. Check level indicator on child restraint (g).
Vehicle must be on level ground and child in
child restraint when checking level indicator.
Ball MUST be entirely in blue zone (g). If
necessary, place rolled towels under child
restraint, at vehicle seat crease, until entire ball is
in blue zone. Then re-check level indicator (see
page 37).
• DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must be
stored (see “Tether Storage” page 52).
• Periodically check that child restraint is securely
installed and properly leveled; adjust if necessary.
• To remove LATCH, see “Removing LATCH from
Vehicle Anchor Points”, p. 38.
LATCH
21
f
g
FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION WITH LATCH
1. Recline fl ip foot must be in FORWARD-
FACING position (a). (If it is not, see
page 36, Recline Flip Foot.)
2. LATCH belt must be routed through
the opening in child restraint marked as
FORWARD-FACING with an ORANGE
label (b). (If it is not, see page 42,
LATCH Belt Routing For Forward-Facing
Mode.)
3. Unhook tether from tether storage (see
page 52).
4. Place forward-facing on vehicle seat
equipped with LATCH anchors. For ease
of installation, extend LATCH belt to its
maximum length.
5. Attach LATCH connectors to vehicle
lower anchors (c). Belt must lie fl at and
not be twisted. Pull connectors to be
sure they are securely attached (d).
22
a
CLICK!
b
dc
e
f
6. Press down fi rmly in center of child restraint to compress
vehicle seat cushion while pulling on the tail of the LATCH
belt to tighten (e).
7. Hold seat and pull front to back and left to right at belt path
to check for secure installation (f). The child restraint should
not move side to side or forward more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
8. Check that the lower anchor 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.
9. Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor hardware (B) and
tighten adjustment belt to remove any slack (g). Belt
must lie fl at and not be twisted. Periodically check that
child restraint is securely installed; adjust if necessary.
•
Do not use the lower anchors of the child restraint anchorage
system (
restraining a child weighing more than 42 lbs (19 kg) with the
internal harnesses of the child restraint.
manufacturers have lower maximum weight ratings for LATCH
anchors, so you must consult your vehicle owner’s manual or
call the vehicle manufacturer to confi rm the limits on your
vehicle’s LATCH anchors.
LATCH
system) to attach this child restraint when
NOTE: Some vehicle
23
A
B
Pull to
Tighten
g
Tether
LATCH
• To remove LATCH,
see “Removing
LATCH from Vehi-
cle Anchor Points”,
p. 38.
REAR-FACING INSTALLATION WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
LATCH belt MUST be stored when
WARNING
using vehicle seat belt to install child
restraint.
Please refer to p.44, “Vehicle Seat Belts”
to determine what type of vehicle seat
belt is in your vehicle.
1. Store LATCH belt as shown (a).
Recline fl ip foot must be in
REAR-FACING position (b).
2. Place rear-facing on vehicle seat.
3. Thread vehicle seat belt through
rear-facing openings under the seat
pad and buckle belt (c). Be sure to
route the vehicle seat belt in between
the harness buckle slots (d). Press down fi rmly in center of child restraint to
compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle seat belt (e).
24
a
c
b
d
e
4. Hold seat and pull front to back and left to right at the belt
path to check for secure installation. (f). The child restraint
should not move side to side or forward more than 1 inch
(2.5 cm).Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight. If not secure, see
“Vehicle Seat Belts”page 44.
5. Check level indicator on child restraint. Vehicle must be on
level ground and child in child restraint when
checking level indicator.
6. Ball MUST be entirely in blue zone (g). If
necessary, place rolled towels under child
restraint, at vehicle seat crease (h), until entire
ball is in blue zone. Then re-check level
indicator (see page 37).
DO NOT use tether rear-facing. Tether must be
stored (see “Tether Storage” page 52).
Periodically check that child restraint
is securely installed and
properly leveled; adjust if
necessary.
Towel
h
25
f
g
FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION
WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
WARNING
LATCH belt MUST be stored when
using vehicle seat belt to install child
restraint.
Please refer to p.44, “Vehicle Seat Belts”
to determine what type of vehicle seat
belt is in your vehicle.
1. Store LATCH belt as shown (a). Recline fl ip foot must be
in FORWARD-FACING position (b).
2. Unhook tether from tether storage, see page 52.
3. Place forward-facing on vehicle seat.
4. Thread vehicle seat belt through forward-facing openings and buckle belt (c).
a
26
b
c
5. Press down fi rmly in center of child
restraint to compress vehicle seat
cushion while tightening vehicle seat
belt (d).
6. Hold seat and pull front to back and
left to right at belt path to check for
secure installation (e). The child
restraint should not move side to side
or forward more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Vehicle lap belt MUST stay tight. If not
secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” pg. 44.
7. Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor
hardware (B) and tighten adjustment
belt to remove any slack (f). If vehicle
does not have anchor points to attach
tether hook, tether hook should be
stored, see “Tether Storage”, page 52.
Belt must lay fl at and not be twisted.
Periodically check that child restraint is
securely installed; adjust if necessary.
27
d
B
f
e
A
Pull to
Tighten
Installation with
Lap/ Shoulder
belt
Tether
PLACING CHILD IN CHILD RESTRAINT
Check Harness System
WARNING
To prevent serious injury
or death:
• Keep harness straps snug and
positioned on shoulders with
chest clip 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.
• 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.
REAR-FACING
• 5-40 lbs (2.2 - 18 kg)
• Harness height must be at
or just below child’s
shoulders. Body support
MUST be used if shoulders
are below lowest harness
setting (* see page 53).
• Child’s head must be at
least 1” (2.5 cm) below
the red handle.
FORWARD-FACING
• 20-65 lbs (9 - 30 kg)
Harness height must be
at or just above child’s
shoulders.
• Child’s ears are BELOW
top of head support.
28
*
Adjusting Head Support
• BEFORE adjusting the head support height, have
your child lean forward slightly.
• Squeeze and pull up the red head support adjustment
handle (a) on top of seat until it locks into one of the
8 height positions. There will be an audible click and the
red head support adjustment handle will return to its
original position (b).
• To lower, squeeze red head support adjustment handle
and push head support down.
• When head support is in lowest position, always pull flap
forward as shown. (c).
Rear-facing
• Head support should be positioned so the harness straps
are at or just below the shoulders.
• Make sure the head support does not touch the front
vehicle seat.
Forward-facing
• Head support should be positioned so that the harness
straps are at or just above the child’s shoulders.
Refer to page 28 for harness strap placement.
29
a
CLICK!
b
Flap
c
PLACING CHILD IN CHILD RESTRAINT
1. Place child in child restraint
with child’s back fl at against
back of child restraint.
2. Place harness straps over child’s
shoulders and insert tongue(s)
into buckle (see page 33).
Pull up on tongue(s) to be sure
they are locked.
3. Close chest clip. Position chest
clip at armpit level (see page
33).
30
(continued)
Chest
Clip
Buckle
Crotch
Strap
Harness
Adjustment
Strap
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