Safety 1st MultiFit User Manual

MultiFit

3-in-1 Car Seat

rear-facing child restraint

5-40 lb (2.3-18 kg) and 19-40 in. (48-101.6 cm)

forward-facing child restraint

22-40 lb (10.1-18 kg) and 29-43 in.
(73.6-110.1 cm) and at least 1 year old

booster seat

40-100 lb (18.1-45.4 kg) and
43-52 in. (110.1-132.1 cm)

KEEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE USE.

Read all instructions
before using this
child restraint.

4358-7099A

1.16.17

Failure to follow the warnings on the labels and in the
instruction manual can result in serious injury or death
to your child.

To see installation videos, scan the QR Code

or visit www.safety1st.com

©2016 Dorel Juvenile.

Choosing Rear Facing, Forward Facing, or
Booster Seat

Your child’s height, weight, and age determine how your child
restraint should be placed in the vehicle.

Please talk to your doctor about the best option for your child.

See page 3 to

adjust internal

harness system

See page 3 to

adjust internal

harness system

See page 15 to

store internal

harness system

WARNING: Verify your child’s weight and height

(do not guess) before choosing the child restraint’s
placement.

Children up to 1 year of age must ride rear facing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends

that children remain rear facing until they are at least
2 years old.

In this child restraint, your child can remain rear facing
up to 40 lb (18 kg) and up to 40 in. (101.6 cm).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
that children remain in a fi ve-point harness until
they outgrow their forward-facing harnessed child
restraint.

This typically occurs around age 4, but some children
outgrow them sooner and others not until later.

Lower Anchor Belt Install

Page 45

+

FORWARD FACING

22-40 lb (10.1-18 kg)
29-43 in. (73.6-110.1 cm)
At least 1 year old

REAR FACING

5-40 lb (2.3-18 kg)
19-40 in. (48-101.6 cm)

BOOSTER SEAT

40-100 lb (18.1-45.4 kg)
43-52 in. (110.1-132.1 cm)

Lap and Shoulder Belt

Install Page 53

Lower Anchor Belt Install

Page 34

Vehicle Belt Install Page 39

Vehicle Belt Install Page 49

+

Table of Contents

Getting Started ..................................... 1

Parts of the Child Restraint .......................................1

Prepare Child Restraint to Fit Your Child ....................3

How Does Your Child Fit? .........................................5

Changing Position of Buckle .....................................6

Adjusting Headrest/Harness Height ............................8

Harness System Adjustments for Smaller Infants ........9

Securing Child in Child Restraint ...............................12

General Use ........................................... 14

Reclining Child Restraint ..........................................14

Storing Harness System ...........................................15

Removing Seat Pad for Cleaning ...............................18

Installing Harness System ........................................21

Accessories on Select Models ..................................24

Safety Information ............................... 25

Child Restraint Use ..................................................25

Installation in Vehicle ...............................................25

Vehicle Seating Position ...........................................26

Vehicle Information ............................. 27

Choosing Lower Anchor or Vehicle Belts ....................27

Knowing Your Vehicle Belts .......................................29

Aircraft Information .................................................32

Rear Facing ........................................... 33

Lower Anchor Belt Installation ............................34

Vehicle Belt Installation .....................................39

Forward Facing .................................... 43

Tether Use ........................................................44

Lower Anchor Belt Installation ............................45

Vehicle Belt Installation .....................................49

Booster Seat ......................................... 52

Lap and Shoulder Belt Installation ...................... 53

Important Information ........................ 55

Using a Locking Clip ................................................55

Dorel Juvenile Group Information... ...........................57

Registration and Safety Notices ................................58

Troubleshooting... ....................................................59

Replacement Parts Order Form .................................60

Warranty .................................................................62

Y

W

Parts of the Child Restraint

1 2

A. Headrest/Harness

Adjustment Levers

B. Adjustable Headrest
C. Shoulder Belt-Positioning

Guide (behind headrest pad)

D. Removable Cup Holder

(see page 24)

E. Body Pillow (see page 24)
F. Recline Handle
G. Easy Out Harness Holders

H. Harness Release Lever

(under fl ap)

I. Lower Anchor Belt

(see page 27)

J. Harness Adjustment Strap

Side ViewFront View

Back ViewHarness System Detail

L

M
N
O

P

X

N

K

V

N

K. Rear-Facing Belt Path
L. Rear-Facing Level Line
M. Forward-Facing Belt

Path

N. Lower Anchor Belt

Attachment for Storage

O. Shell (child restraint)
P. Base
Q. Upper Shoulder Harness

Slots

R. Chest Clip

S. Lower Shoulder Harness

Slots for Smaller Infants

T. Harness Straps
U. Buckle
V. Tether (see page 44)
W. Tether Attachment for

Storage

X. Splitter Plate
Y. Instruction Manual Storage

(in bottom of base)

Q
R

S
T

U

C

A

B

C

D
E

F

G

I

H

J

4

Prepare Child Restraint to Fit Your Child

3

1. Fully Loosen Harness

Straps

Push down on harness release
lever (under fl ap on front of seat
pad) while pulling out on harness
straps as shown.

3. Release Chest Clip

Press on chest clip release button
and pull apart.

2. Unbuckle Harness

Press in towards the top of the red
button.

Pull buckle tongues out.

2. Or

the buckle tongues can be

placed into the slots in the harness
holders as shown.

5. Place Child in

Child Restraint to
Determine Proper
Harness Fit

The child’s bottom and back
should be fl at against the child
restraint.

See page 5 for fi t guidelines.

4. Place Harness Straps

Out of Way

The Easy Out Harness Holders can
be used two ways.

1. You can secure the harness
straps around them as shown.

1

2

How Does Your Child Fit? Changing Position of Buckle

65

2. Fully Recline the Child

Restraint

Pull out on recline handle and push
top of child restraint back.

1. Unbuckle Harness

Press in towards the top of the red
button.

Pull buckle tongues out.

3. Locate Buckle’s Metal

Retainer

Reach under the seat between the
base and shell and through the
recline handle.

4. Rotate Metal Retainer

and Push It Up Through
Shell and Pad

To change buckle position, see pages 6-7.
To adjust headrest/harness height, see page 8.
To make adjustments for smaller infants, see pages 9-11.

Use the guidelines below to determine if the buckle and harness strap
are in the right place for your child.

continued on next page

REAR FACING

Buckle Position

Start in the 1st slot and adjust outward as your
child grows. Buckle should be used in slot closest
to your child. The buckle should not be underneath
or behind your child. 1st or 2nd slot MUST be used.

Harness Strap Position

Harness strap MUST be at or slightly below
shoulders. Always choose the shoulder harness
slot position that is closest to your child’s shoulder
height.

If the lower shoulder harness slots for smaller infants
are above the child’s shoulders with the headrest in

the lowest position, do not use this child restraint.

FORWARD FACING

Buckle Position

Start in the 1st slot and adjust outward as your child
grows. Buckle should be used in slot closest to your
child. The buckle should not be underneath or behind
your child. Any slot can be used.

Harness Strap Position

Harness strap MUST be at or slightly above
shoulders. Always choose the shoulder harness
slot position that is closest to your child’s shoulder
height.

If the upper shoulder harness slots are below the
child’s shoulders with the headrest in the highest position and the
child weighs at least 40 lb (18 kg), you must convert the child restraint
to a booster seat.

1
2
3

1
2

Adjusting Headrest/Harness Height

7

6. Insert Buckle’s Metal

Retainer into Slot
Closest to Child

Buckle

MUST face out. You MUST

use the 1st or 2nd buckle slots
when child restraint is used rear
facing. Any slot can be used when
forward facing.

1
2
3

7. Reach Under the Seat

Between Base and Shell
and Through Recline
Handle

Pull metal retainer completely
through pad and shell.

8. Check Buckle

Pull up on buckle to make sure it
is secured. The buckle

MUST not

pull out.

WARNING: Failure to place buckle’s metal retainer

completely through pad and shell can result in serious
injury or death.

WARNINGS: Make sure that the harness height is

correct for your child’s size.

Do not use this child restraint rear facing
unless the top of your child’s head is at least
1 in. (2.5 cm) below the top of the child
restraint’s headrest.

Do not use this child restraint forward facing if
the tops of your child’s ears are above the top
of the child restraint’s headrest.

Failure to follow these steps can result in
serious injury or death.

8

1. Fully Loosen Harness

Straps

Push down on harness release
lever (under fl ap on front of seat
pad) while pulling out on harness
straps as shown.

2. To Adjust Headrest/

Harness Height

Rotate headrest/harness
adjustment levers inward.

Move the headrest up or down to
the proper height for your child.

See page 5 for fi t guidelines.

Release it into slot to lock. Make
sure it is securely locked into
place.

5. From Top of Seat,

Pull Buckle Out of Shell
and Pad

Harness System Adjustments for
Smaller Infants

10

7. Fully Loosen Harness

Straps

Push down on harness release lever
(under fl ap on front of seat pad) while
pulling out on harness straps as shown.

6. Adjust the Headrest to the

Lowest Position

The headrest MUST be in the lowest
position.

8. From Back, Remove Harness

Strap Loops From Splitter
Plate

9. Pull Harness Straps Out of

Upper Shoulder Harness
Slots

10. Pull Body Pillow Forward

Away from Seat

Thread harness straps through slots in
pillow.

You MUST use the body pillow.

continued on next page

9

1. With Buckle in the 1st Slot,

Fully Recline the Seat

If you need to move the buckle to the 1st
slot, see pages 6-7.

5. Replace Pad and Check

Buckle

Pull up on buckle to make sure it is
secured. The buckle MUST not pull out.

2. Lift Pad Off of Front of

Child Restraint

4. From Top of Seat, Lay the

Metal Retainer Flat Against
the Shell As Shown

3. From Bottom of Seat, Pull

Metal Retainer Down and
Push It Up into Middle Slot
As Shown

When using the lower shoulder harness slots for smaller infants,
you MUST use the body pillow and the headrest MUST be in the
lowest position.

Securing Child in Child Restraint

11

12. From the Back, Pull

Harness Straps Through
Shell

Harness straps MUST be in shoulder
harness slots BELOW the metal bar as
shown. DO NOT twist harness straps.

13. Attach 2nd Harness Strap

Loops to Splitter Plate As
Shown

Sewn ends of the harness strap loops

MUST face towards you.

DO NOT twist harness straps or harness

adjustment strap.
Make sure the same harness strap loops

are fitted COMPLETELY ON both sides
of the splitter plate.

Replace headrest pad around bottom
of headrest.

sewn
end

12

1. Place Child in Child

Restraint

The child’s bottom and back should
be flat against the child restraint.

Position harness strap over child’s
shoulders and upper thighs.

3. Close Chest Clip

Insert right half of chest clip into
left half and snap together.

2. Buckle Harness

Push buckle tongues into buckle
until you hear them “click.”

Pull up on harness strap to make
sure buckle is locked.

4. Tighten Harness

Pull on harness adjustment strap
to tighten harness snugly.

continued on next page

Correct

WARNINGS: Harness system must be installed correctly.

The harness strap must be returned to the upper shoulder
harness slots as your child grows.

Failure to follow these steps can result in serious injury or
death.

11. Pull Bottom of Headrest

Pad Off of Headrest

Thread harness straps through slots in
headrest pad.

Thread harness straps through lower
shoulder harness slots in headrest and
through the slots in seat back (shell).

5. Position Chest Clip

The chest clip must be placed at
mid-chest (even with armpits) and
away from the child’s neck.

14

Reclining Child Restraint

13

6. Check Harness Tightness

Try to pinch the harness at the
shoulders vertically between index
finger and thumb as shown.

If your fingers slip off, the
harness is tight enough.

If you can pinch the harness strap, tighten more. The harness
straps should be snug throughout their length.

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.

WARNINGS: Failure to fasten and tighten the harness

system correctly may allow the child to be ejected from
the child restraint in a crash or sudden stop causing
serious injury or death.

Do not mistake comfort for safety.
Harness system must be snugly
adjusted.

DO NOT put snowsuits or bulky
garments on your child when
placing them in the child restraint.

Bulky clothing can prevent the
harness straps from being tight­ened properly.

To Remove Child From Child Restraint:

1. Loosen Harness Strap

2. Unbuckle Harness

3. Release Chest Clip

4. Remove Child

How to Change Positions

To recline, pull out on recline handle
and push top of child restraint back.

For upright, pull out on recline
handle and pull top of child restraint
forward.

This child restraint has 3 positions:

Rear Facing -

3 or 2

For children who cannot sit up
unassisted, the level line on shell

MUST be parallel with the ground

using either position

3 or 2.

For children who can sit up
unassisted, you may rotate the child

restraint to be more upright.

Forward Facing -

1 Upright

Booster Seat - 1 Upright

3

2

1

NOTE: When forward facing, the reclined positions are to be

used only to install the child restraint and booster seat flush
against the vehicle seat back. Vehicle seat back must be
upright.

15

Storing Harness System

16

Only store the harness system when converting child
restraint into a booster seat.

To remove accessories, see page 24.

1. Fully Loosen Harness

Straps

Push down on harness release
lever (under fl ap on front of seat
pad) while pulling out on harness
straps as shown.

2. Unbuckle Harness

Press in towards the top of the red
button.

Pull buckle tongues out.

3. Locate Buckle’s Metal

Retainer

Fully recline the child restraint and
reach under the seat between the
base and shell and through the re­cline handle. Rotate metal retainer
and push it up through shell and
pad.

4. From Top of Seat,

Pull Buckle Out of Shell
and Pad

Store the buckle in a safe place for
future use.

continued on next page

6. Undo Fasteners on

Headrest Pad As Shown

5. Adjust the Headrest

to the Highest Position

8. Undo Fasteners on Seat

Pad As Shown

7. Pull Headrest Pad Off

Bottom of Headrest
As Shown