The First Years VIA I440 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

This Infant Seat is for use
by children who meet BOTH
of the requirements below:

W

eight is:

4 to 22 pounds
(1,8 to 10 kg)

Height is:

30 inches or less

Model - I440

(76 cm)

WARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

•

Failure to use this Infant Seat properly increases the
risk of serious injury or death in a sudden stop or
crash.

•

Do not install or use this Infant Seat until you have
read and understand the instructions in this manual.

Section 1 - Introduction

Dear Parents,
Thank you for purchasing The First Years Via I440.

We hope that it will make your baby’s travel safer, easier,
and more pleasant.

We believe the Via I440 is the easiest Infant Seat to use.
We do more testing than most companies to make it as safe
as possible. And, we use the latest methods to assure the
highest quality.

The First Years monitors the molding of every key plastic
part. Our MoldTrac technology allows us to watch every part
as it is molded. In addition, we place a number on each seat
so key parts can be traced. You will find this number on the
bottom of your seat and on the top of your base.

We have tried very hard to keep our instructions simple and
understandable. We apologize for beginning our instructions
with so many warnings but they are very important for you to
properly restrain your child. Read and understand all of the
instructions and warnings. The safety of your child depends
on it!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact
the

the First Years Staff at 1-888-899-2229

Keep this instruction manual for future use.

Store in pocket on the back of Infant Seat.

No car seat can guarantee protection from injury

in every situation, but proper use helps reduce

1

the risk of serious injury or death.

Section 2 - Table Of Contents

Section 1 Introduction ................................................ 1

Section 2 Table Of Contents.....................................2

Section 3 Warnings....................................................2

Section 4 Use Recommendations............................6

Section 5 Infant Seat parts........................................7

Section 6 Selecting A Vehicle Seating Location.....10

Section 7 Installation and Use

7.1 Base Installation.............................................

7.2 Base Installation w/ Auto Lap belt................

7.2.1

7.3 Base Installation w/ LATCH Bars.................

7.4 Base Installation w/ Locking Clip.................

7.5 Infant Seat Installation...................................

7.6 Installation Pictograms.................................

7.7 Handle Use.....................................................

7.8 I440 Removal From Base..............................

7.9 Harness System.............................................

A-Chest Clip......................................................

B-5 Pt. Buckle...................................................

C-Harness Adjuster.........................................

Base Installation w/ Auto Lap/Shoulder Belt.

.................................16

16
17

.....

18
19
20
21
22
24
25626
26
26
27
28

2

Section 2 - Table Of Contents

Section 7 Installation and Use

7.9 D-Shoulder Height Adjuster................

7.10 Canopy.................................................

7.11 Cold Weather Boot / Cover.................

7.12 Head Bolster...........................................

7.13 Babies with Low Birth Weight............

7.14 Pad Removal........................................

7.15 Pad Installation....................................

- continued

29
30
30
31
31
32
33

Section 8 Safety Checklist/Safe Practices.............34

Section 9 Additional Information............................36

Section 10 Care and Cleaning.................................37

Section 11 Replacement Parts................................37

WARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

AIR BAG WARNING!

• NEVER use this Infant Seat in any vehicle seating position
equipped with an active air bag. Read your vehicle’s
owners manual to see to turn off your airbag if you have
no back seat or a child
must ride in the front
seats. For side airbags see
page 10.

3

DO NOT place rear-facing child seat
on front seat with air bag. DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY can occur.

The back seat is the safest place for
children 12 and under.

NO coloque el asiento infantil para el automóvil orientado hacia
atrás en el asiento delantero del vehículo que tenga una bolsa
neumática de seguridad. El niño podría MORIR O SUFRIR
LESIONES GRAVES. El asiento trasero es el lugar más seguro
para los niños de 12 años o menores.

GNINRAW

Section 3 - Warnings

W ARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

• Failure to follow these instructions and Infant Seat

labels can result in injury or death to a child from
striking the vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or
crash.

- Even if the Infant Seat seems easy to use
on your own, it is important to read these
instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual for
details you might miss.

The instructions in this manual and in your vehicle

•

owner’s manual must be followed carefully. If there is
a conflict between the two, the vehicle owner’s manual
must be followed.

• Failure to use the automobile seat belt or LATCH or to

adjust it properly can result in your child striking the
vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or crash.
Serious injury or death can occur.

• D O NOT allow others (baby sitters, friends,
grandparents, etc.) to use this Infant Seat unless
they read and understand the instructions and labels.
and can demonstrate proper use to your satisfaction.

• Use only car seat accessories manufactured by
Compass. Accessories can affect your child’s safety in
a sudden stop or crash.

• DO NOT modify or attach any toys, padding, or other
items to this Infant Seat. Untested modifications or
padding could result in injury in a crash.

• Secure this Infant Seat with the vehicle seat belt or

LATCH bars at all times (even when there is no child in
it). An unsecured child restraint can injure others if a
crash occurs.

W ARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

Direct sunlight can make Infant Seat surfaces hot

•

enough to burn your child. Use caution and check
the vehicle and Infant Seat on hot, sunny days.

NEVER leave child unattended under any circumstance.

•

• DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it has been in a crash.

(There may be hidden damage and it must be
replaced.)

some assistance replacing this infant seat.

DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it is damaged in any

•

way or has missing parts.
STOP USING THIS INFANT SEAT AND THROW IT

•

AWA Y after the date on the back of the seat.

THROW IT AWAY in a dark trash bag.....Do Not sell to a

thrift or consignment shops or
at flea markets.

•

NEVER place the Infant Seat
in a shopping cart.

•

NEVER place the infant seat on
your hip. Carry the Infant Seat at
your side at all times.

Your insurance company may provide

4

Section 4 - Use Recommendations

The First Years advises parents that children should use a child
restraint with a built-in harness system until they exceed the
weight or height limits specified by the manufacturer.

I440 Infant Seat Use Requirements:

This child restraint is designed for use by children whose:

- W eight is between 4 and 22 lbs (1,8 and 10 kg), and

- Height 30 inches or less (76 cm).

Child MUST
Infant Seat.

meet both of these requirements to use this

W ARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

DO NOT use this Infant Seat when

•

top of child’s head is closer
than 1 inch fron the top
edge of seat back. Severe head or
neck injuries can result without
proper head support.

6

Section 5 - Infant Seat Parts

Aluminum
Handle

Head Bolster

Harness
Adjuster

The Infant Seat must be used with a base.

Harness
Height
Adjust
Knob

Serial
Number
Plate

Instruction
Storage

Full Rotation
Canopy

5 Point
Harness

Base Height
Adjust

Base Release
Knob

Handle
Release
Buttons

Harness
Retention
Hooks

7

Angle
Indicator

Section 5 - Infant Seat Parts

Base
Height
Adjust

Auto Belt
Lock Off

Steel
Retention
Hooks

The Infant Seat must be used with a base.

8

Section 6 - Selecting AVehicle Seating Location

•

Use only in a rear facing position when using this
restraint in a vehicle.

•

DO NOT use this infant seat in a forward facing
position.

•

Only use this Infant Seat with the vehicle’s seat belts
or LATCH System.

•

DO NOT use this Infant Seat with vehicle seat belts
mounted to the vehicle door or door frame.

•

DO NOT use this Infant Seat if it cannot be properly
installed. Some child restraints will not fit some vehicle
seating positions.

•

NEVER use this
Infant Seat in any
vehicle seating
position equipped
with an active air bag.
Read your vehicle’s
owners manual to see
to turn off your airbag if you have no back seat or a

child must ride in the front seats.
For side airbags see page 10.

•

NEVER attempt to install the Infant
Seat without the base. The Infant
seat has not been designed to be
used with out a base.

DO NOT use this Infant Seat in rear seat of a

compact pickup truck. Severe head injury or death
can occur.

W ARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur

•

• ALWAYS use the base with the carrier
in this child restraint.

NO coloque el asiento infantil para el automóvil orientado hacia
atrás en el asiento delantero del vehículo que tenga una bolsa
neumática de seguridad. El niño podría MORIR O SUFRIR
LESIONES GRAVES. El asiento trasero es el lugar más seguro
para los niños de 12 años o menores.

DO NOT place rear-facing child seat
on front seat with air bag. DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY can occur.

The back seat is the safest place for
children 12 and under.

G N I N R A W

Section 6 - Selecting AVehicle Seating Location

. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

1

alerts vehicle owners that, according to accident statistics,
children under age 13 are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions rather than in front seating
positions.

. Refer to vehicle owner’s manual for car seat installation

2

instructions for your specific vehicle.

- Use of Infant Seat in a vehicle rear seat location.

- Never put Infant Seat in a front seat location unless
permitted by vehicle owner’s manual.

- For vehicles with air bags, refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation information.

- If a vehicle front seat location with an air bag must be
used, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for
manufacturer’s instruction to disable air bags that
could cause serious injury to child and move seat back
as far as possible.

The First Years Policy Statement

Use Of Via I440 Infant Seat Child Restraint In Conjunction
With Side Airbags

To determine the types of side impact air bag(s) your vehicle may
have for individual seating positions, please refer to your owner’s
manual. The First Years Via I440 Infant Seat child restraint may be
used in any rear seating position equipped only with side impact
airbags that are roof mounted with “curtain” type deployment.
For all other vehicles with other types of side impact airbags,
please refer to your specfic vehicles owner’s manual for appropriate
use of child restraints , or call the automobile manufacturer for
more information.

Section 6 - Selecting AVehicle Seating Location

.

3

V ehicle Seats:

DO NOT use this Infant Seat with the following vehicle

seats:

NO

Seats Which

Face Sides Of

V ehicle

NO NO

Seats Which

Face Rear
Of Vehicle

Rear Seats Of

Small Extended

Cab Pickup

T rucks

4. Latch Bar Location

Consult your automobiles owner’s manual or manufacturer
for location and availability of LATCH anchor points.

LATCH
Bar
Locations