In st ruct ion
Man ual
Para in st ruccion es en Esp añ ol,
llam ar al: 1-800-837-4044
w w w.cen t uryp rod uct s.com
Avoid in jury or d eat h -
PM-1663AB
6/ 01
Read an d un d erst an d t h is m an ual!
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.
Safet y First Ch eck List
❃
❃ Read and understand instruction manual
and car seat labels.
❃ Infants less than 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) must use
car seat rear-facing.
Reg ist rat ion In form at ion
❃
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:
❃ Do not use car seat rear-facing in vehicle seat
with air bag.
❃ Secure children in back seat whenever
possible.
❃ Never leave child unattended.
❃ Install car seat securely.
Century Products
P.O. Box 551
Elverson, PA 19520-9973
❃ Do not use after date shown on back of
car seat.
or call 1-888-224-6549
For recall information:
❃ Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives,
etc.) to use car seat without first
understanding all instructions.
•
Call the U.S Government’s Auto Safety
Hotline at 1-800-424-9393
(202-366-0123 in D.C. area)
•
•
Call Century Products at 1-800-837-4044
1
WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:
DO NOT use rear-facin g ch ild
Failure t o follow t h ese in st ruct ion s
an d car seat lab els can result in ch ild
st rikin g t h e veh icle’s in t erior d urin g
a sud d en st op or crash . Secure ch ild
rest rain t w it h a veh icle seat b elt as
sh ow n in t h is m an ual.
rest rain t in a veh icle seat in g
p osit ion eq uip p ed w it h an air b ag .
Ch ild ’s h ead an d n eck m ay b e
seriously in jured w h en an in flat in g
air b ag h it s b ack of ch ild rest rain t .
Never p ut a car seat in a fron t
veh icle seat un less recom m en d ed b y
veh icle ow n er’s m an ual. Nat ion al
Hig h w ay Traffic Safet y
Ad m in ist rat ion (NHTSA) alert s
veh icle ow n ers t h at accord in g t o
accid en t st at ist ics, ch ild ren up t o
ag e 12 are safer in t h e b ack seat .
For veh icles w it h air b ag s, refer t o
veh icle ow n er’s m an ual for ch ild
rest rain t in st allat ion in form at ion .
In fan t s less t h an 20 lb s. (9.1 kg )
m ust use t h is car seat rear-facin g .
Serious crip p lin g in jury or d eat h can
result if in fan t faces fron t of veh icle.
Veh icle seat b elt syst em MUST h old
car seat securely. Not all veh icle seat
b elt s can b e used w it h a car seat . If
veh icle seat b elt d oes n ot h old car
seat securely, read “Veh icle Seat
Belt s” sect ion .
If car seat is in a crash , it m ust b e
rep laced . DO NOT use it a ga in! A
A crash can cause un seen d am ag e
an d usin g it ag ain could result in
serious in jury or d eat h .
2
WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death (con t in ued ):
DO NOT use car seat if it is d am ag ed
or h as m issin g p art s.
DO NOT use accessories or p art s
ot h er t h an t h ose p rovid ed b y
Cen t ury or Graco. Th eir use could
alt er t h e p erform an ce of t h e
car seat .
Rear-facin g car seat m ust b e
p rop erly leveled :
• Too reclin ed can result in in jury
or eject ion .
• Too up rig h t can result in
b reat h in g d ifficult ies.
Never leave ch ild un at t en d ed , even
w h en sleep in g . Ch ild m ay b ecom e
t an g led in h arn ess st rap s an d
suffocat e.
3
BASIC INFORMATION
Cert ificat ion
❃
Un occup ied Car Seat
❃
Always secure car seat with a vehicle seat belt,
even when unoccupied. An unsecured car seat
can injure passengers.
This car seat meets or exceeds all applicable
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 for use in motor vehicles and
aircraft.
Warm Weat h er
❃
Car Seat Useful Life
❃
Car seat parts can get very hot in the sun or
warm weather.
DO NOT use after date shown on back of
car seat due to changing requirements and
normal wear and tear.
To avoid burns, always check before putting
child in car seat.
Do not use this car
Look for:
Year
seat after December
Dan g erous Veh icle Seat s
❃
Veh icle Seat Prot ect ion
❃
Protect vehicle seat. Use a car seat mat, towel
or thin blanket under and behind car seat.
Do not use car seat on rear-facing or
side-facing vehicle seats.
4
HEIGHT & W EIGHT LIMITS
Rear-facing: Birth to 22 lbs. (10 kg)
Pret erm or Low Birt h Weig h t
❃
• Infants from birth to 20 lbs. (9.1 kg) MUST
be rear-facing.
In fan t s
• Infants or toddlers 20 to 22 lbs. (9.1 to
10 kg) may be rear-facing.
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 car seat.
Rear-facin g
22 lb s. 40 lb s.
20 lb s.
(9.1 kg )
Birt h
(10 kg ) (18.1 kg )
Century 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.
Forw ard -facin g
Forward-facing: 20 to 40 lbs. (9.1 to 18.1 kg)
Out g row in g Car Seat
❃
• Toddlers 20 to 22 lbs. (9.1 to 10 kg) who
are capable of sitting upright unassisted
may be forward-facing
. If unable to sit
unassisted, use rear-facing.
*
WARNING
• Toddlers 22 to 40 lbs. (10 to 18.1 kg)
and up to 40 inches (101.6 cm) tall MUST
be forward-facing.
Preven t serious in jury or d eat h :
• Top of ch ild ’s ears m ust b e b elow t op
ed g e of car seat .
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that children should be at least
• Ch ild ’s sh ould ers MUST n ot b e ab ove
t op h arn ess slot s.
*
one year of age before being positioned
forward facing.
5
REAR-FACING INSTALLATION
1
Adjust car seat to recline position and place
rear-facing on vehicle seat.
2
Thread vehicle seat belt through openings and
buckle belt.
Press down firmly in center of car seat to
compress vehicle seat cushion while tightening
vehicle seat belt (fig. a).
3
4
Pull front to back and left to right to check for
secure installation (fig. b). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.
Openings
Towels
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.
5
Check level indicator on car seat.
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.
NOTE: Vehicle must be on level
ground and child in car seat
when checking level indicator.
6
(fig. a)
(fig. b)
(fig. c)
FORWARD-FACING INSTALLATION
1
Adjust car seat to upright position and place
forward-facing on vehicle seat.
Tether
Strap
2
3
Thread vehicle seat belt through openings and
behind harness straps (fig. a).
Buckle belt.
Press down firmly in center of car seat to compress
vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle seat
belt.
HINT: Use your knee to press down in center of
car seat (fig. b).
Openings
4
5
Pull front to back and left to right to check for
secure installation (fig. c). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.
Attach tether strap hook (A) to anchor hardware (B)
and tighten strap to remove any slack (fig. d).
Stand
If tether anchor hardware (B) is not available, see
“Installation of Anchor Hardware“ section.
Pull to
tighten
(A)
(B)
(fig. d)
(fig. a)
(fig. b)
7
(fig. c)
PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT
1
Place child in car seat with child’s back flat
against back of car seat.
WARNING
To p reven t serious in jury or d eat h :
2
Place harness straps over child’s shoulders and
insert tongue(s) into buckle.
• Keep h arn ess st rap s sn ug an d
p osit ion ed on sh ould ers.
Pull up on tongue(s) to be sure they are locked.
• Do n ot use st rap covers, b lan ket s
cush ion s, or p ad d in g un d er h arn ess
st rap s or ch ild un less p rovid ed b y
3
4
Cen t ury or Graco.
Close harness tie:
• Ch ild m ust b e d ressed in clot h in g w it h
arm s an d leg s t h at w ill n ot in t erfere
w it h b ucklin g h arn ess.
Position harness tie at arm pit level.
Adjust harness straps to be snug with just
enough room to insert one finger between
child’s chest and harness straps (fig. a).
Check harness system:
• Rear-facing - Harness straps must be
through bottom or middle slots at or
below shoulders.
For 5-Point models, check that harness straps
on chest and thighs are snug.
• Forward-facing - Harness straps must be
through top slots.
5
A rolled towel can be used on each side to
support small children (fig. b). Be sure towels
do not interfere with harness system.
5-Point Models Only:
• Crotch strap must be in opening closest to
but not under child.
T-Shield Models Only:
• Latch tongue 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.
8
PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT (con t in ued )
3
3
3
2
2
2
4
4
4
(fig. a)
(fig. b)
9
OPERATIONS an d ADJUSTMENTS
4
1
Harness Straps (fig. a):
Recline / Upright Positions (fig. c:):
Rear-facing - MUST use Recline position.
Forward-facing - MUST use Upright position
• To tighten: Pull lower belt.
• To loosen: Lift adjuster lever and pull
harness straps out.
Upright Position: Rotate stand out and push
into car seat.
2
Harness Tie (fig. b):
Recline Position: Pull stand out and rotate
into car seat.
• To open: Unhook harness tie from child’s
left side of harness straps.
Harness straps MUST move freely. Make sure
harness straps are not pinched by recline stand.
• To close: From backside of harness tie,
slide harness strap over harness tie tongue.
5
5-Point Crotch Strap Adjustment (fig. d):
• From bottom of car seat, pull crotch strap
clip out and remove clip from crotch
strap loop.
3
Buckle:
MUST be in opening closest to but not under
child.
• From top of car seat, pull crotch strap out
and thread through desired slot. Make
sure red button is facing away from child.
5-Point Models
• To buckle: Insert both tongues into
buckle. Pull up on tongues to be sure
they are locked.
• From bottom of car seat, re-attach clip to
crotch strap loop exactly as shown.
• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull
tongues out of buckle.
T-Shield & 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 car seat.
10
OPERATIONS an d ADJUSTMENTS (con t in ued )
2
4
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
1
1
1
Clip
Adjuster
Lever
Upright
Lower
Belt
Recline
(fig. c)
11
(fig. a)
(fig. d)
(fig. b)
OPERATIONS an d ADJUSTMENTS (con t in ued )
Overhead Shield Adjustment (fig. e):
6
D Re-attach harness strap loops to Splitter
Plate:
• To adjust: Press both buttons down and
move shield to desired position closest to
child. Release buttons to lock shield into
place. Check by pulling out on shield.
Slide each harness strap loop onto
Splitter Plate.
NOTE:
NOTE: Shield does not need to contact
child when in closest position; harness
system restrains child.
• Make sure both strap loops are securely
attached within Splitter Plate hook.
• Make sure straps are NOT twisted and
are routed behind stand (fig. f).
7
Changing Harness Strap Slots:
A Loosen harness straps:
Lift adjuster lever and pull
harness straps out (see
).
1
B Remove both harness strap loops from
Splitter Plate on back of car seat.
C Change harness strap slots.
Make sure harness straps are threaded
through matching slot of seat pad and
car seat.
It may be necessary to remove seat pad
from top of car seat.
12
OPERATIONS an d ADJUSTMENTS (con t in ued )
Loop
Loop
Splitter Plate
Stand
(fig. e)
(fig. f)
13
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS
WARNING
Not all veh icle seat b elt s can b e used
w it h a car seat . Th e car seat m ust b e
h eld securely at all t im es b y a lap b elt
(or lap b elt p ort ion of a lap / sh ould er
b elt ) t h at w ill n ot ch an g e len g t h w h ile
d rivin g .
To provide the most secure installation of the
car seat:
• Read the vehicle owner’s manual regarding
car seat installation and seat belt use with
car seat.
• Follow all instruction labels on vehicle seat
belt and car seat.
If car seat is not held securely after following
instructions in this manual, vehicle seat belt
labels, and vehicle owner’s manual:
• Move car seat to another seating location
and try again, or
• Contact vehicle dealer for possible seat
belt modification parts.
14
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (con t in ued )
Belt s Forw ard of Seat Crease
❃
Vehicle seat belts located forward of seat
crease may not securely hold car seat. Check
vehicle owner’s manual or see vehicle dealer for
car seat installation requirements.
Seat Crease
• If approved for use with car seat, install
car seat and check for secure installation by
pulling car seat front to back. If car seat
slides forward, DO NOT use these seat belts.
Seat Crease
15
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (con t in ued )
Lap Belt s - Man ually Ad just ab le
❃
The locking latch plate on some seat belts may
slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip latch plate over (fig. a) and re-buckle. Test
installation again to see if this works. If not,
move car seat to another seating position.
Flip
Lap Belt s - Wit h Ret ract or
❃
Lap belts with retractors may or may not hold
a car seat securely.
(fig. a)
Follow these steps to determine if you have a
retractor system that will hold car seat securely:
a. Pull belt all the way out.
b. Allow belt to retract about 6 inches (15 cm).
c. Pull out on belt again.
If belt is locked and you cannot pull the belt out
any further, you have an Automatic Locking
Retractor which may be used with a car seat.
Remember, when installing a car seat, pull belt all
the way out, buckle belt, and then tighten.
If you can pull the belt out again (step c), you
have an Emergency Locking Retractor which
must not be used with a car seat.
16
Retractor
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (con t in ued )
Passive Rest rain t - Lap Belt
❃
w it h Mot orized Sh ould er Belt
DO NOT use with any car seat.
Passive Rest raint Lap or
-
❃
Shoulder Belt Mount ed on Door
DO NOT use with any car seat. Belts will not
stay tight while driving.
17
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (con t in ued )
Com b in at ion Lap / Sh ould er Belt
❃
w it h Slid in g Lat ch Plat e
Pull on latch plate (fig. a). If belt slides freely
through latch plate, a locking clip MUST
be used (see Locking Clip section).
Pull
Some combination lap/shoulder belts with
sliding latch plates may be converted into an
“automatic locking mode” that will allow use
without a locking clip. See vehicle owner’s
manual and label on vehicle belts for
instructions.
(fig. a)
Com b in at ion Lap / Sh ould er Belt
❃
w it h Lockin g Lat ch Plat e
The locking latch plate on some seat belts may
slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip the latch plate over (fig. b) and re-buckle.
Test installation again to see if this works. If
not, move car seat to another seating position.
Flip
(fig. b)
18
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (con t in ued )
5
Test installation to see if car seat is secure.
Lockin g Clip
❃
If not secure, additional belt tightening may be
required:
• Unbuckle vehicle seat belt.
WARNING
• Hold belts together and remove locking
clip.
Avoid serious in jury or d eat h :
• Failure t o use lockin g clip w h ere
req uired w ill result in car seat n ot
b ein g securely h eld in p lace.
• Shorten length of lap belt portion slightly
by pulling belt through latch plate.
• Re-attach locking clip.
• Buckle vehicle seat belt.
• Rem ove lockin g clip from seat b elt s
w h en n ot b ein g used w it h car seat .
HINT: Press car seat further down into vehicle
seat cushion to help buckle vehicle seat belt.
•
DO NOT use lockin g clip as a veh icle
seat b elt sh ort en er.
Test installation to see if car seat is secure. If
not secure, repeat above step until secure.
You MUST use locking clip provided with
car seat with a vehicle seat belt that slides
freely through the latch plate or the lap belt
cannot be tightly secured.
Install car seat and tighten vehicle seat belt.
1
2
Hold seat belts together at latch plate (fig. a)
then unbuckle.
1/2 inch (1 cm)
(fig. a)
3
4
Slide locking clip on seat belts approximately
1/2 inch (1 cm) away from latch plate.
Re-buckle seat belt.
19
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Inst allat ion of Anchor Hardware
❃
WARNING
• Be sure an ch or h ole is p rop erly sealed
t o p reven t exh aust fum es an d w at er
from en t erin g t h e veh icle.
Vehicle may already be equipped with a tether
anchor (top strap anchor). See vehicle owner’s
manual for location.
Avoid serious in jury or d eat h :
If vehicle does not have a tether anchor, one
must be installed:
• If you w ish t o rem ove an ch or on ce ch ild
out g row s car seat , m ake sure h ole is
p rop erly p lug g ed or sealed t o p reven t
exh aust fum es from en t erin g t h e
veh icle.
• Contact vehicle dealership for proper
anchor location and installation.
• Before installing anchor, install car seat on
a vehicle seat and check that the lap belt
portion of the vehicle belt will hold car seat
securely. If not, move car seat to another
seating position.
If tether anchor hardware kit is not available at
your vehicle dealership, one may be purchased
at a local retailer or call Century at
1-800-837-4044.
20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (con t in ued )
Tet her St orage
❃
Tether Hook
DO NOT anchor tether strap to the vehicle
when using car seat rear-facing.
Tether hook must be stored on car seat for
rear-facing use.
For storage of tether hook:
•
•
•
Attach tether hook to back of car seat
as shown.
Pull loose end of strap to remove any
slack.
Roll loose end of strap up and secure
with a rubber band.
Back of Car Seat
21
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (con t in ued )
Care & Clean in g
❃
1
Unhook “J” hooks from car seat shell.
2
Unhook harness straps from splitter plate.
3
Pull harness straps out of harness slots.
4
Press red button to release tongue(s).
5
For 5-Point harness system:
• Unhook harness tie and remove from
harness straps.
• Pull seat pad up over harness straps leaving
harness straps in car seat.
For T-Shield Model:
• Remove T-Shield.
• Pull seat pad off.
For Overhead shield model:
• Pull seat pad off.
Removing Overhead Shield Pad:
6
Pull 2 button clips out of shield and remove
pad (fig. a).
(fig. a)
Reverse above steps for replacing pads.
22
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (con t in ued )
Seat Pad and Overhead Shield Pad:
Machine-wash separately on gentle cycle and
drip dry.
WARNING
Preven t serious in jury or d eat h :
• Buckle m ust b e p rop erly lat ch ed .
• Period ically in sp ect an d clean b uckle
t o rem ove ob ject s or d eb ris t h at could
p reven t lat ch in g .
Harness Straps & T-Shield:
Surface wash only with mild soap and damp
cloth.
If harness straps are frayed or heavily soiled,
they MUST be replaced.
Shell:
Wipe with mild solution of soap and water.
Avoid wetting labels.
Never use “household detergents” they can
weaken plastic.
Buckle:
Rinse buckle with warm water. DO NOT use
household detergents. Never lubricate
buckle.
23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (con t in ued )
Aircraft Use
❃
This car seat is certified for use on aircraft (see
label on car seat). Contact airline about their
policy.
Use this car seat only on forward-facing aircraft
seats.
Install car seat on an aircraft the same way it is
installed in a vehicle.
Secon d Han d Car Seat
❃
Century advises against loaning or passing
along car seat.
24
St ore in st ruct ion m an ual
b eh in d t h ese t ab s.
If a part is damaged,
missing, or you need help
or replacement parts,
DO NOT return car seat
to the store.
CALL US FIRST
Call toll-free 1-800-837-4044
from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
or fax at 1-610-286-4555.
St ore lockin g clip
b eh in d in st ruct ion
m an ual.
or w rit e us at :
Century Products
P.O.Box 100
Elverson, PA 19520-9974
Attention: Customer Service
Department
Century Products
Graco Children’s Products Inc.
A Division of Newell Rubbermaid
Macedonia, Ohio 44-56-2096
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