Britax MARATHON CLASSIC, User Manual

Page 1: ...MarathonTM Classic User Guide PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS STORE UNDER COVER ...

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Page 3: ...nstallation 22 Lap Shoulder Belt Installation 24 Lap Belt Installation 26 Installation Aircraft 28 Installation Versa Tether Safety Information 29 Using the Versa Tether 30 Tether Connector Strap 31 Energy Absorbing Versa Tether 32 Child Seat Functions Storing the LATCH Connectors 33 Recline Adjustment 33 Chest Clip 34 HUGS Chest Pads 34 Harness Buckle 35 Adjusting Harness Slot Height 35 Securing ...

Page 4: ...into an unnatural position Secure the top anchorage strap provided with this child restraint Secure this child restraint with the vehicle s child restraint anchorage system if available or with a vehicle belt Follow all instructions on this child restraint and in the written instructions located under the child seat cover Register your child restraint with the manufacturer To prevent injury due to...

Page 5: ...webbing Always carry this child seat by its shell or tether straps The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision is the body of the vehicle itself A child seat will not protect a child when a vehicle is seriously impacted However correctly installed a child seat will substantially improve chances for survival in most crashes Make sure all users fully understand the correct ways ...

Page 6: ... or vehicle s seat belts are used Do not leave loose objects e g books bags etc in the back of a vehicle In the event of a sudden stop loose objects will keep moving potentially causing serious injuries Do not leave folding vehicle seats unsecured or unlatched In event of a sudden stop a loose seat back could prevent child seat from protecting the child as well as it should Do not allow children t...

Page 7: ...all Send your name address and the child seat s model number and manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety Inc 13501 South Ridge Drive Charlotte NC 28273 or call 1 888 4BRITAX or register online at www BritaxUSA com registration For recall information call the US Government s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1 888 327 4236 TTY 1 800 424 9153 or go to http www NHTSA gov Serial Number _____________________...

Page 8: ... of the child seat Fig A and the harness straps are in the nearest slots at or below the child s shoulders If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because the child exceeds height or weight requirements review the forward facing guidelines on page 7 If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because the child is too small selection of a different child seat such as a...

Page 9: ...rward facing only with children who are at least one year of age and who weigh between 20 and 65 lbs 9 1 29 5 kg and 49 124 5 cm or less in height and the top of the child s ears are below the top of the child seat and the harness straps are in the nearest slots at or above the child s shoulders parallel to level ground Fig B IMPORTANT When using forward facing recline mode it may become necessary...

Page 10: ... under cover 7 Harness Slots 8 Comfort Pads 9 Chest Clip 10 Body Pillow 11 Harness Holders 12 HUGS Harness Ultra Guard System Chest Pads 13 Harness Strap 14 Harness Buckle 15 Belly Pad 16 Harness Adjuster Lever under cover 17 Harness Adjuster Strap 18 Recline Handle 7 8 9 11 12 10 13 15 14 16 1 17 18 2 3 4 5 6 Child Seat Features ...

Page 11: ...ge Strap in pouch 21 Versa Tether Storage Pouch 22 Harness Yoke 23 Belt Guard 24 Shell IMPORTANT When not in use this user guide should be stored under the cover DO NOT discard the foam inserts found under the cover 25 Forward Facing Lock off 26 Forward Facing Belt Path 27 Rear Facing Belt Path 28 Rear Facing Lock off 29 LATCH Bar 30 Base ...

Page 12: ...ion about your vehicle safety belts and their use with child seats Lap Shoulder 3 Point Belt 1 ALR Automatic Locking Retractor with Sliding Latch Plate a Has a latch plate that freely slides along the vehicle belt webbing b Has a retractor that stops the belt from being pulled out again once the belt webbing has been pulled out at least 24 in 61 cm c Tightens by feeding the belt webbing back into ...

Page 13: ...ing sound can be heard when retracting Touseachildseatwiththistype of vehicle belt you will need to switch to the ALR mode or use child seat lock offs 2 ELR Emergency Locking Retractor with Locking Latch Plate a Has a latch plate that does not allow the lap part of the belt to become loose after it is buckled b Has a retractor that locks only inanemergencysituationsuch as sudden stop or crash Latc...

Page 14: ...ed out at least 24 in 61 cm 4 ELR Emergency Locking Retractor with a Sliding Latch Plate a Has a latch plate that freely slides along the vehicle belt webbing b Has a retractor that locks only inanemergencysituationsuch as sudden stop or crash IMPORTANT This belt type requires the use of the lock offs built into the seat for rear and forward facing installations Latch Plate Vehicle Compatibility ...

Page 15: ...s a latch plate that does not allow the belt to become loose after it is buckled b Tightens by pulling on the belt webbing c Tightens by feeding the belt webbing back into the retractor Latch Plate Latch Plate Vehicle Compatibility ...

Page 16: ...nchor points on the vehicle door 2 Motorized automaticvehicle belts 3 Lap shoulder belts that have a separate retractor each for the lap section and shoulder section 4 Lap belts forward of the vehicle seat bight 5 Lap belts that have a retractor that locks only in case of a sudden stop emergency locking retractor or ELR Incompatible Vehicle Belts ...

Page 17: ...ition for the buckle then another seating position MUST be used Vehicle Seating Positions WARNING Some vehicles have no seating positions which are compatible with this child seat or any other child seat If in doubt contact the vehicle manufacturer for assistance Forward facing vehicle seats MUST be used with this child seat Side facing or rear facing seats CANNOT be used See diagram below DO NOT ...

Page 18: ... recline position when installed rear facing See Recline Adjustment on page 33 4 Attach one LATCH connector to its adjacent vehicle LATCH anchor Fig B in the upright position Fig C An audible click confirms attachment Ensure that the LATCH strap is not twisted TIP You may need to turn the front of the child seat toward you for easier access to the vehicle LATCH anchor 5 Attach the remaining LATCH ...

Page 19: ...annot be moved more than 1 in 2 5 cm front to back or side to side at the belt path If the child seat is not secure repeat the installation process or use an alternate seating location When properly installed in the rear facing position the back angle of the child seat should be 30º 45º from vertical not to exceed 45º when the car is parked on a level surface Fig H If necessary the proper recline ...

Page 20: ...lock off farthest from where the vehicle belt will be buckled Fig B 3 Pull the vehicle belt out then pass it under the LATCH bar and through the rear facing belt slot Fig C The vehicle belt can be routed over or under the cover 4 Route the vehicle belt across seat then through the opposite rear facing belt slot and under the LATCH bar IMPORTANT The vehicle belt must rest behind the child seat buck...

Page 21: ...elt is tight and that the child seat is secure The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved more than 1 in 2 5 cm front to back or side to side at the belt path If the child seat is not secure repeat the installation process or use an alternate seating location When properly installed in the rear facing position the back angle of the child seat should be 30º 45º from vertical not to exceed 45º...

Page 22: ...elt slot Fig C The vehicle belt can be routed over or under cover 4 Route the vehicle belt across the child seat then through the opposite rear facing belt slot and under the LATCH bar IMPORTANT The vehicle belt must rest behind the child seat buckle strap 5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted position the belt through the open lock off then buckle Fig D 6 Push the child seat firmly into t...

Page 23: ...alternate seating location When properly installed in the rear facing position the back angle of the child seat should be 30º 45º from vertical not to exceed 45º when the car is parked on a level surface Fig F If necessary the proper recline angle can be achieved by placing a rolled towel or pool noodle in the crease of the vehicle seat to level the child seat s base Rear facing installation can b...

Page 24: ... connector to its adjacent vehicle LATCH anchor Fig B in the upright position Fig C An audible click confirms attachment Ensure that the LATCH strap is not twisted TIP You may need to turn the back of the child seat toward you for easier access to the vehicle LATCH anchor LATCH Installation Figure A illustrates a forward facing LATCH installation Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anc...

Page 25: ...her hook to the vehicle s designated tether anchor for the chosen seating position Remove all slack from the tether to secure Store excess webbing in the tether pouch See pages 29 33 9 Verify that all connections are secure and that the child seat is stable The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 in 2 5 cm at the belt path If the child seat is not...

Page 26: ...eat back IMPORTANT Britax recommends that the Versa Tetherbe used at all times Using the tether will improve the stability of the child seat and reduce the risk of injury Check your vehicle owner s manual for approved tether locations 2 Place the child seat forward facing on the vehicle seat Ensure the bottom of the child seat base is in full contact with the vehicle seat TIP You may need to raise...

Page 27: ...ed Check your vehicle owner s manual to determine the type of retractor your vehicle has and how to lock the retractor 8 Attach the Versa Tether hook to the designated tetheranchor ifavailableaccordingtothevehicle owner s manual for the chosen seating position Remove all slack from the tether to secure Store excess webbing in the tether pouch See pages 29 32 9 Verify that the vehicle belt is tight...

Page 28: ...at Ensure the bottom of the child seat base is in full contact with the vehicle seat TIP You may need to raise or remove the vehicle head restraint to achieve best fit of the child seat 3 If the vehicle is equipped with a designated tether anchor for the chosen seating position remove the Versa Tetherfrom the pouch and place it up and over the child seat back 4 Pull the vehicle belt out then pass ...

Page 29: ... s manual for the chosen seating position Remove all slack from the tether to secure Store excess webbing in the tether pouch See pages 29 32 8 Verify that the vehicle belt is tight locked and the child seat is secure The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 in 2 5 cm at the belt path If the child seat is not secure repeat this procedure or use an ...

Page 30: ...d harnessed child seat while traveling on an aircraft Install your child seat in a window seat to avoid blocking the aisle If the aircraft lap belt is too short ask the flight attendant for a belt extender Rear Facing Installation For rear facing aircraft installation Fig A follow Rear Facing Lap Belt Installation instructions on pages 20 21 4 4 To aid installation on aircraft open the rear facing...

Page 31: ...ot approved or permitted DO NOT modify the vehicle without advice from the vehicle manufacturer if a tether anchorage is not available IMPORTANT Britax recommends that the tether be used at all times Using the tether will improve the stability of the child seat and reduce the risk of injury If your vehicle does not currently have a tether anchor attachment refer to your vehicle owner s manual or c...

Page 32: ...ard facing installation See figures B and C for a rear facing installation IMPORTANT The tether should be hooked over not under the vehicle tether anchor 7 Pull the tether adjuster strap to remove all slack Roll up excess webbing and store in tether pouch 8 Verify there is tension in the tether strap and that child seat is properly secured The child seat is secure when it cannot be moved front to ...

Page 33: ...nt that is bolted to the floor If you cannot find an acceptable location to create an anchor point contact the vehicle manufacturer to identify a suitable tether connection point 2 Route the strap around the fixed vehicle anchor point 3 Take the metal D ring and thread it through the webbing loop on the other end of the strap Fig D 4 Pull the metal D ring all the way through until the strap is tig...

Page 34: ...e child seat IMPORTANT Regardless of whether loops have pulled through the back side of the shell and the colored stitching has been released discontinue use of the child seat if it has been involved in a moderate or severe crash Energy Absorbing Versa Tether The energy absorbing Versa Tether was designed to enhance the performance of the child seat tether By introducing a staged release of the te...

Page 35: ... recline handle Fig E then slide the child seat shell into the desired position Release the recline handle then verify the child seat has locked into position E D NOTE It will be necessary to loosen the tether vehicle seat belt and or LATCH strap before adjusting the recline position The tether vehicle seat belt and or LATCH strap must be properly re tightened after adjusting the recline position ...

Page 36: ...eces apart Adjusting the Chest Clip 1 Slide the chest clip up or down Fig C on the harness so it is positioned at the middle of the child s chest level with the child s armpits 2 Slide the HUGS chest pads and comfort pads to a comfortable location for the child HUGS Chest Pads Child Seat Functions WARNING HUGS chest pads must be installed for forward facing use Removal of HUGS is optional only for...

Page 37: ...Adjusting Harness Slot Height IMPORTANT See Important Harness Adjustments on pages 6 7 for instructions on proper harness fit based on your child s height and weight 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the harness adjuster lever while pulling the harness straps forward as far as possible Fig F 2 From the rear of the child seat unhook the shoulder straps from the harness yoke Fig G 3 Pull the harness s...

Page 38: ...f the cover to aid in holding the straps IMPORTANT Remove bulky coats and or jackets before putting the child in child seat Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing 5 Place child in the child seat 6 Position harness straps around the child and fasten harness buckle Fig C and chest clip Fig D Proper connection of the harness buckle is confirmed with a positive click after insertin...

Page 39: ...e child s flesh or push the child s body into an unnatural position E Pull the harness adjuster away from the child seat to tighten Do not pull sideways You should not be able to pinch excess webbing at the shoulder once the harness is properly secured 9 If there is still slack in the harness review the checklist above and then pull the harness adjuster strap again until harness is snug 10 Positio...

Page 40: ...g foam 6 Pull the lower harness straps buckle tongues HUGS chest pads and chest clip through the lower slots in cover 7 Remove the entire cover and body pillow from the child seat For additional demonstration please visit www BritaxUSA com Refitting the Cover To refit the cover reverse the above directions Make sure that the shoulder straps are not twisted and are threaded properly through the che...

Page 41: ...rness SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and mild soap TOWEL DRY DO NOT bleach machine wash machine dry or disassemble the harness Cleaning the Harness Adjuster Periodically check the adjuster area to be sure it is clean and free of food drink or other debris If debris is present it must be removed to prevent interference with the adjuster mechanism BRUSH AWAY LOOSE DEBRIS using a soft bristled brush S...

Page 42: ...ainer through the slots in the shell and cover to the top of the child seat Rethreading the Harness Buckle 1 Locate the slot in cover and shell for the harness buckle 2 Turn the buckle retainer so the short side will fit through the slot in the cover and the child seat shell Fig A 3 Push the retainer through the slots in the shell and cover to the bottom of the child seat 4 Pull the harness buckle...

Page 43: ...r other debris REMOVE BUCKLE as described on page 40 THOROUGHLY RINSE using warm water Fig B TEST THE HARNESS BUCKLE by fastening Fig C and unfastening Fig D until a positive click is heard after inserting each buckle tongue If either click is not heard repeat cleaning procedure TOWEL DRY DO NOT lubricate use solvents abrasive cleaners soap or other household detergents B x 2 D x 2 x 2 C ...

Page 44: ...overs inserts toys accessories or tightening devices is not approved by Britax Their use could cause this child seat to fail Federal Safety Standards or not perform as intended in a crash Their use automatically voids the Britax warranty LIMITATION OF DAMAGES The warranty and remedies as set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others oral or written express or implied In no event will Bri...

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Page 48: ...th Double Check Child to Car Seat Installation Tug on the buckle to ensure proper locking Confirm harness straps are snug and over both shoulders and hips You should not be able to pinch excess harness strap webbing at the child s shoulder Make sure the chest clip is properly fastened and positioned in the middle of the child s chest at armpit level Britax Child Safety Inc 13501 South Ridge Drive ...