Britax MARATHON CLASSIC User Manual
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Britax MARATHON CLASSIC User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Britax MARATHON CLASSIC

  • Page 1 Classic Marathon User Guide...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    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 Your Child ....................36 Care and Maintenance ..................38 Warranty .......................42 ©2010 Britax Child Safety, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A P404400_R1:04.10 This product and its components are subject to change without notice.

  • Page 4: Warnings

    WARNING! DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur: • Use only in a rear-facing position when using it with an infant weighing less than 20 lbs (9.1 kg) OR is less than 1 year of age. • Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 65 lbs (2.3 and 29.5 kg) and whose height is 49 inches (124.5 cm) or less. Rear- facing for children who weigh between 5 and 35 lbs (2.3 and 15.9 kg) and forward-facing for children who weigh between 20 and 65 lbs (9.1 - 29.5 kg) and are at least 1 year of age. • Snugly adjust the belts provided with this child restraint around your child. A snug strap should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press into the child’s flesh or push the child’s body 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.
  • Page 5 Please study the Vehicle Compatibility (pages 10-13) section in this booklet to ensure your child’s safety and consult your vehicle owner’s manual. • Secure this child seat even when it is not occupied. In a crash, an unsecured child seat may injure vehicle occupants. • When using in a vehicle with air bags, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for child seat installation instructions and precautions. • Never use adjuster strap to lift or carry this child seat. Doing so could cause damage to harness adjuster and 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 to use this child seat in a vehicle. • The use of non-Britax Child Safety, Inc. covers, 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. • HUGS chest pads must be installed for forward-facing use. Removal of HUGS is optional only for rear-facing use.

  • Page 6: Important Notes

    Safety Information Important Notes • Verify child seat is secure and harness is properly adjusted around child each time child seat is used. • Adjust harness to fit clothes the child is wearing. Remove bulky coats and/or jackets before putting child in child seat. • Cover child seat when vehicle is parked in direct sunlight. Parts of child seat could become hot enough to burn a child. • Store child seat in a safe place when it is not being used. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it. • Do not leave children alone in a vehicle, even for a short time. • Do not, except as described in this booklet, attempt to disassemble any part of the child seat or change the way its harness 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.

  • Page 7: Certification

    Vehicles and Aircraft. Registration Child seats can be recalled for safety reasons. You must register this child seat to be reached in a recall. 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.

  • Page 8: Important Harness Adjustments

    Safety Information Important Harness Adjustments According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: All infants should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds (9.1 kg). That means that if your infant reaches 20 pounds (9.1 kg) before her first birthday, she should remain rear-facing at least until she turns 1 year old. It is best for children to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer. Rear-Facing Use rear-facing only with children: • who weigh between 5 and 35 lbs (2.3 – 15.9 kg) and • the top of the child’s head is at least 1” (2.5 cm) or more below the top of the child seat (Fig.
  • Page 9 Safety Information Forward-Facing Use forward-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 •...

  • Page 10: Child Seat Features

    Child Seat Features 1 Cover 11 Harness Holders 2 LATCH Strap 12 HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard ™ System) Chest Pads 3 LATCH Adjuster Release Button 13 Harness Strap 4 LATCH Adjuster 14 Harness Buckle 5 LATCH Connector Release Button 15 Belly Pad 6 LATCH Connector (stored under cover) 16 Harness Adjuster Lever (under cover) 7 Harness Slots 17 Harness Adjuster Strap 8 Comfort Pads 18 Recline Handle 9 Chest Clip 10 Body Pillow...
  • Page 11 Child Seat Features 19 Serial Number & Manufactured 25 Forward-Facing Lock-off Date Label (under cover) 26 Forward-Facing Belt Path 20 Versa-Tether (Top Anchorage Strap) ® 27 Rear-Facing Belt Path - in pouch 28 Rear-Facing Lock-off 21 Versa-Tether Storage Pouch 29 LATCH Bar 22 Harness Yoke 30 Base 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.

  • Page 12: Vehicle Compatibility Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts

    Vehicle Compatibility Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts NOTE: The information in this section only applies to installation with vehicle safety belts. Vehicle seats and safety belts differ from vehicle to vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information 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 Has a latch plate that freely slides along the vehicle belt webbing.
  • Page 13 Vehicle Compatibility 2. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with Locking Latch Plate Has a latch plate that does not allow the lap part of the belt to become loose after it is buckled. Latch Plate Has a retractor that locks only in an emergency situation such as sudden stop or crash.
  • Page 14 Vehicle Compatibility 4. ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) with a Sliding Latch Plate Has a latch plate that freely slides along the vehicle belt webbing. Has a retractor that locks only in an emergency situation such 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.
  • Page 15 Vehicle Compatibility Tightens feeding belt webbing back into the retractor. 6. Locking Latch Plate Has a latch plate that does not allow the belt to become loose after it is buckled. Latch Plate Tightens by pulling on the belt webbing. Latch Plate...

  • Page 16: Incompatible Vehicle Belts

    Vehicle Compatibility Incompatible Vehicle Belts WARNING! The following types of vehicle belts are NOT compatible with this child seat: Vehicle belts with top or Motorized, automatic vehicle bottom anchor points on belts the vehicle door. Lap-shoulder belts that Lap belts forward of the have a separate retractor vehicle seat bight.

  • Page 17: Vehicle Buckle Positions

    Vehicle Compatibility Vehicle Buckle Positions WARNING! The position of the vehicle belt buckle can adversely affect the stability of the child seat. If the buckle lies near the incorrect position ( ) when the vehicle belt is tightened, try fitting the child seat in another seating position in the vehicle OR consult your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you can lower the vehicle buckle position by twisting the vehicle buckle stalk. If it is not possible to achieve the correct position ( ) 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. WARNING! DO NOT place a child seat rear-facing in the front seat...

  • Page 18: Installation: Rear-Facing Latch Installation

    Installation: Rear-Facing LATCH Installation • Figure illustrates rear-facing LATCH installation. • Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchors. If LATCH anchors are not available, you must use the vehicle belt installation methods. 1 If stored, remove the LATCH connectors from the storage slots under the cover (page 33) and pass them through their adjacent belt slots 2 Press and hold the first LATCH adjuster release button, then pull the LATCH strap to...
  • Page 19 Installation: Rear-Facing 6 Align each LATCH strap on the LATCH bar with the “LATCH Strap Here Rear-Facing” label on each side of the child seat. (Figs. E and F). 7 Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling each LATCH strap tight (Fig. G). IMPORTANT: Ensure the LATCH strap does not fold into the LATCH adjuster while tightening. 8 Verify that all connections are secure, the LATCH strap is aligned to the “LATCH Strap Here Rear-Facing” label on each side of the child seat, and that the child seat is stable.

  • Page 20: Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation

    Installation: Rear-Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation • Figure A illustrates a rear-facing, lap-shoulder belt installation. • When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in the storage slots. See page 33. 1 Recline the child seat then place it rear-facing on the vehicle seat. This child seat must be in the recline position when installed rear-facing. See Recline Adjustment on page 33 2 Lift the cover to open the rear-facing lock-off farthest from where the vehicle belt will be...
  • Page 21 Installation: Rear-Facing 7 Position the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt through the open lock-off, tighten belt, close the lock-off arm (Fig. F), and replace the cover. • The lock-off is properly closed when a click is heard. • To prevent damage, never extend the lock-off arm beyond its normal open position and always keep the lock-off closed when it is not in use.

  • Page 22: Lap Belt Installation

    Installation: Rear-Facing Lap-Belt Installation • Figure A illustrates a rear-facing, lap-belt installation. • When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in the storage slots. See page 29. 1 Recline the child seat, then place it rear facing on the vehicle seat. This child seat must be in the recline position when installed rear-facing. See Recline Adjustment on page 33. 2 Lift the cover and open the rear-facing lock- off farthest from where the vehicle belt will be buckled (Fig. B).
  • Page 23 Installation: Rear-Facing • If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR), use of the lock-offs is not required as long as the ALR is locked. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the type of retractor your vehicle has, and how to lock the retractor.

  • Page 24: Installation: Forward-Facing Latch Installation

    Installation: Forward-Facing LATCH Installation • Figure A illustrates a forward-facing LATCH installation. • Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchors. If LATCH anchors are not available, you must use vehicle belt installation methods. WARNING! • This child seat must not be used forward-facing for children less than one year of age OR who weigh less than 20 lbs (9.1 kg).
  • Page 25 Installation: Forward-Facing 6 Attach the remaining LATCH connector to its adjacent vehicle LATCH anchor (Fig. D) in an upright position (Fig, C). • An audible click confirms attachment. • Ensure that the LATCH strap is not twisted. NOTE: If an audible click is not heard when connecting either LATCH connector, the LATCH strap may be twisted, or there may be debris in the LATCH connector.

  • Page 26: Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation

    Versa-Tether from the pouch and place it up and over the child seat back. IMPORTANT: Britax recommends that the Versa-Tether be 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.
  • Page 27 Installation: Forward-Facing 5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted and is routed over the LATCH bars, then buckle (Fig. D). 6 Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while removing slack first from the lap portion of the vehicle belt, then the shoulder portion (Fig. E). 7 Hold the shoulder belt tight, then rotate the lock- off until the vehicle belt is secured (Fig. F). • If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR), use of lock-offs is not required as long as the ALR is locked. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the type of retractor your vehicle has, and how to lock the retractor.

  • Page 28: Lap Belt Installation

    IMPORTANT: Britax recommends that the Versa-Tether be 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.
  • Page 29 Installation: Forward-Facing 5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted, is routed under the LATCH bars, then buckle (Fig. B). 6 Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while removing slack from the vehicle belt (Fig. D). 7 Attach the Versa-Tether hook to the ® designated tether anchor (if available according to the vehicle owner’s manual) for the chosen seating position. Remove all slack from the tether to secure. Store...

  • Page 30: Installation: Aircraft

    Installation: Aircraft This child seat is certified for aircraft use. Most airlines in the U.S. and Canada will allow the use of a child seat as long as it is labeled as an approved child seat for airline use and fits properly on the aircraft seat. Contact the airline about their policy prior to traveling. The FAA recommends that a child weighing up to 40 pounds (18.1 kg) use a certified, 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.

  • Page 31: Installation: Versa-Tether

    • 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.

  • Page 32: Using The Versa-Tether

    Installation: Versa-Tether ® Using the Versa-Tether 1 Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for designated tether anchorage locations. 2 Locate the tether on the rear of the child seat and remove the tether from the pouch. 3 Place the tether up and over the child seat back. 4 Install the child seat using the LATCH system or the vehicle belts according to the instructions in this manual. 5 Tilt the tether release tab then pull to fully extend the tether strap into a “V” shape.

  • Page 33: Tether Connector Strap

    Installation: Versa-Tether ® Tether Connector Strap WARNING! Only use the tether connector strap for a rear- facing tether installation. Because every vehicle model is different, sometimes you cannot find a location to properly anchor the tether. Use the tether connector strap to assist in creating an anchor point (Fig. D). 1 Find a fixed vehicle anchor point that is bolted to the floor. •...

  • Page 34: Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether

    Installation: Versa-Tether ® 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 tether webbing, the forward movement of the child seat is delayed while reducing the amount of energy transferred to the child seat during a crash. A secondary benefit of the energy- absorbing Versa-Tether is to help indicate when the child seat has been involved in a moderate or severe crash and replacement of the child seat is necessary.

  • Page 35: Child Seat Functions

    Storing the LATCH Connectors When the LATCH connector is not in use, lift the cover to access the LATCH storage slots (Fig. D). Fold the LATCH adjuster and the connector, then slide each set into the adjacent slot. NOTE: Child seats are shipped from Britax with the LATCH connectors in the storage slots. You will have to open the rear-facing lock-offs to remove the LATCH connectors from storage. Recline Adjustment Pull the recline handle (Fig. E) then slide the child...

  • Page 36: Chest Clip

    Child Seat Functions Chest Clip Fastening the Chest Clip Fasten the chest clip by pushing the two halves together until a positive click is heard (Fig. A). Releasing the Chest Clip 1 Squeeze the middle tabs together (Fig. B). 2 Pull the two pieces 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 WARNING! HUGS chest pads must...

  • Page 37: Harness Buckle

    Child Seat Functions Harness Buckle Fastening the Harness Buckle 1 Hold the harness buckle with one hand. 2 Use your other hand to insert one buckle tongue at a time into the harness buckle (Fig. D). • A proper connection is confirmed with a positive click after inserting each buckle tongue. Releasing the Harness Buckle 1 Brace the rear of the harness buckle with one hand.

  • Page 38: Securing Your Child

    Securing Your Child Buckling and Tightening the Harness 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the harness adjuster release lever located on the front of the child seat while pulling both shoulder straps forward (Fig. A). 2 Release the chest clip by squeezing the tabs and sliding the pieces apart (Fig. B). 3 Unfasten the harness buckle by pressing the release button and sliding the tongues out. 4 Move the harness straps to the side of the child seat.
  • Page 39 Securing Your Child 7 Slide the HUGS™ chest pads down towards the buckle. Important checklist before tightening the harness: 9 Check for proper harness height (see pages 6 – 7). 9 Remove slack from around the child’s upper thighs. 9 Remove slack between the HUGS™ chest pads and the buckle. 8 Slowly pull the adjuster strap until the harness is snug around the child.

  • Page 40: Care And Maintenance

    Care and Maintenance Cover Removal WARNING! Do not take apart the harness. Never remove the buckle tongues from the harness. They cannot be reattached after removal. If reassembled incorrectly, the child seat may not perform as intended. 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the harness adjuster lever while pulling the shoulder straps forward as far as possible. 2 Unhook the shoulder straps from the harness yoke on the rear of the child seat (Fig. A). 3 Pull the upper harness straps through the shell and cover to the front of the child seat.
  • Page 41 Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Cover • HAND WASH using cold water and mild soap. • LINE or LIE-FLAT DRY to prevent the cover from shrinking. • DO NOT bleach, machine wash, machine dry or iron. Cleaning the Shell • SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and mild soap. • TOWEL DRY • DO NOT use solvents or abrasive cleaners. Cleaning the Harness • 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. • SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and a mild soap. • TOWEL DRY • DO NOT use solvents, abrasive cleaners or disassemble the harness.
  • Page 42 Care and Maintenance Harness Buckle Removal 1 Fully recline the child seat. 2 Locate the metal buckle strap retainer on the bottom of the child seat. 3 Pull the retainer away from the child seat to loosen. 4 Turn the retainer so the short side will fit through the slot in the child seat shell (Fig. A). 5 Push the retainer 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).
  • Page 43 Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Harness Buckle If a child eats and drinks while in the child seat, the harness buckle may need to be periodically checked and cleaned of any food, drink or 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...

  • Page 44: Warranty

    Warranty This child seat was manufactured by Britax Child Safety, Inc. Britax warrants this product ® to the original retail purchaser as follows: LIMITED ONE-YEAR WARRANTY This product is warranted against defective materials or workmanship for one year from the date of original purchase. Proof of purchase is required. The exclusive remedy for this warranty is that Britax will, at its option, provide repair or replacement components for this product or replace the product. Britax reserves the right to discontinue or change fabrics, parts, models or products, or to make substitutions. To make a claim under this warranty, contact Britax Consumer Services at 1-888-427-4829 or write to us using the address on the back cover of this booklet. Proof of purchase is required. PLEASE COMPLETE AND MAIL THE OWNER REGISTRATION CARD WITHIN (30) DAYS OF PURCHASE OR VISIT WWW.BRITAXUSA.COM/REGISTRATION. WARRANTY LIMITATIONS This warranty does not include damages which arise from negligence, misuse or use not in accordance with the product instruction. The use of non-Britax Child Safety, Inc. covers, 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.
  • Page 45 Notes...
  • Page 46 Notes...
  • Page 47 Notes...
  • Page 48 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. Tel 1.888.427.4829 13501 South Ridge Drive Charlotte, NC 28273 www.BritaxUSA.com A Britax Childcare Group Limited company...

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