Versa-Tether - Britax Hippo Instruction Booklet

Vehicle Installation: Forward-Facing
Forward-Facing: Lap-Belt Installation
•
Figure A illustrates the forward-facing,
lap-belt only vehicle belt installation.
• When not in use, always store the LATCH
hooks in storage pouches sewn in cover
above rear-facing lock-offs.
1 Place the child restraint forward-facing on
the vehicle seat. (See Recline table on
page 14).
•
Restraint must be in the full upright
position when installed in forward-facing
mode with children over 40 pounds
(18 kg) casted weight.
• If using Versa-Tether ® , remove from pouch
and loosely attach to an approved tether-
anchorage point (page 28).
2 Pull the vehicle belt out, then pass it under
(Fig. B) the LATCH bar, through the
forward-facing belt path, then under the
LATCH bar on the other side (Fig. C).
3 Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted,
then buckle.
4 Push the restraint fi rmly into the vehicle seat
while removing slack from the vehicle belt.
5 Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and the child restraint is secure.
A secure restraint should allow no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of
side-to-side or front-to-back movement at the belt path.
• See Checking Vehicle Buckle Position on page 10.
•
Installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether
pages 27-30).
26
Versa-Tether®
Using the Versa-Tether
1 Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for
approved tether-anchorage locations.
2 Locate the tether on rear of restraint and place
up and over seat back while securing restraint.
3 Secure the child restraint by a seat-belt or
LATCH system.
4 Press and hold the tilt-lock adjuster, then pull
to fully extend tether strap into a "V" shape.
5 Locate the hook on the strap and loosely attach
the tether to an approved anchor point.
• See Fig. A for forward-facing installation.
•
See Fig. B and C for rear-facing installation.
Rear-facing installation may also require use
of the Tether Connector Strap, as described
on page 29.
6 Pull the Versa-Tether strap to remove all
slack. Roll up excess webbing and store in tether pouch.
7 Verify there is no slack in the Versa-Tether strap and that child
restraint is properly secured. The restraint is secure when it cannot
be moved front-to-back or side-to-side more than 1 inch (2.5 cm.)
at the belt path. If the restraint is not secure, repeat procedure or
use an alternate seating location.
NOTE:
• The rear-facing recline angle of the child restraint should be 30º-45º from
vertical (not to exceed 45º from vertical) when the car is parked on a level
surface.
• The rear-facing recline angle can be adjusted by placing a rolled towel or pool
noodle in the crease of the vehicle seat, and the restraint can be stabilized by
tightening the tether as shown in Figure C, using anchor point 3.
• It may be necessary to loosen the tether and vehicle seat belt before adjusting
the recline position.
28
Page 7 of 10 Britax / Snug Seat Hippo (5/07)
A A
B B
IMPORTANT:
C C
® (see
Rear-Facing Tether Connector Strap
Because every vehicle model is different, some-
A A
times you cannot fi nd a location to properly
anchor the tether or the structural part of the
seat is too large for the hook. Use the rear-
facing tether connector strap (Fig. D) to assist
in creating an anchor point.
1 Find a fi xed vehicle seat belt anchor or vehicle seat leg (that is
B B
2 If you cannot fi nd an acceptable location to create an anchor
3 Loop the strap around the metal anchor.
4 Take the metal D-ring and thread it through the webbing loop on
C C
5 Pull the metal D-ring all the way through until the strap is tight
6 Use the D-ring as an attachment point for hook on tether strap.
WARNING!
The Versa-Tether
following conditions:
• Forward-facing recline. The restraint can only be
reclined up to 40 pounds (18kg) (casted weight).
• For children weighing more than 40 pounds (casted
weight).
WARNING!
When using the restraint in forward-
facing mode, attach the Versa-Tether
anchors identifi ed by the vehicle manufacturer as tether-
anchorage points. Use of other locations is not approved
or permitted.
If a tether anchorage is not available, DO NOT modify the vehicle
without advice from the vehicle manufacturer.
DO NOT hook the Versa-Tether to the bottom of a vehicle seat
adjuster!
•
Britax recommends that the tether be used forward-facing. Using the
tether will improve the stability of the child restraint and reduce the
risk of injury.
•
When using the restraint in forward-facing mode, attach the Versa-
Tether only to tether anchors identifi ed by the vehicle manufacturer
as tether anchorage points. Use of other locations is not approved or
permitted.
•
If the vehicle does not currently have a tether anchor attachment,
refer to the vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle
manufacturer for assistance.
• If a tether anchorage is not available, do not modify the vehicle
without advice from the vehicle manufacturer.
•
Do not hook the Versa-Tether to the bottom of a vehicle
seat adjuster!
WARNING!
Only use the tether connector strap for
rear-facing tether installation.
bolted to the fl oor) to which the strap can be wrapped around.
point, contact the vehicle manufacturer to identify a suitable
tether connection point.
the other end of the strap.
around the metal anchor.
Versa-Tether®
®
must be used in the
® only to tether
27
Versa-Tether®
D D
29