Frontier 85 User Guide IMPORTANT: Thoroughly read, understand, and follow all instructions before installing this child seat. Store this user guide in the pocket behind the cover (See features pages for reference).
Table of Contents Warnings.......................................................................................................2 Safety Information........................................................................................4 Important Notes.....................................................................................................4 Certification............................................................................................................4 Registration....................
WARNING! Section Title DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur: • Harness mode: use only with children who weigh between 25 and 85 lbs (11.4 and 38.6 kg) and whose height is between 30 and 57 in. (76.2 and 144.8 cm) and are at least 2 years of age. • Booster mode: use only with children who weigh between 40 and 120 lbs (18.2 and 54.5 kg) and whose height is between 42 and 65 in. (106.7 and 165.1 cm). • Snugly adjust the belts provided with this child restraint around your child.
Safety Information Important Notes • Verify that the child seat is securely installed and that the harness is properly adjusted around the child each time the child seat is used. • Adjust the harness to fit the clothes the child is wearing. Remove bulky coats and/or jackets before putting the child in the child seat. • Do not, except as described in this booklet, attempt to disassemble any part of the child seat or change the way the harness or vehicle’s seat belts are used.
Child Seat Features Child Seat Features 6 1 7 2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 3 4 5 19 1 2 Cover Manufactured Date and Expiration Date Label LATCH Strap Arm Rest Cup Holder Head Restraint Head Restraint Cover Harness Slot 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 User Guide Storage (in pocket behind cover) 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Shoulder Belt Guide Comfort Pads HUGS™ Chest Pads Chest Clip Harness Straps Harness Buckle Lower Belt Guide Belly Pad Harness Adjuster Release Lever (under flap) 19 Harness Adjuster Strap 3
Child Seat Fit Requirements Child Seat Fit Requirements Booster Mode: Harness Mode: WARNING! Harness mode use of this child seat is ONLY for children who meet ALL of the following requirements. If the child does not meet all harness mode requirements because the child is too small, another type of child seat MUST be used. If your child does not meet all harness mode requirements because they are too large, you may need to use this child seat in booster mode.
Vehicle Compatibility Vehicle Compatibility Compatible Vehicle Seat Belts NOTE: The information in this section only applies to installation with vehicle belts. Vehicle seats and seat belts differ from vehicle to vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about your vehicle 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 a slides along the vehicle belt webbing. 2.
Vehicle Compatibility 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. a b IMPORTANT: This belt type requires the use of a locking clip to secure the seat during installation. A locking clip must be secured approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) from the latch plate to secure the child seat.
Vehicle Compatibility Vehicle Compatibility Incompatible Vehicle Seat Belts WARNING! The following types of vehicle belts are NOT compatible with this child seat: 1 Lap-shoulder belts with top or bottom anchor points on the vehicle door. 2 Motorized, automatic vehicle belts. Vehicle Buckle Positions WARNING! The position of the vehicle belt buckle can adversely affect the stability of the child seat.
Child Seat Functions Child Seat Functions Harness Mode: Harness Height Adjustment Booster Mode: Head Restraint Adjustment IMPORTANT: Make all adjustments for the fit of your child before using the child seat. Place the child seat on the floor and have your child sit in the seat. Follow the instructions on the following pages to make the proper adjustments to the harness, buckle, and head restraint. Loosen the harness.
Child Seat Functions Child Seat Functions Adjusting Buckle Position Re-threading the Buckle Removing the Buckle Unbuckle the harness by 1 pressing the release button and pulling the tongues. IMPORTANT: Select the slot closest to, but not under the child. 1 Turn and push the buckle retainer through the slot in the cover and child seat shell. 2 3 4 5 6 18 2 Pull the buckle retainer through the slots in the cover and child seat shell to the bottom of the child seat.
Child Seat Functions Fastening the Buckle Child Seat Functions Releasing the Buckle Using the Positioning Block NOTE: Set the positioning block position BEFORE installing. Unhook the Versa-Tether from 1 the storage clip Insert one tongue at a time into the buckle. NOTE: Proper connection is confirmed with an audible click after inserting each buckle tongue. Press the release button and pull the tongues from the buckle. NOTE: Periodically clean the buckle to ensure proper operation. See Page 67.
Child Seat Functions Child Seat Functions Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) LATCH SYSTEM ANCHOR LOCATIONS Using the LATCH Connectors The LATCH connectors are located on the sides of the shell in the storage slots. Store the LATCH connectors when not in use. To remove the LATCH connector from the storage slot or lower anchor: Press and hold the red release 1 button.
Child Seat Functions Child Seat Functions Using the Versa-Tether WARNING! • Attach the Versa-Tether only to tether anchors identified by your vehicle manufacturer as tether anchorage points. • If your vehicle does not currently have a tether anchor attachment, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or contact your vehicle manufacturer for assistance. DO NOT modify your vehicle without advice from your vehicle manufacturer.
Installing the Child Seat Installing the Child Seat General Information WARNING! • Long belt path is only for use with a lap-shoulder belt. Never use the long belt path option with LATCH or a lap belt. • Use only the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt system when restraining a child in booster mode. Never restrain a child with only a lap belt in booster mode. • You MUST always use the Versa-Tether for children weighing 65 – 85 lbs (29.5 – 38.6 kg) in harness mode. • Install forward-facing only.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode LATCH – Short Path Before you begin: Versa-Tether (Top Tether) 99Check that your vehicle has LATCH anchors. * Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the vehicle’s LATCH anchor limits. 99Check that your vehicle has a top tether anchor. * You MUST always use the Versa-Tether for children weighing 65 – 85 lbs (29.5 – 38.6 kg). * Britax recommends that the Versa-Tether is used at all times.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode 1 Locate the LATCH anchors in your vehicle. * Ensure harness height is adjusted to fit your child. 2 3 4 2 Rotate the positioning block to the front and place the child seat on the vehicle seat. Verify that the LATCH strap is not twisted and firmly press the LATCH connectors onto their adjacent LATCH anchors to attach. Push the child seat into the vehicle seat and pull the end of the LATCH strap through the belt slot to secure.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Lap-Shoulder Belt – Selecting a Belt Path Due to variability in vehicle seat designs and belt systems, the Frontier 85 child seat can be secured to the vehicle seat by a lap-shoulder belt with either a short belt path or a long belt path installation method.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Lap-Shoulder Belt – Short Path Before you begin: 99Check that your vehicle has a seat belt that can be locked. Versa-Tether® (Top Tether) * Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine what type of vehicle belt you have and how it can be locked for use with child seats. If your vehicle belt does not lock, a locking clip must be used. Call Britax Consumer Services at 1(888)427-4829 to obtain a locking clip.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode 1 Rotate the positioning block to the front and place the child seat on the vehicle seat. 3 4 Pull the vehicle belt out and route the belt through the first belt slot, under the cover and through the second belt slot. Verify that the belt is not twisted and then buckle. Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while removing all slack from the lap part (a), then shoulder part (b) of the vehicle belt. Check that there is LESS than 1 in. (2.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Lap-Shoulder Belt – Long Path Before you begin: 99Check that your vehicle has a seat belt that can be locked. Versa-Tether® (Top Tether) * Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine what type of vehicle belt you have and how it can be locked for use with child seats. If your vehicle belt does not lock, a locking clip must be used. Call Britax Consumer Services at 1(888)427-4829 to obtain a locking clip.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode 1 2 Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Rotate the positioning block to the front and place the child seat on the vehicle seat. * Ensure harness height is adjusted to fit your child. Position the shoulder part of the vehicle belt behind the head restraint. Check that there is LESS than 1 in. (2.
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Lap Belt – Short Path Before you begin: 99Check that your vehicle has a seat belt that can be locked. Versa-Tether® (Top Tether) * Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine what type of vehicle belt you have and how it can be locked for use with child seats. 99Check that your vehicle has a top tether anchor? * You MUST always use the Versa-Tether for children weighing 65 – 85 lbs (29.5 – 38.6 kg).
Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode 1 Installing the Child Seat: Harness Mode Rotate the recline block to the front and place the child seat on the vehicle seat. * Ensure harness height is adjusted to fit your child. 2 3 4 Pull the vehicle belt out and route the belt through the first belt slot, under the cover and through the second belt slot. Verify that the belt is not twisted, then buckle. Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while removing all slack from the vehicle belt.
Switching Between Modes This seat may only be used in booster mode with children who stand 42 – 65 in. (106.7 – 165.1 cm) in height and weigh more than 40 lbs (18.2 kg). Britax recommends booster mode only after the child outgrows harness mode. Switching Between Modes 4 Pull the harness straps out of the slots. * DO NOT remove the HUGS™ chest pads or chest clip. Harness to Booster Mode To remove the harness and buckle: Loosen the harness.
Switching Between Modes Switching Between Modes Booster to Harness Mode 5 To replace the harness and buckle: Move the harness adjuster to 1 the highest position (a), then move the head restraint to the lowest position (b). * Ensure that harness slots in the cover, head restraint and harness adjuster are aligned. 2 Replace the locking screw to lock the head restraint adjuster. 3 Turn and slide the retainer of the buckle strap through the buckle slot.
Switching Between Modes Switching Between Modes 10 Before reattaching the harness straps, hold the harness yoke as shown, and ensure that the adjuster strap attached to the yoke is not twisted. Adjuster Strap Check that Harness Straps are not twisted FRONT BACK Check that the Chest Clip and HUGS™ Chest pads face outward 11 Slide nested harness straps completely onto the harness yoke. 12 Replace the belt shield over the harness straps and yoke.
Positioning the Child Seat: Booster Mode Positioning the Child Seat: Booster Mode Using LATCH WARNING! • Position forward-facing only in a seating position with a lap-shoulder belt. • Use only the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt system when securing a child in booster mode. Never secure a child with a lap belt only in booster mode. • Always secure the unoccupied child seat.
Positioning the Child Seat: Booster Mode 5 6 Firmly press the Versa-Tether® hook to the vehicle tether anchor to attach. Remove all slack from the tether webbing. Use the elastic strap to contain extra webbing. Securing Your Child Harness Mode OR WARNING! • Never route the vehicle belt over the child when using this child seat in harness mode.
Securing Your Child Loosen the harness. 1 Securing Your Child 6 a Press release lever b Pull both harness straps forward * The harness should have a comfortable but snug fit around the child. A snug strap should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position. You should not be able to pinch excess. Open the chest clip.
Securing Your Child Booster Mode Securing Your Child 3 Pull the vehicle belt out and route the shoulder part of the vehicle belt through the upper belt guide. 4 Fasten the vehicle belt across the child. WARNING! • Only use a lap-shoulder belt to secure the child in booster mode. • Use the shoulder belt guides on the child seat to ensure proper fit. • Ensure the lap part of the belt sits low across the child’s hips and that the shoulder part does not contact the child’s neck.
Care and Maintenance Cover Removal Care and Maintenance 4 Pull the harness straps through the shell and cover to the front of the child seat. 5 Remove the screw to unlock Locking the head restraint adjuster and Screw storage raise the head restraint to the highest position. WARNING! • Never remove the buckle tongues from the harness. • DO NOT remove the HUGS™ pads from the harness straps. Loosen the harness.
Care and Maintenance 8 Turn and push the buckle retainer through the shell and cover to the top of the seat. * Pull the belly pad over the buckle retainer to remove. 9 Pull the harness straps, buckle tongues, HUGS™ chest pads, and chest clip through the slots in the cover. 10 Remove the elastic loops from the hooks on the bottom of the child seat, then pull the lower part of the cover from the bottom of the child seat shell.
Care and Maintenance Replacing the Cover 1 Care and Maintenance 5 Fit the cover around the head restraint. Pull the head restraint cover over the head restraint shell, and reattach the elastic bands. * Be careful not to damage the energy-absorbing foam. * Be careful not to damage the energy-absorbing foam. Move the harness adjuster to the highest position (a), then move the head restraint to the lowest position (b).
Care and Maintenance 9 Ensure that the adjuster strap attached to the yoke is not twisted, then slide nested harness straps completely onto the harness yoke. See pages 49 and 50. Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Buckle If your child eats and drinks while in the child seat, you may need to check the buckle periodically and rinse out any accumulated debris or dried liquids.
Care and Maintenance Re-thread the Buckle 1 2 3 Select the slot closest to, but not under the child. Energy-Absorbing Tether The Versa-Tether can indicate when the child seat has been in a moderate or severe crash and replacement of the child seat is necessary. Turn and push the buckle retainer through the slots in the cover and shell to the bottom of the child seat.
Tips and Troubleshooting Tips and Troubleshooting Tips Troubleshooting TIP: If you’re having difficulty attaining a tight installation in harness mode using the short belt route, try reclining the vehicle seat back during installation. Once the installation process is complete, return the vehicle seat back to the most upright position possible. See Figure A. Problem: The harness is hard to adjust.
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. Your exclusive remedy for this warranty is that Britax will, at its option, provide repair or replacement components for this product.
Britax Child Safety, Inc. 13501 South Ridge Drive Charlotte, NC 28273 USA A Britax Childcare Group Limited company Tel. : 1-888-427-4829 www.Britax.
