Registration Information Fill out the registration card and mail it in today! Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address and the restraint's model number and manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety, Inc. 13501 South Ridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28273 or call 1-888-4BRITAX. For recall information, call the U.S. Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 (202-366-0123 in DC area). P/No.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 4:14 PM Page 1 Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Important Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Child Restraint Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Vehicle Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Vehicle Seating Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 4:03 PM Page 2 Introduction Read and understand this information booklet before using this product. It is recommended that you store this booklet so you can consult it often to ensure that you are using the restraint correctly. This child restraint is designed for use only by children who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds (2.3 and 18 kg) and whose height is between 19 and 40 inches (48 and 102 cm). Rear facing use should be limited to children who weigh between 5 and 30 pounds (2.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 3 Important Notes • Verify that the child restraint is secure and that the harness is properly adjusted around your child each time you use the child restraint. • Adjust the harness to fit the clothes your child is wearing. The fit for a child in winter clothes will differ from a child in summer clothes. • Cover the child restraint if your vehicle is parked in direct sunlight. Parts of the child restraint can become hot to the touch in sunny weather.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 4 Safety Information • FAILURE TO FOLLOW EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE’S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. SECURE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT WITH A VEHICLE BELT AS SPECIFIED IN THIS USER GUIDE. • According to accident statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that parents select the rear seat as the safest location for a properly installed child restraint.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 5 Safety Information • The primary protection for occupants of a vehicle in a collision is the body of the vehicle itself, and a child restraint will not protect a child when the vehicle is seriously impacted. However, correctly installed, this restraint will substantially improve the chances for survival in most accidents. Make sure that you fully understand the correct way to use this child restraint in your vehicle.
FAGalaxy_page proof 5/9/02 10:48 AM Page 6 Child Restraint Features Cover Harness Slots Shoulder Harness Chest Clip Buckle Belly Pad Harness Holder Adjuster Cover Stabilizing Bar Cover LATCH Adjuster USE ON FOR 'S SIDE R DRIVERANCHO LATCH LATCH Strap Harness Adjuster Strap LATCH Harness Retainer Base Seat Shell 6
FAGalaxy_page proof 5/9/02 10:48 AM Page 7 Child Restraint Features LATCH Connector Storage pocket (under cover) Tether Adjuster Tether/Booklet Pouch Cover Tether Hook Versa-TetherrTM Yoke Shoulder Harness Harness Guard* (not shown) Forward Facing Lock-off N EO E R R US 'S SID O FO IVER ANCH DR TCH LA Recline Adjust Knob LATCH Harness Retainer Rear Facing Lock-off LATCH Connector 7
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 8 Vehicle Safety Belts NOTE: The information in this section only applies if you are installing the child restraint using the vehicle seat belts. If using LATCH, this section should be ignored. IMPORTANT: Some vehicles have no seating positions which are compatible with this child restraint, or any other child restraint. If in doubt contact your vehicle manufacturer for assistance.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 9 Seat Belt Anchorage Points MUST Fall Within This Shaded Area Lower Ancorage Point Lower Ancorage Point Use this simple guide to check your seat belts and determine the safest position for your child restraint. Use the gray shaded area on the side of this page to determine the best position for the child restraint. Hold the page against your vehicle seat (as shown above) with the gray area toward the back of the seat.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 10 Vehicle Seating Positions • Forward facing vehicle seats MUST be used with this child restraint. Side facing or rear facing seats in vans, station wagons or trucks CANNOT be used. • Britax and the U.S. Department of Transportation warn that children 12 and under must ride in the rear seats, away from front air bags. The only exception is if the air bag is off.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 11 Installation: Rear Facing 1 Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchors (Fig A). • If LATCH anchors are not installed, you must use standard seat belt installation methods 2 Verify that LATCH harness is routed in rear facing slots. If not, refer to page 17 A to switch LATCH harness. 3 Place the child restraint facing and fully reclined on the vehicle seat.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 12 Installation: Rear Facing 7 With one hand, push the child restraint firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling the first LATCH connector strap tight (fig D). 8 Continue pressing child restraint firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling the second LATCH connector strap tight. 9 Verify that all connections are D tight and the child restraint is secure. 10 If desired, attach Versa-Tether™ as instructed on pages 27-28.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 13 Installation: Rear Facing Rear Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation 1 Recline child restraint as necessary to align leveling line horizontal with the ground. IMPORTANT: Only use super recline mode if necessary to obtain proper angle, based on vehicle seat contour A (see page 29). 2 Unhook hook and loop attachments on the front edge of the cover, then pull the stabilizing bar out completely. Pull stabilizing bar upward until it clicks into position (fig. A).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 14 Installation: Rear Facing 7 Reattach hook and loop attachments on the front edge of the cover. 8 Press child restraint into vehicle seat, while removing slack from the lap portion, then the shoulder portion of the seat belt (fig. D). 9 Maintain pressure on child restraint, then position both sec- D tions of seat belt through the lock-off. 10 Close lock-off arm. Lock-off is properly closed when a positive click is heard (fig. E).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 15 Installation: Rear Facing Rear Facing Lap Belt Installation 1 Recline child restraint as necessary to align leveling line horizontal with the ground. IMPORTANT: Only use super recline mode if necessary to obtain proper angle, based on vehicle seat contour A (see page 29). 2 Unhook hook and loop attachments on the front edge of the cover, then pull the stabilizing bar out completely. Pull stabilizing bar upward until it clicks into position (fig. A).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 16 Installation: Rear Facing 7 Press child restraint into vehicle seat, while removing slack from the seat belt (fig. D). 8 Position seat belt through the open lock-off. 9 Close lock-off arm. Lock-off is properly closed when a positive click is heard (fig. E). D NOTE: It is only necessary to use one lock-off. Always use the lockoff that is closest to the seat belt buckle. Never bend the plastic lock-off arm up or down to prevent breakage.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 4:03 PM Page 17 Switching the LATCH Connectors The LATCH harness must be switched for proper alignment in rear facing or forward facing installations. The seat is supplied with the LATCH harness fitted in the rear facing position. To switch the harness to the forward facing position, follow the instructions below: 1 Feed the complete latch harness out through the seat on the side with the short connector strap (fig A).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Installation: Forward Facing Forward Facing Installation with LATCH 1 Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchors (fig. A). • If LATCH anchors are not installed, you must use standard seat belt installation methods. 2 Verify that LATCH harness is A routed in forward facing slots. If not, refer to page 17 to switch LATCH harness.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 19 Installation: Forward Facing 6 With one hand, push the child restraint firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling the first LATCH connector strap tight (fig E). 7 Continue pressing child restraint firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling the second LATCH connector strap tight. D 8 Attach Versa-Tether™ as instructed on pages 25-26. Forward facing installation is improved by the use of the Versa-Tether™, but is not required.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 20 Installation: Forward Facing Forward Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation Shoulder Lap A B C 20 Figure A illustrates a typical lapshoulder seat belt system. 1 Place the child restraint forward facing on the vehicle seat. 2 If stabilizing bar is extended press blue release button, located adjacent to the right side rear facing lock-off, to release and store bar (fig. B).
FAGalaxy_page proof 5/9/02 10:49 AM Page 21 Installation: Forward Facing 5 Press the lock-off tab to open the lock-off (fig. E). NOTE: It is only necessary to use one lockoff. Always use the forward facing lock-off that is furthest from the seat belt buckle. 6 Pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt through the lock-off to remove all slack (fig. F). 7 Hold the shoulder belt tight, then push the lock-off tab until it clamps the seat belt in place (fig. G).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 22 Installation: Forward Facing Forward Facing Lap Belt Installation A B C 22 Figure A illustrates a typical lap belt only seat belt system. 1 Place the child restraint forward facing on the vehicle seat. 2 If stabilizing bar is extended press blue release button, located adjacent to the right side rear facing lock-off, to release and store bar. (fig. B).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 23 Installation: Forward Facing 5 Press child restraint into vehicle seat, while removing slack from the lap portion of the seat belt (fig. E). 6 Verify that the seat belt is tight and the child restraint is secure. 7 See Checking Buckle Position below. Removal To remove the child restraint, unfasten the seat belt and reverse the above directions.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 24 Installation In Aircraft This child restraint is certified for use on aircraft. Most airlines in the U.S. and Canada will allow you to use a child restraint if it is labeled as an approved child restraint for airline use and fits properly on the plane. Contact your airline about their policy prior to travelling. • Use your child restraint only on forward facing aircraft seats! • Place the child restraint next to a window to avoid blocking the aisle.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 25 Versa-TetherTM NEVER ATTACH A FORWARD FACING TETHER TO A LOCATION THAT IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR TO A LOCATION THAT YOU BELIEVE IS INCORRECT OR NOT STRONG ENOUGH. IF THE TETHER ANCHOR COMES LOOSE IN A CRASH, THE METAL HOOK CAN INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. • Britax recommends that the tether be used at all times. Using the tether will improve the stability of your child restraint and reduce the risk of injury.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 26 Versa-TetherTM 4 Hook the tether to the tether anchor point, then pull on the tether belt to remove any slack. 5 Verify that there is tension in the tether strap and that child restraint is properly secured. Releasing the Versa-Tether To release the Versa-Tether, push the adjuster button down and inwards on the tether strap, and pull to loosen. Unhook the tether from tether anchor point to release child restraint. This method occasionally may be difficult.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 27 Versa-TetherTM Rear Facing Versa-Tether 1 Locate the tether and remove from pouch. 2 Push the adjuster button, then pull to fully extend tether. 3 Locate the hook on the strap. The hook latch can be opened and closed by pressing your thumb against the latch. 4 Place the restraint in the selected vehicle seating position. Follow the section Installation: Rear Facing on pages 11-16. 5 Locate an acceptable location for the tether to be anchored. Use a., b., or c.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 28 Versa-TetherTM 7 Verify that there is tension in the tether strap and that child restraint is properly secured. IMPORTANT: The proper child restraint angle is the angle where your child rests comfortably back, but never more than 45 degrees from vertical. Releasing the Versa-Tether To release the Versa-Tether, push the adjuster button down and inwards on the tether strap, and pull to loosen.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 29 Recline Adjustment Pull blue recline latch up to adjust seat into one of four normal positions (fig A). If the level line is not horizontal with the ground in normal recline mode, it may be necessary to install the child restraint in super recline mode to obtain the proper seat angle. To adjust to super recline mode, push yellow latch down while pulling up on blue recline latch, then pull seat shell to slide it into super recline mode (fig B).
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 30 Using the Buckle Fastening the Buckle 1 Hold the buckle with one hand. 2 Use your other hand to insert one tongue at a time into the buckle. Proper connection is confirmed with a positive click after inserting the second buckle tongue. Releasing the Buckle 1 Brace the rear of the buckle with hand. 2 Use thumb to press release button until tongues are ejected from buckle. NOTE: Periodically clean the buckle to ensure proper operation.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 31 Securing Your Child Once the child restraint has been installed in the vehicle, follow these instructions to secure your child in the child restraint. 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the adjuster lever located in front of the seat, while pulling the shoulder straps forward (fig. A). A 2 Unfasten the chest clip by squeezing the middle tab. (fig. B). 3 Unfasten the buckle by pressing the release button (fig. C). 4 Move the harness straps to the side of the seat.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Securing Your Child 7 Gently pull up on the harness straps to tighten the lap section of the harness, which should fit low on your child's body (fig. D). 8 Slowly pull the adjuster strap to tighten the harness around the child (fig. E). IMPORTANT: Harness should have D a comfortable, but SNUG fit around the child. A snug fit allows you to place two fingers between your child's body and the harness. 9 Fasten the chest clip by connecting the two halves together.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 33 Checking Harness Height The shoulder harness MUST be threaded through the slots in the cover and shell nearest the top of your child’s shoulders. If in any doubt always use the slot above the shoulders rather than below. To Check Harness Height: 1 Place child in child restraint and secure harness (see pages 31-32). 2 Observe where the shoulder harness is positioned on your child. 3 Use diagrams below to determine if an adjustment is necessary.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 34 Adjusting Harness Height Harness Height Adjustment 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the adjuster lever located in the front of the seat while pulling the shoulder straps forward as far as possible (fig. A). 2 From the rear of the child restraint, pull the yoke over the top A of the harness guard, unhook the shoulder harness from the yoke (fig. B). 3 Pull straps through the shell and cover, to the front of the seat.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 35 Care and Maintenance Cover Removal 1 Loosen the harness by lifting the adjuster lever while pulling the shoulder straps forward as far as possible. 2 Unhook the shoulder straps from the yoke on the rear of child restraint. 3 Pull straps through the shell and cover, to the front of the seat. 4 Lift cover over buckle. 5 Gently remove the upper portion of the cover, by releasing the elastic loops. Be careful not to damage the energy absorbing foam.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 36 Care and Maintenance Buckle Removal 1 Fully recline the child restraint. 2 Locate two metal buckle strap retainers on bottom of the seat. 3 Pull each retainer away from A child restraint to loosen. 4 Turn each retainer so that the short side will go through the slot in the seat shell (fig. A). 5 Push the retainer through slots in the shell and cover to the front of the seat Rethreading the Buckle 1 Locate the buckle slots.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 37 Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Cover HAND WASH using cold water and mild soap. LINE DRY to prevent cover from shrinking. DO NOT: • Use bleach • Machine wash • Machine dry Cleaning the Shell SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and mild soap. TOWEL DRY DO NOT: • Use solvents, detergents, or abrasive cleaners • Remove the harness adjuster strap Cleaning the Harness SPONGE CLEAN using warm water and mild soap.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Buckle THOROUGHLY RINSE using warm water (fig. B). SOAK using warm water to loosen hardened liquid or food. B TEST the buckle by fastening and unfastening until you hear a positive click after inserting the second buckle tongue (fig. C). If click is not heard continue to clean.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 39 Warranty This child restraint was manufactured by Britax. 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.
FAGalaxy_page proof 2/9/02 11:17 AM Page 40 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 Britax or the retailer selling this product be liable to you for any damages, including incidental or consequential damages, arising out of the use or inability to use this product.
Registration Information Fill out the registration card and mail it in today! Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address and the restraint's model number and manufacturing date to Britax Child Safety, Inc. 13501 South Ridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28273 or call 1-888-4BRITAX. For recall information, call the U.S. Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 (202-366-0123 in DC area). P/No.