Marathon User Guide
Table of Contents Safety Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Child Restraint Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Vehicle Safety Belts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Vehicle Seating Positions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rear-Facing Installation.
• Use only in a rear-facing position when using restraint with an infant weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear-facing until at least 1 year of age and 20 pounds. • Use only with children who weigh between 5 and 65 pounds (2.3 and 29 kg) and whose height is 49 inches (124 cm) or less. Rear facing 5–33 pounds (2.3–15 kg) and forward-facing 1 year and 20 pounds to 65 pounds (29 kg).
Safety Information Safety Information • This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. • 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.
Restraint Features Restraint Features 15 1 1 16 2 3 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 1� 2� 3� 4� 5� Harness Slots Comfort Pads Chest Clip Harness Holder HUGS™ Shoulder Pads 6� Harness 7� Harness Adjuster Lever (under cover) 6 8� Buckle & Belly Pad 9� Perma-Book™ (under cover) 10� Harness Adjuster Strap 11� LATCH Connector 12� Recline Handle 13� LATCH Adjuster 15 12 12 13 13 14 14 14� LATCH Harness 15� Cover 16� Versa-Tether® 17� Versa-Tether Storage Pouch 18� Forward-Facing Lock-off 19� Ha
Vehicle Safety Belts NOTE: The information in this section applies only to installation with vehicle belts. IMPORTANT: Some vehicles have no seating positions which are compatible with this child restraint, or any other child restraint. If in doubt, contact the vehicle manufacturer for assistance. The following types of vehicle belts are not compatible with this child restraint: Front vehicle belts with top or bottom anchorage points in the door. Motor-driven, automatic vehicle belts.
Installation: Rear-Facing Installation: Rear-Facing LATCH Installation 8� Push the child restraint firmly into the vehicle seat while pulling each LATCH harness tight (Fig. E). 9� Verify all connections are secure and the restraint is stable. The restraint is stable when it cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 inch (2.5 cm.) at the belt path. Installation can be improved by the use of the Versa-Tether® (see pages 23–25).
Installation: Rear-Facing Installation: Rear-Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation 8�Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and the child restraint is stable. The restraint is stable when it cannot be moved front to back or side to side more than 1 inch (2.5 cm.) at the belt path. NOTE: • Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing lap-shoulder belt installation. • When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
Installation: Rear-Facing Installation: Rear-Facing Lap-Belt Installation • If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR), use of lock-offs is not required as long as the ALR is activated. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the type of retractor your vehicle has. • Figure A illustrates a typical rear-facing lap-belt installation. • When not in use, always store LATCH connectors in storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
Installation: Forward-Facing Installation: Forward-Facing LATCH Installation 7� Verify that LATCH harness is not twisted, then loosely attach the remaining connector to the remaining LATCH anchor (Fig. D). 1� Verify that your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchors. • A positive click confirms attachment. • Figure A illustrates the forward-facing LATCH harness routing. 8� Kneel on the child restraint to push it into the vehicle seat while pulling each LATCH harness tight (Fig. E).
Installation: Forward-Facing Installation: Forward-Facing 6� Push the child restraint into the vehicle seat while pulling the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt tightly through the lock-off (Fig. D). Forward-Facing Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation • Figure A illustrates the forward-facing lapshoulder vehicle belt route. • When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs. 1� Place the child restraint forward facing on the vehicle seat.
Switching the LATCH Connectors Installation: Forward-Facing Lap-Belt Installation Switching the LATCH Harness The LATCH connectors will properly connect with the vehicle’s LATCH anchors only when the connectors are properly aligned and the harness is not twisted. • Figure A illustrates the forward-facing lapbelt-only vehicle belt route. • When not in use, always store the LATCH connectors in storage pouches sewn in cover above rear-facing lock-offs.
Versa-Tether® Installation in Aircraft This child restraint is certified for aircraft use. Most airlines in the U.S. and Canada will allow the use of a child restraint, if it is labeled as an approved child restraint for airline use and fits properly on the plane. Contact the airline about their policy prior to traveling. • Place the child restraint next to a window to avoid blocking the aisle. • If the aircraft lap belt is too short, ask the flight attendant for a belt extender.
Versa-Tether® Versa-Tether® Using the Versa-Tether® 1� Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for approved tether-anchorage locations. 2� Locate tether on rear of restraint and remove tether components from pouch. 3� Secure the child restraint by a seat-belt or A with the LATCH system. 4� Lift tether release tab; 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 anchor point. • See figure A for forward-facing installation.
Using the Buckle Checking Buckle Position WARNING: The position of the vehicle belt buckle can affect the stability of the child restraint. In an accident, an improperly positioned buckle could become loose and the child would be unprotected. If the buckle lies near the position marked as wrong ( ) when the vehicle belt is tightened, try fitting the child restraint in another seating position in the vehicle.
Securing Your Child Securing Your Child Once the child restraint has been installed in the vehicle, follow these instructions to secure the child. 1� Loosen the harness by lifting the adjuster lever located on the front of the restraint, then pull the shoulder straps forward (Fig. A). 2� Unfasten the chest clip by squeezing the middle tab (Fig. B). 3� Unfasten the buckle by pressing down on the release button. 4� Move the harness straps to the side of the restraint.
Adjusting Harness Height Checking Harness Height To Check Harness Height: Harness Height Adjustment 1� Place child in restraint, then secure harness (see pages 28–29). 2� Observe where the shoulder harness is positioned on the child. • Rear-Facing Strap Height: Harness straps should be located in the nearest slot at or below the child’s shoulder. • Forward-Facing Strap Height: Harness straps should be located in the nearest slot at or above the child’s shoulder.
Care and Maintenance Care and Maintenance Cover Removal WARNING: DO NOT take apart or attempt to take apart the harness. It is unnecessary and dangerous to do so. NEVER remove the buckle tongues from the harness. They cannot be reattached after removal. 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 yoke on the rear of child restraint. 3� Remove the belly pad from the buckle.
Care and Maintenance Care and Maintenance Buckle Removal Cleaning the Buckle 1� Fully recline the child restraint. 2� Locate the metal buckle-strap retainer on bottom of the restraint. 3� Pull retainer away from child restraint A to loosen. 4� Turn the retainer so that the short side will go through the slot in the restraint shell (Fig. A). 5� Push the retainer through slots in the shell and cover, to the front of the restraint.
Warranty This child restraint was manufactured by Britax Child Safety, Inc. (“Britax”). 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.
