ARGOS 70 ELITE Child Restraint/Booster Seat Owner’s Manual READ THIS MANUAL Do not install or use this child restraint until you read and understand the instructions in this manual. FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.
Table of Contents 1.0 Warnings to Parents and Other Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 2.0 Registration Information . . . . . . . . .6 2.1 Register Your Child Restraint .6 2.2 For Recall Information. . . . . . .6 2.3 If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . .7 3.0 Useful Information . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 3.1 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 3.2 Child Restraint Useful Life. . . .7 3.3 Second Hand Child Restraint .7 4.0 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 5.
Table of Contents (cont.) 11.0 Securing the Child Restraint in Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 11.1 Using a Child Restraint WITH a Built-in Harness . . . . . . . . . .32 11.2 With a Vehicle Lap or Lap/shoulder belt . . . . . . 32-34 11.3 With LATCH . . . . . . . . . . 35-36 12.0 Securing Your Child in the Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-39 13.0 Adjust Head Support/Harness Straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 14.0 Check Harness System . . . . . . . .41 15.
1.0 Warnings to Parents and Other Users NEVER PLACE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT IN A VEHICLE SEATING LOCATION THAT HAS A FRONT AIR BAG. If an air bag inÀates, it can hit the child and child restraint with great force and cause serious injury or death to your child. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for information about side air bags and child restraint installation.
Failure to properly use this child restraint increases the risk of serious injury or death in a sharp turn, sudden stop or crash. Your child’s safety depends on you installing and using this child restraint correctly. Even if using this child restraint seems easy to ¿gure out on your own, it is very important to READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL and the vehicle owner’s manual. Your child’s safety depends on: 1. Choosing the correct mode of use for the child restraint depending on your child’s size. 2.
2.0 Registration Information Model Number: Date of Manufacture: Purchase Date: 2.1 Register Your Child Restraint Please ¿ll in the above information. The model number and date of manufacture can be found on a label on the child restraint. Fill out the prepaid registration postcard attached to the harness and mail it today. Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You must register this restraint to be reached in a recall.
2.3 If You Need Help Please contact our Customer Service Department with any questions you may have concerning parts, use, or maintenance. When you contact us, please have your product’s model and date of manufacture ready so that we may help you ef¿ciently. These numbers can be found on a label on the child restraint. USA: 1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com 3.0 Useful Information 3.
4.
The locking clip is stored on the back of the child restraint. You will need to use it with certain types of vehicle seat belts. United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have de¿ned a new system for installing child restraints in vehicles. The system is called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). LATCH may ONLY be used IN PLACE of vehicle belt if vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchor points. Please refer to vehicle owners manual for LATCH locations in vehicles.
5.0 Assembling the Child Restraint Adult assembly required. 1. Lay child restraint flat on back. Grab seat pad fabric in sitting area to expose the gutters . KEEP GUTTERS CLEAR MAKE SURE all hands, fingers and other objects are clear of the gutters. 2. MAKE sure the harness straps are securely attached within the “T”-shaped slots around the arms as shown . With your other hand, raise seat back so that both arms LOCK into the gutters .
3. Arms should CLICK into the gutters. Seat assembly should appear as shown .
4. Attach 4 elastic loops from the seat pad under the seat exactly as shown in . 5. Pull elastic loop on the seat pad through the vehicle belt guide on side of seat and attach to hook as shown . Repeat on other side.
6. The assembly is now complete.
6.0 WARNINGS 12 &+,/' 5(675$,17 &$1 *8$5$17(( PROTECTION FROM INJURY. However, proper use of this child restraint reduces the risk of serious injury or death to your child. DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT UNTIL YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL AND IN YOUR VEHICLE OWNER’S MANUAL. DO NOT let others install or use the child restraint unless they understand how to use it.
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD RESTRAINT UNSECURED IN YOUR VEHICLE. An unsecured child restraint can be thrown around and may injure occupants in a sharp turn, sudden stop or crash. Remove it or make sure that it is securely belted in the vehicle. If not using LATCH and tether, make sure LATCH and tether connectors are properly stored on back of seat. THE CHILD RESTRAINT CAN BECOME VERY HOT IF LEFT IN THE SUN. Contact with these parts can burn your child’s skin.
7.0 Height and Weight Limitations FAILURE TO USE CHILD RESTRAINT IN A MANNER APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR CHILD’S SIZE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Instructions for the use of this child restraint differ greatly depending on the size of your child. Be sure you are using the child restraint in the correct mode and with the correct features for your child. 7.1 WITH Built-In Harness Your child must meet all requirements: Weight: 20 to 70 lbs (mass between 9 and 31.
7.2 WITHOUT Built-in Harness Your child must meet all requirements: Weight: 30 to 100 lbs (mass between 13.6 and 45 kg) Height: 38 to 57 inches (96 and 145 cm) in height Approximately 3-10 years of age The shoulder belt MUST lie across child’s shoulder as shown and the lap portion of the belt is positioned low on the child’s hips. Child’s ears are BELOW top of head support. If tops of ears are above top of head support, child is too large for seat. If child is between 30 and 70 lbs (13.6 and 31.
7.3 WITHOUT Back Support Your child must meet all requirements: Weigh between 40 and 120 lbs. (mass between 18 and 54.4 kg), and are between 40 and 57 inches (101 and 145 cm) in height, Approximately 4-10 years of age The shoulder belt MUST lie across child’s shoulder as shown and the lap portion of the belt is positioned low on the child’s hips. When sitting on the booster seat, your child’s ears should be below the top of the vehicle seat cushion / head support.
8.0 Choosing an Appropriate Vehicle Seat Location 8.1 Vehicle Seat Location Requirements IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Some seating positions in your vehicle may not be safe for this child restraint. Some vehicles do not have any seating positions that can be used safely with the child restraint. If you are not sure where to place the child restraint in your vehicle, consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call Graco Children’s Products Inc.
8.2 Vehicle Seat Belt Requirements MANY SEAT BELT SYSTEMS ARE NOT SAFE TO USE WITH THE CHILD RESTRAINT. THE VEHICLE SEAT BELT MUST BE DESIGNED TO HOLD THE CHILD RESTRAINT TIGHTLY AT ALL TIMES. Pay careful attention to these systems; some of the seat belts that are not safe to use look very much like seat belts that are safe to use. If you are unsure, consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call Graco Children’s Products Inc., 1-800-345-4109. 8.
8.4 For Built-in Harness Only /DS %HOWV 0DQXDOO\ $GMXVWHG When buckled, the belt is tightened manually by pulling on the excess belt. Lap Belts with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) The automatic locking retractor will not permit the lap belt to lengthen once it is buckled. Tighten the belt by feeding the belt back into the retractor while pushing down hard on the child restraint.
8.5 With OR Without Built-in Harness &RPELQDWLRQ /DS 6KRXOGHU %HOW ZLWK Locking Latch Plate Once it is buckled, this type of belt has a latchplate that will not allow the lap portion of the belt to loosen. Belt is tightened by pulling hard on the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt while pushing down hard on the child restraint. &RPELQDWLRQ /DS 6KRXOGHU %HOW ZLWK Sliding Latch Plate This belt has a latchplate that slides freely along the belt.
8.6 To Install Locking Clip 1. Tighten the buckled belt by pushing down hard on the child restraint and pulling hard on the shoulder belt. 2. While pushing down on seat, pinch the two straps together behind the buckle tongue. Unbuckle the belt without allowing it to slip. 3. Attach locking clip to lap and shoulder belts as shown . 4. Re buckle belt. Check that lap belt does not move by pulling hard. If belt loosens or lengthens, repeat procedure. Remove locking clip when not using child restraint.
8.7 UNSAFE Vehicle Belt Systems DO NOT USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYSTEMS TO SECURE THE CHILD RESTRAINT. LATCH can be used IN PLACE OF the following unsafe belt systems if your vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchor points. Please refer to the vehicle owners manual for LATCH locations. NEVER USE unsafe belt systems. Lap Belts with Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) This lap belt stays loose and can move until it locks in a crash or sudden stop.
Passive Restraint Lap Belt with Motorized Shoulder Belt DO NOT use vehicle belts that are attached to the door in any way or that move along a track to automatically surround the passenger when the door is closed. Lap Belts Forward of Seat Crease Vehicle seat belts located forward of seat crease may not securely hold child restraint. Check vehicle owner’s manual or see vehicle dealer for car seat installation requirements.
9.0 LATCH 9.1 What is LATCH? United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a new system for installing child restraints in vehicles. The system is called LATCH. LATCH stands for: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. LATCH in the vehicle consists of a top tether anchor point and two lower anchor points. Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the new child restraint anchor system.
NOTE: Some vehicle manufacturers have lower maximum weight ratings for LATCH anchors, so you must consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call the vehicle manufacturer to confirm the limits on your vehicle’s LATCH anchors. Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds (21.7 kg). See your vehicle owner’s manual for exact locations, anchor identification, and requirements for use with a child restraint.
9.2 LATCH System LATCH consists of a permanently attached lower anchor belt and a top tether strap. ONLY use LATCH in a seating position recommended by vehicle manufacturer. LATCH lower vehicle anchor points are defined as 11 inches from the center of one LATCH anchor to the center of another LATCH anchor. If allowed by your Vehicle Owners Manual, the center seating position maybe used if the anchor spacing is 11” or greater.
10.0 Using Child Restraint WITH Built-in Harness FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE HARNESS STRAPS FOR YOUR CHILD INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN, SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. 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 on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position. 1.
3. Unbuckle harness straps . 4. Check the crotch strap: Choose the position that is closest to but not under your child. To change crotch strap position, push crotch belt up through the bottom of the child restraint and grab it from the top to pull out . Reinsert crotch strap in the desired position. Make sure crotch strap is not twisted when reinserting into slot. Pull up on it to make sure it is secure.
5. Pull on harness to make sure it is secure . REMEMBER to check the shoulder straps and crotch strap position as your child grows and reposition them depending on your child’s size. The harness straps must be even with or just above the shoulders.
11.0 Securing the Child Restraint in Your Vehicle FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CHILD RESTRAINT IN THE VEHICLE INCREASES THE CHILD’S RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN, SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. Carefully follow these instructions and those in your vehicle owner’s manual to be sure your child restraint is properly positioned and held tightly at all times. 11.1 Using a Child Restraint WITH a Built-in Harness 11.
4. Tighten vehicle seat belt Push down hard with your knee or free hand in the middle of the child restraint . Then pull and tighten the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt. 5. While pulling the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt, lay the shoulder belt inside the opened lock-off and snap the lock-off over the shoulder belt . Two lock-offs are provided to allow for the seat to be installed on the right or left side of the vehicle seat. Only use one lock-off at a time.
6. If a vehicle top tether anchor is available, secure the tether to hold seat in place. See Section 21.0 Using the Tether, page 60. When not using the tether, hook it on the tether storage bar on the rear of the seat, see page 61. 7. Safety Check for Secure Installation Perform this test every time you drive with your child. Twist and pull child restraint forward and to both sides to make sure the vehicle belt does not lengthen or loosen and the child restraint does not easily move.
11.3 With LATCH Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds (21.7 kg). NOTE: Some vehicle manufacturers have lower maximum weight ratings for LATCH anchors, so you must consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call the vehicle manufacturer to confirm the limits on your vehicle’s LATCH anchors. 1. Unhook LATCH from storage bars on the sides of the seat. For ease of installation, extend LATCH to its maximum length. 2.
6. NEVER put two LATCH connectors on one vehicle LATCH anchor unless specifically allowed by the vehicle manufacturer . 7. All LATCH seating positions have tether anchors. Secure the top of the seat using the tether strap. See Section 21.0 Using the Tether, page 60. 8. Safety Check for Secure Installation Perform this test every time you drive with your child.
12.0 Securing Your Child in the Child Restraint FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE YOUR CHILD IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN, SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. In a crash, the child restraint provides NO protection for your child unless the harness straps are properly secured. Follow these instructions carefully to properly secure your child. ADJUST THE HARNESS SYSTEM SNUGLY EVERY TIME you place your child in the child restraint. Avoid bulky clothing. 1.
3. Fasten harness clip . Position harness clip at middle of child’s chest, level with armpits. 4. Tighten the harness straps by pulling the adjustment strap on the front of the seat .
5. The harness straps must be even with or MXVW DERYH WKH VKRXOGHUV . To adjust head support/harness strap height see page 40. 6. Make sure straps are flat and snug against child’s shoulders and thighs. You should not be able to pinch the harness straps. 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. CHECK that child’s ears are BELOW top of head support.
13.0 Adjusting Head Support/Harness Straps When using with built-in harness always use one of the bottom 4 height positions. BEFORE adjusting the head support height, have your child lean forward slightly. Squeeze the red adjustment handle on top of seat and pull head support up until it snaps into one of the bottom 4 height positions . To lower, squeeze red adjustment handle and push down.
14.0 Check Harness System To prevent serious injury or death: t ,FFQ IBSOFTT TUSBQT TOVH BOE QPTJUJPOFE PO TIPVMEFST XJUI IBSOFTT DMJQ BU BSN QJU MFWFM t %P OPU VTF TUSBQ DPWFST CMBOLFUT DVTIJPOT PS QBEEJOH VOEFS IBSOFTT TUSBQT PS DIJME VOMFTT QSPWJEFE CZ (SBDP t $IJME TIPVME CF ESFTTFE JO DMPUIJOH UIBU EPFT OPU JOUFSGFSF XJUI CVDLMJOH UIF IBSOFTT 20 to 70 lbs (mass between 9 and 31.8 kg) and at least one year old. Harness straps/head support must be at or just above shoulders.
15.0 Harness Removal To use without built in harness: 1. Remove harness straps. Open harness clip and harness buckle . 2. Face the rear of the seat and remove the belt straps from metal junction plate as shown . 3. Remove crotch strap by pushing the strap retainer on bottom of seat, up through slot.
4. Grab the crotch strap buckle and pull it completely out . 5. Pull on the adjustment strap on the front of the seat to lock the metal junction plate into place. 6. Grab hold of the shoulder straps and pull them out of their slots on the seat pad. Remove body support and crotch pad.
7. On the rear of the seat, detach 2 lower seat pad elastic straps from hooks as shown in . 8. Also detach the elastic straps that are threaded through the vehicle belt guides on the sides of the seat as shown in . Repeat on other side. ¡ 9. Pull the seat pad out of the way to reveal the red buttons as shown in the seating area ¡ . Slide the buttons to release the back support from the base and lower it into a flat position. Hold the back support to avoid it from falling back and hitting something.
10. Remove harness straps from arms as shown in ¢. Store the body support, harness covers, crotch pad cover and harness straps in safe place for future use. ¢ Harness Strap T-slot Arm 11. Move seat pad fabric out of the way then raise seat back so that both arms LOCK into the gutters . You should hear a CLICK when the arms lock into the gutters. MAKE sure to keep the gutters clear of any obstructions.
12. Tuck seat pad in between the gap of the back support and seat area of the booster seat to allow 2 elastic straps to show at the rear of the seat. 13. Attach 2 seat pad elastic straps onto the hooks on the rear of the child restraint as shown in . 14. Pull elastic strap on the seat pad through the vehicle belt guide on side of seat and attach to hook as shown. Repeat on other side . Reverse instructions to reinstall harness.
16.0 Using Your Child Restraint WITHOUT Built-in Harness FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE YOUR CHILD IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN, SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. In a crash, the child restraint provides NO protection for your child unless the vehicle lap/ shoulder belt is properly secured. Follow these instructions carefully to properly secure your child.
DO NOT use shoulder belt loose or positioned under arm . DO NOT place shoulder belt behind child’s back . Lap portion of lap/shoulder belt MUST be low and snug on hips, just touching thighs. INCORRECT INCORRECT DO NOT allow child to slide down in booster seat . If child will not keep vehicle belt properly positioned, DO NOT use this booster seat. Use a different child restraint system. DO NOT position vehicle belt over top of the armrests .
Vehicle seat headrest should not create a gap between vehicle seat and booster seat . The front of booster seat MUST NOT hang over front of vehicle seat .
17.0 Securing Child & Booster Seat in Vehicle Use only the vehicle lap and shoulder belt system when restraining the child in the booster seat. 1. Place booster seat firmly against the back of a forward-facing vehicle seat equipped with a lap/shoulder belt only. 2. Place child in booster seat with child’s back flat against back of booster seat. 3. Position lap/shoulder belt through shoulder belt guide not underneath shoulder belt guide . Belt should pass over vehicle belt guide .
18.0 Adjusting Head Support in Booster Mode BEFORE adjusting the head support height, have your child lean forward slightly. Squeeze the red adjustment handle on top of seat and pull back support up until it snaps into one of the 5 height positions . To lower, squeeze red adjustment handle and push down. CHECK to make sure it is securely snapped into one of the 5 height positions by pulling up on head support.
7R DGMXVW KHDG VXSSRUW VLGH ZLQJV push buttons on top of seat down and rotate wings to desired position.
19.0 Removing Back Support To use booster seat WITHOUT back support, remove harness straps if attached (see section 15.0 Harness Removal, p.42-46) then continue with the following steps: 1. Detach 2 lower elastic straps from rear of seat as shown . 2. Detach elastic strap from the hooks on the seat pad as shown. Repeat on other side .
3. Pull the seat pad out of the way to reveal red buttons as shown in . Slide the buttons to release the back support from the base and lower it into a flat position. When removing back support, you must support the back support when sliding the red buttons that disengage the back support from the base. Make sure all hands, fingers and other objects are not behind the back support when removing it. 4.
5. Once back support is separated , store back support with all the harness straps, head support, body support and crotch pad cover in safe place. 6. Reattach the elastic straps at the back of the seat and through the vehicle belt guide on the sides of seat as shown. 7. Seat is ready to install. To reattach back support if needed, reverse steps from p. 55 to p. 53.
20.0 Securing Child in Vehicle with Shoulder Belt Positioning Clip The shoulder belt MUST lie across child’s shoulders in red zone as shown . If shoulder belt lies outside this zone, the shoulder belt positioning clip MUST be used. To attach clip to booster seat: 1. Insert the loop end of strap through the slot on rear of seat exactly where shown .
2. Pass the clip and the strap through the loop end as shown and pull strap up. 3. NOTE: Free end of strap should face front of seat.
4. Slide the vehicle shoulder belt onto the clip as shown and pull free end of strap down to tighten clip against the child’s shoulder. The lap portion MUST pass through the vehicle belt guide and be positioned low on the hips. The belt MUST NOT be twisted.
5. Lap portion of lap/shoulder belt MUST be low and snug on hips, just touching thighs. DO NOT allow child to slide down in booster seat .
21.0 Using the Tether All LATCH seating positions have tether anchors. Always use tether if a vehicle tether anchor is available, check your vehicle owner’s manual for the tether anchor location(s). If your vehicle is not equipped with a tether anchor, it may be possible to install one. Contact your vehicle dealership for the proper anchor location and installation. You may purchase tether anchor parts kit by calling Graco Customer Service at 1-800-345-4109. 1.
21.1 Storing Lower Anchors and Tether (LATCH) 1. For ease of storing, extend LATCH to its maximum length. 2. Locate the storage bars on back of child restraint . Storage bars located on each side at the back of the seat 3. Fasten ends of tether and lower anchors onto their respective storage bars as shown . Tether 4. Tether and lower anchors storage should look like this when complete .
22.0 Airplane Use This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles. It is certified for use in Aircraft ONLY when used with the built-in harness. When used as a booster WITHOUT the harness, this restraint is NOT CERTIFIED for aircraft use because aircraft seats do not have a shoulder belt. Important points to remember: 1. Airlines have some restrictions about the use of child restraints. 2.
23.0 Accessories (on certain models ONLY) 23.1 Body Support & Harness Covers To prevent ejection in sudden stop or crash: Never allow body support to bunch or fold behind child. Make sure that harness covers do not interfere with placement of the chest clip at armpit level. Body support is not to be used by children over 35lbs.
24.0 Recline Foot Your child restraint has 3 recline positions: adjust recline foot before installing child restraint. 1. To recline seat, pull recline handle out and tilt seat back to extend foot as shown . 2. To set seat to upright position, pull recline handle out and tilt seat forward to retract foot .
25.0 Care and Maintenance Continuous use of child restraint may cause damage to vehicle seat. Use a child restraint mat, towel or thin blanket to protect upholstery. Metal and plastic parts: clean with mild soap and cool water. No bleach or detergents. Harness straps and LATCH straps: spot clean with damp sponge. Do not immerse the straps in water. Doing so may weaken the straps. Buckle should fasten with a “click”, if not, rinse buckle with warm water. DO NOT USE SOAPS or LUBRICANTS.
26.0 To Remove Head Support and Seat Covers HEAD SUPPORT COVER: clean with a damp sponge using mild soap and cool water. If necessary, cover may be removed for cleaning. 1. Remove harness and crotch straps (see Section 15.0, Harness Removal, p.42-46). 2. Remove elastic loops from head support as indicated in . 3. Remove head support cover as shown. 4. Machine wash cover in cold water on delicate cycle and drip-dry. DO NOT USE BLEACH. 5.
SEAT COVER: clean with a damp sponge using mild soap and cool water. If necessary, cover may be removed for cleaning. Hook and loop attachment tape 1. Remove harness and crotch straps (see Section 15.0, Harness Removal, p.42-46). 2. Remove elastic loops from seat as indicated in . Hook and loop attachment tape 3. Remove seat cover as shown. 4. Machine wash cover in cold water on delicate cycle and drip-dry. DO NOT USE BLEACH. 5. To put the seat cover back on, reverse preceding instructions.
27.0 Replacement Parts, Warranty and Owner’s Manual Storage To purchase parts or accessories or for warranty information in the United States, please contact us at the following: www.gracobaby.com or 1-800-345-4109 Your Owner’s Manual can be stored on the bottom of the seat inside the slot in the footrest as shown.
