Product Overview
The Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat is designed to provide safety and comfort for your child as they grow. This versatile car seat transitions through three stages: a harnessed booster, a high-back belt-positioning booster, and a backless belt-positioning booster.
It is engineered to meet or exceed U.S. safety standards, featuring extensive crash testing, side-impact testing, and a reinforced steel frame for effective energy management.

Figure 1: Front view of the Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat.
Key Features
- 3-in-1 Design: Converts from a harnessed booster (22-65 lbs) to a high-back booster (40-100 lbs) and then to a backless booster (40-100 lbs).
- Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System: Allows for one-motion adjustment of the harness and headrest height, ensuring proper fit as your child grows.
- 3-Position Recline: Provides comfort for your child during travel.
- Side-Impact Tested: For occupant retention with the built-in 5-point harness system.
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™: Rigorously crash tested to protect in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes, and for extreme car interior temperatures.
- Integrated Storage: Features a cup holder and storage compartments for convenience.
- Durable Construction: Outfitted with reinforced steel for effective energy management and a 10-year expiration.
Setup and Installation
Proper installation is crucial for your child's safety. Always refer to the full user manual (PDF link provided at the end of this document) for detailed instructions specific to your vehicle and child's weight/height.
Stage 1: Forward-Facing Harness (22-65 lbs)
For children weighing 22-65 lbs, the car seat should be used in the forward-facing harnessed mode. Ensure the 5-point harness is properly adjusted and snug against your child.

Figure 2: Child properly secured in the forward-facing harness mode.
Stage 2: High-Back Belt-Positioning Booster (40-100 lbs)
Once your child outgrows the harnessed mode (or reaches 65 lbs), convert the seat to a high-back belt-positioning booster. The vehicle's lap and shoulder belt will be used to secure your child.

Figure 3: Child secured in the high-back belt-positioning booster mode.
Stage 3: Backless Belt-Positioning Booster (40-100 lbs)
For older children, the back of the car seat can be removed to use it as a backless belt-positioning booster. Ensure the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt are correctly positioned across your child's body.

Figure 4: Child secured in the backless belt-positioning booster mode.
For detailed conversion steps between modes, please consult the comprehensive user manual.
Operating the Car Seat
Harness and Headrest Adjustment
The Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System allows you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest simultaneously with one hand. This ensures a proper and secure fit for your growing child without the need for rethreading.
Recline Positions
The car seat features a 3-position recline to enhance your child's comfort during travel. Adjust the recline by pressing the red recline button located at the front of the seat base.
Convenience Features
The Nautilus 65 includes integrated storage pockets and a cup holder. These features provide convenient access to snacks, drinks, and small toys for your child during rides.
Video 1: Demonstrates the Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat's features, including the Simply Safe Adjust Harness, 3-position recline, and storage pockets. This video is provided by the seller.
Maintenance and Care
Regular cleaning and maintenance will help prolong the life of your car seat and ensure continued safety.
Cleaning Instructions:
- Seat Cushion: The seat cushion is machine-washable. Refer to the care tag for specific washing instructions.
- Metal and Plastic Parts: Clean with mild soap and cool water.
- Buckle: May be cleaned with a damp cloth. For thorough cleaning, remove the buckle from the car seat by pushing the retainer through the harness strap slot. Place the buckle in a cup of warm water upside down and gently agitate, pressing the red button several times. Do not submerge harness webbing and do not use soaps or lubricants. Rinse with warm water, shake out excess, and air dry. Reattach the buckle into the same slot and re-check installation before use.
- Harness Straps: May be spot cleaned only. Do not machine wash or immerse harness straps in water, as this may weaken them.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with your Graco Nautilus 65 car seat, please refer to the following common solutions. For more complex problems, consult the full user manual or contact Graco customer support.
| Problem | Possible Cause / Solution |
|---|---|
| Harness difficult to adjust or tighten. | Ensure the harness straps are not twisted. Check that the chest clip is at armpit level. Verify that the harness adjuster strap is free from obstructions. |
| Buckle is sticky or hard to unlatch. | Food or debris may be lodged in the buckle. Follow the buckle cleaning instructions in the Maintenance section. Do not use lubricants. |
| Car seat feels loose after installation. | Ensure the vehicle seat belt or LATCH system is tightened correctly. The car seat should not move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path. Re-read the installation section of the full manual. |
Specifications
- Model Number: 1946243
- Product Dimensions: 18 x 20 x 28 inches
- Item Weight: 20.5 pounds
- Minimum Weight Recommendation (Harness): 22 Pounds
- Maximum Weight Recommendation (Booster): 120 Pounds
- Minimum Height Recommendation: 27 Inches
- Maximum Height Recommendation: 57 Inches
- Material Composition: Polyester, Alloy Steel, Metal, Plastic
- Harness Type: 5-Point
- Recline Positions: 3
- Installation Type: Seat Belt
- Color: Sully
Warranty and Support
For detailed warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official Graco website or the full user manual. Graco products are designed for durability and safety, and the Nautilus 65 has a 10-year expiration from the date of manufacture, which is typically found on a label on the car seat.
For further assistance, you can also refer to the comprehensive Graco Nautilus 65 User Manual (PDF).





