Introduction
This manual provides essential instructions for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of your Joie Stages Coal Car Seat. Please read this manual thoroughly before using the product and keep it for future reference. Proper use ensures the safety and comfort of your child.
The Joie Stages car seat is designed to accommodate children from birth up to approximately 7 years of age (0-25kg), adapting to their growth through various stages. It features a robust Baby Armor steel frame for enhanced durability and safety, along with a Grow Together™ multi-height headrest and harness system that adjusts simultaneously without re-threading.
Important Safety Information
- Always ensure the car seat is correctly installed and secured according to the instructions provided.
- Never leave a child unattended in the car seat.
- Ensure the child's harness is snug and properly adjusted for each journey.
- Do not use the car seat if it has been involved in an accident, even if there is no visible damage.
- Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for specific car seat installation guidelines.
- The car seat is suitable for rearward facing from birth to 18kg (approximately 4 years) and forward facing from 9kg to 25kg (approximately 7 years).
- Side Impact Security provides extra protection for the head, body, and hips.
Product Components
Familiarize yourself with the various parts of your Joie Stages Coal Car Seat.
Image 1: Front view of the Joie Stages Coal Car Seat, showing the main seat, headrest, and infant insert with the 5-point harness.
- Headrest: Adjustable to multiple height positions.
- 5-Point Harness: Secures the child in the seat.
- Infant Insert: Provides additional support for newborns and smaller infants.
- Recline Adjustment Lever: Located at the front/bottom for changing recline positions.
- Harness Adjustment Strap: For tightening the 5-point harness.
- Side Impact Protection: Integrated into the side wings of the seat.
- Storage Pockets: Mesh pockets on the sides for small items.
Setup and Installation
The Joie Stages car seat can be installed using your vehicle's 3-point seat belt. It supports both rearward and forward-facing installations.
1. Rearward-Facing Installation (Birth to 18kg)
This orientation is mandatory for infants and recommended for as long as possible, up to 18kg.
- Place the car seat on the vehicle seat, ensuring it is stable.
- Adjust the recline to the rearward-facing position (position 1).
- Route the vehicle's 3-point seat belt through the blue-marked belt guides for rearward-facing installation.
- Secure the seat belt buckle.
- Engage the dual lock-offs to ensure the seat belt is tightly secured.
- Press down firmly on the car seat while pulling the seat belt tight to remove any slack.
- Verify that the car seat is securely installed and does not move more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) at the belt path.
Image 2: Front view of the Joie Stages Coal Car Seat without the infant insert, showing the main seat and headrest. This configuration is used for older infants and toddlers.
2. Forward-Facing Installation (9kg to 25kg)
For children weighing 9kg and above, the car seat can be installed in a forward-facing position.
- Place the car seat on the vehicle seat, facing forward.
- Adjust the recline to one of the three forward-facing positions (positions 2, 3, or 4).
- Route the vehicle's 3-point seat belt through the red-marked belt guides for forward-facing installation.
- Secure the seat belt buckle.
- Engage the dual lock-offs to ensure the seat belt is tightly secured.
- Press down firmly on the car seat while pulling the seat belt tight to remove any slack.
- Verify that the car seat is securely installed and does not move more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) at the belt path.
Image 3: Side view of the Joie Stages Coal Car Seat, showing the 5-point harness and the adjustable headrest. This view highlights the side impact protection.
Operating Instructions
1. Securing Your Child
- Place your child in the car seat.
- Bring the two buckle tongues together and insert them into the buckle until they click.
- Pull the harness adjustment strap to tighten the 5-point harness until it is snug against your child's body. Ensure you cannot pinch any slack at the child's shoulder.
- The shoulder straps should be at or just below the child's shoulders for rearward-facing, and at or just above the child's shoulders for forward-facing.
2. Adjusting Headrest and Harness
The Grow Together™ multi-height headrest and harness system adjust simultaneously.
- Locate the headrest adjustment lever at the top rear of the headrest.
- Squeeze the lever and pull up or push down the headrest to the desired height.
- The harness straps will adjust automatically with the headrest, eliminating the need for re-threading.
Image 4: Side view of the Joie Stages Coal Car Seat, illustrating the recline adjustment lever (red) and the ventilation holes on the side shell.
3. Recline Positions
The car seat offers 4 recline positions: 1 for rearward-facing and 3 for forward-facing.
- To adjust recline, locate the recline adjustment lever at the front of the car seat base.
- Pull the lever and adjust the seat to the desired recline position. Ensure it clicks securely into place.
Maintenance and Cleaning
- Cleaning Covers: The car seat features removable and washable covers. Refer to the care label on the fabric for specific washing instructions. Typically, machine wash cold on a delicate cycle and air dry. Do not bleach or tumble dry.
- Cleaning Harness: Wipe the harness straps with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not immerse the harness in water or use harsh chemicals, as this can weaken the webbing.
- Cleaning Plastic Parts: Wipe plastic parts with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Storage: When not in use, store the car seat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Longevity: The Baby Armor steel frame support extends the life of the materials of the seat to 10 years. Always check the expiration date on your car seat.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Car seat feels loose after installation. | Seat belt not tight enough; lock-offs not engaged. | Re-read installation instructions. Press firmly on the car seat while tightening the vehicle seat belt. Ensure dual lock-offs are engaged. |
| Harness straps are difficult to tighten or loosen. | Harness may be twisted; child's clothing interfering. | Check for twists in the harness straps. Ensure no clothing is caught in the buckle or adjuster mechanism. |
| Headrest adjustment is stiff. | Mechanism may be obstructed or dirty. | Ensure the adjustment lever is fully squeezed. Check for any debris obstructing the mechanism. |
| Infant insert does not fit correctly. | Incorrect positioning or child has outgrown it. | Ensure the infant insert is correctly placed. Remove the infant insert when the child no longer requires the additional support or exceeds the weight limit specified for the insert. |
Specifications
- Model Number: C0925CHCOL000
- Target Gender: Unisex
- Material Type: Plastics, Fabrics, Materials
- Number of Reclining Positions: 4 (1 rear-facing, 3 forward-facing)
- Batteries Required: No
- Orientation: Convertible Seat (Rearward and Forward Facing)
- Rear-facing Maximum Child Weight: 18 Kilograms
- Forward-facing Minimum Child Weight: 9 Kilograms
- Forward-facing Maximum Child Weight: 25 Kilograms
- Harness Type: 5-Point
- Manufacturer: Joie
- Product Dimensions: 54.5D x 58W x 76H cm
- Item Weight: 8.95 Kilograms
- Installation Type: Vehicle Seat Belt
- Colour: Coal
- Number of Height Positions (Headrest): Multi-height adjustment
Warranty and Support
For warranty information, product registration, or customer support, please visit the official Joie website or contact your local distributor. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.
Manufacturer: Joie
Website: www.joiebaby.com (Please check for your regional website)
