Baby Trend FLEX-LOC Infant Car Seat

Important Warnings

WARNING: Carefully read and understand all instructions and warnings in this manual. Failure to properly use this Infant Car Seat increases the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH in a sudden stop or crash.

KEEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE USE. Store this manual in the pocket provided on the back of the seat.

If you experience any difficulty in using this product, please contact Baby Trend customer service at 1-800-328-7363 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time for assistance. Please have your model number and manufacturing date available when you call. This information can be found on a small sticker on the bottom of the product.

Visit: www.babytrend.com

Baby Trend, Inc.
1607 S. Campus Ave.
Ontario, CA 91761

Registration

To register your safety seat, please complete the following information:

• Model Number: ________
• Manufactured in: ________
• Purchase Date: ________

The model number is on the side of the seat, and the manufactured date is on the bottom. Mail the prepaid registration postcard attached to the safety harness.

Child restraints can be recalled. Register to be reached in a recall. Send your name, address, email address (if available), model number, and manufacturing date to Baby Trend, Inc., 1607 S. Campus Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761, or call 1-800-328-7363, or register online at www.babytrend.com/registration.html.

For recall information, contact the U.S. Government's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.NHTSA.gov.

Safety Information

3.1 About Your Child

This Safety Seat is designed for a specific range of HEIGHT and WEIGHT. Using it outside these limits increases the risk of death or serious injury in a crash. Refer to the warning label on the seat's right side and the manual cover for limits.

Special needs children, such as pre-term babies, may have difficulties. The recline angle may not be appropriate. Consult your pediatrician for advice.

• Never leave your child unattended.
• Do not dress your child in bulky clothing that hinders the harness fit.

3.2 About Your Vehicle

Proper installation and securing your child are essential. Quick turns, sudden stops, or crashes can injure an improperly secured child or seat.

Vehicles, seat belt systems, and restraint systems vary. This manual provides guidelines. You must also read and understand your vehicle's owner's manual regarding child restraints. If it doesn't address child restraints, contact your dealer or manufacturer.

Some vehicles may not have a safe location for installation, or seat belt systems that adequately hold the seat. Consult both manuals for proper installation information.

• Never combine this Safety Seat or Base with other brands.
• This Safety Seat is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft and conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

3.3 About Active Air Bags

NEVER PLACE THIS SAFETY SEAT IN A VEHICLE SEATING LOCATION THAT HAS AN ACTIVE AIR BAG. An inflating air bag can cause death or serious injury.

3.4 About an Unoccupied Safety Seat

• Never leave the Safety Seat or Base unsecured in your vehicle. An unsecured seat can fly and cause injury. Remove the seat or belt it securely when not in use.
• The Safety Seat can become very hot in direct sunlight, potentially burning the child. Cover the seat with a blanket or towel if exposed to direct sunlight.

3.5 About This Safety Seat

• Do not store the seat with heavy objects on it or with pressure on the seat.
• Replace the Safety Seat and Base after any accident, as damage may be undetectable.
• Discontinue use after six (6) years from the date of manufacture. Disable the seat before discarding.

3.6 About Use as a Carrier

• Never leave your child unattended, even asleep. A child can tip the carrier.
• Always place the carrier on a firm and level surface. Avoid soft or plush surfaces (beds, couches) as the carrier may tip.
• Fall Hazard: Never place the carrier near the edge of high surfaces (tables, counters). Stay within arm's reach to prevent falls.
• Strangulation Hazard: Never leave a child in a carrier with loose or undone harness straps. Ensure straps are snug.
• Before lifting, check that the carry handle is firmly locked.
• Strangulation Hazard: Do not place items with strings around a child's neck, suspend strings over the carrier, attach strings to toys, or place the carrier near window cords.

WARNING:

• Never leave child unattended.
• SUFFOCATION HAZARD: Infant carrier can roll over on soft surfaces.
• STRANGULATION HAZARD: Children have STRANGLED in loose or partially buckled harness straps. Fully restrain the child.
• FALL HAZARD: Child's activity can move carrier. Never place on elevated surfaces.

Selecting the Best Location for the Safety Seat

WARNING: Not all locations in a vehicle are safe. Improper placement increases the risk of death or serious injury.

Follow this manual and your vehicle owner's manual. If uncertain, contact your vehicle manufacturer.

4.1 Overall Considerations

• Rear seating positions are statistically safer for children.
• The center rear seat is recommended as the safest location. If possible, an adult should ride in the rear to monitor the child.
• If the driver is alone and needs to monitor the child, the forward position may be used only if there is no passenger side Active Air Bag and other requirements are met.

4.2 Check that the Vehicle Seat Meets the Following Requirements

WARNING: DO NOT place rear-facing child seat on front seat with air bag. DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY can occur. The back seat is the safest place for children 12 and under.

• Never place this Safety Seat in a location with an Active Air Bag. Air bags deploy with great force and can cause death or serious injury. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for air bag information.

4.3 Check that the Vehicle Seat Belt is Safe to Use

The Safety Seat must be tightly installed at all times. Not all vehicle seat belt systems are safe for use with this Safety Seat.

WARNING: Carefully analyze vehicle safety belts. Threading the belt through the seat does not guarantee safety. Read this section, your vehicle owner's manual, and heed all warning labels. Your vehicle may require modification.

Seat Belt Systems NOT Safe for Use:

• Lap belts that stay loose and only lock in a crash (Emergency Locking Retractor, often with motorized shoulder belts).
• Lap/shoulder belt systems where both belts have retractors at one end.
• Seat belts connected to the door.
• Seat belts anchored more than 2 inches forward of the seat crease.
• Shoulder belts that move along a track.

If unsure about your seat belt system, contact your vehicle manufacturer.

Seat Belt Systems Adequate for Use:

• Manually adjusted lap belts that remain tight.
• Lap belts that cannot be lengthened once fastened (often have automatic locking retractors).
• Lap/shoulder combination belts with a latch plate that locks the lap belt into position.
• Combination belts that do not require a locking clip, or those that include a lockable retractor or use the provided locking clip.

Always follow instructions and your vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety Seat Features and Their Proper Use

5.1 5-Point Harness

The 5-point harness system includes harness straps, a buckle, and adjuster straps. The harness must be properly fitted and snug.

5.2 Rear view of Adjustable Back Model

Diagram shows harness slots, canopy, seat angle indicator, owner's manual holder, harness belt, adjuster knob, base/stroller hook, belt adjuster plate, and harness adjuster strap.

5.3 Rear View of Fixed Back Model

Diagram shows harness slots, canopy, seat angle indicator, owner's manual holder, harness belt, base/stroller hook, belt adjuster plate, and harness adjuster strap.

5.4 Base

The base features attachment locks, latch connector storage, belt path for vehicle belt installation, foot adjustment lock button, webbing release button, latch connectors, latch attachment hook, and latch hook release button.

5.5 Use of the Safety Seat with the Base

• To remove the car seat from the base, squeeze the Base Release handle and lift.
• To attach the Safety Seat to the Base, align and push down until it latches securely. Check both sides.

5.6 Other Features

Baby Trend offers various styles of Safety Seats with different features. Follow instructions specific to your model.

5.7 Operation of the Carry Handle

WARNING: Toys or other objects attached to the carry handle can cause injury in a crash.

The Carry Handle has four positions: Carry, Mid-Storage, Storage, and Non-Rocking.

To adjust the handle: Depress the two buttons above the connection to the seat shell, rotate the handle to the desired position, and ensure it locks.

5.8 Attaching the Canopy

Slip canopy stays through sleeves and insert plastic stays into female fittings on the handle hub.

5.9 Adjustment of the Shoulder Straps

WARNING: Improper harness adjustment increases the risk of death or serious injury. Check fit every time.

Adjustable Back Safety Seat: The back component adjusts harness height. Turn the adjuster knob behind the seat. Harness straps should be even with or just below the child's shoulders.

Fixed Back Safety Seat: Features three height adjustments for harness straps. Straps must be used in slots that position them even with or just below the child's shoulders.

To adjust harness straps:

1. Remove seat from base, rotate handle to back position. Place child in seat.
2. Determine correct slot pair for shoulder height. DO NOT use slots above shoulders.
3. If adjustment is needed, remove child, rotate handle to upright.
4. Loosen straps by depressing the Harness Adjuster Button and pulling straps.
5. Turn seat over. Remove straps from Belt Adjuster Plate.
6. Pull straps through shoulder slots and seat pad.
7. Using the Belt Threading Tool, insert straps through selected slots, seat pad, and shell.
8. From the rear, pull straps through slots to reach the Belt Adjuster Plate.
9. Reassemble straps to the Belt Adjuster Plate (left first, then right). Check they are within the loop. Use Position A for smaller child, Position B for larger child.
10. Inspect straps for twists. Twisted straps prevent proper tightening.

Crotch Strap Length Adjustment:

Adjust so there is a 1/2" to 1" gap between the buckle ears and the child's thigh.

1. Lift crotch strap pad, pull out metal clip from slot.
2. Shorten strap by wrapping additional material around the metal clip; lengthen by unwrapping.
3. Reinsert clip into slot while pulling upward on buckle. Ensure it is fully seated.

Infant Restraint

6.1 Securing Your Child in the Safety Seat / Carrier

WARNING: Children have STRANGLED in loose or partially buckled harness straps. Fully restrain the child.

Improperly securing your child increases the risk of death or serious injury from suffocation or falls.

Ensure harness straps are properly installed, adjusted, and secured.

1. Check harness straps are in proper slots/height (see 5.9).
2. Dress child in clothing that allows secure harness latching and keeps shoulder straps in place.
3. Place seat on a firm, level surface. Move carry handle to non-rocking position. Loosen harness straps by pushing the Harness Adjuster Button and pulling straps. Unfasten Chest Clip. Drape straps aside.
4. Place child in seat with bottom against the back and bottom of the seat.
5. Pull harness straps down over child. Ensure straps are not twisted.

6.2 For the 5-Point Harness

• Type A: Join buckle tongues, insert into harness buckle. Type B: Insert each buckle tongue. Ensure they click and are firmly latched. If not securely buckled, the seat will NOT provide protection.
• Pull outward on the Harness Adjuster Strap to tighten. Straps should be flat and snug, without slack, lying in a straight line.
• Fasten Harness Chest Clips together. Position the clip level with the child's armpits.
• Accessory products are acceptable if they do not interfere with harness assembly or adjustment. Thick, soft, or compressible material (over 1/4 inch) should not be placed behind or under the child.

WARNING: Toys or other objects attached to carry handle can cause injury in a crash.

Installation

7.1 Preparation

1. Park on a level surface to ensure accurate recline indication.
2. Select an acceptable location (see Section 4.1).
3. Check for Active Air Bags. DO NOT use locations with active air bags.
4. If using a front seat, slide it rearward as much as possible. If using a rear seat, slide the front seat forward to prevent the car seat from striking it.
5. Ensure the vehicle seat back is locked in the upright position.

7.2 Installation of the Safety Seat / Vehicle Belt Installation of Base

WARNING: Toys or other objects attached to carry handle can cause injury in a crash.

1. Remove toys/objects from carry handle.
2. Remove Safety Seat from base by squeezing the release handle and lifting. Store LATCH connectors.
3. Place Base in rear-facing position in a forward-facing vehicle seat (or Safety Seat without Base). Child must face the rear.
4. Thread vehicle belt through the Base or Safety Seat without Base as shown in diagrams.
5. Buckle seat belt, ensuring it is not twisted and securely latched.
6. To tighten the seat belt: Push down hard on the seat/base while pulling the belt. Ensure there is no slack and the belt is tight end-to-end.
7. To tighten a lap belt only: Use automatic or manual retraction, ensuring belt is very tight.
8. To tighten a combination lap/shoulder seat belt: Pull upward on the shoulder portion while pushing down on the seat/base. Use a locking clip if necessary.
9. If the seat belt buckle slides freely, a locking clip may be required. Consult your vehicle owner's manual. Install the locking clip 1/2 inch from the buckle. Re-buckle and ensure the belt is very tight.
10. If using the Base, ensure nothing interferes with latching. Place Safety Seat onto Base and push until it latches securely with a click. Pull upward to check. If it does not latch securely, DO NOT use the seat with the Base.
11. Adjust carry handle to desired position.

7.3 Installation of the Base using LATCH

The LATCH system simplifies installation. By September 1, 2002, vehicles are equipped with lower anchor points. Child safety seats have attachments to connect to these points.

1. Remove toys/objects from carry handle.
2. Locate LATCH seating position per vehicle owner's manual.
3. Remove Safety Seat from base.
4. Remove LATCH connectors from base storage. Place Base in rear-facing position. Child must face rear.
5. Locate vehicle LATCH anchors. Snap LATCH connectors onto the anchor rod. Listen for a click and check attachment by pulling outward.
6. Tighten LATCH webbing by pushing down on the Base while pulling webbing. Webbing locks in place. Ensure no slack and the base is tightly installed.
7. Check for interference. Place Safety Seat onto Base and push until it latches securely. Pull upward to check. If it does not latch, DO NOT use the seat with the Base.
8. To remove the base: Squeeze the webbing release button on the LATCH connector to loosen webbing. Press the hook release button to detach from anchor.

7.4 Setting Proper Recline of the Safety Seat / Base

WARNING: Improper recline increases risk of death or serious injury. Too upright can cause head to drop forward, obstructing breathing. Too reclined can exert excessive force on shoulders/neck.

• Safety Seat with Base: Park on level ground. Lock seat onto base. Check side-to-side level. Check Seat Angle Indicator against child's weight.
• If indicator shows NO red, recline is proper.
• If indicator shows ANY red (too upright or too reclined):
• Too upright: Extend base foot one position at a time until no red shows. Use hand hold to extend, lock button to retract.
• Too reclined: Adjust as shown in diagrams.
• If the seat angle adjuster is insufficient, place a rolled towel or noodle under the base foot end to achieve the correct position.
• Safety Seat without Base: Check side-to-side level. If indicator shows NO red, recline is proper. If ANY red, adjust as shown in diagrams. If too upright, place a rolled towel or noodle under the foot end. Re-tighten vehicle seat belt.

Final Safety Checks

1. Check that the harness is properly fitted and tight (see 6.1).
2. Ensure the Safety Seat is tightly installed and secure. Push down and side-to-side on the head end. The seat belt should not loosen. If the belt loosens or the seat moves easily, DO NOT use this location. Re-check location selection and installation steps.
3. Remove any toys or other objects attached to the carry handle.
4. Adjust carry handle to desired position.

Additional Information

9.1 Using the Safety Seat in an Airplane

The Safety Seat can be used without the Base on an airplane. Check airline policies. Use only in a forward-facing airplane seat. Ask flight attendant for assistance. Follow installation and final check instructions.

9.2 Using with a Baby Trend Stroller

Refer to the stroller owner's manual.

9.3 Cleaning and Maintenance

• Hard surfaces: Wipe with mild soap and water. Do not use bleach. Dry with a clean towel.
• Harness Straps: Spot clean with mild soap and water. Do not launder straps as they may be damaged. Contact Baby Trend for replacement straps.
• Do not use lubricants on any components, including buckle and LATCH system.

Seat Pad Washing:

1. Remove harness shoulder straps.
2. For 5-point harness, unthread shoulder straps from harness-tie and buckle tongues. Note threading for reassembly.
3. For Adjustable Back: Remove headrest fabric, adjust back to lowest position, remove seat fabric. For Fixed Back: Remove seat fabric. Do not unthread lower harness straps.
4. DO NOT use the Safety Seat Without the Seat Pad.
5. See fabric tag for care.
6. Reinstall seat pad when dry, ensuring shoulder straps are at the correct height. For 5-point harness models, thread straps through pad bottom slots and pull buckle through the flap opening.

9.4 Replacement Parts

For help or replacement parts, call Customer Service at 1-800-328-7363 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm PST) or visit www.babytrend.com.

9.5 Warranty

DO NOT RETURN TO STORE. CONTACT BABY TREND FOR PARTS, SERVICE, AND REPAIR.

Baby Trend® warranty covers workmanship defects within the first 180 days. Misuse, abuse, abnormal use, excessive wear, improper assembly, negligence, environmental exposure, alteration, accident, or altered serial numbers invalidate the warranty. Damage to property during installation is the end user's responsibility. Contact Customer Service at 1 (800) 328-7363 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm PST). Return Authorizations are required. Warranty valid in North America only.