Mother's Choice Harmony Convertible Car Seat Instruction Manual

Quick Start Installation

Rearward-Facing Using Seatbelt (Newborn up to 12 Months, Approx.)

Ensure the recline setting is 4. Place the car seat in the vehicle and thread the seatbelt through the designated rearward-facing belt path. Secure the top tether strap to the anchorage point, ensuring no slack.

Forward-Facing Using Seatbelt (12 Months up to 4 Years, Approx.)

Select recline settings 1, 2, or 3. Place the car seat in the vehicle and thread the seatbelt through the forward-facing belt path. Secure the top tether strap to the anchorage point, ensuring no slack.

Vehicle Information

Correct Rearward-Facing Vehicle Position

Children are safer in rear vehicle seating positions. Whenever possible, secure the infant seat in the centre position behind the front seats. Ensure a minimum clearance of 560mm between the front seat and the rear seat back.

Correct Forward-Facing Vehicle Position

Illustrations show correct and incorrect placements for forward-facing installation. Improper placement increases the risk of serious injury or death.

Anchor Fitting Locations

Anchor points can vary by vehicle. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for specific locations. Extension straps and belt converters may be available for vehicles without fixed parcel shelves or suitable anchor points. Use of aftermarket accessories not provided with the restraint may reduce safety.

Correctly Connecting the Top Tether

Ensure the top strap has no slack and the attachment clip is upright in the anchorage fitting. The clip must not lie flat on the anchorage fitting.

Anchorage Fitting Installation

For vehicles with an upper anchorage point, locate it behind the rear seating position and install the attachment bolt. Do not overtighten the bolt (maximum torque 20 Nm). For vehicles without an upper anchorage point, a 9mm hole may need to be drilled in the parcel shelf. Professional installation by a child restraint fitting station or mechanic is recommended.

Warnings for Anchorage Fitting:

• Child restraints must not be attached to unsound metal, wood, or synthetic structures.
• When drilling, avoid fuel lines, tanks, electrical wiring, or radio speakers.
• Webbing straps must be protected from sharp corners and edges.
• The anchor fitting must only be used as described and not hooked onto any other object.

Seat Angle

Position the seat ensuring the angle is no greater than 53° from the horizontal plane. Do not install excessively reclined. Ensure the harness and tether strap hardware do not sit too close to the occupant.

Warnings for Seat Angle:

• Do not wrap the baby in a blanket or swaddle as they can be ejected.
• Ensure the harness fits the baby firmly.
• Blankets or coverings may only be placed over the harness after it is adjusted.
• Infant's legs and arms should not be bound or wrapped together.

Seat Operation and Adjustment

Components List

The car seat includes a headrest insert, seat insert, belt mates, harness, buckle, crotch buckle pad, centre front adjuster, belt path openings, adjuster strap, seat base, and base recline adjuster.

Shoulder Height Markers

Marker A (Upper Height Marker): For toddler use up to approximately 4 years, or when child's shoulders reach this marker. Move to the next car seat then.

Marker B (Lower Height Marker): For newborn use up to approximately 12 months, or when child's shoulders reach this marker. Turn the seat forward-facing then.

Warnings for Shoulder Height:

• Continue use until the child reaches the upper limit.
• Do not use forward-facing until shoulders are above the lower height marker.
• Infants and children are at risk of serious injury if facing forward too early or moving to booster seats too early.
• The restraint is unsuitable if shoulders are below the lower marker or above the upper marker.
• If the baby's neck muscles cannot support their head, they should remain rear-facing.

Preparing Harness for Child Fitment

Adjust harness according to the child's shoulder height before installation:

1. Push harness release lever at the front of the seat.
2. Pull shoulder straps to loosen.
3. Press red button to release buckle assembly. Place child in seat and pull harness straps over shoulders.
4. Fasten buckle assembly, listening for a “click”.
5. Pull strap to tighten.

Ensure the harness adjuster is free from obstructions to prevent loosening.

Rearward-Facing Harness Position: Shoulder straps must be in slots nearest to the child's shoulders, but not lower than them.

Forward-Facing Harness Position: Shoulder straps must be in slots nearest to the child's shoulders, but not more than 25mm below them.

Headrest and Harness Height Adjustment

To adjust shoulder strap height, press the harness release lever, loosen straps, unthread from the splitter plate, re-thread through desired slots, and reconnect to the splitter plate. Ensure harness heights are equal.

Adjusting Seat Recline

The seat has 3 forward-facing recline positions. Position 4 is for rearward-facing use ONLY. Use the RED lever under the seat to select the desired position.

Warnings for Adjustment:

• Always adjust shoulder strap height as the child grows.
• Failure to fasten and tighten the harness correctly can result in serious injury or death.

Fastening the Buckle Assembly

Insert buckle tongues until they click. Pull up on harness straps to ensure the buckle is locked tightly.

Warning: DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED IN THE CAR.

Installation

To Adjust the Top Tether Strap

To loosen, press the adjuster button and pull the strap. To tighten, pull the loose end of the strap. Store excess webbing in the provided pocket.

Warnings for Top Tether:

• Always secure the loose end of the top tether strap.
• When not in use, store the strap in the pocket.
• Children can be injured or restraints damaged by unsecured cargo in a collision. Secure or remove hazardous cargo.

Rearward-Facing Installation

1. Set seat to position 4 (full recline).
2. Loosen the top tether.
3. Place restraint rearwards on the back seat in line with the top tether anchorage point.
4. Thread the vehicle seat belt through the BLUE belt path at the bottom of the restraint and fasten the buckle.
5. Press the child restraint firmly down and remove belt slack.
6. Attach the top tether strap to the anchorage point and adjust until slack is removed. Ensure the base is not lifted.

Note: An accessory locking clip can be used for seat belt installation.

Forward-Facing Installation

1. Adjust shoulder straps to fit your child (refer to pages 20-21).
2. Select desired recline angle (1, 2, or 3). Never use position 4 for forward-facing.
3. Place restraint on the back seat in line with the top tether anchorage point.
4. Thread the vehicle seat belt through the YELLOW forward-facing belt path.
5. Press the child restraint down firmly and pull on the seatbelt to remove slack.
6. Attach the top tether strap to the anchorage point and adjust until slack is removed. Ensure the base is not lifted.

Note: DO NOT USE SEAT BELT EXTENDERS if the car seatbelt is not long enough. An accessory locking clip can be used for seat belt installation.

The Next Seat for Your Child

• Option 1: Harnessed forward-facing car seat: For children above the lower shoulder height marker (approx. 6 months) up to the upper shoulder height marker (approx. 8 years).
• Option 2: Booster seat: For children above the lower shoulder height marker (approx. 4 years) up to the upper shoulder height marker (approx. 6-8 years). Can be used with a child harness.
• Option 3: Larger booster seat: For children above the lower shoulder height marker (approx. 4 years) up to the upper shoulder height marker (approx. 8-10 years). Can be used with a child harness.

For more information, visit: www.motherschoice.com.au

Care and Maintenance

Caring for the Buckle

Follow manufacturer's instructions. Before removal, note how parts are attached. The buckle should fasten with an audible ‘CLICK’. If sticky liquids enter the buckle, it may become sluggish. Clean the buckle unit under running water (40°C), latching and unlatching several times until a strong click is heard. Do not oil. Allow to dry completely.

Refitting Buckle: Refit the crotch buckle with the RED button facing out. Place metal plates back through openings and pull crotch straps firmly to snap plates into place.

If the buckle does not return to working order, contact Dorel Australia Customer Service on 1300 809 526 or IGC Dorel New Zealand Customer Service on 0800 628 000.

Caring for the Seat Fabrics

Seat trim may be removed for cleaning. Machine washable on lukewarm, delicate cycle. Tumble dry on low heat for 10-15 minutes. Do not dry clean. Clean other surfaces with mild soap and water. Never use bleach or spirit-type cleaners. Do not use the restraint without the cover. Check webbing for fraying.

To Remove Seat Trim: Loosen harness, undo shoulder straps from splitter plate, pull straps through cover, undo buckle, and remove trim.

To Replace Seat Trim: Pull trim onto seat, feed shoulder straps through harness slots, and attach straps to splitter plate. Ensure harness is not twisted and shoulder straps are of equal height.

Removing and Fitting Accessories

To Remove Headrest Insert: Undo velcro tabs on the back of the seat from the harness slots.

To Replace Headrest Insert: Thread straps through harness slots and fasten velcro tabs at the rear of the seat. The headrest insert is for rearward-facing use only.

To Remove Belt Mates: Undo press studs and unwrap from harness straps.

To Replace Belt Mates: Wrap belt mates around harness straps and close press studs.

To Remove Seat Insert: Undo the buckle and pull the insert out.

To Replace Seat Insert: Feed the buckle through the opening slot in the seat insert and fasten the buckle assembly.

Very Important: Only replace the cover with a manufacturer's supplied replacement cover with identical shoulder height markers or a replacement cover meeting AS/NZS 8005.

Contacts

Warranty

Dorel Australia Pty Ltd warrants the product for 6 years on the seat and 2 years on the trim from the date of purchase, provided it is used according to instructions. This warranty is in addition to Australian consumer law rights. Dorel Australia Pty Ltd will provide a refund, repair, or exchange if the product becomes defective within the warranty period. The warranty does not apply if the defect results from alteration, accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect.

Retain your receipt as proof of purchase. For difficulties, contact the Customer Service Team on 1300 809 526 or visit www.dorel.com.au. Warranty claims can be addressed to Customer Service Team at 655-685 Somerville Road, West Sunshine, Vic, 3020.

For New Zealand customers, contact Customer Service Centre, 14 Sir William Avenue, East Tamaki, Auckland, 2013. Phone: (09) 274 1040 (Auckland) or 0800 628 000 (NZ wide, toll free). Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under Australian consumer law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have goods repaired or replaced if they fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

IMPORTANT: KEEP THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL IN THE POCKET PROVIDED AT THE REAR OF THE SEAT.

Notes

This section is for personal notes.

Mother's Choice Tip:

Register your product online at www.motherschoice.com.au/product-registration for safety notifications, confirmation of ownership, and to aid product development.

Please attach your receipt here to prevent loss or fading.

DOREL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

655-685 Somerville Road, Sunshine West Victoria 3020

Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon-Fri

Email: customerservice@dorel.com.au

Phone: 1300 809 526 (toll free)

IGC DOREL NEW ZEALAND LTD

14 Sir William Avenue, East Tamaki Auckland 2013

Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon-Fri

Email: customerservice@dorel.co.nz

Phone: 0800 628 000 (toll free)

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Copy or reproduction without permission is prohibited. © 2020 Dorel Australia Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. www.dorel.com.au