Baby Trend Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat Owner's Manual

Important Safety Warnings

⚠️ WARNING: Failure to properly install and use this car seat can result in serious injury or death.

This manual contains crucial information for the safe installation and use of your Baby Trend Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat. Read and understand all instructions before use. Keep this manual for future reference.

Key safety points include:

• Proper installation is critical for your baby's safety.
• Always use the correct harness height and tightness.
• Ensure the seat is installed at the correct recline angle.
• Avoid seats with active airbags.
• Never leave a child unattended.

How to Register Your Car Seat

Registering your car seat is important for safety recalls. Please fill out the provided registration card and mail it. You can also register by mail or phone:

Baby Trend, Inc.
1567 S. Campus Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761
Phone: 1-800-328-7363

For recall information, contact the U.S. Government's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit NHTSA.gov.

Safety Information

About Your Baby

• This seat is designed for specific height and weight limits. Exceeding these limits increases the risk of injury or death. Refer to the warning label on the seat.
• Children with special needs may require consultation with a pediatrician.
• Never leave your baby unattended.
• Avoid bulky clothing that can interfere with harness fit.

About Your Vehicle

• Proper installation in your vehicle is essential.
• Avoid locations with active airbags.
• Do not install the seat facing sideways or backward relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.
• Ensure your vehicle's seatback is secure and does not fold forward.
• Consult your vehicle owner's manual for specific installation guidance.

About Air Bags

⚠️ **WARNING:** NEVER place this car seat in a vehicle seat location with an active airbag. An inflating airbag can cause severe injury or death to your child.

About Unoccupied Car Seats

Never leave an unoccupied car seat or base unsecured in your vehicle. It can become a projectile during a sudden stop or accident.

About This Car Seat

• Plastic components can deform if heavy objects are placed on the seat.
• Replace the car seat and base after any accident, even minor ones, as damage may not be visible.
• Discontinue use after six (6) years from the date of manufacture.

About Using as a Carrier

Never leave your child unattended, even if sleeping. Ensure the carrier is stable and not near edges of elevated surfaces.

⚠️ **WARNING:** Risk of Suffocation: Do not place the carrier on soft surfaces like beds or sofas. Risk of Strangulation: Ensure harness straps are not loose. Risk of Falling: Keep the carrier away from edges of counters or tables.

Selecting the Best Location for the Car Seat

General Considerations

• Rear-facing positions are statistically safer for children.
• The center rear seat is recommended as the safest position.
• If the driver is alone, a front-facing position may be used if no airbag is present and all requirements are met.

Verify Vehicle Seat Requirements

• ⚠️ **WARNING:** Do not place an infant seat rear-facing in a front seat with an airbag. The rear seat is the safest place for children 12 years or younger.
• Ensure your vehicle seat is suitable for car seat installation.
• Avoid seats with airbags.

Verify Vehicle Seatbelt is Safe to Use

Not all vehicle seatbelts are safe for car seat installation. Consult your vehicle owner's manual and the car seat manual carefully. Some vehicles may require modifications or special seatbelts.

Seatbelts NOT Safe for Use

• Loose lap belts that only lock during an accident.
• Lap/shoulder belt systems where both lap and shoulder belts have retractors at one end.
• Seatbelts attached to the vehicle door.
• Seatbelts anchored more than 2 inches forward of the seat/backrest joint.
• Shoulder belts that move on a track.

Seatbelts Suitable for Use

• Manually adjustable lap belts that stay tight.
• Lap belts that do not lengthen once buckled.
• Lap/shoulder belts with a locking latch plate.
• Lap/shoulder belts with a locking latch plate and a tether strap or locking mechanism.

Diagrams illustrating safe and unsafe seatbelt types are provided.

Car Seat Features

EZ5 Harness System

Description of EZ5 harness components: Harness slots, Seat pad, Harness straps, Buckle, EZ5 pad, Harness adjustment button, Carrier handle, Canopy, Buckle release button, Harness clip, Belt path/hook without base, Harness adjustment strap.

5-Point Harness System

Description of 5-point harness components: Harness slots, Seat pad, Harness straps, Buckle, Harness adjustment button, Carrier handle, Canopy, Buckle release button, Harness clip, Belt path/hook, Harness adjustment strap.

Other Features

• Adjustable crotch strap for a secure fit.
• Angle Indicator helps ensure the correct recline angle for safety.
• Lock-off Plate (stored under the seat pad) used for certain lap/shoulder belt combinations.
• Angle Adjuster (on the base) to achieve the proper recline angle.

Base Features and Installation

The car seat base can be installed using the vehicle seatbelt or the LATCH system. Follow instructions specific to your model.

Base components include: Locking clips, Seat recline adjustment knob, Belt path, Base/Stroller hook, Foot adjustment lock button, LATCH connectors, Release button for webbing, LATCH connector storage, LATCH anchor hook.

Using the Car Seat with the Base

• To detach the seat from the base, squeeze the release handle.
• To attach the seat to the base, align and push down until it clicks securely.

Carrier Handle Operation

The carrier handle has three positions: upright for carrying, folded for storage, and upright for rocking. Ensure the handle is securely locked in place before lifting.

Canopy Installation

Slide the canopy supports through the canopy sleeves and insert the plastic tips into the corresponding female couplings on the carrier handle.

Harness Strap Adjustment

For Adjustable Backrest Seats

⚠️ **WARNING:** Improper harness adjustment increases the risk of death or serious injury. Ensure the harness is snug and properly fitted every time.

• The seat has a sliding backrest component that adjusts harness height.
• Turn the adjustment knob to raise or lower the backrest, moving the harness slots 1/2 inch per half turn.
• Harness straps should be at or just below the child's shoulders.
• Ensure the harness is not too loose or too tight.

For Fixed Backrest Seats

The fixed backrest seat has three harness height adjustments. Use slots that position the straps at or just below the child's shoulders. Avoid slots above the shoulders.

• To adjust, loosen harness straps by pressing the adjustment button.
• Feed harness straps through the chosen slots from the back and reassemble using the re-threading plate.
• Ensure straps are not twisted.

Crotch Strap Adjustment

The crotch strap length should allow for 1/2" to 1" space between the buckle base and the child's thigh. Adjust by pulling the strap through the anchor hook.

Diagrams show how to adjust the crotch strap length.

Securing Your Child in the Car Seat / Carrier

⚠️ **WARNING:** Improper harness fit increases the risk of death or injury.

• Ensure harness straps are in the correct slots and height.
• Dress your child in clothing that allows the harness to fit snugly and the chest clip to be positioned correctly at armpit level.
• Place the car seat on a firm, level surface. Move the carrier handle to the 'no-rock' position.
• Loosen harness straps, unbuckle the chest clip, and lay straps aside.
• Place the child in the seat with their bottom against the backrest and seat.
• Pull harness straps down snugly. Ensure straps are not twisted.

For EZ5 Harness:

• Buckle harness straps. Ensure they click. Pull straps to secure.
• Adjust harness straps using the adjustment strap to be snug and level with shoulders.
• Buckle chest clips together and position at armpit level.

For 5-Point Harness:

• Insert buckle tongues into the buckle. Ensure they click and are secure.
• Adjust harness straps to be snug and level with shoulders. No more than one finger should fit between the strap and the child's shoulder.
• Buckle chest clips together and position at armpit level.

Diagrams illustrate correct and incorrect harness fit.

Securing the Car Seat or Base in the Vehicle

Refer to Section 3 for seatbelt safety. Combine this manual's instructions with your vehicle owner's manual.

⚠️ **WARNING:** Improper rear-facing installation increases the risk of serious injury or death. Follow all instructions carefully.

Preparation

• Park on a level surface to ensure the recline indicator is accurate.
• Select an appropriate location as per Section 12.
• Check for active airbags. Do not use locations adjacent to airbags.
• Adjust vehicle seat position to prevent contact with the car seat in an accident.
• Ensure the vehicle seatback is secure and does not fold forward.

Installing the Car Seat / Base with Vehicle Seatbelt

• Remove the car seat from the base.
• Install the base or car seat rear-facing in the vehicle.
• Route the vehicle seatbelt through the correct belt path.
• Buckle the seatbelt, ensuring it is not twisted.
• Tighten the seatbelt by pushing down on the car seat while pulling the belt. Ensure the belt is snug with no slack.

Detailed instructions are provided for different seatbelt types (lap only, lap/shoulder) and the use of locking clips.

Diagrams illustrate seatbelt routing and tightening procedures.

Installing the Base Using LATCH

The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) simplifies installation. Locate LATCH anchor points in your vehicle.

• Remove LATCH connectors from storage.
• Place the base rear-facing in the vehicle.
• Attach LATCH connectors to the vehicle's steel bars. Listen for a click and pull to confirm secure attachment.
• Tighten the LATCH webbing by pushing down on the base while pulling the webbing ends. Ensure the webbing is taut.

Diagrams show LATCH connector attachment and webbing tightening.

Configuring the Proper Recline Angle

The car seat must be properly reclined for safety. The Angle Indicator helps achieve the correct recline angle.

• For seats with a base: Ensure the base is level side-to-side. Check the Angle Indicator against your child's weight. If the indicator shows red, adjust the base's recline foot until the indicator is no longer red. Use a rolled towel if needed for proper angle.
• For seats without a base: Ensure the car seat is level side-to-side. Check the Angle Indicator. If it shows red, adjust the seat's recline or use a rolled towel under the front of the seat to achieve the correct angle.

⚠️ **WARNING:** An incorrect recline angle can lead to breathing problems or injury in an accident.

Diagrams illustrate recline indicators and adjustment methods.

Using the Car Seat on an Airplane

This car seat can be used on an airplane without the base, similar to car use. Check with the airline for policies. Use only in a forward-facing seat on the aircraft.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clean plastic and metal parts with mild soap and water. Do not use bleach.
• Harness straps can be spot-cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not wash them, as they may be damaged. Contact Baby Trend for replacements.
• Do not use lubricants on any part of the car seat or base.
• The seat pad can be washed according to specific instructions, involving removal of harness straps.

Final Safety Checks

1. Check harness fit and tightness.
2. Perform the car seat movement test: Push down and side-to-side on the car seat head. It should not move more than one inch. If it moves excessively, re-check installation or location.
3. Move the carrier handle to the storage or no-rock position when installed in the vehicle.

For Assistance or Replacement Parts

Contact Baby Trend Customer Service at (800) 328-7363 or visit www.babytrend.com.