NWL0000993717C

03/20

SNUGRIDE 35 LITE ELITE

®

Do not install or use this

child restraint until you
read and understand
the instructions in this
manual.
FAILURE TO PROPERLY
USE THIS
CHILD RESTRAINT
INCREASES THE
RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH IN
A SUDDEN STOP OR
CRASH.
KEEP INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FUTURE USE.
www.gracobaby.com
Important Pages 4-13

1-A Quick Guide to Your Manual

1-B Before You Begin
1-C Safety Warnings

Features Pages 14-23

2-A Car Seat Features

2-B Removing Car Seat from Base
2-C Attaching Car Seat to Base
2-D Adjusting Carry Handle
2-E Reclining the Base
2-F Choosing Vehicle Seat Location
2-G Choosing Lower Anchor Attachment or Seat Belt
2-H What Is Lower Anchor Attachment?
Rear-Facing Use Pages 24-44
3-A Rear-Facing Checklist
3-B Installing With Base With Lower Anchor
Attachment
3-C Installing With Base With Vehicle Seat Belt
3-D Installing Without Base With Vehicle Seat Belt

2
Securing Child Pages 45-57
4-A Adjusting Harness to Fit Child
4-B Adjusting Buckle to Fit Child
4-C Securing Child in Car Seat
4-D Removing Child
Carrier Use Pages 58-59

Vehicle Information Pages 60-70

6-A Additional Lower Anchor Attachment Information
6-B How to Uninstall Lower Anchor Attachment
6-C Unsafe Vehicle Seats
6-D Vehicle Seat Belts

Accessories Pages 71-72

Care & Cleaning Pages 73-78

8-A Cleaning Seat Pad

8-B Cleaning Buckle
8-C Cleaning Harness and Lower Anchor Attachment

3
 1-A Quick Guide to Your Manual
1 Important

This car seat is for children 4-35 lb (1.8-16 kg)

and 32” (81 cm) or less.
Get to Know Your Car Seat
Review section 2-A to see all of the features of this infant car seat.
What Seating Location Should I Use?
The best seating location for this infant car seat is one that:
• Is recommended by your vehicle owner’s manual, and
• Results in a secure installation of this car seat.
Never place a child rear-facing in a seating position with
an active front air bag.
Review section 6 of this manual AND your vehicle owner’s manual.
Which Installation Method Should I Use?

This infant car seat base can be installed in your vehicle using either
the vehicle seat belt OR the Lower anchor attachment system. Both
are equally safe to use. DO NOT USE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
This infant car seat carrier can be installed in your vehicle using
only the vehicle seat belt. Lower anchor attachment is not available
to install the carrier.
4
 When Installing Base
Lower Anchor Vehicle Seat Belt

1 Important
Attachment System There are two types of
Lower anchor attachment vehicle seat belts that can
consists of lower anchors, be used. Lap/Shoulder Seat
which are built-in to your Belt or Lap Only Seat Belt.
vehicle, and connecting
hooks that are built-in your
car seat.

Review section 3-B of this Review section 3-C of this

manual AND your vehicle manual AND your vehicle
owner’s manual. owner’s manual.

When Installing Carrier

Vehicle Seat Belt
There are two types of vehicle seat belts that can be used.
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt or Lap Only Seat Belt.

Review section 3-D of this

manual AND your vehicle
owner’s manual.

5
 Does Your Seat Fit Your Child Correctly?
1 Important

To make sure your child is secured properly, review section 4 to

understand all of the actions you need to take to properly adjust the
car seat to fit your child.

You Need To Adjust:

Harness Height
Harness straps at or just below the
child’s shoulders. Review section 4-A.

Buckle Position
The correct slot is the one that is closest
to your child without being underneath
them. Review section 4-B.
Harness Tightness
If your fingers slide off the harness straps
without pinching the straps, it is tight
enough. Review section 4-C.
Note: Preterm or low birth weight infants may be at special risk in
a vehicle or aircraft. According to the AAP, these infants may suffer
breathing issues if improperly reclined in a car seat. Use the corrected
age for preemies. Graco advises that you have your physician or hospital
staff evaluate your infant and recommend the proper car seat or car bed
before you and your infant leave the hospital.
6
 Did You Do Everything Correctly?

1 Important
Base or Car Seat Does
Not Move More Than 1”
(2.5 cm) At The Belt Path
Review section 3.

Car Seat Level to Ground

Review sections 2-E and 3.

Car Seat Is Properly Attached

To Base
Review section 2-C.

Cannot Pinch Harness

Harness straps at or just below
the child’s shoulders.
Review section 4-C.
Chest Clip Even With Armpits
Review section 4-C.

7
 1-B Before You Begin
1 Important

Your child’s safety depends on you. No car seat can

guarantee protection from injury in every situation, but proper
use helps reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Even if this car seat seems easy to figure out on your own,
you must follow the detailed instructions in this instruction
manual to ensure the steps below are performed correctly.
Register This Child Restraint
Please fill out the prepaid registration postcard attached to
the harness and mail it in today or register online at www.
gracobaby.com/carseatregistration.
Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send
your name, address, and the restraint’s model number and
manufacturing date to:
Graco Children’s Products, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 169, Elverson, PA 19520-9901
or call 1-800-345-4109
or register online at
www.gracobaby.com/carseatregistration
For recall information, call the U.S. Government’s Vehicle Safety
Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1–800–424–9153), or go to
http://www.NHTSA.gov.
8
For future reference or if you change addresses, record
the model name, model number, date of manufacture, and
purchase date of this car seat below. You can find this

1 Important
information either on the registration card if you still have it
or on the date label located on the back of the car seat.
Model Name__________________________
Model Number________________________
Date of Manufacture___________________
Date of Purchase______________________

If You Need Help

In the U.S.A, please contact our Customer Service
Department with any questions you may have concerning
parts, use, or maintenance. When you contact us, please
have your product’s model number and date of manufacture
ready so that we may help you efficiently. These numbers
can be found on a sticker on the back side of your car seat.
For additional resources or to get your car seat checked
by a child passenger safety technician, please visit the
following web sites:
www.nhtsa.gov • www.seatcheck.org • www.safekids.org

9
 Certification
This child restraint meets or exceeds all applicable requirements
of Federal motor vehicle safety standard 213 for use in motor
1 Important

vehicles.
This child restraint is certified for use in aircraft. Use
only on forward-facing aircraft seats. Follow the
instructions for vehicle installation. See sections 3-C,
3-D and 6-D Lap Belt Installation.
Contact the airline for their specific polices.

Car Seat’s Useful Life

STOP using this car seat and throw it away 7 years after the date
of manufacture. Look for date of manufacture label on back of
the car seat.
Graco Children’s Products Inc. advises against loaning or passing
along a car seat unless you know the complete history of the
product. We also advise against purchasing a car seat second
hand.

Vehicle Seat Protection

Protect vehicle seat. Use a car seat mat, towel, or thin blanket
under and behind car seat.

Warm Weather Use

Car seat parts can get very hot in the sun or warm weather. To
avoid burns, always check before putting child in car seat.

10
 1-C Safety Warnings

1 Important
No car seat can guarantee protection
from injury in every situation, but proper
use helps reduce the risk of serious injury
or death. READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY.

Failure to follow these instructions and child restraint’s

labels can result in child striking the vehicle’s interior
during a sudden stop or crash.

!N
 EVER PLACE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT
REAR-FACING IN A VEHICLE SEATING
LOCATION THAT HAS AN ACTIVE
FRONT AIR BAG.
If an air bag inflates, it can hit the child and car seat
with great force and cause serious injury or death to
your child.
!R  eview your vehicle owner’s manual for more
information about air bags and car seat use.
! If your vehicle does not have a back seat, review your
vehicle owner’s manual.

11
 ! Children are safer riding rear-facing and should ride
rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the
1 Important

maximum rear-facing height or weight rating for their

car seat. Graco convertible and all-in-one car seats
have higher rear-facing limits that will allow children
to ride rear-facing longer after outgrowing their infant
car seat. Be sure to check your local and state laws,
as well as AAP and NHTSA recommendations, for car
seat usage.*
! This child restraint must only be used with children
weighing between 4-35 lb (1.8-16 kg) and 32”
(81 cm) or less.
! Select a suitable location for the car seat in your
vehicle.
! Secure car seat with a vehicle seat belt or Lower
Anchor Attachment that is properly routed as shown in
this manual.
! Vehicle seat belt system MUST hold car seat securely.
Not all vehicle seat belts can be used with a car seat.
! If vehicle seat belt does not hold car seat securely,
read “Vehicle Seat Belts” section 6-D and your vehicle
owner’s manual.
! Always secure car seat with Lower Anchor Attachment
or a vehicle seat belt, even when unoccupied. In a
crash, an unsecured car seat can injure passengers.

*Graco Supports the American Academy of Pediatrics and National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s Car Seat Guidelines. Visit
www.gracobaby.com/en-US/safety for information on car seat
usage recommendations.

12
! DO NOT use car seat if it is damaged or missing parts.
! If car seat is in a crash, it must be replaced. DO NOT

1 Important
use it again! A crash can cause unseen damage and
using it again could result in serious injury or death.
! DO NOT use accessories or parts other than those
provided by Graco except for a thin towel or mat to
protect your vehicle seat or rolled towels or pool
noodles to help get your car seat level. Their use could
alter the performance of the car seat.
! DO NOT remove Lower Anchor Attachment system from
car seat. If using vehicle seat belt to secure car seat,
Lower anchor attachment connectors must be stored.
! Never leave child unattended, even when sleeping.
Child may become tangled in harness straps and
suffocate or strangle.
! Rear-facing car seat must be properly leveled:
• Too reclined can result in injury or ejection.
• Too upright can result in breathing difficulties.
! Never attach two Lower anchor
attachment connectors to one vehicle
lower anchor point unless specifically
allowed by the vehicle manufacturer.
!D  o not use both the vehicle seat belt and Lower
anchor attachment at the same time when using the
car seat rear-facing.

13
 2-A Car Seat Features
A B

D E

G
2 Features

F
H
I
J

F Rear-Facing Belt Path

A Carry Handle (When Used Without Base)
B Handle Adjustment Button G Infant Body Support
C Canopy H Harness Release Lever
(Under Pad)
D Infant Head Support
I Harness Adjustment
E Harness Covers Strap
14 J Removable Base
 B

K L

2 Features
K Car Seat Shell
L Base Release Lever
M Instruction Manual N
Storage (Under Base)
N Harness Straps
O
O Chest Clip
P Buckle Tongues
Q Buckle
P
R Buckle Strap
Q
R

15
 A

C
2 Features

D
E

A Base Release Lever

B Harness Strap Slots
C Harness Straps
D Buckle Metal Clip
E Splitter Plate

16
 F

G
H I

2 Features
F Car Seat Base Lock
G Recline Level Indicator
H Base Rear-Facing Belt
Path
I Lower Anchor
Attachment Strap L
J Instruction Manual
Storage (Under Base)
K M
K Lower anchor
Attachment Storage
(Under Base)
L Base Recline Lever
M Base Recline Foot

17
 2-B Removing Car Seat from Base
To Remove Car
Seat from Base
From the back of the
car seat, squeeze the
base release handle
and lift the car seat
out of the base.

2-C Attaching Car Seat to Base

2 Features

Attaching Car
Seat To Base
Align the locking bar at
the front of the car seat
with the locks in the
base. Set car seat in the
base. Push down on
the front of the car seat.
You will hear a “click”
CLICK!
when it is locked.
Pull up on the front
corners of the seat to
make sure it is locked.
18
 2-D Adjusting Carry Handle
1. To Rotate Handle
Press the handle
adjustment button at the
top of the handle and
rotate the handle.
When moving from
position A, handle will
stop at position B.
Release and push the
button again to rotate the
handle from position “B”
to position “C” or “D”.

2 Features
MAKE SURE handle locks A
into position “A” before
lifting the carrier. B
2. Handle Has 4
Positions C
Rotate handle to any of
the 4 locked positions.
Push and pull the handle
to make sure handle is in
a lock position. D
Carry handle MUST be
upright in position A
when carrying.
Handle can be in any
locked position when
used in the vehicle. 19
 2-E Reclining the Base
Base Has 4 W
Recline Positions L
Squeeze the base V
recline lever and lift g
the base to extend
the foot. U
p
Squeeze the base
recline lever and -
lower the base to t
retract the foot. i
Check the level m
2 Features

indicator for
4 appropriate install. p
3 (See Next Page) a
f
a
When the foot
is completely o
extended and the t
level indicator is l
not correct for your r
child’s age, you may
raise the foot and
place a rolled towel
under the foot until
the indicator shows
correctly.
20
When Reading The
Level Indicator
Vehicle MUST be on level
ground.
Use corrected age for
preemies.
- If the blue indicator is in
the clear area, the restraint 0+ Months
is level for infants 0+
months in age.

2 Features
- If blue indicator is
partially in the notched
area, the restraint is level
3+ Months
for a child 3+ months in
age.
- If any blue appears
outside the black lines,
the child restraint is NOT
level. You must adjust your
recline position.

21
 2-F Choosing Vehicle Seat
Location
Review your vehicle owner’s manual for seating
locations. Review section 6 for additional information.

Some vehicles have specific requirements for where the

car seat can be installed. Be sure to check your vehicle
owner’s manual for all available seating positions.

According to accident statistics, children

are safer when properly restrained
2 Features

in the rear seating positions than

in the front seating positions. The
center of the back seat can be the
safest during a possible side impact.

NEVER place this child restraint rear-

facing in a vehicle seating location that
has an active front air bag.
In the event there is no back seat, review your vehicle
owner’s manual to see how to use your infant child restraint.

22
 2-G Choosing Lower Anchor
Attachment or Seat Belts
This car seat can be installed in your vehicle using either the
vehicle seat belt OR the Lower anchor attachment system. Both
systems are equally safe to use. DO NOT USE BOTH AT THE
SAME TIME. Review section 6 for additional information.

2-H What is Lower Anchor Attachment?

Lower anchor attachment consists of lower anchors,

which are built-in to your vehicle, and connecting hooks
that are built-in to your car seat. Lower anchors are used

2 Features
INSTEAD of the vehicle’s seat belt to secure the child seat
to the vehicle.
Review your vehicle’s owner manual for exact location
and use. Review section 6 for additional information.
Typical seat in a passenger
vehicle. Other vehicle types
may have different lower anchor
attachment locations.
Vehicle Lower
Anchor Points

Vehicle Seat Crease

23
 3-A Rear-Facing Checklist
Rear-Facing:
4-35 lb (1.8-
16 kg) 32”
(81 cm) or less
• Car seat MUST be rear-
facing in the vehicle back
seat.
• Make sure Lower anchor
attachment strap or vehicle
Lower anchor attachment seat belt is routed through
the rear-facing belt path,
Strap marked with a blue label.
• Install this car seat tightly
in your vehicle. Car seat
should not move at the
belt path more than 1” (2.5
cm) from side to side and
front to back.
• Make sure to check the
level indicator or level line
for proper recline.
• Harness straps must be at
or just below the top of
Vehicle Lap/Shoulder child’s shoulders and chest
Seat Belt clip must be at armpit
level.
• Make sure base is a
Facing
3 Rear

minimum of 80% on
vehicle seat.
24
Children are safer riding rear-
facing and should ride rear-
facing as long as possible,
until they reach the maximum
rear-facing height or weight
rating for their car seat. Graco
convertible and all-in-one car
seats have higher rear-facing
limits that will allow children Vehicle Lap Only Seat Belt
to ride rear-facing longer
after outgrowing their infant
car seat. Be sure to check
your local and state laws,
as well as AAP and NHTSA
recommendations, for car
seat usage.

Vehicle Lap/Shoulder
NEVER Seat Belt Without Base
place this
child
restraint
rear-facing in a
vehicle seating
location that has an
active front air bag.
Vehicle Lap Only Seat Belt
Facing
3 Rear

Without Base
25
 3-B Installing With Base With
Lower Anchor Attachment

Review your vehicle owner’s manual for Lower

anchor attachment location and use.

1. Remove
Lower Anchor
Attachment
Connectors from
Storage Location
Unhook the Lower
anchor attachment
connectors and
remove from storage
position.
2. Make Sure
Lower Anchor
Attachment Strap
is in the Rear-
Facing Belt Path,
Marked With a
Blue Label
Facing
3 Rear

26
3. Extend the
Lower Anchor
Attachment Strap
Extend the Lower
anchor attachment
strap to its maximum
length by pressing
the gray button and
pulling on the strap.
4. Place Base in
Back Seat of the
Vehicle
Place the base flat
on the vehicle seat.
Push it back until
the front of the base
touches the vehicle
seat back. Center the
base between the
lower Lower anchor
attachment anchors.
If allowed by your
Vehicle Owners
Manual, the center
seating position may
be used if the anchor
spacing is 11” (28
cm) or greater.
Note: Make sure base
Facing
3 Rear

is a minimum of 80%
on vehicle seat.
27
 5. Check the Level
Indicator
Vehicle MUST be
level with the ground.
To recline, review
section 2-E.
0+ Months

3+ Months 6. Connect
Lower Anchor
Attachment
Connectors to
the Vehicle’s
Lower Anchor
Attachment
Anchors
Lower anchor
attachment strap
should lay as flat as
possible and not be
twisted.
Facing
3 Rear

Do not attach the

hook upside down.
28
7. Tighten the
Lower Anchor
Attachment Strap
Press down firmly
in the center of the
base while tightening
the Lower anchor
attachment strap.

8. Test For
Tightness
Grab the sides of
the base where
the Lower anchor
attachment strap is
and push and pull
the base from side
to side and front to
back.
If the base moves
less than 1” (2.5
cm), it is tight
enough.
Facing
3 Rear

29
 9. Attach Car Seat
to Base
Place car seat into
the base. Push down
on the front of the car
CLICK! seat and handle until
you hear a “click”.
Test to make sure the
car seat is attached
by pulling up on the
front corners of car
seat.
Facing
3 Rear

30
10. Check the Level
Indicator
Vehicle MUST
be level with the
ground.
Check the level
indicator with
child in the child
restraint.
0+ Months
See section 4-C to
secure your child.

3+ Months

Facing
3 Rear

31
 Is Everything Correct?
Base Does Not Move
More Than 1” (2.5 cm)
At The Belt Path

Car Seat Is Properly

Attached To Base

With Vehicle On Level

Ground, Check the
Level Indicator

Cannot Pinch Harness

Chest Clip Even With

Armpits
Facing
3 Rear

32
 3-C Installing With Base With
Vehicle Seat Belt
See section 6-D for additional vehicle seat belt
installation information
1. Store Lower
Anchor Attachment
Connectors
Attach the Lower
anchor attachment
connectors to the
plastic bars on sides
of base as shown.
Remove the slack.

2. Place Base in
Back Seat of the
Vehicle
Place the base flat on
the vehicle seat. Push
it back until the front of
the base touches the
vehicle seat back.
Note: Make sure base
is a minimum of 80%
Facing
3 Rear

on vehicle seat.
33
 3. Check the Level
Indicator
Vehicle MUST be
level with the ground.
To recline, review
section 2-E.
0+ Months

3+ Months
Facing
3 Rear

34
 Review your vehicle’s owner manual for vehicle seat
belt use

4. Route the Vehicle

Seat Belt
Thread vehicle seat
belt through the
rear-facing belt path
(marked with a blue
label) and buckle it.
The seat belt should
lay as flat as possible
and not be twisted.

Facing
3 Rear

35
 5. Lock the Vehicle
Seat Belt
In most vehicles
today, slowly pull
the shoulder belt all
the way out and then
let it go back in. You
will hear a “clicking”
sound. Slowly pull
out on the belt and it
should be locked. If
not, review your car’s
owner manual and
section 6-D.

6. Tighten the
Vehicle Seat Belt
Press down firmly in
the center of the base.
Pull on the shoulder
belt to tighten while
feeding the slack back
in the retractor.
Facing
3 Rear

36
7. Test For
Tightness
Grab the sides of the
base where the seat
belt is and push and
pull the base from
side to side and front
to back.
If the base moves
less than 1” (2.5
cm), it is tight
enough.

8. Attach Car Seat

to Base
Place car seat into
the base. Push down
on the front of the car
CLICK!
seat and handle until
you hear a “click”.
Test to make sure the
car seat is attached
by pulling up on the
front corners of car
seat.
Facing
3 Rear

37
 9. Check the Level
Indicator
Vehicle MUST
be level with the
ground.
Check the level
indicator with
0+ Months child in the child
restraint.
See section 4-C to
secure your child.

3+ Months
Facing
3 Rear

38
 Is Everything Correct?

Base Does Not Move

More Than 1” (2.5 cm)
At The Belt Path

Car Seat Is Properly

Attached To Base

With Vehicle On Level

Ground, Check the
Level Indicator

Cannot Pinch Harness

Chest Clip Even With

Armpits
Facing
3 Rear

39
 3-D Installing Without Base
With Vehicle Seat Belt
See section 6-D for additional vehicle seat belt
installation information
1. Place Car Seat in
Back Seat of the
Vehicle
Place the car seat
on the vehicle seat.
Push it back until the
front of the car seat
touches the vehicle
seat back.
Check the rear-facing
level line. The red
level line on the side
of the seat MUST
BE LEVEL with the
ground.
If needed, rolled
towels may be placed
under the base, at the
vehicle seat crease,
until the level line is
Facing
3 Rear

level with the ground.

40
2. Route the Vehicle
Seat Belt
Thread vehicle seat
belt through the
rear-facing belt path
(marked with a blue
label) and buckle it.
The seat belt should
not be twisted.
If your shoulder
belt is long enough,
you may route the
shoulder belt behind
the seat as shown.
3. Lock the Vehicle
Seat Belt
In most vehicles
today, slowly pull
the shoulder belt all
the way out and then
let it go back in. You
will hear a “clicking”
sound. Slowly pull
out on the belt and it
should be locked. If
not, review your car’s
Facing
3 Rear

owner manual and

section 6-D. 41
 4. Tighten the
Vehicle Seat Belt
Lay your forearm
across the car seat
at the belt path and
push down. Pull on
the shoulder belt to
tighten while feeding
the slack back in the
retractor.

5. Test For
Tightness
Grab the sides of the
car seat where the
seat belt is and push
and pull the car seat
from side to side and
front to back.
If the car seat
moves less than 1”
(2.5 cm), it is tight
enough.
Facing
3 Rear

42
6. Check the Rear
Facing Level
Line
The red level line on
the side of the seat
MUST BE LEVEL
with the ground.
Check the level line
with child in the
child restraint when
making sure the
line is level with the
ground.
If needed, rolled
towels may be
placed under the car
seat, at the vehicle
seat crease, until the
level line is level with
the ground. Facing
3 Rear

43
 Is Everything Correct?

Car Seat Does Not

Move More Than 1”
(2.5 cm) At The Belt
Path

Car Seat Level to

Ground

Cannot Pinch Harness

Chest Clip Even With

Armpits
Facing
3 Rear

44
 4-A Adjusting Harness to Fit Child

4 Securing
Important
Child
1. Loosen Harness
Straps
Push down on the
harness release lever
while pulling out on
the harness straps at
the chest clip.

2. Release the Chest

Clip
Squeeze the chest
clip release buttons
and pull apart.

45
 3. Unbuckle the
4 Securing

Buckle
Child

Press the red button

and pull buckle
tongues out. Place
harness straps off to
the sides.

4. Place Your Child

in the Seat
Make sure their back is
flat against the car seat
back.

WARNING! In cold weather do not put snowsuits

or bulky garments on your child when placing
them in the car seat. Bulky clothing can prevent
the harness straps from being tightened properly. To
keep child warm, buckle your child in the car seat and
place a blanket around the child or place the child’s
coat on backwards after buckling in.

46
5. Place Harness

4 Securing
Straps Over

Important
Child
Child’s Shoulders

6. Check Harness
Height

Harness Straps
MUST BE AT OR
JUST BELOW the
Child’s Shoulders

47
 7. Top of Head MUST
4 Securing

BE AT LEAST 1”
Child

1” (2.5 cm)
(2.5 cm) BELOW
the Top of the Car
Seat

8. To Change
Harness Height
Positions
With harness straps
loose, from the back
of the car seat, remove
the left and right side
harness strap loops
from the splitter plate.

48
9. Pull Harness
Straps Out From

4 Securing
the Front of Car

Important
Seat

Child
10. Insert Harness
Straps Into the
New Location At
or Just Below the
Child’s Shoulders
Make sure the harness
straps are not twisted
and are at the same
height.

49
 11. For Smaller Baby
If the child’s
4 Securing

shoulders are even

Child

with or just above the

lowest 2 slots, use
the upper loops on
the harness straps.
Thread the upper
harness straps loops
onto the splitter plate.
Make sure the straps
are on top of the
splitter plate and are
completely on.

50
12. For Larger Baby
If the child’s

4 Securing
shoulders are even

Important
Child
with or just above the
upper 2 slots, use the
lower loops on the
harness straps.
Thread the lower
harness straps loops
onto the splitter plate.
Make sure the straps
are completely on
the splitter plate.

51
 4-B Adjusting Buckle to Fit Child
4 Securing

1. Check the
Child

Buckle Position
The correct slot
is the one that is
closest to your
child without being
underneath them.

2. To Change
Buckle Position
Remove child from
the seat. From the
bottom of car seat,
insert the buckle’s
metal clip up through
shell and pad.
From the front, pull
buckle out of the pad
and shell.

52
3. Insert Metal
Clip Into New
Location

4 Securing
Important
Child
Push metal clip down
through the pad and
shell. Make sure the
buckle’s red button is
facing out.

4. Pull Up On
Buckle To Check
It Is Secured
Make sure buckle’s
metal clip is
completely through
pad and shell.

53
 4-C Securing Child in Car Seat
4 Securing

1. Place Harness
Child

Straps Over
Child’s Shoulders

2. Buckle
You will hear a “click”
when buckle tongues
are securely attached.
Pull up on each buckle
tongue to make sure it
is securely attached.

3. Buckle the Chest

Clip
You will hear a “click”
when the chest clip
is securely buckled.
54
4. Pull All the Slack
Out From Around

4 Securing
the Waist

Important
Child
Pull up on the harness
strap while pushing
the chest clip down.
Do this to both sides.

5. Tighten the
Harness by
Pulling the
Harness
Adjustment Strap
When you are not
able to pinch any of
the harness webbing
at your child’s
shoulder, the harness
is tight enough.

A snug harness should not allow any slack. It lies in a

relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press
on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an
unnatural position.
55
 6. Raise the Chest
Clip to Child’s
Armpit Level
4 Securing
Child

7. Check Tightness
Tighten more if
needed.

56
 4-D Removing Child

4 Securing
Important
1. Loosen Harness

Child
Straps
Push down on the
harness release lever
while pulling out on
the harness straps at
the chest clip.

2. Release the Chest

Clip
Squeeze the chest
clip release buttons
and pull apart.

3. Unbuckle Your
Child
Press in on the red
button and remove
the buckle tongues.
Remove Child from
the seat.
57
 5-A Carrier Use

Read all instructions before use of the infant carrier.

Keep instructions for future use. Do not use the infant
carrier if it is damaged or broken.
NEVER leave child unattended. Always stay within arms
reach of carrier.
SUFFOCATION HAZARD: Infant carrier can roll over
on soft surfaces and suffocate child. NEVER place
carrier on beds, sofas, or other soft surfaces.
5 Carrier

STRANGULATION HAZARD: Children have

Use

STRANGLED in loose or partially buckled harness

straps. Fully restrain the child even when carrier is
used outside the vehicle.
FALL HAZARD: Child’s movements can move carrier.
NEVER place carrier on counter tops, tables or any
other elevated surfaces.
KEEP STRINGS AND CORDS AWAY FROM CHILD.
Strings and cords can cause strangulation. DO NOT
place carrier near windows where cords from blinds
or drapes can strangle a child. DO NOT hang strings
on or over the carrier. DO NOT attach strings to toys.

58
Fall Hazard:
The carrier can fall from a shopping
cart. Do not use on a shopping cart.

USE ONLY WITH STROLLERS THAT

ARE PART OF THE GRACO CLICK
CONNECT TRAVEL SYSTEM. Refer to
the stroller owner’s manual for details

5 Carrier
on how to attach the infant carrier to

Use
your stroller. If you do not have an owner’s manual, please
visit our website at www.gracobaby.com to download the
manual or call toll-free at 1-800-345-4109.
NEVER use a Graco infant carrier with any other
manufacturer’s strollers. This can result in serious injury or
death.

59
 6-A Additional Lower Anchor
Attachment Information
This car seat can be installed in your vehicle using either
the vehicle seat belt OR the Lower anchor attachment
system. Both systems are equally safe to use. DO NOT
USE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
The Lower anchor attachment system allows you to
securely attach your car seat in your car without using
the vehicle seat belt and possibly to get a better fit. All
2003 and newer model year vehicles are required to
have a Lower anchor attachment system, although some
manufacturers began including Lower anchor attachment
earlier. Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX
to identify the Lower anchor attachment system.

Only use Lower anchor attachment in seating positions

recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Review
your vehicle owner’s manual for more information.
Information
6 Vehicle

60
 6-B How to Remove Lower Anchor
Attachment
1. Push Gray Button
In While Pulling
on Lower Anchor
Attachment Strap
to Loosen

2. Press and Hold

Lower Anchor
Connector
Release Hinge

3. Push Hook In, Lift

Hook Up and Pull
Out Away From
Anchor Point
Information
6 Vehicle

61
 6-C Unsafe Vehicle Seats

Never install this car seat in side-facing or rear-facing vehicle

seats.

6-D Vehicle Seat Belts

Review your vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle seat

belt use

This car seat can be installed using a vehicle seat belt. To do

this, you will need to change the seat belt to a locked mode for
use with car seats. With some vehicle seat belts, this is done
with the latch plate; with other vehicle seat belts, this is done with
the retractor.
Information
6 Vehicle

62
 Vehicle Seat Belt Terms
Retractor
A device that winds
up the unused vehicle
seat belt. It is often
hidden inside the
panels on the walls of
the vehicle or in the
vehicle seat back.
Latch Plate
The male end of the Seat Crease
seat belt with the
silver tongue. The crease where the vehicle
seat back and seat bottom meet.

Identify Your Seat Belt Type

There are two different types of vehicle seat belts that can be
used with this car seat:
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
3 connections points.
Information

Lap Only Seat Belt

6 Vehicle

2 connection points.

63
 The following types of vehicle seat
belts CANNOT be used safely with
this car seat:

Belts Forward of the

Seat Crease

Lap Belt with Motorized

Shoulder Belt
Some vehicles you may
not get a secure fit. Read
both your vehicle and car
seat manuals.

Lap Belt or Shoulder

Belt Mounted on Door
Information
6 Vehicle

64
 Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt Installation
Always review your vehicle owner’s manual for specific
information about your vehicle seat belts.
There are three types of retractors: ELR (Emergency Locking
Retractor), ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor), and
Switchable (ELR switch to ALR). To determine your type of
retractor, follow these steps:
1. Slowly pull the belt out about halfway and
stop.
2. Let the belt retract back several inches.
3. Try to slowly pull the belt out more.
If the belt cannot be pulled any further,
it is ALR, ready to install your car seat. If it
can be pulled further, go to the next step.
4. Slowly pull the belt all the way out, and
then allow it to retract several inches. You may hear some
clicking sounds.
5. Try to pull the belt all the way out again. If it cannot be
pulled out, it is Switchable, ready to install your car seat. If
it can still be pulled out freely, it is ELR. Review the following
pages to properly install your infant car seat.
Note: Most vehicles manufactured after 1996 will have
Switchable retractors in the back seat. If you have any questions
Information
6 Vehicle

about your retractor type, consult your vehicle owner’s manual

or call Graco for assistance.
65
 How to Lock Your Lap/Shoulder Vehicle Seat Belt

Sliding Latch Plate

and Switchable
Retractor
A latch plate that slides
freely on the belt webbing
and cannot, by itself, hold
the belt snug around a car
seat.
When installing the car
seat, route the vehicle seat
belt through the proper
belt path and buckle it in.
Note: With the vehicle seat belt in Slowly pull the shoulder
this locking mode, all the tension belt all the way out
is upwards in the shoulder belt. to switch it to locking
This may start to tilt your car seat mode. Then, as you pull
sideways when rear-facing. If this
happens, use a locking clip instead of the vehicle seat belt tight,
switching the retractor. See Sliding feed all the slack back into
Latch Plate and ELR Retractor. the retractor.
Grab the sides of the base
or seat at the belt path and
slide side to side and front
Information
6 Vehicle

to back. The base or seat

should not move more
than 1” (2.5 cm).
66
Locking Latch Plate
and ELR Retractor
A latch plate that holds
the lap belt snug after
it has been adjusted;
contains a metal bar
on the underside of the
hardware that “locks”
the belt in position.
When installing the car
seat, route the vehicle
seat belt through the
proper belt path and
buckle it in. Then, pull
upwards on the shoulder
belt so that the lap belt
gets tight around the
base or car seat.
Grab the sides of the base
or seat at the belt path and
slide side to side and front
to back. The base or seat
should not move more
than 1” (2.5 cm).
Information
6 Vehicle

67
 Sliding Latch Plate
and ALR Retractor
A latch plate that
slides freely on the belt
webbing and cannot, by
itself, hold the belt snug
around a car seat.
Slowly pull the
shoulder belt all the
way out. Route the
vehicle seat belt through
the proper belt path and
buckle it in. Then, as you
pull the vehicle seat belt
tight, feed all the slack
back into the retractor.
Grab the sides of the base
or seat at the belt path
and slide side-to-side and
front-to-back. The base
or seat should not move
more than 1” (2.5 cm).
Information
6 Vehicle

68
Sliding Latch Plate
and ELR Retractor
A latch plate that slides
freely on the belt webbing
and cannot, by itself, hold
the belt snug around a car
seat.
With this retractor, you will
need to use the locking clip
to lock the vehicle seat belt.
To obtain a locking clip call
1-800-345-4109.
Route the vehicle seat belt
through the proper belt 1” (2.5 cm)
path and buckle it in. Pull
the vehicle seat belt tight.
While pushing down on
seat, pinch the two straps
together behind the buckle
tongue. Unbuckle the belt
without allowing it to slip.
Attach locking clip to lap
and shoulder belts as
shown.
Buckle belt. Check that
lap belt does not move
Information
6 Vehicle

by pulling hard. If belt

loosens or lengthens, repeat
procedure.
69
 Lap Belt Installation

Always review your vehicle owner’s manual for specific

information about your vehicle seat belts.

Locking Latch Plate

and No Retractor
When installing the car
seat, route the lap seat belt
through the proper path
and buckle it in. Then, pull
upwards on the tail of the
Grab the sides of the seat at the belt belt so that the lap belt gets
path and slide side to side and front tight around the car seat.
to back. The base or seat should
not move more than 1” (2.5 cm). Sewn On Latch Plate
and ALR Retractor
Slowly pull the lap belt
all the way out. Route
the vehicle seat lap belt
through the proper belt
path and buckle it in. Then,
pull the lap belt tight while
feeding all the slack back
Grab the sides of the seat at the belt into the retractor.
path and slide side to side and front
Information
6 Vehicle

to back. The base or seat should

not move more than 1” (2.5 cm).
70
 7-A Accessories (on select models)

Accessories
7
To prevent ejection in sudden stop or crash:
The infant head and body support can be used
for infants 12 lb (5 kg) or less.

Body Support
To remove, pull the
body support out
from behind the
harness straps.

Harness Covers
Make sure that
harness covers do
not interfere with
the placement of the
chest clip at armpit
level.

71
 Head Support
To remove, undo the
Accessories
fastening strip and
pull the strap out of
the harness slots.
7

To attach, thread the

strap through the
seat pad and car seat
shell harness strap
slots and attach the
fastening strip.

DO NOT thread the

head support and
harness straps
through the same
slot.
DO NOT thread the
head support through
the upper most slots.
Remove when the
harness straps are in
the upper most slots.

72
 8-A Cleaning Seat Pad

1. Remove Canopy
Undo the snaps on the
sides of the canopy
from the seat pad.
Push the release button
on the canopy arm
while pulling on the
canopy to remove.
Repeat on the other

& Cleaning
side.

8 Care
2. Loosen Harness
Straps

Push down on the
harness release lever
while pulling out on the
harness straps at the
chest clip.

73
 3. Remove Harness
Straps from
Splitter Plate

4. Pull Harness
Straps Out From
the Front of Car
Seat
& Cleaning
8 Care

5. Pull Out the 4

Plastic Flaps from
Sides of Seat

74
 & Cleaning
8 Care
6. Pull Pad Off Shell

Machine wash pad and canopy in cold water with

gentle soap on delicate cycle and drip-dry. DO NOT
USE BLEACH.
Reverse the steps to reattach the pad and canopy.
Make sure harness straps are not twisted.
75
 8-B Cleaning Buckle
Remove Buckle to
Clean
From the bottom of car
seat, insert the buckle’s
metal clip up through
shell and pad. From the
front, pull buckle out of
the pad and shell.
To clean, place in a
cup of warm water and
& Cleaning

gently agitate the buckle.

8 Care

Press the red button

several times while in
the water.
DO NOT SUBMERGE
THE BUCKLE
STRAP. DO NOT USE
SOAPS, HOUSEHOLD
DETERGENTS or
LUBRICANTS.

76
Shake out excess water
and allow to air dry.
Repeat steps as needed
until it fastens with a
click. Re-insert the
buckle into the same
slot it was removed.
Pull up on crotch buckle
to make sure it is
secured.
WARNING! Inspect and
clean buckle from time
to time to remove any

& Cleaning
objects or debris that

8 Care
could prevent latching.

77
 8-C Cleaning Harness and Lower
Anchor Attachment
Surface wash only with mild soap and damp cloth. DO NOT
IMMERSE THE HARNESS STRAPS or LOWER ANCHOR
ATTACHMENT STRAP IN WATER. Doing so may weaken
the straps.
If harness straps or Lower anchor attachment straps are
frayed or heavily soiled, contact Customer Service at www.
gracobaby.com or 1-800-345-4109.
& Cleaning
8 Care

78
NOTES

79
 Replacement Parts
To purchase parts or accessories in the United States,
please contact us at the following:
www.gracobaby.com
or
1-800-345-4109

Store instruction
manual in the slots
underneath the base
where the instruction
book icon is shown.