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GRACO  

CONTENDER SLIM 

 

Type:

 Convertible  

Last date made: 

Current 

First made: 

2021 

Weight limits:

 5 to 40 lbs. rear facing, 

22 to 65 lbs. forward facing; forward facing not 
recommended for children under two.  

Harness: 

5-point harness  

 

P. 1 of  2 

Harness:

 Shoulder straps are attached to a splitter plate behind seat. Pull 

strap end in front of seat to tighten harness. Lift lever at lower front of seat 
and pull on shoulder straps to loosen. Harness covers MUST be used for 
forward-facing child weighing 25 lbs. or less. 

Harness slots:

 There is one set of slots, which may be raised or lowered  

to one of eight positions by grasping handle at top of headrest (diagram 1).  
Be sure headrest is locked into place once adjusted. When head  
support is in lowest position, pull flap forward (diagram 2).

 

Crotch strap:

 

Adjustable. The crotch strap is sewn to a metal anchor 

which must lie flat against underside of seat. To change slots, turn metal 
anchor sideways, feed up through shell of restraint, and reinsert through 
desired slot. Crotch strap should be close to, but not underneath child. If 
lower anchor strap/safety belt is in rear-facing belt path, be sure it is in 
front of buckle strap when buckle is in inner-most position and behind 
when in the outer-most position (diagram 3).

 

Angle adjustment:

 Reclined position (diagram 4)  

must be used for rear-facing; upright position  
(diagram 5) must be used for forward-facing. Ball in 
level indicator on side of restraint must be entirely in 
light blue in rear-facing mode for 0-3 month old, or entirely in blue area for child over 3 months 
(diagram 6). A rolled towel may be used to achieve proper recline if needed. 
 
 
SEE PAGE 2 

 

 3 

 

 

Important: This information sheet is not a substitute for complete manufacturer’s directions and current recall list.  #450 (c) 

SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., 27943 Seco Canyon Rd., Ste 301 Santa Clarita CA 91350 (800) 745-SAFE ©SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. 3/22 

Summary of Contents for Contender Slim

Page 1: ...hich must lie flat against underside of seat To change slots turn metal anchor sideways feed up through shell of restraint and reinsert through desired slot Crotch strap should be close to but not und...

Page 2: ...e LATCH strap from one belt path to another pull strap out of belt path such that both connectors are on the same side diagram 8 Unsnap seat pad at front and feed lower connector with adjuster closest...

Page 3: ...R SEAT Contender Slim FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH Do not install or use this child restraint until you read and...

Page 4: ...es 24 29 1 A A Quick Guide to Your Manual 1 B Welcome to the Graco Family 1 C Right Mode of Use 1 D Before You Begin Register This Child Restraint If You Need Help Certification Car Seat s Useful Life...

Page 5: ...orward Facing with Vehicle Seat Belt 4 Forward Facing Pages 45 58 3 A Rear Facing Use 3 B Install Rear Facing with Lower Anchor Attachment 3 C Install Rear Facing with Vehicle Seat Belt 3 Rear Facing...

Page 6: ...4 7 A Moving the Lower Anchor Attachment 7 Moving the Lower Anchor Attachment Pages 69 71 6 A Accessories 6 Accessories Pages 67 68...

Page 7: ...er 8 B Choosing Vehicle Seat Location 8 C Unsafe Vehicle Seat Locations 8 D Vehicle Seat Belts 8 Vehicle Information Pages 72 82 9 A Cleaning Seat Pad 9 B Cleaning Buckle 9 C Cleaning Harness Lower An...

Page 8: ...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 Get to Know Your Car Seat What Seating Locati...

Page 9: ...sing the vehicle seat belt and possibly to get a better fit All 2003 and newer model year vehicles are required to have a LATCH system although some manufacturers began including LATCH earlier Some ve...

Page 10: ...ecure the child seat to the vehicle The tether is used IN ADDITION to the lower anchor attachment OR the vehicle s seat belt to secure a forward facing car seat to the vehicle Review your vehicle owne...

Page 11: ...t Review section 3 C 4 C of this manual AND your vehicle owner s manual before installing Lower Anchor Attachment The lower anchor attachment consists of two lower anchors which are built in to your v...

Page 12: ...s straps at or just below the child s shoulders A and top of head must be 1 2 5 cm below the headrest adjustment handle B Review section 5 Buckle Position C The correct slot is the one that is closest...

Page 13: ...f headrest B Review section 5 Buckle Position C The correct slot is the one that is closest to your child without being underneath them Review section 5 Harness Tightness D If your fingers slide off t...

Page 14: ...section 3 Level Indicator s Ball in the Correct Blue Zone B Review section 3 Harness Straps at or Just Below Child s Shoulders C Review section 5 Chest Clip Even With Armpits D Review section 5 Cannot...

Page 15: ...uce injury in a sudden stop or crash Review section 4 Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1 2 5 cm at the Belt Path B Review section 4 Harness Straps at or Just Above Child s Shoulders C Review section 5...

Page 16: ...arantee 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 detaile...

Page 17: ...g Rear Facing with 5 Point Harness Must be 49 125 cm or less 5 22 lb 2 2 10 kg less than 1 year old MUST be rear facing 22 40 lb 10 18 kg SHOULD be rear facing Forward Facing with 5 Point Harness Must...

Page 18: ...s 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 1952...

Page 19: ...it or on the date label located on the back of the car seat In the U S A please contact our Customer Service Department with any questions you may have concerning parts use or maintenance When you co...

Page 20: ...ents of Federal motor vehicle safety standard 213 for use in motor vehicles This child seat is certified for use in aircraft Use only on foward facing aircraft seats Follow the instructions for vehicl...

Page 21: ...y Warnings 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 Warm Weather Use Failure to fo...

Page 22: ...ith great force and cause serious injury or death to your child Review 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...

Page 23: ...for car seat usage 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 Vehi...

Page 24: ...seat if it is damaged or missing parts 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...

Page 25: ...upright can result in breathing difficulties Never attach two lower anchor connectors to one vehicle lower anchor point unless specifically allowed by the vehicle manufacturer Do not use both the veh...

Page 26: ...24 Features 2 2 A Car Seat Features A B C E H F G D...

Page 27: ...eight Adjustment Handle B Headrest C Infant Head Support D Harness Covers E Infant Body Support F Harness Adjustment Lever under flap G Harness Adjustment Strap H Cup Holder I Harness Straps J Chest C...

Page 28: ...26 Features 2 F G H I A E C B B A C D E...

Page 29: ...nchor Connector Storage Bar B Rear Facing Lower Anchor Connector Storage Bar C Lower Anchor Connector D Lower Anchor Adjuster E Lower Anchor Strap stored F Level Indicator G Forward Facing Belt Path H...

Page 30: ...28 Features 2 E A B A C D G H F...

Page 31: ...res 2 I A Tether Storage Bars B Tether Hook C Tether Strap D Tether Strap Adjuster E Harness Straps F Harness Cover Plate G Instruction Manual Storage H Recline Foot I Splitter Plate under seat Bottom...

Page 32: ...e seat belt is routed through the rear facing belt path marked with a blue label Install this car seat tightly in your vehicle Car seat should not move at the rear facing belt path more than 1 inch 2...

Page 33: ...in seat Children are safer riding rear facing and should ride rear facing as long as possible until they reach maximum rear facing height or weight rating for their car seat Then children should ride...

Page 34: ...is level for infants 0 months in age If the ball is entirely in the dark blue area the restraint is level for a child 3 months in age If the ball is not completely in the blue areas the child restrai...

Page 35: ...s manual for lower anchor location and use 1 Store Tether Strap Attach tether hook to the plastic bar on either side of the car seat at the top of the seat 2 Remove Lower Anchor Connertors from Stora...

Page 36: ...tachment 3 B 3 Make Sure Lower Anchor Strap is in the Rear Facing Belt Path Marked With a Blue Label To move the lower anchor attachment review section 7 4 Recline the Car Seat Flip the recline foot t...

Page 37: ...mum length by pressing the grey button and pulling on the strap 6 Make Sure Bottom of Seat is a minimum of 80 on Vehicle Seat 5 Place Car Seat Rear Facing in Back Seat of the Vehicle Place rear facing...

Page 38: ...ea Readjust if needed For infants 3 months and under the ball must be entirely in the light blue area If needed rolled towels may be placed under the car seat at the vehicle seat crease until the ball...

Page 39: ...u may need to tighten through the rear facing belt path to get a tight fit To expose the belt path unsnap the bottom cover on each side and pull the seat pad forward out of the way 11 Test For Tightne...

Page 40: ...needed For infants 3 months and under the ball must be entirely in the light blue area If needed rolled towels may be placed under the car seat at the vehicle seat crease until the ball is completely...

Page 41: ...ve More than 1 inch 2 5 cm at the Belt Path Level Indicator s Ball in the Blue Area and Vehicle on Level Ground Harness Straps at or Just Below the Child s Shoulders Review section 5 Chest Clip Even W...

Page 42: ...he car seat at the top of the seat Attach the lower anchor connectors to the plastic bars on the sides of the seat 2 Recline the Car Seat Flip the recline foot to the rear facing position as shown Vis...

Page 43: ...seat 5 Check the Level Indicator Vehicle MUST be on level ground Ball must be completely in the blue area Readjust if needed For infants 3 months and under the ball must be entirely in the light blue...

Page 44: ...e It may be easier to route the vehicle seat belt by lifting seat pad up to expose the belt path Make sure the vehicle seat belt is in front of the buckle strap when the buckle is in the inner most po...

Page 45: ...to side and front to back If the seat moves less than 1 inch 2 5 cm it is tight enough 10 Check the Level Indicator Vehicle MUST be on level ground Ball must be completely in the blue area Readjust i...

Page 46: ...than 1 inch 2 5 cm at the Belt Path Level Indicator s Ball in the Blue Area and Vehicle on Level Ground Harness Straps at or Just Below the Child s Shoulders Review section 5 Chest Clip Even With Arm...

Page 47: ...back seat Make sure lower anchor strap or vehicle seat belt is routed through the forward facing belt path marked with an orange label Install this car seat tightly in your vehicle Car seat should no...

Page 48: ...he maximum rear facing height or weight rating for their car seat Then children should ride forward facing using the built in harness system for as long as possible until they reach the maximum forwar...

Page 49: ...3 Adjust Child Restraint to Upright Position Flip recline foot to the forward facing position as shown 1 Remove Lower Anchor Connectors from Storage Location Visit www gracobaby com and the Graco Con...

Page 50: ...ove Tether Strap from Storage Location Unhook tether and lay it in the seat 5 Extend the Lower Anchor Strap For easier installation extend the lower anchor strap to its maximum length by pressing the...

Page 51: ...le Place forward facing in vehicle seat The bottom of the seat should sit as flat as possible on the vehicle seat 8 Attach Lower Anchor Connectors to Vehicle s Lower Anchors Lower anchor strap should...

Page 52: ...en through the forward facing belt path from the other side of the seat to get a tight fit 10 Attach Tether Strap Extend the tether strap pressing the grey button and pulling out on the strap and atta...

Page 53: ...sides of the seat where the lower anchor strap is and slide the car seat side to side and front to back If the seat moves less than 1 inch 2 5 cm it is tight enough See section 5 A to secure your chi...

Page 54: ...orrect Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1 inch 2 5 cm at the Belt Path Harness Straps at or Just Above the Child s Shoulders Review section 5 Chest Clip Even With Armpits Review section 5 Cannot Pinch...

Page 55: ...own 2 Adjust Child Restraint to Upright Position Flip recline foot to the forward facing position as shown 4 C Install Forward Facing with Vehicle Seat Belt Visit www gracobaby com and the Graco Conte...

Page 56: ...Unhook tether and lay it on the seat 4 Place Car Seat Forward Facing in Back Seat of the Vehicle Place forward facing in vehicle seat The bottom of the seat should sit as flat as possible on the vehi...

Page 57: ...belt The seat belt should lie as flat as possible and not be twisted 7 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 wi...

Page 58: ...o tighten while feeding the slack back in the retractor 9 Attach Tether Strap Extend the tether strap pressing the grey button and pulling out on the strap and attach to the tether anchor point Consul...

Page 59: ...C 11 Test For Tightness Grab the sides of the seat where the vehicle seat belt is and slide the car seat side to side and front to back If the seat moves less than 1 inch 2 5 cm it is tight enough Se...

Page 60: ...Correct Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1 inch 2 5 cm at the Belt Path Harness Straps at or Just Above the Child s Shoulders Review section 5 Chest Clip Even With Armpits Review section 5 Cannot Pin...

Page 61: ...e chest clip B and the buckle C Place harness straps off to the sides B C A WARNING In cold weather do not put snowsuits or bulky garments on your child when placing them in the car seat Bulky clothin...

Page 62: ...in the Seat Make sure their back is flat against the car seat back 3 Place Harness Straps Over Child s Shoulders and Buckle You will hear a click when buckle tongues are securely attached Pull up on...

Page 63: ...UST be at least 1 inch 2 5 cm below the headrest harness height adjustment handle Forward Facing Harness straps must be at or just above the child s shoulders Top of child s ears must be below top of...

Page 64: ...forward as shown 5 Check the Buckle Position The correct slot is the one that is closest to your child without being underneath them 6 To Adjust Buckle Strap skip to step 10 if not needed To adjust re...

Page 65: ...63 Securing Child 5 Point Harness 5 A 7 Rotate Metal Retainer and Insert It Up Through the Shell and Pad From the top of the car seat pull the buckle out...

Page 66: ...e car seat and pull the metal retainer through 9 Pull Up on Buckle Strap to Make Sure it is Secured Rear Facing Make sure the lower anchor strap is in front of the buckle strap when the buckle is in t...

Page 67: ...ness 5 A 10 Buckle the Chest Clip You will hear a CLICK when the chest clip is securely buckled 11 Pull All the Slack Out From Around the Waist Pull up on the harness strap while pushing the chest cli...

Page 68: ...ies 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 When you are not able to pinch any of the harness webbing a...

Page 69: ...il it locks into place To remove place both hands under the cup holder and push up on the cup holder Infant Body Support Use body support only in the rear facing mode Body support must be used if shou...

Page 70: ...connect the straps together To remove undo the fastening strips and pull the straps out of the headrest Harness Covers Make sure that harness covers do not interfere with placement of the chest clip a...

Page 71: ...of Moving the Lower Anchor Attachment A Unhook the lower anchor connectors from the storage location B Unclip the seat pad from the front of the child restraint C Pull the lower anchor strap out of t...

Page 72: ...e belt path marked with an orange label 3 Feed the Lower Anchor Connector with the Adjuster Closest to it Through the Chosen Belt Path Rear Facing Make sure lower anchor strap is in front of the buckl...

Page 73: ...7 4 Replace the Seat Pad Fabric on the Front of the Child Restraint Pull the harness adjustment strap through pad Replace the seat pad Snap the button clips back into place Forward Facing Make sure t...

Page 74: ...pull out on the strap to release the tension Press in on the hook s spring Push tether hook in then lift up and pull away from tether anchor Lower Anchor Connectors Push gray button in while pulling...

Page 75: ...k seat and or you have no other option than to place a child in a front passenger seating position other than rear facing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA recommends that you t...

Page 76: ...e Information 8 8 C Unsafe Vehicle Seat Locations Never install this car seat in any of the following vehicle seating locations Rear facing or side facing vehicle seats Rear facing with an active fron...

Page 77: ...hicle seat belts this is done with the retractor 8 D Vehicle Seat Belts Review your vehicle owner s manual for vehicle seat belt use Vehicle Seat Belt Terms Retractor A device that winds up the unused...

Page 78: ...ly 2 connection points Can ONLY be used in harness mode Lap Shoulder Belt 3 connection points Can be used in all car seats modes of use Lap Belt with Motorized Shoulder Belt The following types of veh...

Page 79: ...wly pull the belt out more If the belt cannot be pulled any further it is ALR 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 severa...

Page 80: ...ch Plate and Switchable Retractor A latchplate 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...

Page 81: ...ardware 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 be...

Page 82: ...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...

Page 83: ...btain a locking clip call 1 800 345 4109 Route the vehicle seat belt through the proper belt path and buckle it in Pull the vehicle seat belt tight While pushing down on seat pinch the two straps toge...

Page 84: ...and ALR 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 into the re...

Page 85: ...p sponge using mild soap and cool water If needed pad may be removed for cleaning Raise the headrest to the highest position Undo elastic loops on back of headrest Remove the headrest pad Machine wash...

Page 86: ...he 2 elastic loops at the top of the seat pad Unclip the seat pad at the front edge of the seat Remove the button clips before washing Push harness straps and buckle strap through slots on seat pad an...

Page 87: ...le Press the red button several times while in the water DO NOT SUBMERGE THE BUCKLE STRAP DO NOT USE SOAPS HOUSEHOLD DETERGENTS or LUBRICANTS Shake out excess water and allow to air dry Repeat steps a...

Page 88: ...ly with mild soap and damp cloth DO NOT IMMERSE THE HARNESS STRAPS LOWER ANCHOR STRAP or TETHER STRAP IN WATER Doing so may weaken the straps If harness straps or lower anchor belt or tether strap are...

Page 89: ...87 NOTES...

Page 90: ...eplacement Parts 1 www gracobaby com Read This Instruction Manual CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Contender Slim FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A SU...

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