

Instruction
Manual

Para instrucciones en Español,

llamar al: 1-800-837-4044
Avoid injury or death -
www.centuryproducts.com
Read and understand this manual!
PM-1415AD 7/01 Use rear-facing only!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This instruction manual is for:
Avanta™ DX Infant Car Seat Series
❃ Use
Avanta™ LX Infant Car Seat Series Height & Weight Limits.....................................5
Avanta™ EX Infant Car Seat Series
Installation With Base..................................... 6
Instructions for these models are the same
unless otherwise noted. Installation Without Base................................8

Placing Child in Car Seat................................10

Operations and Adjustments......................... 12

• Harness Tie
• Adjustable Handle
• Buckle

❃ Before You Begin • Removing Car Seat from Base

• Adjusting Car Seat Recline
• Adjustable Base
Important Information.....................................1
• Changing Harness Strap Slot
Warnings.........................................................2

Basic Information.............................................4 ❃ Special Information

Vehicle Seat Belts............................................ 16
Locking Clip............................................ 21

Shopping Cart Use......................................... 22

Additional Information....................................23
• Care and Cleaning
• Aircraft Use
• Second Hand Car Seat
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
No car seat can guarantee protection from
injury in every situation, but proper use helps ❃ Safety First Check List
reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
✔ Read and understand instruction manual
and car seat labels.

❃ Registration Information ✔ Use car seat rear-facing only.

✔ Do not use in vehicle seat with air bag.

Child restraints (car seats) could be recalled for
safety reasons. You must register this restraint ✔ Secure children in back seat whenever
to be reached in a recall. Fill out the possible.
registration card attached to car seat and mail
today or send your name, address, and the ✔ Never leave child unattended.
restraint’s model number and manufacturing
date to: ✔ Install car seat securely.

Century Products ✔ Only use an Avanta™ base when using car seat
P.O. Box 551 with a base.
Elverson, PA 19520-9973
✔ Do not use after date shown on back of
or call 1-888-224-6549
car seat.
For recall information:
✔ Do not allow anyone (babysitter, relatives,
• Call the U.S Government’s Auto Safety etc.) to use car seat without first
Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 understanding all instructions.
(202-366-0123 in D.C. area)
• www.nhtsa.dot.gov
• Call Century Products 1-800-837-4044

1
 WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death:

Failure to follow these instructions and DO NOT use rear-facing child restraint in
car seat labels can result in child striking a vehicle seating position equipped with
the vehicle’s interior during a sudden an air bag. Child’s head and neck may
stop or crash. Secure child restraint with be seriously injured when an
a vehicle seat belt as shown in this inflating air bag hits back of child
manual. restraint.

Never put a car seat in a front vehicle

seat unless recommended by vehicle
owner’s manual. National Highway
Use car seat rear-facing only. Serious Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
crippling injury or death can result if alerts vehicle owners that according to
infant faces front of vehicle. accident statistics children up to age 12
are safer in the back seat. For vehicles
with air bags, refer to vehicle owner’s
manual for child restraint installation
information.

Vehicle seat belt system MUST hold

car seat securely. Not all vehicle seat
belts can be used with a car seat. If If car seat is in a crash, it must be
vehicle seat belt does not hold car seat replaced. DO NOT use it again! A crash
securely, read “Vehicle Seat Belts” can cause unseen damage and using it
section. again could result in serious injury or
death.

2
 WARNINGS - Prevent serious injury or death (continued):

DO NOT use car seat if it is damaged or Strangulation Hazard: Child can strangle
missing parts. in loose harness straps. Never leave child
in carrier when straps are loose or
undone.

DO NOT use accessories or parts other

than those provided by Century or Fall Hazard: Child’s movement can slide
Graco. Their use could alter the perfor- carrier. Never place carrier near edges
mance of the of countertops, tables or other elevated
car seat. surfaces.

Car seat must be properly leveled: Suffocation Hazard: Infant carrier can
roll over on soft surfaces and suffocate
• Too reclined can result in injury or
child. Never place carrier on beds, sofas
ejection.
or other soft surfaces.
• Too upright can result in breathing
difficulties.

Avoid serious injury due to falls. Always

use harness to restrain child and be sure
Never leave infant unattended, even handle “locks” into carrying position
when sleeping. before carrying infant. If handle is not
securely locked, car seat can flip forward
causing unrestrained infant to fall and
be seriously injured.

3
BASIC INFORMATION

❃ Certification ❃ Car Seat Useful Life

This car seat meets or exceeds all applicable DO NOT use after date shown on back of
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety car seat due to changing requirements and
Standard 213 for use in motor vehicles and normal wear and tear.
aircraft.
Look for: Do not use this car
seat after December Year

❃ Unoccupied Car Seat ❃ Vehicle Seat Protection

Always secure car seat with a vehicle seat belt, Protect vehicle seat. Use a car seat mat, towel
even when unoccupied. An unsecured car seat or thin blanket under and behind car seat.
can injure passengers.

❃ Dangerous Vehicle Seats ❃ Warm Weather

Do not use car seat on rear-facing or Car seat parts can get very hot in the sun
side-facing vehicle seats. or warm weather.

To avoid burns, always check before putting

child in car seat.

4
HEIGHT & WEIGHT LIMITS
This car seat is designed for rear-facing use
only by an infant whose: ❃ Preterm or Low Birth Weight
Infants
• Weight is less than 22 lbs (10 kg) and;
A preterm or low birth weight infant may
• Height is less than 29 inches (73.6 cm) be at special risk in a vehicle or aircraft.

According to the American Academy of

Pediatrics, these infants may suffer breathing
difficulties if improperly reclined in a car seat.

Century 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.

5
INSTALLATION WITH BASE
1 Place base rear-facing on vehicle seat. 8 Check level indicator on base.
Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. c).
2 Thread vehicle lap belt through base belt Tabs
If necessary adjust Foot.
and buckle belt. NOTE: Vehicle must be on level ground and
child in car seat when leveling.
NOTE: Vehicle shoulder belt must NOT be
placed under belt Tabs.

3 Press down firmly on base to compress vehicle

seat cushion while tightening vehicle lap belt
(fig. a).

4 Pull front to back and left to right to check for

secure installation (fig. b). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.
If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.

5 Put car seat in base and pull up on car seat to

be sure it is locked in base.

6 Place child in car seat and check for secure

installation (see 4 ).

7 Adjust handle to a position behind car seat.

6
INSTALLATION WITH BASE (continued)

Tabs

Foot

(fig. a) (fig. b) (fig. c) 7

INSTALLATION WITHOUT BASE
1 Place car seat rear-facing on vehicle seat. 6 Adjust handle to a position behind car seat.

2 Thread vehicle lap belt through car seat Slots

and buckle belt.
NOTE: Vehicle shoulder belt must NOT be
placed through car seat Slots.

3 Press down firmly on car seat to compress

vehicle seat cushion while tightening vehicle
lap belt (fig. a).

4 Pull front to back and left to right to check for

secure installation (fig. b). Vehicle lap belt
MUST stay tight.

If not secure, see “Vehicle Seat Belts” section.

5 Check level indicator on car seat.

Ball MUST be entirely in green zone (fig. c). If

necessary place rolled Towels under car seat
at vehicle seat crease.

NOTE: Vehicle must be on level ground and

8 child in car seat when leveling.
INSTALLATION WITHOUT BASE (continued)

Slots

Towels

(fig. a) (fig. b) (fig. c) 9

PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT
1 Place child in car seat with child’s back flat
against back of car seat.
WARNING
To prevent serious injury or death: 2 Place harness straps over child’s shoulders and
• Keep harness straps snug and insert tongue(s) into buckle to lock.
positioned on shoulders. Periodically
check adjustments. Pull up on tongue(s) to be sure they are
locked.
• Do not use strap covers, blankets
cushions, or padding under harness
straps or child unless provided by 3 Close harness tie:
Century or Graco.
Position harness tie at arm pit level.
• Baby must be dressed in clothing with
arms and legs that will not interfere
with buckling harness. 4 Adjust that harness straps to be snug with just
enough room to insert one finger between
Check harness system: child’s chest and harness straps (fig. a).

• Harness straps must be through slots at or For 5-Point models, check that harness straps
just below shoulders. on chest and thighs are snug.

5-Point Models Only:

5 A rolled towel can be used on each side to
• Crotch strap must be through opening
closest to but not under child. support small children (fig. b). Be sure towels
do not interfere with harness system.
3-Point Models Only:
• Buckle tongue must be in slot closest to
but not under child.

10
PLACING CHILD IN CAR SEAT (continued)

int ls int ls
Po e
-Po de
3- od 5 o
M M

3 3

2
2

(fig. a) (fig. b)
11
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS
1 Harness Straps (fig. a): 4 Adjustable Handle:
• To tighten: Pull lower belt tab. • Handle has three adjustment positions.
• To loosen: Pull and hold upper belt tab • Push in red buttons on each side of
while pulling harness straps. handle, rotate and release red buttons.
Continue rotating handle to desired
position until you hear a “click” sound.
2 Buckle:
• IMPORTANT: Before lifting car seat, place
3-Point Models handle in “locked” upright carrying
position.
• To buckle: Push tongue down into slot.
Pull up on tongue to be sure it is locked. 5 Removing Car Seat from Base:
• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull
• Place handle in “locked” upright carrying
tongue out.
position.
5-Point Models • Squeeze red release handle in base (fig. b).
• To buckle: Insert both tongues into • Lift car seat out of base.
buckle. Pull up on tongues to be sure
they are locked. 6 Adjusting Car Seat Recline (2-Positions):
• To unbuckle: Press red button and pull • Squeeze lever up and rotate car seat
tongues out. to Reclined or Semi-reclined position
(fig. c).
3 2-Piece Harness Tie:
• Release handle.

• To open: Squeeze tabs and pull apart. 7 Adjustable Base:

• To close: Snap halves together. Make • Pull Level Adjuster Handle out (fig. d).
sure harness tie is locked by pulling out
• Adjust Foot to desired position.
on each half.
• Release adjustment handle. Be sure it
retracts into slot.
12
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

int ls int ls
-Po de -Po de
3 o 5 o
M M
3 3
2 2
4 4
1 1
5 5

6 6

7 7

Handle

Upper

Lower Foot

(fig. a) (fig. d) 13
(fig. b) (fig. c)
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)
8 Changing Harness Strap Slots: E Re-install metal Rod:

Harness straps must be through slots at or just • Lift harness straps up over car seat top.
below shoulders.
• Slide metal Rod into side Pockets and
A Loosen harness straps: press Rod down below Tab.

• Pull and hold upper belt tab. IMPORTANT: Harness straps MUST be
behind metal Rod.
• Pull harness straps out.

B Remove both harness strap loops from

F Re-attach harness strap loops to Splitter
Splitter Plate on back of car seat.
Plate (fig. e):

• Lower the harness straps down over

metal Rod as shown (fig. e).
C Press Tab to release metal Rod and lift Rod
out of Pockets.
• Put right strap loop on Splitter Plate
first, then attach left strap loop.

NOTE:
D Change harness strap slots.
• Make sure both strap loops are securely
Make sure harness straps are threaded attached within Splitter Plate hook.
through matching slot of seat pad and
car seat. • Make sure straps are NOT twisted.
It may be necessary to remove seat pad
from top of car seat.

14
OPERATIONS and ADJUSTMENTS (continued)

Pockets Tab

Rod

Loop
Loop

Splitter Plate

(fig. e)

15
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS

WARNING
Not all vehicle seat belts can be used
with a car seat. The car seat must be
held securely at all times by a lap belt
(or lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder
belt) that will not change length while
driving.

To provide the most secure installation of the

car seat:

• Read the vehicle owner’s manual regarding

car seat installation and seat belt use with
car seat.

• Follow all instruction labels on vehicle seat

belt and car seat.

If car seat is not held securely after following

instructions in this manual, vehicle seat belt
labels, and vehicle owner’s manual:

• Move car seat to another seating location

and try again, or

• Contact vehicle dealer for possible seat

belt modification parts.

16
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)

❃ Belts Forward of Seat Crease

Vehicle seat belts located forward of seat
crease may not securely hold car seat. Check Seat Crease
vehicle owner’s manual or see vehicle dealer for
car seat installation requirements.

• If approved for use with car seat, install

car seat and check for secure installation by
pulling car seat front to back. If car seat
slides forward, DO NOT use these seat belts.

Seat Crease

17
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)

❃ Lap Belts - Manually Adjustable

The locking latch plate on some seat belts may
slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip latch plate over (fig. a) and re-buckle. Test
installation again to see if this works. If not,
move car seat to another seating position.

Flip

❃ Lap Belts - With Retractor

Lap belts with retractors may or may not hold
a car seat securely. (fig. a)

Follow these steps to determine if you have a

retractor system that will hold car seat securely:
a. Pull belt all the way out.
b. Allow belt to retract about 6 inches (15 cm).
c. Pull out on belt again.
If belt is locked and you cannot pull the belt out
any further, you have an Automatic Locking
Retractor which may be used with a car seat.
Remember, when installing a car seat, pull belt
all the way out, buckle belt, and then tighten.
If you can pull the belt out again (step c), you
have an Emergency Locking Retractor which
must not be used with a car seat.
18 Retractor
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)

❃ Passive Restraint - Lap Belt

with Motorized Shoulder Belt
DO NOT use with any car seat.

❃ Passive Restraint - Lap or

Shoulder Belt Mounted on Door
DO NOT use with any car seat. Belts will not
stay tight while driving.

19
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)

❃ Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt

with Sliding Latch Plate

Pull on latch plate (fig. a). If belt slides freely Pull

through latch plate, a locking clip MUST
be used (see Locking Clip section).

Some combination lap/shoulder belts with

sliding latch plates may be converted into an (fig. a)
“automatic locking mode” that will allow use
without a locking clip. See vehicle owner’s
manual and label on vehicle belts for
instructions.

❃ Combination Lap/Shoulder Belt

with Locking Latch Plate

The locking latch plate on some seat belts may Flip

slip and loosen after being buckled on car seat if
positioned at a certain angle. If this happens,
flip the latch plate over (fig. b) and re-buckle.
Test installation again to see if this works. If
not, move car seat to another seating position. (fig. b)

20
VEHICLE SEAT BELTS (continued)
5 Test installation to see if car seat is secure.
❃ Locking Clip If not secure, additional belt tightening may be
required:

WARNING • Unbuckle vehicle seat belt.

• Hold belts together and remove locking
Avoid serious injury or death:
clip.
• Failure to use locking clip where
• Shorten length of lap belt portion slightly
required will result in car seat not
by pulling belt through latch plate.
being securely held in place.
• Re-attach locking clip.
• Remove locking clip from seat belts
when not being used with car seat. • Buckle vehicle seat belt.
• DO NOT use locking clip as a vehicle HINT: Press car seat further down into vehicle
seat belt shortener. seat cushion to help buckle vehicle seat belt.
Test installation to see if car seat is secure. If
You MUST use locking clip provided with not secure, repeat above step until secure.
car seat with a vehicle seat belt that slides
freely through the latch plate or the lap belt
cannot be tightly secured.

1 Install car seat and tighten vehicle seat belt.

2 Hold seat belts together at latch plate (fig. a)

then unbuckle.
1/2 inch (1 cm)
(fig. a)
3 Slide locking clip on seat belts approximately
1/2 inch (1 cm) away from latch plate.

4 Re-buckle seat belt. 21

SHOPPING CART USE

WARNING
Prevent injuries from falls:
• Make sure car seat locks onto cart.
• Avoid tip over of cart. Use caution on
turns and irregular and ramped
surfaces.
• Never leave child unattended.

Car seat may not fit all shopping carts. DO NOT

use if it will not lock onto cart.

Deep Basket Shopping Cart:

Lower car seat into child seat area of (fig. a)
shopping cart and position hook to lock
over cart wire (fig. a).
Press down firmly on car seat back to lock.
Pull up on car seat to be sure it is locked.

Shallow Basket Shopping Cart:

Lower car seat into large basket area of
shopping cart and position hook to lock
over front cross wire (fig. b).
Press down firmly on car seat back to lock. (fig. b)
Pull up on car seat to be sure it is locked.
Press
To remove car seat, press in hook on back of
22 car seat and remove from shopping cart (fig. c). (fig. c)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

❃ Care & Cleaning

WARNING
Seat Pad: Prevent serious injury or death:
Machine-wash separately on gentle cycle and • Buckle must be properly latched.
drip dry. • Periodically inspect and clean buckle
to remove objects or debris that could
prevent latching.
Harness Straps:
Surface wash only with mild soap and damp
cloth.
If harness straps are frayed or heavily soiled,
they MUST be replaced.

Shell:
Wipe with mild solution of soap and water.
Avoid wetting labels.
Never use household detergents: they can
weaken plastic.

Buckle:
Rinse buckle with warm water. DO NOT use
household detergents. Never lubricate
buckle.
23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (continued)

❃ Aircraft Use ❃ Second Hand Car Seat

This car seat is certified for use on aircraft (see Century advises against loaning or passing
label on car seat). Contact airline about their along car seat.
policy.

Use this car seat only on forward-facing aircraft

seats.

Install car seat carrier (without base) on an

aircraft the same way it is installed in a vehicle.

CAUTION: DO NOT use car seat base on an

aircraft seat because aircraft seat belt buckle
may interfere with the secure fit of the car seat
carrier in the base.

24
 1 Fold instruction manual.


If a part is damaged,
missing, or you need help
or replacement parts,
DO NOT return car seat
to the store.

CALL US FIRST
2 Store instruction manual
Call toll-free 1-800-837-4044 from behind tabs.
anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
or fax at 1-610-286-4555.

or write us at:
Century Products
P.O. Box 100
Elverson, PA 19520-9974
(fig. a)
Attention: Customer Service
Department Store locking clip
behind instruction
manual (fig. a).
(Location may vary
slightly.)

Century Products
Graco Children’s Products Inc.
A Division of Newell Rubbermaid
Macedonia, Ohio 44056-2096