In this article we cover Graco car seat installation and care, focusing on the best Graco convertible car seats.
Let’s get started!
How long are Graco convertible car seats good for?
The Graco convertible car seats, depending on which model you own, have an average lifespan of 6 to 10 years.
Where to find the Graco convertible car seat expiration date?
Graco labels the bottom of all of their car seats with an expiration date. If you can’t locate the expiration date on the car seat, you can find it in the instruction manual. You can also receive your car seat’s expiration date by registering your product with Graco.
How to install a Graco convertible car seat: rear-facing?
LATCH
Adjust your car seat to the recline angle position, then place it in your vehicle in the rear-facing position.
Hook the car seat’s lower anchor belts to your vehicle’s lower anchor points.
Make sure that the belt is lying flat, and pull the lower anchor belt to make sure it’s securely attached to the lower anchor points.
Push down firmly on the car seat while tightening the lower anchor belt.
Move the car seat forward and backward and side-to-side to ensure that the base can’t be easily moved.
If there’s too much wiggle room, continue to tighten it until the car seat is secure.
Double-check to make sure that your car seat is at the proper recline angle (check the recline angle indicator). If it’s not, uninstall your car seat, and place rolled-up towels at the crease of your vehicle’s back seat to get the right angle.
If you need more guidance, here’s a video demonstrating how to install your convertible car seat using the LATCH system.
Vehicle Seatbelt
Adjust your car seat to the recline angle position, then place it in your vehicle in the rear-facing position.
Check your vehicle manual for the type of car seat you have, as this can affect how you install your car seat.
Thread your vehicle seatbelt through the lower belt path on the car seat, and buckle the belt (make sure the seatbelt is in “lock mode” before you buckle it).
Press down firmly on the car seat while tightening the seatbelt.
Move your car seat forward and backward and side-to-side to ensure that the car seat can’t be easily moved.
If there’s too much wiggle room, continue to tighten it until the car seat is secure.
If you need more guidance, here’s a video that demonstrates how to install your convertible car seat using your vehicle seatbelt.
How to install a Graco convertible car seat: forward-facing?
LATCH
Adjust the car seat for forward-facing use, and place the car seat in the forward-facing position.
Slide the car seat back until it touches the vehicle’s seatback.
Connect the lower anchor belts to your vehicle’s lower anchor points.
Make sure the belt is lying flat, and pull the lower anchor belt to make sure it’s securely attached to the lower anchor points.
Push down firmly on the car seat while the tightening the lower anchor belt.
Move the car seat forward and back and side-to-side to ensure that the car seat can’t be easily moved.
If there’s too much wiggle room, continue to tighten it until the car seat is secure.
Hook the car seat’s top tether hook to your vehicle’s top tether anchor.
Tighten the adjuster belt to remove any slack.
If you need more guidance, this video will demonstrate how to install your convertible car seat using the LATCH system.
Vehicle Seatbelt
Adjust the car seat for forward-facing use, and place the car seat in the forward-facing position.
Slide the car seat back until it touches your vehicle’s seatback.
Thread your seatbelt through the lower belt path and buckle the seatbelt (make sure that your seatbelt is in “lock mode” before you buckle it).
Push down firmly on the car seat while you tighten the seatbelt.
Move the car seat forward and back and side-to-side to ensure that it can’t be moved easily.
If there’s too much wiggle room, continue to tighten it until the car seat is secure.
Hook the car seat’s top tether hook to your vehicle’s top tether anchor.
Tighten the adjustment belt to remove any slack.
If you need more guidance, this video will demonstrate how to install your convertible car seat using your vehicle’s seatbelt.
How to adjust the straps on a Graco convertible car seat?
Put your child in the car seat (make sure their back is pressed firmly against the back of the car seat).
Buckle your child into the car seat.
Pull the harness strap adjustment to tighten the harness straps, and buckle the chest clip.
Make sure the harness it at, or just below your child’s shoulders.
Adjust the harness so that it’s snug (you shouldn’t be able to pinch the harness.
Check out this video to see how to adjust the harness straps on a Graco convertible car seat.
How to put together a Graco convertible car seat?
The only assembly required for a Graco convertible car seat is attaching the cup holders. Refer to your product’s instruction manual to learn how to install the cup holders on your car seat.
How to remove a Graco convertible car seat cover for washing?
Raise the headrest to it’s tallest height.
Remove the harness covers.
Unbuckle the chest clip and buckle.
Remove the infant insert.
Loosen the harness fully.
Remove the harness from the splitter plate.
Pull the straps out of the harness slots.
Remove the elastic tabs at the back of the headrest.
Remove the elastic straps from the side of the seat.
Remove the seat cover all the way around the car seat.
Remove the elastic straps from the back of the seat pad at the back of the car seat.
Remove the pieces of the chest clip and buckle tongue.
Remove the harness straps from the bottom of the seat pad.
You can also find instructions on how to remove your car seat cover in your instruction manual.
How to put a Graco convertible car seat cover back on?
Put the headrest cover back over the headrest.
Replace the elastic straps on the side of the headrest.
Replace the elastic straps at the back of the headrest.
Replace the seat pad around the car seat.
Feed the harness straps back through the seat pad.
Replace the crotch buckle through the seat pad.
Replace the buckle tongue back on the harness strap.
Replace the chest clip.
Starting from the back, replace the seat cover around the shell of the car seat, and fit it around the cup holders.
Replace the elastic straps on the side of the car seat.
Replace the 2 elastics at the back of the seat pad.
Feed the front adjuster strap through the opening.
For more assistance, this video will show you how to remove and replace your Graco convertible car seat cover, and it will demonstrate how to rethread the harness.
How to clean a Graco convertible car seat?
According to Graco, Graco convertible seat covers are machine-washable, so you can just throw them in the washer. To clean your buckle and harness, use warm water. You may use a mild soap on your harness, but NOT on your buckle. Allow the buckle to dry completely before you reinstall it.
Image: Tips on Cleaning a Graco convertible car seat provided by gracobaby.
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