Installing a Clek Oobr booster seat primarily involves properly positioning the seat, securing your child, and correctly routing the vehicle's seat belt. This guide focuses on the Clek Oobr, which offers both high-back and backless booster modes, providing secure and comfortable transportation for older children.
Understanding Your Clek Oobr Booster Seat
The Clek Oobr is a popular choice for booster seats, known for its rigid LATCH system which offers enhanced stability and ease of installation. It functions as both a high-back booster, providing full back and head support, and can be converted into a backless booster as your child grows and meets specific height and weight requirements.
Step-by-Step Clek Oobr Installation (High-Back Mode)
Proper installation ensures maximum safety and comfort for your child. Follow these steps for installing your Clek Oobr in high-back mode:
1. Prepare the Booster Seat
- Position the Booster: Place the Clek Oobr firmly against the vehicle's seat back. Its rigid LATCH connectors automatically lock into your car's lower anchors, securing the booster seat and preventing it from becoming a projectile when not in use.
- Check for Gaps: Ensure there are no gaps between the booster seat and the vehicle seat back, and that the booster is level.
2. Position Your Child
- Have your child sit in the booster seat, ensuring their back is flat against the booster's backrest and their bottom is all the way back in the seat.
3. Secure with the Vehicle Seat Belt
The vehicle's lap and shoulder belt system is crucial for securing your child in the booster.
- Lap Belt Routing:
- Pull the vehicle's lap belt across your child's lap.
- Thread the lap belt underneath the armrests, ensuring it lies low and flat across your child's upper thighs, not on their stomach. It should make contact with the top of your child's thighs.
- Shoulder Belt Routing:
- Take the vehicle's shoulder belt and thread it underneath the armrest on the vehicle seat belt buckle side.
- Ensure the shoulder belt lies flat against your child's body, crossing the center of their shoulder and collarbone, not touching their neck or falling off their shoulder.
- The Oobr has an adjustable headrest that includes a belt guide; ensure the shoulder belt passes through this guide correctly.
- Buckle the seat belt securely into the vehicle's buckle.
4. Check the Installation
After buckling, perform a quick check to ensure everything is secure:
- Belt Fit: Verify that both the lap and shoulder belts are snug, flat, and correctly positioned on your child.
- Booster Stability: Even with rigid LATCH, gently push and pull on the booster seat to ensure it feels stable.
- Child Comfort: Confirm your child is comfortable and seated properly for the duration of the ride.
Converting to Backless Mode
The Clek Oobr offers the flexibility to convert to a backless booster when your child is ready (typically around 80 lbs and 46 inches tall, but always check local regulations and your car seat manual for exact requirements).
- To convert the Clek Oobr to backless mode, pull and hold the release strap. This action will allow the backrest to be removed, leaving only the seat base.
- Once converted, ensure the backless booster is still properly secured with the rigid LATCH system, and that the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt fit your child correctly, following the same routing principles as the high-back mode.
Important Safety Considerations
- Child Eligibility: Always ensure your child meets the height and weight requirements specified by Clek and local regulations for using a booster seat.
- Proper Belt Fit: The most critical aspect of booster seat safety is ensuring the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt fit the child correctly every time.
- Never Use Booster Without Belt: A booster seat is designed to be used in conjunction with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt; it does not provide protection on its own.
- Read the Manual: Always refer to your Clek Oobr owner's manual for complete instructions and specific details.
Comparing Clek Oobr Modes
Here's a quick comparison of the two modes for your Clek Oobr booster seat:
| Feature | High-Back Mode | Backless Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Full back and head support, side impact protection. | Elevates child for proper belt fit, no back/head support. |
| Child Age/Size | Younger/smaller booster-eligible children. | Older/taller booster-eligible children. |
| Belt Guide | Integrated into adjustable headrest. | Relies on vehicle's belt routing, usually side clips. |
| Conversion | Can be converted from backless. | Converts from high-back by removing backrest. |
For more detailed information and visual guides, always consult the official Clek website or your product manual.
