SeatCheck
Convertible car seat

Graco Contender Slim expiration

The Graco Contender Slim expires 7 years after its date of manufacture.

Useful life
7 years
Type
Convertible
Brand policy
7–10 years

Check your Contender Slim

What to know

The Contender Slim manual's Car Seat's Useful Life section says to stop using the seat and throw it away 7 years after the date of manufacture, and to look for the date sticker on the back of the seat. That is shorter than the 10 years Graco's help center gives its all-in-one seats.

The date of manufacture is on the seat itself. The date of manufacture is printed on a white label on the seat, typically on the back or bottom of the plastic shell (on infant seats, check the underside of the carrier and the base). The label shows the model number, serial number, and date of manufacture; most Graco seats do not print the expiration date itself.

Safety note: SeatCheck summarizes manufacturer and NHTSA guidance, but the label on your own seat and its manual are the final word. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer with your model and serial number.

More about Graco seats

Full policy, label locations and crash-replacement rules on the Graco brand page.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Graco Contender Slim good for?
The Graco Contender Slim has a useful life of 7 years from its date of manufacture. The exact date is printed on the seat's own label, so check the sticker on the shell or base rather than counting from the purchase date.
Where is the expiration date on the Graco Contender Slim?
The date of manufacture is printed on a white label on the seat, typically on the back or bottom of the plastic shell (on infant seats, check the underside of the carrier and the base). The label shows the model number, serial number, and date of manufacture; most Graco seats do not print the expiration date itself.
Should I replace the Contender Slim after a crash?
Graco is stricter than the federal minimum: it recommends replacing the car seat after any type of accident, even a minor one, and even if the child was not in the seat at the time. Graco's reasoning is that crash forces can cause internal structural damage you cannot see. Crash damage is not covered by warranty; Graco directs families to their auto insurance and will provide documentation stating the seat must be replaced.

Sources