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A Word to Mazda Owners
Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is necessary, that's the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Important Notes About This Manual Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Event Data Recorder This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. In the event of a crash, this device records data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time. These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and lead to the designing of safer vehicles.
Air Conditioning and the Environment Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to damage the earth's ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Perchlorate Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries, ...] may contain Perchlorate Material– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2006 Mazda Motor Corporation Printed in Japan Jan. 2007(Print2)
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NOTE
A NOTE provides information and sometimes suggests how to make better use of your vehicle.
The symbol below, located on some parts of the vehicle, indicates that this manual contains information related to the part. Please refer to the manual for a detailed explanation.
How to Use This Manual
We want to help you get the most driving pleasure from your vehicle. Your owner's manual, when read from cover to cover, can do that in many ways.
Illustrations complement the words of the manual to best explain how to enjoy your Mazda. By reading your manual, you can find out about the features, important safety information, and driving under various road conditions.
The symbol below in this manual means “Do not do this” or “Do not let this happen”.
Index: A good place to start is the Index, an alphabetical listing of all information in your manual.
You'll find several WARNINGs, CAUTIONs, and NOTEs in the manual.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in which serious injury or death could result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in which bodily injury or damage to your vehicle, or both, could result if the caution is ignored.
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Table of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint systems and SRS air bags.
Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment of various parts.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio system.
In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Specifications
Technical information about your Mazda.
Index
Navigation System
10
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1 Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Dashboard and Interior Overview .............................................. 1-2
Exterior Overview ......................................................................... 1-4
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Your Vehicle at a Glance Dashboard and Interior Overview
The equipment and installation position varies by model.
Refer to Navigation System at the end of the manual (if equipped).
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Your Vehicle at a Glance Dashboard and Interior Overview
Power door lock switch ..................................................................................... page 3-30
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-53
Dashboard illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-38
DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-24
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-55
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-40
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-33
Air bags ............................................................................................................. page 2-32
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-58
Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-19
Information display ............................................................................................ page 6-46
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-62
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-10
Glove box .......................................................................................................... page 6-51
Center console ................................................................................................... page 6-52
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-50
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-9
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-11
Lighter ............................................................................................................... page 6-48
Ashtray ............................................................................................................... page 6-49
Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-53
Coin box ............................................................................................................ page 6-51
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-42
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-34
Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-39
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-38
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-44
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-44
Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-54
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-44
Front seats ............................................................................................................ page 2-2
Rear seat .............................................................................................................. page 2-8
Seat belt ............................................................................................................... page 2-91-3
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Your Vehicle at a Glance Exterior Overview
The equipment and installation position varies by model.
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Your Vehicle at a Glance Exterior Overview
Trunk lid ............................................................................................................ page 3-33
Rear window defroster ....................................................................................... page 5-60
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-10
Power windows ................................................................................................. page 3-37
Outside mirror .................................................................................................... page 3-53
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-24
Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-29
Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-42
Windshield wiper blades .................................................................................... page 8-19
Moonroof ........................................................................................................... page 3-43
Fuel-filler lid ...................................................................................................... page 3-40
Doors and keys .................................................................................................. page 3-29Form No.8V89-EA-06F
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2 Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2
Front Seats (Manually Operated Seats) ..................................... 2-2
Front Seats (Electrically Operated Seats) .................................. 2-5
Rear Seat ................................................................................... 2-8Seat Belt Systems .......................................................................... 2-9
Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................ 2-9
Location of Seat Belt ............................................................... 2-12
Seat Belt .................................................................................. 2-13
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ....... 2-14
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-17
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-18Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-19
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-19
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-23
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-29SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-32
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-32
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-37
How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-40Form No.8V89-EA-06F
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WARNING
Make sure the adjustable components of a seat are locked in place: Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a sudden stop or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make sure the adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat forward and backward and rocking the seatback.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is stopped: Adjusting the driver's seat while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. The driver could lose control of the vehicle and have an accident.
To move a seat forward or backward, raise the lever and slide the seat to the desired position and release the lever.
Essential Safety Equipment Seats
Front Seats (Manually Operated Seats)
WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front seats: Modifying or replacing the front seats such as replacing the upholstery or loosening any bolts is dangerous. The front seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental restraint system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system and result in serious injury. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to remove or reinstall the front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats: Driving with damaged front seats is dangerous. A collision, even one not strong enough to inflate the air bags, could damage the front seats which contain essential air bag components. If there was a subsequent collision, an air bag may not deploy which could lead to injuries. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats, front seat belt pretensioners and air bags after a collision.
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Friday, December 8 2006 10:49 AMMake sure the lever returns to its original position and the seat is locked in place by attempting to push it forward and backward.
qSeat Recline
WARNING
Do not drive with the seats reclined: Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you don't get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well back and upright.
Always sit in a passenger seat properly with the seatback upright and feet on the floor: If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, sitting in the front passenger seat improperly out of position or with the seatback reclined too far while the vehicle is moving is dangerous as it can take off weight from the seat bottom and affect the weight determination of the front passenger sensing system. As a result the front passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag and seat belt pretensioner, which could cause result in serious injury. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seats
WARNING
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked: The seatback plays an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
To change the seatback angle, lean forward slightly while raising the lever. Then lean back to the desired position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seatback is locked in place by attempting to push it forward and backward.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seats
CAUTION
When returning a rear-reclined seatback to its upright position, make sure you hold onto the seatback with your other hand while operating the lever. If the seatback is not supported, it will flip forward suddenly and could cause injury.
qHeight Adjustment (Driver's Seat) By moving the seat lever up or down, the seat bottom height can be adjusted.
Up
Down
qFolding the Passenger's Seat
WARNING
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked: The seatback plays an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
To fold the seatback, pull the lever and lower the seatback forward.
To return it to the upright position, lift the seatback and push it into place. Rock the seatback to make sure it is locked.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seats
CAUTION
l The seat-bottom power adjustment is operated by motors. Avoid extended operation because excessive use can damage the motors.
l To prevent the battery from running
down, avoid using the power adjustment when the engine is stopped. The adjuster uses a large amount of electrical power.
l Don't use the switch to make more
than one adjustment at a time.
qSeat Slide To slide the seat, move the slide lifter switch on the outside of the seat to the front or back and hold it. Release the switch at the desired position.
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WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front seats: Modifying or replacing the front seats such as replacing the upholstery or loosening any bolts is dangerous. The front seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental restraint system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system and result in serious injury. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to remove or reinstall the front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats: Driving with damaged front seats is dangerous. A collision, even one not strong enough to inflate the air bags, could damage the front seats which contain essential air bag components. If there was a subsequent collision, an air bag may not deploy which could lead to injuries. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats, front seat belt pretensioners and air bags after a collision.
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Change the seatback angle by pressing the front or rear side of the reclining switch. Release the switch at the desired position.
qHeight Adjustment Front of seat bottom To adjust the front height of the seat bottom, raise or lower the front of the slide lifter switch on the left side of the seat.
Essential Safety Equipment Seats
qSeat Recline
WARNING
Do not drive with the seats reclined: Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you don't get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well back and upright.
Always sit in a front passenger seat properly with the seatback upright and feet on the floor: If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, sitting in the front passenger seat improperly out of position or with the seatback reclined too far while the vehicle is moving is dangerous as it can take off weight from the seat bottom and affect the weight determination of the front passenger sensing system. As a result the front passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag and seat belt pretensioner, which could cause result in serious injury. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
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Friday, December 8 2006 10:49 AMRear of seat bottom Raise or lower the back of the switch to adjust the rear height of the seat bottom.
qLumbar Support Adjustment The amount of lumbar support can be adjusted by pressing the switch. To increase the seat firmness, press and hold the front part of the switch to the desired position, then release it. Press the rear part of the switch to increase softness.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seats
qFolding the Passenger's Seat
WARNING
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked: The seatback plays an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
To fold the seatback, pull the lever and lower the seatback forward.
To return it to the upright position, lift the seatback and push it into place. Rock the seatback to make sure it is locked.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seats
qSeat Warmer The front seats are electrically heated. The ignition switch must be in the ON position.
Press the switch to turn the seat warmer on or off. When the switch is in the ON position, the indicator light will come on.
Rear Seat
WARNING
Make sure luggage and cargo is secured before driving: Not securing cargo while driving is dangerous as it could move or be crushed during sudden braking or a collision and cause injury.
Do not allow anyone to sit on the center console between the rear seats: Allowing someone to sit on the rear center console between the rear seats is dangerous. The rear center console is not designed for occupant seating. During a collision, occupants not wearing a seat belt could be thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured or even killed.
NOTE
The seat temperature is regulated automatically by a thermostat. Other than turning it on or off, it cannot be adjusted.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a collision.
However, the front passenger's seat and all rear lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode. While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use the front passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and make sure any child-restraint system is secured properly.
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained: Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts: Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could cause serious injury or death.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time: Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly restrained.
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt: Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended: One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may also deploy at the same time. While it is safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended, they will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will only limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the front seat belts inspected.
Make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door: Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or collision.
Make sure nothing is placed on the seat belt slide bar: Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is dangerous. The front seat belt is built into the rear door, and the lower part of the seat belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door opens or closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly positioned and would provide little or no protection in a collision.
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to “Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt Webbing” (page 8-47).
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS. The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the stomach area. Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
qEmergency Locking Mode In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the retractor will lock in position during a collision. When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode until it is switched to automatic locking mode by pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may be in the automatic locking mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return to the belt to the more comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped in a safe, level area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and then extend it around you again.
qAutomatic Locking Mode Always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To enable seat belt automatic locking mode, pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restraint system. It will retract down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. See the section on child restraint (page 2-19).
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
For front seat
Location of Seat Belt
For rear seat
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Friday, December 8 2006 10:49 AMSeat Belt qFastening the Seat Belt 1. Grasp the tongue.
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
Belt
Tongue
3. Insert the tongue into the buckle until
you hear a click.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt: Improper positioning of the shoulder portion of the seat belt is dangerous. Always make sure the shoulder portion of the seat belt is positioned across your shoulder and near your neck, but never under your arm, on your neck, or on your upper arm.
4. Position the lap belt as low as possible, not on the abdominal area, then adjust the shoulder belt so that it fits snugly against your body.
Tongue
Keep low on hip bone
Take up slack
Too high
Buckle
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WARNING
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat Belt: The lap portion of the seat belt worn too high is dangerous. In a collision, this would concentrate the impact force directly on the abdominal area, causing serious injury. Wear the lap portion of the belt snugly and as low as possible.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
qUnfastening the Seat Belt Depress the button on the buckle. If the belt does not fully retract, pull it out and check for kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted as it retracts.
Button
NOTE
If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for kinks and twists. If it is still not retracting properly, have it inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and front passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. For both these systems to work properly you must wear the seat belt properly.
Pretensioners: In moderate or severe frontal or near- frontal accidents, the front air bag and pretensioner systems deploy simultaneously when the seat belt is worn. If the front seat occupant is not wearing a seat belt, that person's pretensioner will not fire even if the air bag does. The front seat belt retractors remove slack quickly as the air bags are expanding. In addition, the pretensioner system for the front passenger, like the front passenger air bag, is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. Any time the air bags and seat belt pretensioners have fired they must be replaced. For details, refer to the front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-40).
Load limiter: The load limiting system releases belt webbing in a controlled manner to reduce belt force on the occupant's chest. While the most severe load on a seat belt occurs in frontal collisions, the load limiter has an automatic mechanical function and can activate in any accident mode with sufficient occupant movement. Even if the pretensioners have not fired, the load limiting function must be checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended in this owner's manual: Incorrect positioning of the driver and front passenger seat belts is dangerous. Without proper positioning, the pretensioner and load limiting systems cannot provide adequate protection in an accident and this could result in serious injury. For more details about wearing seat belts, refer to “Fastening the seat belts” (page 2-13).
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Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended: One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may also deploy at the same time. While it is safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended, they will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will only limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the front seat belts inspected.
Do not modify the components or wiring, or use electronic testing devices on the pretensioner system: Modifying the components or wiring of the pretensioner system, including the use of electronic testing devices is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable which would prevent it from activating in an accident. The occupants or repairers could be seriously injured.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or after the engine is cranked. The warning light turns off after a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. If either of these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work in an accident.
WARNING
Never tamper with the air bag/ pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs: Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/ pretensioner could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner system: Improper disposal of the pretensioner system or a vehicle with non- deactivated pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury could result. Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of the pretensioner system or how to scrap a pretensioner-equipped vehicle.
NOTE
l The pretensioner system will activate
in a moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal collision. The pretensioner system for the front passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. It will not activate in most rollovers, side or rear impacts.
l Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be
released when the air bags and pretensioners deploy. This does not indicate a fire. This gas normally has no effect on occupants, however, those with sensitive skin may experience light skin irritation. If residue from the deployment of the air bags or the front pretensioner system gets on the skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.
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Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Extender
If your seat belt is not long enough, even when fully extended, a seat belt extender may be available to you at no charge from your Authorized Mazda Dealer. This extender will be only for you and for the particular vehicle and seat. Even if it plugs into other seat belts, it may not hold in the critical moment of a crash. When ordering an extender, only order one that provides the necessary additional length to fasten the seat belt properly. Please contact your Authorized Mazda Dealer for more information.
WARNING
Do not use an extender that is too long: Using an extender that is too long is dangerous. The seat belt will not fit properly. In an accident, the seat belt will not provide adequate protection and you could be seriously injured. Do not use the extender or choose one shorter in length if the distance between the extender's buckle and the center of the user's body is less than 15cm (6 in).
WARNING
NOTE
When not in use, remove the seat belt extender and store it in the vehicle. If the seat belt extender is left connected, the seat belt extender might get damaged as it will not retract with the rest of the seat belt and can easily fall out of the door when not in use and be damaged. In addition, the seat belt warning light will not illuminate and function properly.
Do not use a seat belt extender unless it is necessary: Using a seat belt extender when not necessary is dangerous. The seat belt will be too long and not fit properly. In an accident, the seat belt will not provide adequate protection and you could be seriously injured. Only use the extender when it is required to fasten the seat belt properly.
Do not use an improper extender: Using a seat belt extender that is for another person or a different vehicle or seat is dangerous. The seat belt will not provide adequate protection and the user could be seriously injured in an accident. Only use the extender provided for you and for the particular vehicle and seat. NEVER use the extender in a different vehicle or seat.
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The belt minder is a supplemental warning to the seat belt warning function. If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the warning light/beep operates to give you further reminders according to the chart below.
Condition
Vehicle speed
Between 0 ― 20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph)
20 km/h
(12 mph) or
more
Seat belt
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened : Unfastened : Illuminated : Flashing : Beep
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound period has passed.
Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
The seat belt warning light illuminates and a beep sound will be heard if the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
Conditions of operation
Condition
Result
The driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
The driver's seat belt is fastened while the warning light and the beep sound are activated. The driver's seat belt is fastened before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
The warning light flashes illuminates for about 1 minute and a beep sound will be heard for about 6
seconds.The warning light turns off and the beep sound stops.
The warning light will not illuminate and the beep sound will not be heard.
qBelt Minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate and restore the seat belt minder.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
Child Restraint Precautions
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use them.
You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children riding in your vehicle.
Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should sit in the rear and use seat belts, both lap and shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of the vehicle.
Statistics confirm that the rear seat is the best place for all children up to 12 years of age, and more so with a supplemental restraint system (air bags).
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used on the front seat with the air bag system activated. The front passenger's seat is also the least preferred seat for other child-restraint systems.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the front passenger seat weight sensors work as a part of the supplemental restraint system. This system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the front passenger seat belt pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, the system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
Even if the front passenger air bag is shut off, Mazda strongly recommends that children be properly restrained and child-restraint systems of all kinds are properly secured on the rear seats which are the best place for children.
For more details, refer to “Front passenger seat weight sensors” (page 2-40).
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Use the correct size child-restraint system: For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and size. If not, the child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always keep the child-restraint system buckled down: An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure any child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH child-restraint systems and the corresponding tether anchor.
Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint system: Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No matter how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden stop or collision and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Even in a moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces that could result in serious injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed into an adult, causing injury to both child and adult.
Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy: Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous even though you may feel assured that a front passenger air bag will not deploy based on the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Do not install a front-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat unless it is unavoidable: In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child. If installing a front-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is unavoidable, move the front passenger seat as back as possible.
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is dangerous: Vehicles equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors are also equipped with a front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-27). Even with the front passenger seat weight sensors, if you must use the front passenger seat for children, seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat under the following conditions increases the danger of the front passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury or death to the child. l The total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more with a child in the child- restraint system.
l Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
l A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback. l A rear passenger puts their feet on the front seat rails. l Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint. l The seat is washed. l Liquids are spilled on the seat. l The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
l The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat. l Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat. l Any accessories, which might increase the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat, are attached to the front passenger seat.
The designated positions with seat belts on the rear seats are the safest places for children. Always use seat belts and child restraints.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side and curtain air bags: It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the front passenger seat, the front and rear window pillars and the roof edge along both sides from which the side and curtain air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is used. If the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain air bags, the impact of inflation could cause serious injury or death to the child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the front door could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. With the front air bag and the additional side air bag that comes out of the front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time: Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly restrained.
CAUTION
A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot in a closed vehicle during warm weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before you or your child touches them.
NOTE
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seat. When using these anchors to secure a child-restraint system, refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint Systems” (page 2-29).
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Accident statistics reveal that a child is safer in the rear seat. The front passenger's seat is clearly the worst choice for any child under 12, and with rear-facing child- restraint systems it is clearly unsafe due to air bags.
Some child-restraint systems now come with tethers and therefore must be installed on the seats that take tethers to be effective. In your Mazda, tethered child-restraint systems can only be accommodated in the two positions on the rear seat.
Even if your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-40), which automatically deactivates the front passenger air bag, a rear seat is the safest place for a child of any age or size.
Some child-restraint systems also employ specially designed LATCH attachments; refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint Systems” (page 2-29).
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (35,1)
Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Tethered Child-Restraint Systems Work Only on Tether-Equipped Rear Seats: Installation of a tether equipped child- restraint system in the front passenger's seat defeats the safety design of the system and will result in an increased chance of serious injury if the child-restraint system goes forward without benefit of being tethered. Place tether equipped child-restraint systems where there are tether anchors.
qRear Seat Child-Restraint System
Installation
Follow these instructions when using a child-restraint system, unless you are attaching a LATCH-equipped child- restraint system to the rear LATCH lower anchors. Refer to “LATCH Child- Restraint Systems” (page 2-29).
NOTE
Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you are not sure whether you have a LATCH system or tether, check in the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions and follow them accordingly. Depending on the type of child-restraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
1. Secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's instructions on the child-restraint system for belt routing instructions.
2. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt until the entire length of the belt is out of the retractor.
3. Push the child-restraint system firmly into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking from the retractor will be heard during retraction if the system is in the automatic locking mode. If the belt does not lock the seat down tight, repeat this step.
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
NOTE
Inspect this function before each use of the child-restraint system. You should not be able to pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor while the system is in the automatic locking mode. When you remove the child-restraint system, be sure the belt fully retracts to return the system to emergency locking mode before occupants use the seat belts.
4. If your child-restraint system requires
the use of a tether strap, refer to the manufacturer's instructions to hook and tighten the tether strap after raising the head restraint.
Anchor bracket location
Tether strap position
Tether strap
Anchor bracket
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition2 Page37
Friday, December 8 2006 10:49 AMWARNING
Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system: Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.
Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position: Attaching the tether strap to the incorrect tether anchor position is dangerous. In a collision, the tether strap could come off and loosen the child-restraint system. If the child- restraint system moves it could result in death or injury to the child.
Black plate (37,1)
Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
qIf You Must Use the Front Seat
for Children
If you cannot put all children in the rear seat, at least put the smallest children in the rear and be sure the largest child up front uses the shoulder belt over the shoulder. NEVER put a rear-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, even with a seat weight sensor equipped vehicle. This seat is also not set up for tethered child-restraint systems, put them in one of the rear seat positions set up with tether anchors. Likewise the LATCH child-restraint system cannot be secured in the front passenger's seat and should be used in the rear seat. Don't allow anyone to sleep against the side window if you have an optional side and curtain air bag, it could cause serious injuries to an out of position occupant. As children more often sleep in cars, it is better to put them in the rear seat. If installing the child-restraint system on the front seat is unavoidable, follow these instructions when using a front-facing child-restraint system in the front passenger's seat.
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WARNING
Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy: Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous. Even in a moderate collision, the child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child.
Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side and curtain air bags: It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the front passenger seat, the front and rear window pillars and the roof edge along both sides from which the side and curtain air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is used. If the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain air bags, the impact of inflation could cause serious injury or death to the child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the front door could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. With the front air bag and the additional side air bag that comes out of the front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
NOTE
l To check if your front seats have side
air bags: Mazda vehicles equipped with side air bag will have a “SRS AIRBAG” tag on the outboard shoulder of the front seats.
l To check if your vehicle has curtain
air bags: Mazda vehicles equipped with curtain air bag will have an “SRS AIRBAG” marking on the front and rear window pillars along the roof edge.
WARNING
Always move the front passenger seat as far back as possible if installing a front-facing child-restraint system on it is unavoidable: As your vehicle has front air bags and doubly so if your vehicle has side air bags, a front-facing child-restraint system should be put on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Even if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child. Always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child.
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Friday, December 8 2006 10:49 AMqFront Passenger's Seat Child- Restraint System Installation
1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.
2. Secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's instructions on the child-restraint system for belt routing instructions.
3. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt until the entire length of the belt is out of the retractor.
4. Push the child-restraint system firmly into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking from the retractor will be heard during retraction if the system is in automatic locking mode. If the belt does not lock the seat down tight, repeat the previous step and also this one.
Black plate (39,1)
Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
NOTE
l Inspect this function before each use
of the child-restraint system. You should not be able to pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor while the system is in the automatic locking mode. When you remove the child-restraint system, be sure the belt fully retracts to return the system to emergency locking mode before occupants use the seat belts.
l Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully. Depending on the type of child- restraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode.
5. Make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates after installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat. Refer to Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on page 2-40.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Do not seat a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminated: While it is always better to install any child-restraint system on the rear seat, it is imperative that a child-restraint system ONLY be used on the front passenger seat if the deactivation indicator light illuminates when the child is seated in the child-restraint system (page 2-40). Seating a child in a child-restraint system installed on the front passenger seat with the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is dangerous. If this indicator light does not illuminate even when the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb), this means that the front passenger front and side air bags, and seat belt pretensioner are ready for deployment. If an accident were to deploy an air bag, a child in a child-restraint system sitting in the front passenger seat could be seriously injured or killed. If the indicator light does not illuminate after seating a child in a child- restraint system on the front passenger seat, seat a child in a child-restraint system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seat. Both anchors must be used, otherwise the seat will bounce around and put the child in danger. Most LATCH child-restraint systems must also be used in conjunction with a tether to be effective. If they have a tether you must use it to better assure your child's safety.
WARNING
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the use of the child-restraint system: An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure the child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure the child-restraint system is properly secured: An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions on belt routing to secure the seat just as you would with a child in it so that nobody is tempted to put a child in an improperly secured seat later on. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH child- restraint systems.
Make sure there are no seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH child- restraint system: Not following the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing the child-restraint system is dangerous. If seat belts or a foreign object prevent the child-restraint system from being securely attached to the LATCH lower anchors and the child-restraint system is installed improperly, the child-restraint system could move in a sudden stop or collision causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. When installing the child-restraint system, make sure there are no seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH lower anchors. Always follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
qLATCH Child-Restraint System
Installation Procedure (Rear Seats)
1. Expand the open seams on the rear of
the seat bottom slightly to verify the locations of the LATCH lower anchors.
Anchor bracket location
Tether strap position
Tether strap
Anchor bracket
NOTE
The markings above the LATCH lower anchors indicate the locations of LATCH lower anchors for the attachment of a child-restraint system.
2. Secure the child-restraint system using
BOTH LATCH lower anchors, following the child-restraint system manufacturer's instruction.
3. If your child-restraint system came
equipped with a tether, that probably means it is very important to properly secure the tether for child safety. Please carefully follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing tethers.
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Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint
WARNING
Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system: Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.
Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position: Attaching the tether strap to the incorrect tether anchor position is dangerous. In a collision, the tether strap could come off and loosen the child-restraint system. If the child- restraint system moves it could result in death or injury to the child.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 6 air bags (verify “SRS AIRBAG” location indicator marks). They are located in:
l The steering wheel hub (driver air bag) l The front passenger dashboard (front passenger air bag) l The outboard sides of the front seatbacks (side air bags) l The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides (curtain air bags)
These systems operate independently depending on the type of accident encountered; if you have side and curtain air bags, the side and curtain air bags are not likely to deploy on both sides in the same accident because a vehicle is not often hit from both sides. The side and curtain air bags and the frontal air bag system will not normally deploy during the same type of accident unless a combination of frontal and side impacts occur.
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection only in the front seats in certain situations and the rear outside passenger positions only in same-side collisions, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an accident. Seat belt usage is necessary to: l Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag. l Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
l Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal or side collisions that are not severe enough
to activate the air bags.
l Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle. l Reduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
l Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint system (page 2-19). Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
WARNING
Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles: Depending only on the air bags for protection during an accident is dangerous. Alone, air bags may not prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air bags can be expected to inflate only in the first collision with frontal, near frontal or side forces that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.
Children should not ride in the front passenger seat: Placing a child, 12 years or under, in the front seat is dangerous. The child could be hit by a deploying air bag and be seriously injured or even killed. Even if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the front passenger seat as far back as possible. A sleeping child is more likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in a moderate, right-side collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on the rear seat with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and size.
Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy: Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous even though you may feel assured that a front passenger air bag will not deploy based on the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child.
Do not sit too close to the driver and front passenger air bags: Sitting too close to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing hands or feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and front passenger air bags inflate with great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too close. The driver should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The front seat passenger should keep both feet on the floor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
WARNING
Sit in the center of the seat and wear seat belts properly: Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. The side air bags inflate with great force and speed directly out of the outboard side of the front seat and expand along the front door on the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows in the vehicle could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side and curtain air bags room to work by sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where driver and front passenger air bags deploy: Attaching an object to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing something in front of them is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere with air bag inflation and injure the occupants.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a side air bag deploys: Attaching things to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the seat in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the added protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas. Do not hang net bags, map pouches or backpacks with side straps on the front seats. Never use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your front seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a curtain air bag deploys: Attaching objects to the areas where the curtain air bag activates such as on the windshield glass, side door glass, front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge and assist grips is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the curtain air bag, which inflates from the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, impeding the added protection of the curtain air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas. Do not place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clothes, hang them on the coat hook directly. Always keep the curtain air bag modules free to deploy in the event of a side collision.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
WARNING
Do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats: Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The components essential to the supplemental restraint system could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the appropriate air bags may not deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To prevent damage to the components essential to the supplemental restraint system, do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats.
Do not touch the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have inflated: Touching the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have inflated is dangerous. Immediately after inflation, they are very hot. You could get burned.
Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle: Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar, bull bar, push bar, or other similar devices), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash sensor system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate unexpectedly, or it could prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Front occupants could be seriously injured.
Do not modify the suspension: Modifying the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the suspension is modified, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.
Do not modify the supplemental restraint system: Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Do not make any modifications to the supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim, badges, or anything else over the air bag modules. It also includes installing extra electrical equipment on or near system components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda Dealer can provide the special care needed in the removal and installation of front seats. It is important to protect the air bag wiring and connections to assure that the bags do not accidentally deploy, the driver seat slide position sensor and front passenger seat weight sensors are not damaged and that the seats retain an undamaged air bag connection.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
NOTE
l When an air bag deploys, a loud inflation noise can be heard and some smoke will be
released. Neither is likely to cause injury, however, the texture of the air bags may cause light skin injuries on body parts not covered with clothing through friction.
l Should you sell your Mazda, we urge you to tell the new owner of its air bag systems and that familiarization with all instructions about them, from the Owner's Manual, is important.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
Supplemental Restraint System Components
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems: l The air bag system with inflators and air bags. l The electrical system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.
The air bags are mounted in the following locations: l The steering wheel hub l The front passenger dashboard l The outboard sides of the front seatbacks l The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides The air bags are out of sight until activated.
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Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags
qFront Air Bag System Components
(2)
(1)
(3)
(4)
(6)
(10)
(9)
(8)
(6)
(7)
(5)
(1) Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-40) (2) Front seats (3) Front dual stage inflators and air bags (4) Front air bag sensor (5) Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-40) (6) Front seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-14) (7) Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-40) (8) Front passenger seat weight sensor control module (9) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit) (10) Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-40)
