2004-2009 Mazda 3 4 Door Essential Safety Equipment User Manual
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Essential Safety Equipment for Your Mazda 3 4 Door First Generation (2004-2009)

Essential Safety Equipment  
2
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, SRS air bags and  
child-restraint systems.  
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2  
Front Seats ................................................................................ 2-2  
Rear Seat ................................................................................... 2-5  
Seat Belt Systems .......................................................................... 2-9  
Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................ 2-9  
Seat Belt (Except Center-Rear Position) ................................. 2-12  
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ....... 2-14  
Center-Rear Position Seat Belt (3-Point Type) ....................... 2-16  
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-18  
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-19  
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-21  
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-21  
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-25  
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-33  
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-38  
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-38  
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-42  
How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-45  
2-1  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
qSeat Slide  
Front Seats  
WARNING  
WARNING  
Driver's Seat Adjustment:  
Modification of 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  
Adjusting the driver's seat while the  
vehicle is moving is dangerous. The  
driver could lose control of the vehicle  
and have an accident. Adjust the  
driver's seat only when the vehicle is  
stopped.  
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.  
To move a seat forward or backward, raise  
the lever and slide the seat to the desired  
position and release the lever.  
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, the  
air bag may not deploy which could  
lead to injuries. Always have an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the  
front seats, front seat belt  
Make sure the lever returns to its original  
position and the seat is locked in place by  
attempting to push it forward and  
backward.  
pretensioners and air bags after a  
collision.  
Securing the Seats:  
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.  
2-2  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
To change the seatback angle, lean  
qSeat Recline  
forward slightly while raising the lever.  
Then lean back to the desired position and  
release the lever.  
WARNING  
Reclining:  
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.  
Unlocked Seatback:  
Make sure the lever returns to its original  
position and the seatback is locked in  
place by attempting to push it forward and  
backward.  
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.  
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.  
2-3  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
qHeight Adjustment (Driver's  
Seat)í  
qHead Restraint  
By moving the seat lever up or down, the  
seat bottom height can be adjusted.  
WARNING  
Head Restraints Adjustment:  
Driving with the head restraints  
adjusted too low or removed is  
Up  
dangerous. With no support behind  
your head, your neck could be  
seriously injured in a collision. Always  
drive with the head restraints inserted  
when seats are being used and make  
sure they are properly adjusted.  
Down  
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the  
desired position.  
To lower the head restraint, press the stop-  
catch release, then push the head restraint  
down.  
qLumbar Support Adjustment  
(Driver's Seat)í  
To adjust the lumbar support, pull the  
lever forward.  
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is  
even with the top of the passenger's ears,  
never the passenger's neck.  
2-4  
íSome models.  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
qSeat Warmerí  
Rear Seat  
The front seats are electrically heated. The  
ignition switch must be in the ON  
position.  
WARNING  
Stacking Cargo:  
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.  
Stacking luggage or other cargo  
higher than the seatbacks, and placing  
articles on the rear package tray or on  
the luggage compartment cover is  
dangerous. During sudden braking or  
a collision, objects can fly around and  
become projectiles that may hit and  
injure passengers. Don't stack cargo  
higher than the seatbacks or on the  
luggage compartment cover.  
Not Securing Luggage and Cargo:  
Not securing cargo while driving is  
dangerous as it could move or be  
crushed during sudden braking or a  
collision and cause injury. Make sure  
luggage and cargo is secured before  
driving.  
NOTE  
The seat temperature is regulated  
automatically by a thermostat. Other  
than turning it on or off, it cannot be  
adjusted.  
Securing Seats:  
Adjustable seats 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.  
íSome models.  
2-5  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
NOTE  
WARNING  
When returning a rear seat to its  
Unlocked Seatback:  
original position, also replace the seat  
belt to its normal position. Verify that  
the seat belt pulls out and retracts.  
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 returning the  
seatback at any time, even when there  
are no other passengers, rock the  
seatback to make sure it is locked in  
place.  
qSplit-Folding Rear Seatback  
To fold the seatbacks  
CAUTION  
When operating the rear seatback knob,  
make sure you support the seatback  
with your hand. If the seatback is not  
supported with your hand, it will flip  
forward suddenly and could cause  
injury to the finger that pushes the rear  
seatback knob down.  
Passenger on the Folded Seatback:  
Driving with a passenger on the folded  
seatback is dangerous. Allowing a  
child to sit up on the folded seatback  
while the vehicle is moving is  
1. Unfasten the lap portion of the center-  
rear seat belt (page 2-16).  
particularly dangerous. In a sudden  
stop or even a minor collision, a child  
not in a proper seat or child-restraint  
system and seat belt could be thrown  
forward, back or even out of the  
vehicle resulting in serious injuries or  
death. The child in the baggage area  
could be thrown into other occupants  
and cause serious injury. Never allow  
a passenger to sit or stand on the  
folded seatback while the vehicle is  
moving.  
CAUTION  
Always unfasten the lap portion of the  
belt before folding the rear-left  
seatback. Leaving the lap portion of the  
belt fastened could cause damage to the  
seat belt, buckle and seatback.  
2. Position the outboard seat belts to the  
side when folding the seatbacks down.  
Children and the Folding Rear Seats:  
Playing with the folding rear seats is  
dangerous. Do not give the car keys to  
children and do not allow them to play  
in the vehicle.  
3. Support the seatback with your hand.  
2-6  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
4. Push the rear seatback knob down.  
WARNING  
Seat Belts Caught Under Seatbacks:  
A seat belt caught under a seatback  
after the seatback is returned to its  
upright position is dangerous. In a  
collision or sudden stop, the seat belt  
cannot provide adequate protection.  
Always make sure the seat belts are  
fully pulled out from under the  
seatbacks.  
Returning Rear Seatbacks to the  
Upright Position:  
A rear seatback not fully returned and  
locked in the upright position is  
dangerous. Sudden stops or  
To return the seatbacks to the upright  
position  
1. Position the outboard seat belts to the  
side.  
maneuvering could cause a seatback  
to flip forward suddenly resulting in  
injury. If the red indicator is visible on  
the back of the rear seatback knob, the  
seatback is not locked in the upright  
position. When returning the seatback  
to the upright position, make sure  
there is no red indication.  
2. Lift the seatbacks upright.  
3. Make sure the seat belts are fully  
pulled out from under the seatbacks.  
4. Pull on the top of the seatbacks from  
inside the vehicle to make sure they are  
locked.  
5. Fasten the center-rear lap/shoulder belt  
and check that all seat belts are routed  
properly for passenger use (page 2-16).  
Locked position  
Unlocked position  
Red indicator  
2-7  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Height adjustment  
qRear Seatback Lock (4 Door)  
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the  
locked position.  
To lock or unlock a seatback, move the  
lever.  
To lower the head restraint, press the stop-  
catch release, then push the head restraint  
down.  
NOTE  
The seatback locks are part of the trunk  
security system (page 3-14).  
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is  
even with the top of the passenger's ears,  
never the passenger's neck.  
qHead Restraint  
Removal  
To remove the head restraint, press the  
stop-catch release, then pull up on the  
head restraint.  
WARNING  
Head Restraints Adjustment:  
Driving with the head restraints  
adjusted too low or removed is  
dangerous. With no support behind  
your head, your neck could be  
seriously injured in a collision. Always  
drive with the head restraints inserted  
when seats are being used and make  
sure they are properly adjusted.  
2-8  
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 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  
Not Wearing Seat Belts:  
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. Always wear your seat belt and  
make sure all occupants are properly restrained.  
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:  
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. Front air bags and pretensioners work together, but whether a front seat was  
occupied or not, if any air bag deployed and whether a seat belt pretensioner deployed  
or not, all front seat belts and air bags must be inspected and replaced if necessary.  
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an  
accident before they are used again.  
Twisted Seat Belts:  
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn't available  
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could  
cause serious injury or death. Don't wear twisted seat belts.  
2-9  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
WARNING  
One Belt, One Passenger:  
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used  
in this way can't 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  
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them  
clean.  
qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions  
Pregnant women should wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations.  
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLYAND AS LOWAS 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.  
2-10  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
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 retracted, 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 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 2-21).  
2-11  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Seat Belt (Except Center-  
Rear Position)  
WARNING  
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of  
the Seat Belt:  
NOTE  
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.  
When using the center-rear seat belt,  
refer to “Center-Rear Position Seat  
Belt” (page 2-16).  
qFastening the Seat Belts  
1. Grasp the tongue.  
4. Make sure the shoulder belt is snugly  
fitted against your body.  
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.  
Belt  
Take up slack  
Keep low on  
hip bone  
Tongue  
Too high  
3. Insert the tongue into the buckle until  
you hear a click.  
WARNING  
Positioning the Lap Portion of the  
Seat Belt:  
Tongue  
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.  
Buckle  
2-12  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
qUnfastening the Seat Belts  
WARNING  
Depress the button on the buckle.  
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.  
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.  
qShoulder Belt Adjuster  
Adjust the height of the shoulder belt if  
the seat belt touches your neck, or if it  
crosses your arm instead of your shoulder.  
To raise the shoulder belt adjuster, push  
the adjuster up. To lower the shoulder belt  
adjuster, pull the button and slide it down.  
Make sure the adjuster is locked.  
2-13  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner and Load  
Limiting Systems  
WARNING  
Expended Seat Belt Pretensioners:  
One or both front air bags may deploy,  
and the corresponding pretensioner(s)  
will also deploy at the same time. Use  
of front seat belts with the  
pretensioner system expended is  
dangerous. 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 is  
another reason to have the front seat  
belts inspected.  
For optimum protection, the driver and  
front passenger seat belts are equipped  
with pretensioner and load limiting  
systems.  
In moderate or greater frontal or near-  
frontal accidents, the front air bag and  
pretensioner systems deploy  
simultaneously. The pretensioners take up  
slack in the front seat belts as the air bags  
are expanding. The seat belt pretensioner  
system cannot provide adequate  
protection in an accident if the seat belt is  
not fastened properly. The load limiting  
system releases belt webbing in a  
controlled manner to reduce belt force on  
the occupant's chest.  
WARNING  
Incorrect Positioning of the Driver  
and Front Passenger Seat Belts:  
Incorrect positioning of the driver and  
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. Wear seat belts only as  
recommended in this owner's manual  
(page 2-12).  
Modification or Testing of 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. Never  
modify the components or wiring, or  
use electronic testing devices on the  
pretensioner system.  
2-14  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Warning  
Light  
WARNING  
Pretensioner System Disposal:  
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.  
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner  
system is normal, the warning light  
illuminates when the ignition switch is  
turned to the ON position or after the  
engine is cranked. After about 6 seconds  
it goes out.  
NOTE  
l
The pretensioner system will only  
activate in a moderate or greater  
frontal or near-frontal collision. It  
will not activate in most rollovers,  
side or rear impacts.  
A system malfunction is indicated when  
the warning light constantly illuminates or  
doesn't illuminate at all when the ignition  
switch is turned to the ON position. If any  
of these occur, consult an Authorized  
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The  
system may not work in an accident.  
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  
WARNING  
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.  
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/  
Pretensioner Systems:  
Self-servicing or tampering with the  
systems is dangerous. An air bag/  
pretensioner could accidentally  
activate or become disabled. This  
could cause serious injuries. Never  
tamper with the systems and always  
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
perform all servicing and repairs.  
2-15  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Warning  
Beep  
Center-Rear Position Seat  
Belt (3-Point Type)  
If a malfunction is detected in the air bag/  
front seat belt pretensioner systems and  
the warning light, a warning beep sound  
will be heard for about 5 seconds every  
minute.  
Before using the center-rear lap/shoulder  
belt make sure tongue (A) and anchor  
buckle (B) are fastened.  
(A)  
(B)  
The air bag and seat belt pretensioner  
system warning beep sound will continue  
to be heard for approximately 35 minutes.  
Have your vehicle inspected at an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as  
possible.  
WARNING  
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner  
System Warning Beep:  
qFastening the Seat Belt  
1. Grasp the tongue (C).  
Driving the vehicle with the air bag/  
front seat belt pretensioner system  
warning beep sounding is dangerous.  
In a collision, the air bags and the  
front seat belt pretensioner system will  
not deploy and this could result in  
death or serious injury.  
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.  
3. Insert the tongue (C) into the buckle  
(D) until you hear a click.  
Do not drive the vehicle with the air  
bag/front seat belt pretensioner system  
warning beep sounding. Contact an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the  
vehicle inspected as soon as possible.  
(C)  
(D)  
(A)  
(B)  
2-16  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
qUnfastening the Seat Belt  
WARNING  
Depress the button on the buckle.  
Fastening the Center-Rear Seat Belt  
with Only One Buckle:  
Fastening the center-rear seat belt  
with only one buckle is dangerous. If  
only one pair of seat belt tongue and  
buckle, either tongue (A) and anchor  
buckle (B) or tongue (C) and anchor  
buckle (D), is fastened, the seat belt  
cannot provide full protection. In a  
sudden stop or collision, the user  
could slide under the belt and suffer  
serious injuries. Always make sure  
that both pairs of seat belt tongues and  
buckles are fastened properly.  
Button  
qUnfastening the Lap Portion of  
the Seat Belt  
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of  
the Seat Belt:  
Insert a small object such as a key in the  
anchor buckle (B) slot.  
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.  
(A)  
(B)  
4. Make sure the shoulder belt is snugly  
fitted against your body.  
WARNING  
CAUTION  
Positioning the Lap Portion of the  
Seat Belt:  
Always unfasten the lap portion of the  
belt before folding the left-rear  
seatback. Leaving the lap portion of the  
belt fastened could cause damage to the  
seat belt, buckle and seatback.  
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.  
2-17  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
NOTE  
Seat Belt Extender  
To encourage rear seat passengers to  
wear their seat belts, we suggest leaving  
the center-rear lap position of the belt  
fastened at all times except when  
folding the rear seat forward.  
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.  
qFastening the Lap Portion of the  
Seat Belt  
Grasp tongue (A) and insert it into the  
anchor buckle (B) until you hear a click. It  
is now secure for passenger use.  
NOTE  
WARNING  
After returning the left-rear seatback to  
its upright position, fasten the lap  
portion of the belt.  
Unnecessary Use of an Extender:  
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.  
Using 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.  
2-18  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Seat Belt Warning Light/  
Beep  
WARNING  
Using 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.  
Don't 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).  
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.  
NOTE  
Conditions of operation  
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 the seat belt warning light will  
not illuminate and function properly.  
Condition  
Result  
The warning light  
The driver's seat belt is not  
fastened when the ignition  
switch is turned to the ON  
position.  
illuminates for about 1  
minute and a beep  
sound will be heard  
for about 6 seconds.  
The driver's seat belt is  
fastened while the warning  
light and the beep sound are  
activated.  
The warning light  
turns off and the beep  
sound stops.  
The driver's seat belt is  
The warning light will  
fastened before the ignition not illuminate and the  
switch is turned to the ON beep sound will not be  
position.  
heard.  
2-19  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
qBelt Minder  
NOTE  
The belt minder is a supplemental  
The belt minder can be deactivated by  
the following methods.  
warning to the seat belt warning function.  
This feature provides additional reminders  
to the driver that the driver's seat belt is  
not fastened by intermittently sounding a  
beep sound and flashing the seat belt  
warning light in the instrument cluster.  
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(Temporary deactivation)  
To temporarily deactivate the belt  
minder, turn the ignition switch to  
the ON position, fasten the driver's  
seat belt for about 2 seconds or  
longer, and then unfasten it within 20  
seconds. The belt minder will be  
deactivated until the ignition switch  
is turned to the ON position again.  
Condition  
Result  
The driver's seat belt is not The warning light  
flashes and the beep  
sound will be heard  
fastened when the vehicle  
speed reaches 8 km/h  
(5 mph) and about 1 minute for about 6 seconds  
has elapsed since the every 30 seconds, for  
ignition switch was turned a period of about 5  
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(Long-term deactivation)  
To deactivate the belt minder over  
the long term, consult an Authorized  
Mazda Dealer. If the belt minder is  
long-term deactivated, the belt  
minder will not activate until it is  
restored at the Authorized Mazda  
Dealer.  
to the ON position.  
minutes.  
The driver's seat belt is  
fastened while the warning  
light and the beep sound are  
activated.  
The warning light  
turns off and the beep  
sound stops.  
The driver's seat belt is  
fastened before the ignition not illuminate and the  
switch is turned to the ON beep sound will not be  
The warning light will  
position.  
heard.  
2-20  
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 in the outboard seats, and towards the buckle on the right if the  
child is seated on the center seat.  
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 2-45)”.  
2-21  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
WARNING  
Proper Size of 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.  
Holding a Child While the Vehicle is Moving:  
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 the adult, injuring the adult. Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint  
system.  
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:  
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous.  
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. 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, NEVER use a rear-facing  
child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy even in a  
moderate collision.  
2-22  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
WARNING  
Seating Children in a Child-Restraint System on the Front Passenger Seat:  
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, the vehicle is also  
equipped with an air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-30). 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.  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint  
l
system.  
A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.  
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A rear passenger puts their feet on the front seat rails.  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.  
l
l
The seat is washed.  
Liquids are spilled on the seat.  
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l
The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items  
placed behind it.  
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The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.  
Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.  
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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.  
Children and Seating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags:  
Allowing anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the front  
passenger seat, 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, is  
dangerous. 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.  
2-23  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
WARNING  
One Belt, One Passenger:  
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used  
in this way can't 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 2-33).  
2-24  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
qRear Seat Child-Restraint System  
Installation  
Installing Child-Restraint  
Systems  
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 2-33).  
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.  
NOTE  
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 three positions on  
the rear seat.  
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  
Some child-restraint systems also employ  
specially designed LATCH attachments;  
refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint  
Systems” (page 2-33).  
automatic locking mode.  
1. Make sure the seatback is securely  
latched by pushing it back until it is  
fully locked.  
WARNING  
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.  
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.  
2-25  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
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.  
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.  
5. If your child-restraint system requires  
the use of a tether strap, hook and  
tighten the tether strap after raising the  
head restraint (except center position)  
by following the manufacturer's  
instructions.  
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 the  
automatic locking mode. If the belt  
does not lock the seat down tight,  
repeat this step.  
Anchor bracket location (4 Door)  
Anchor bracket  
2-26  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
Tether strap position (4 Door)  
Anchor bracket location (5 Door center  
position)  
Tether  
strap  
Anchor bracket  
Anchor bracket location (5 Door  
outboard position)  
Tether strap position (5 Door center  
position)  
Tether  
strap  
Tether strap position (5 Door outboard  
position)  
Tether strap  
2-27  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
qIf You Must Use the Front Seat  
for Children  
WARNING  
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.  
Child-Restraint Tether Usage:  
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. Use the  
tether and tether anchor only for a  
child-restraint system.  
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.  
Incorrect Attachment of the Tether  
Strap (Except center position):  
Routing the tether strap on top of the  
head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision, the tether strap could slide  
off the head restraint, and loosen the  
child-restraint system. The child-  
restraint system could move which  
may result in death or injury to the  
child. Always route the tether strap  
between the head restraint posts.  
2-28  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
NOTE  
WARNING  
l
To check if your front seats have side  
air bags:  
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:  
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on  
the front seat are particularly  
dangerous.  
Every Mazda side air bag will have a  
“SRS AIRBAG”tag on the outboard  
shoulder of the front seats.  
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. Even  
though you may feel assured that the  
front passenger air bag will not deploy  
based on the fact that the front  
passenger air bag deactivation  
indicator light illuminates, NEVER  
use a rear-facing child-restraint  
system in the front seat with an air bag  
that could deploy even in a moderate  
collision.  
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To check if your vehicle has curtain  
air bags:  
Every Mazda curtain air bag will  
have an “SRS AIRBAG” marking on  
the front and rear window pillars  
along the roof edge.  
WARNING  
Front Passenger's Seat Position:  
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 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.  
2-29  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
qFront Passenger's Seat Child-  
Restraint System Installation  
WARNING  
1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.  
Children and Seating Position with  
Side and Curtain Air Bags:  
Allowing anyone to lean over or  
against the side window, the area of  
the front passenger seat, 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, is  
dangerous. 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.  
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.  
2-30  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
Without seat warmer  
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  
2-45.  
With seat warmer  
2-31  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
WARNING  
Seating a Child in a Child-Restraint  
System on the Front Passenger Seat  
With the Front Passenger Air Bag  
Deactivation Indicator Light Not  
Illuminated:  
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 sitting in the front  
passenger seat could be seriously  
injured or killed. If the indicator light  
does not illuminate after installing a  
child-restraint system on the front  
passenger seat, install the child-  
restraint system on the rear seat and  
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
as soon as possible. While it is always  
better to install any child-restraint  
system on the rear seat, it is essential  
to do so if the front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light does not  
illuminate (page 2-45).  
2-32  
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 outboard seats that slide through the passenger  
seat when it is in the fully rearward position. 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  
Manufacturer's Instructions for 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.  
Attaching Two Child-Restraint Systems to the Same LATCH Lower Anchor:  
Attaching two child-restraint systems to the same LATCH lower anchor is dangerous.  
In a collision, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child-restraint system  
attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death. If you use the seat  
position for another child-restraint system when an outboard LATCH position is  
occupied, use the center seat belts instead, and the tether if tether-equipped.  
Unsecured 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. 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.  
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems:  
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.  
2-33  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
Anchor bracket location (4 Door)  
qChild-Restraint System  
Installation Procedure (Rear  
Outboard Seats)  
1. Make sure the seatback is securely  
latched by pushing it back until it is  
fully locked.  
2. Expand the area between the seat  
bottom and the seatback slightly to  
verify the locations of the LATCH  
lower anchors.  
Anchor bracket  
Tether strap position (4 Door)  
Tether  
strap  
Anchor bracket  
NOTE  
The markings above the LATCH lower  
anchors indicate the locations of  
LATCH lower anchors for the  
Anchor bracket location (5 Door)  
attachment of a child-restraint system.  
3. Secure the child-restraint system using  
BOTH LATCH lower anchors,  
following the child-restraint system  
manufacturer's instruction.  
4. 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.  
2-34  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
Tether strap position (5 Door)  
qChild-Restraint System  
Installation Procedure (Rear  
Center Seat)  
Tether strap  
The LATCH lower anchors at the center  
of the rear seat are much further apart than  
the sets of LATCH lower anchors for  
child-restraint system installation at other  
seating positions. Child-restraint systems  
with rigid LATCH attachments cannot be  
installed on the center seating position.  
Some LATCH equipped child-restraint  
systems can be placed in the center  
position and will reach the nearest  
LATCH lower anchors which are 400 mm  
(15.75 in) apart. LATCH compatible  
child-restraint systems (with attachments  
on belt webbing) can be used at this  
seating position only if the child-restraint  
system manufacturer's instructions state  
that the child-restraint system can be  
installed to LATCH lower anchors that are  
400 mm (15.75 in) apart. Do not attach  
two child-restraint systems to the same  
LATCH lower anchor. If your child-  
restraint system has a tether, it must also  
be used for your child's optimum safety.  
WARNING  
Child-Restraint Tether Usage:  
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. Use the  
tether and tether anchor only for a  
child-restraint system.  
Incorrect Attachment of the Tether  
Strap:  
1. Make sure the seatback is securely  
latched by pushing it back until it is  
fully locked.  
Routing the tether strap on top of the  
head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision, the tether strap could slide  
off the head restraint, and loosen the  
child-restraint system. The child-  
restraint system could move which  
may result in death or injury to the  
child. Always route the tether strap  
between the head restraint posts.  
2-35  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
2. Expand the area between the seat  
bottom and the seatback slightly to  
verify the locations of the LATCH  
lower anchors.  
Anchor bracket location (4 Door)  
Anchor bracket  
Tether strap position (4 Door)  
NOTE  
Tether  
strap  
The markings above the LATCH lower  
anchors indicate the locations of  
LATCH lower anchors for the  
attachment of a child-restraint system.  
Anchor bracket  
3. Secure the child-restraint system using  
BOTH LATCH lower anchors,  
following the child-restraint system  
manufacturer's instructions.  
Anchor bracket location (5 Door)  
4. 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.  
2-36  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child Restraint  
Tether strap position (5 Door)  
Tether  
strap  
WARNING  
Child-Restraint Tether Usage:  
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. Use the  
tether and tether anchor only for a  
child-restraint system.  
2-37  
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:  
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The steering wheel hub (driver air bag)  
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The front passenger dashboard (front passenger air bag)  
The outboard sides of the front seatbacks (side air bags)í  
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The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides (curtain air bags)í  
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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:  
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Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.  
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Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag  
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.  
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Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal or side collisions that are not severe enough  
to activate the air bags.  
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Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.  
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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.  
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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 2-21).  
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.  
2-38  
íSome models.  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Air Bags without Seat Belts:  
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.  
Child in the Front 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.  
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:  
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous.  
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. 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, NEVER use a rear-facing  
child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy even in a  
moderate collision.  
Seating Position with Front Air Bags:  
Sitting too close to the air bag modules or placing hands or feet on them is extremely  
dangerous. Front 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.  
2-39  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Seating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags:  
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.  
Front Air Bag Modules Located in the Steering Wheel Hub and the Dashboard:  
Attaching an object to the front air bag modules or placing something in front of them  
is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflation and  
injure the occupants.  
Always keep the front air bag modules free of objects.  
Side Air Bag Modules:  
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 spewing exhaust.  
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.  
Curtain Air Bag Modules:  
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  
spewing exhaust.  
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.  
2-40  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Hot Air Bag Inflators:  
Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the  
steering wheel, dashboard, seatbacks, or the front and rear window pillars and along  
the roof edge are very hot. You could get burned. Don't touch the internal components  
of the air bag modules after the bags have inflated.  
Installation of Front-End Equipment:  
Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar, bull  
bar, push bar, etc.), 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. Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.  
Suspension Adjustment:  
Adjusting the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the  
suspension is changed, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision  
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious  
injuries.  
Modification of 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. Don't 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.  
NOTE  
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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.  
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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.  
2-41  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Supplemental Restraint System Components  
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:  
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The air bag system with inflators and air bags.  
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The electrical system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.  
The air bags are mounted in the following locations:  
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The steering wheel hub  
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The front passenger dashboard  
The outboard sides of the front seatbacksí  
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The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sidesí  
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The air bags are out of sight until activated.  
2-42  
íSome models.  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
qFront Air Bag System Components  
(6)  
(1)  
(3)  
(4)  
(8)  
(7)  
(2)  
(9)  
(5)  
(8)  
(1) Front dual stage inflators and air bags  
(2) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit)  
(3) Front air bag sensor  
(4) Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-45)  
(5) Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-45)  
(6) Front seats  
(7) Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-45)  
(8) Front seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-14)  
(9) Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-45)  
2-43  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
qSide and Curtain Air Bag System Componentsí  
(4)  
(1)  
4 Door  
(1)  
(3)  
(2)  
(4)  
(1)  
(1)  
5 Door  
(3)  
(2)  
(1) Side and curtain inflators and air bags  
(2) Side crash sensors  
(3) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit)  
(4) Front seats  
2-44  
íSome models.  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
How the Air Bags Work  
qHow the Front Air Bags Work  
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an  
electrical current is sent to the inflators.  
Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the inflation, the front air bags  
quickly deflate.  
The front air bags will function only once. After that, the front air bags will not work  
again and must be replaced.  
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the system components.  
The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an  
impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during  
more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may  
differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver seat position,  
front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, which allow for further controlling of the  
system.  
The front air bags will deploy only  
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.  
Driver seat slide position sensor  
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide sensor as a part of the supplemental  
restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor determines whether  
the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat position to the crash  
sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit). The sensor is also designed to control the  
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering  
wheel.  
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a  
possible malfunction (page 2-53).  
2-45  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Front passenger seat weight sensors  
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, a front passenger air  
bag deactivation indicator light is also equipped (page 2-30). These sensors are located  
under both of the front passenger seat rails. These sensors determine the total seated weight  
on the front passenger seat. The sensors are also designed to prevent the front passenger  
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from inflating if the total seated  
weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).  
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the  
system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt  
pretensioner system when:  
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There is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)  
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The total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66  
lb). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)  
This 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  
according to the chart below.  
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front  
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible  
malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt  
pretensioner system will not deploy.  
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light  
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the front passenger front and side air  
bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.  
Without seat warmer  
With seat warmer  
If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the  
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. After about 6 seconds it goes out.  
2-46  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:  
Front passenger seat  
belt pretensioner  
system  
Total seated weight on the Front passenger air bag Front passenger front and  
front passenger seat  
deactivation indicator light  
side air bags  
Empty (Not occupied)*  
OFF  
ON  
OFF  
OFF  
Less than approx. 30 kg  
(66 lb)  
OFF  
OFF  
Approx. 42 kg (93 lb) or  
more  
OFF  
ON  
ON  
* If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates,  
however this does not indicate a malfunction.  
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the  
ignition switch is turned to the ON position and does not illuminate as indicated in the  
above chart, do not allow a child to sit in the front passenger seat and consult an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an  
accident.  
WARNING  
Decreasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:  
When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total  
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of  
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The front  
passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and  
the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not  
deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary  
protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total  
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of  
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) could result in an air bag not deploying under the  
following conditions, for example:  
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A rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with the feet.  
Luggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the front  
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passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.  
The front passenger seat occupant sits in a manner that does not place the entire  
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weight of the occupant on the seat such as by sitting too close to the door, grasping  
the rim of the moonroof.  
The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.  
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Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front  
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.  
The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will  
deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)  
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).  
2-47  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Increasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:  
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, increasing the total  
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of  
approximately 30 kg (66 lb) is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will  
detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected  
deployment of the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner  
system in an accident and serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the  
front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lb)  
could result in the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner  
system deployment in an accident under the following conditions, for example:  
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Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint  
system.  
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A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.  
A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with the feet.  
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Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.  
The seat is washed.  
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Liquids are spilled on the seat.  
The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items  
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placed behind it.  
The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.  
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Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.  
Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front passenger  
seat are attached to the front passenger seat.  
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The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will  
deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)  
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).  
CAUTION  
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To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors  
in the front seat bottoms:  
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Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on  
them.  
Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.  
l
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To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:  
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Adjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the  
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.  
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If you place your child on the front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system  
properly and slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-30).  
2-48  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
NOTE  
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The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the front passenger  
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.  
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The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if  
luggage or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the  
vehicle's interior changes suddenly.  
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The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds  
if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.  
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after  
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child-restraint  
system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.  
Driver and front passenger buckle switches  
The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are  
securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.  
qHow the Side and Curtain Air Bags Workí  
When air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, an  
electrical current is sent to the inflators.  
Gases are produced to inflate the side and curtain air bags and after the inflation, the side  
and curtain air bags quickly deflate.  
The side and curtain air bags will function only once. After that, the side and curtain air  
bags will not work again and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can  
replace the systems.  
The curtain air bag will deploy only on the side  
the vehicle receives the force of the impact.  
The side air bag will deploy only on the side  
the vehicle receives the force of the impact.  
íSome models.  
2-49  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Damaged Side and Curtain Air Bag Wiring under the Seats:  
Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The side and  
curtain air bag wiring could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the side  
and curtain air bags may not deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To  
prevent damage to the side and curtain air bag wiring, do not place luggage or other  
objects under the front seats.  
qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation  
NOTE  
If the front passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the front  
passenger seat is less than approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the front passenger front and side  
air bags and seat belt pretensioner may not inflate (page 2-45).  
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Front air bag activation  
Landing hard or the vehicle falling.  
A greater than moderate impact will cause  
the front air bags to inflate in the  
following cases:  
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Hitting a solid wall straight on at  
greater than about 22 km/h (14 mph).  
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Frontal impact within about a 30  
degree range from head-on to the  
vehicle.  
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Hitting a curb, pavement edge or hard  
object.  
2-50  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
l
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Driving into a big hole or hitting the far  
side of a hole.  
Rear-ending or running under a truck's  
tail gate may not provide the stopping  
force necessary for air bag deployment.  
Limitations to front air bag activation  
Non-activation of front air bags  
Depending on the severity of impact, the  
front air bags may not inflate in the  
following cases:  
Front air bags will not normally inflate in  
the following cases:  
l
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Impacts involving trees or poles cause  
Collision from the rear.  
severe cosmetic damage but may not  
have enough stopping force to activate  
the air bag.  
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Impact to the side, but it may deploy  
the side and curtain air bags.  
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Frontal offset impact to the vehicle  
may not provide the stopping force  
necessary for air bag deployment.  
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Vehicle roll-over, may deploy the side  
and curtain air bags but not the front air  
bags.  
2-51  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Side and curtain air bag activationí  
Vehicle roll-over may not provide  
enough side force to deploy the side  
and curtain air bags.  
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Greater than moderate impact to one side  
of the vehicle (driver or passenger side  
areas) will cause the side and curtain air  
bags on that side to inflate, but it will not  
normally deploy the front air bags.  
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Side impacts with two-wheeled  
vehicles may not provide enough force  
to deploy the side and curtain air bags.  
Limitations to side and curtain air bag  
activationí  
Depending on the severity of impact, the  
side and curtain air bags may not inflate in  
the following cases:  
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Frontal offset impact may not provide  
enough side impact to deploy the side  
and curtain air bags.  
Non-activation of side and curtain air  
bagí  
The side and curtain air bags will not  
normally inflate in the following cases:  
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Collision from the rear.  
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Side impacts involving trees or poles  
can cause severe cosmetic damage but  
may not have enough impact force to  
activate the side and curtain air bags.  
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Collision from the front, but it may  
deploy the front air bags.  
2-52  
íSome models.  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
A system malfunction is indicated when  
the warning light constantly illuminates or  
doesn't illuminate at all when the ignition  
switch is turned to the ON position. If any  
of these occur, consult an Authorized  
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The  
system may not work in an accident.  
qConstant Monitoring  
The following components of the air bag  
systems are monitored by a diagnostic  
system:  
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SAS unit  
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Front air bag sensor  
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Air bag modules  
Side crash sensorsí  
WARNING  
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Self-Servicing the Air Bag/  
Pretensioner Systems:  
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Front seat belt pretensioners  
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Related wiring  
Self-servicing or tampering with the  
systems is dangerous. An air bag/  
pretensioner could accidentally  
activate or become disabled. This  
could cause serious injuries. Never  
tamper with the systems and always  
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
perform all servicing and repairs.  
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Driver seat slide position sensor  
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Front passenger seat weight sensors  
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Driver and front passenger seat belt  
buckle switches  
The diagnostic module continuously  
monitors the system's readiness. This  
begins when the ignition switch is turned  
to the ON position and continues while  
the vehicle is being driven.  
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Warning  
Beep  
If a malfunction is detected in the air bag/  
front seat belt pretensioner systems and  
the warning light, a warning beep sound  
will be heard for about 5 seconds every  
minute.  
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Warning  
Light  
The air bag and seat belt pretensioner  
system warning beep sound will continue  
to be heard for approximately 35 minutes.  
Have your vehicle inspected at an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as  
possible.  
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner  
system is normal, the warning light  
illuminates when the ignition switch is  
turned to the ON position or after the  
engine is cranked. After about 6 seconds  
it goes out.  
íSome models.  
2-53  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
WARNING  
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner  
System Warning Beep:  
Damaged Air Bag/Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Components:  
Expended or damaged air bag or seat  
belt pretensioner units must be  
Driving the vehicle with the air bag/  
front seat belt pretensioner system  
warning beep sounding is dangerous.  
In a collision, the air bags and the  
front seat belt pretensioner system will  
not deploy and this could result in  
death or serious injury.  
Do not drive the vehicle with the air  
bag/front seat belt pretensioner system  
warning beep sounding. Contact an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the  
vehicle inspected as soon as possible.  
replaced after any collision which  
caused them to deploy or damage  
them. Only a trained Authorized  
Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these  
systems to see that they will work in  
the next accident. Driving with an  
expended or damaged air bag or  
pretensioner units will provide you  
reduced protection in the next accident  
and you could be injured or killed.  
Removing Interior Parts:  
Removing any components such as the  
front seats(if side air bags are  
qMaintenance  
The air bag systems do not require regular  
maintenance. But if any of the following  
occurs, take your vehicle to an Authorized  
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:  
equipped), front dashboard, the  
steering wheel or parts on the front  
and rear window pillars and along the  
roof edge, containing air bag parts or  
sensors is dangerous. These parts  
contain essential air bag components.  
The air bag could accidentally activate  
and cause serious injuries. Always  
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
remove these parts.  
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The air bag system warning light  
flashes.  
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The air bag system warning light  
remains illuminated.  
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The air bag system warning light does  
not illuminate when the ignition switch  
is turned to the ON position.  
Air Bag Disposal:  
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The air bags have deployed.  
Improper disposal of an air bag or a  
vehicle with live air bags in it can be  
extremely dangerous. Unless all safety  
procedures are followed, injury can  
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda  
Dealer how to safely dispose of an air  
bag or how to scrap an air bag  
equipped vehicle.  
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Front passenger air bag deactivation  
indicator light does not illuminate  
when the ignition switch is turned to  
the ON position or does not illuminate  
as indicated in the chart. For more  
details about this indicator light and  
this chart, refer to “Front passenger  
seat weight sensors” (page 2-45).  
2-54  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
NOTE  
If it becomes necessary to have the  
components or wiring system for the  
supplementary restraint system  
modified to accommodate a person with  
certain medical conditions in  
accordance with a certified physician,  
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer,  
refer to “Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)”  
(page 9-2).  
2-55  
2-56  

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