2014-2018 Mazda 3 4 Door Essential Safety Equipment User Manual
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Essential Safety Equipment for Your Mazda 3 4 Door Third Generation (2014-2018)

Essential Safety Equipment  
2
Important information about safety equipment, includingseats, seat belt  
system, child-restraint systems and SRS air bags.  
Seats..................................................................................................... 2-2  
Seat Precautions............................................................................ 2-2  
Front Seat...................................................................................... 2-5  
Rear Seat ....................................................................................... 2-8  
Head Restraints ........................................................................... 2-11  
Seat Belt Systems.............................................................................. 2-13  
Seat Belt Precautions .................................................................. 2-13  
3-Point Type Seat Belt ................................................................ 2-16  
Seat Belt Warning Systems......................................................... 2-17  
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems.......... 2-17  
Center-Rear Position 2-Point Type Seat Belt*............................. 2-19  
Seat Belt Extender....................................................................... 2-21  
Child-Restraint................................................................................. 2-23  
Child-Restraint Precautions ........................................................ 2-23  
Child-Restraint System Installation............................................ 2-28  
Installing Child-Restraint Systems ............................................. 2-29  
SRS Air Bags .................................................................................... 2-41  
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions.................... 2-41  
Supplemental Restraint System Components ............................. 2-48  
How the SRS Air Bags Work...................................................... 2-50  
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria.............................................. 2-54  
Limitations to SRS Air Bag ........................................................ 2-55  
Front Passenger Occupant Classification System*...................... 2-57  
Constant Monitoring................................................................... 2-62  
*Some models.  
2
–1  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Seat Precautions  
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.  
Never allow children to adjust a seat:  
Allowing children to adjust a seat is dangerous as it could result in serious injury if a  
child's hands or feet become caught in the seat.  
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:  
All of the seatbacks play 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.  
Adjust the driver's 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.  
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 modiꢀcations 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 inꢁate 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.  
Do not drive with either front seats reclined:  
Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you do not  
get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide  
under the lap belt and suꢂer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well  
back and upright.  
2
–2  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Do not place an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back:  
Putting an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back is dangerous  
because you will be unable to maintain a safe driving posture and the seat belt cannot  
function at its full capacity in a collision, which could result in a serious accident, injury or  
death.  
Do not place objects under the seat:  
The object could get stuck and cause the seat to not be ꢀxed securely, and result in an  
accident.  
Do not stack cargo higher than the seatbacks:  
Stacking luggage or other cargo higher than the seatbacks is dangerous. During sudden  
braking or a collision, objects can ꢁy around and become projectiles that may hit and  
injure passengers.  
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.  
Never allow a passenger to sit or stand on the folded seatback while the vehicle is  
moving:  
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 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 give the car keys to children and do not allow them to play in the vehicle (4–  
Door):  
Playing with the folding rear seats is dangerous. Once the seatbacks are back up, a child  
in the trunk would not be able to get out the way they had entered. If you have small  
children, keep the seatbacks locked.  
Always leave your car locked and keep the car keys safely away from children (4–  
Door):  
Leaving your car unlocked or the keys in reach of children is dangerous. Children who ꢀnd  
their way into the trunk through an unlocked rear seatback or an open trunk can become  
accidentally locked in the trunk. This could result in death or brain damage from heat  
prostration, particularly in the summer. Always lock the doors and the trunk, and as an  
added measure, keep the rear seatbacks locked, whether you have children in your home  
or not.  
2
–3  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
CAUTION  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
When operating a seat, be careful not to put your hands or ꢀngers near the moving parts of  
the seat or on the side trim to prevent injury.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
When moving the seats, make sure there is no cargo in the surrounding area. If the cargo  
gets caught it could damage the cargo.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
(Manual Seat)  
When returning a rear-reclined seatback of a front seat 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 ꢁip forward suddenly and could cause injury.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
(Power Seat)  
ꢀ
The seat-bottom power adjustment is operated by motors. Avoid extended operation  
because excessive use can damage the motors.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
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.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not use the switch to make more than one adjustment at a time.  
NOTE  
When returning a rear seat to its original position, place the seat belt in its normal position.  
Verify that the seat belt pulls out and retracts.  
2
–4  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Front Seat  
Seat Operation  
Power operation  
*1  
*1: With power operation seat only  
Seat Slide  
(Manual Seat)  
To move a seat forward or backward, raise the lever and slide the seat to the desired position  
and release the lever.  
Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seat is locked in place by  
attempting to push it forward and backward.  
(Power Seat)  
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.  
Height Adjustment (Driver's Seat)  
(Manual Seat)  
To adjust the seat height, move the lever up or down.  
(Power Seat)  
To adjust the seat height, move the switch up or down.  
2
–5  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Seat Recline  
(Manual Seat)  
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.  
(Power Seat)  
To change the seatback angle, press the front or rear side of the reclining switch. Release the  
switch at the desired position.  
Lumbar Support Adjustment (Driver's Seat)*  
To increase the seat firmness, move the lever downward. Move the lever upward to decrease  
firmness.  
*Some models.  
2
–6  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Seat Warmer*  
Do not use the seat warmer with  
anything having high moisture-  
retention ability such as a blanket or  
cushion on the seat:  
The front seats are electrically heated. The  
ignition must be switched ON.  
Press the seat warmer switch to illuminate  
the indicator light while the ignition  
is switched ON. The mode changes as  
follow each time the seat warmer switch is  
pressed.  
The seat may be heated excessively  
and cause a low-temperature burn.  
Do not use the seat warmer even when  
taking a short nap in the vehicle:  
The seat may be heated excessively  
and cause a low-temperature burn.  
OFF  
Do not place heavy objects with sharp  
projections on the seat, or insert  
needles or pins into it:  
High  
Mid  
Low  
This could cause the seat to become  
excessively heated and result in injury  
from a minor burn.  
CAUTION  
Do not use organic solvents to clean  
the seat. It may damage the seat  
surface and the heater.  
WARNING  
Be careful when using the seat warmer:  
The heat from the seat warmer may be  
too hot for some people, as indicated  
below, and could cause a low-  
NOTE  
ꢀyꢀIf the ignition is switched off while the  
seat warmer is operating (High, Mid or  
Low) and then switched ON again, the  
seat warmer will automatically operate  
at the temperature set before switching  
off the ignition.  
ꢀyꢀUse the seat warmer when the engine  
is running. Leaving the seat warmer  
on for long periods with the engine not  
running could cause the battery power  
to be depleted.  
temperature burn.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Infants, small babies, elderly  
people, and physically challenged  
people  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
People with delicate skin  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
People who are excessively fatigued  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
People who are intoxicated  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
People who have taken sleep-  
inducing medicine such as sleeping  
pills or cold medicine  
ꢀyꢀThe temperature of the seat warmer  
cannot be adjusted beyond High, Mid  
and Low because the seat warmer is  
controlled by a thermostat.  
*Some models.  
2
–7  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
When transporting cargo, do not allow  
the cargo to exceed the height of the  
seatback(s).  
Rear Seat  
Split/One-piece Folding the  
Seatback  
Transporting cargo stacked higher  
than the seatback(s) is dangerous as  
visibility to the rear and sides of the  
vehicle is reduced which could interfere  
with driving operations and lead to an  
accident.  
By lowering the rear seatback(s) the  
luggage compartment space can be  
expanded.  
WARNING  
Lowering the seatback(s)  
Do not drive the vehicle with occupants  
on folded down seatback(s) or in the  
luggage compartment.  
CAUTION  
Putting occupants in the luggage  
compartment is dangerous because  
seat belts cannot be fastened which  
could lead to serious injury or death  
during sudden braking or a collision.  
Check the position of a front seat  
before folding a rear seatback.  
Depending on the position of a front  
seat, it may not be possible to fold  
a rear seatback all the way down  
because it may hit the seatback of  
the front seat which could scratch or  
damage the front seat or its pocket.  
Lower or remove the head restraint on  
the rear outboard seat if necessary.  
Do not allow children to play inside the  
vehicle with the seatback(s) lowered.  
Allowing children to play in the  
vehicle with the seatback(s) folded  
down is dangerous, If a child enters  
the luggage compartment and the  
seatback(s) were raised back up, the  
child may become trapped in the  
luggage compartment which could  
lead to an accident.  
Tightly secure cargo in the luggage  
compartment when it is transported  
with the seatback(s) folded down.  
Driving without tightly securing cargo  
and luggage is dangerous as it could  
move and become an obstruction to  
driving during emergency braking or  
a collision resulting in an unexpected  
accident.  
2
–8  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
(4–Door)  
To return the seatback to its upright  
position:  
1. (Split-folding type seat)  
Open the trunk lid and pull the lever of  
the seatback you want to fold down.  
(One-piece folding type seat)  
Open the trunk lid and pull the lever of  
the seatback.  
WARNING  
When returning a seatback to its  
upright position, make sure the 3-point  
seat belt is not caught in the seatback  
and the 3-point seat belt is not twisted.  
If the seat belt is used while it is twisted  
and caught in the seatback, the seat  
belt cannot function at its full capacity,  
which could cause serious injury or  
death.  
*1  
When returning a seatback to its  
upright position, make sure that it is  
ꢀrmly locked and the red indication is  
not visible (5–Door).  
*1: With split-folding  
type seat only  
If the red indication is visible behind  
the push knob, it means the seatback  
is not locked. If the vehicle is driven  
without the seatback locked, it could  
fold down suddenly and cause an  
accident.  
2. Open a rear door and fold the rear seat  
forward.  
(5–Door)  
Press the push knob to fold down the  
seatback.  
Locked position  
Unlocked position  
Red indication  
2
–9  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Armrest*  
1. Make sure that the seat belt passes  
through the seat belt guide correctly  
and it is not twisted, then raise the  
seatback while preventing the seat belt  
from being caught in the seatback.  
(4–Door)  
The rear armrest in the center of the rear  
seatback can be used (no occupant in the  
center seat) or placed upright.  
Seat belt guides  
WARNING  
(5–Door)  
Never put your hands and ꢀngers  
around the moving parts of the seat and  
armrest:  
Red indication  
Putting your hands and ꢀngers around  
the moving parts of the seat and  
armrest is dangerous as they could get  
injured.  
Seat belt guide  
2. Press the seatback rearward and lock it  
in place. After returning the seatback  
to its upright position, make sure it is  
securely locked.  
*Some models.  
2
–10  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Front outboard seat  
Rear outboard seat  
Rear center seat*  
Head Restraints  
Your vehicle is equipped with head  
restraints on all outboard seats and the  
rear center seat*. The head restraints  
are intended to help protect you and the  
passengers from neck injury.  
WARNING  
Always drive with the head restraints  
installed when seats are being used and  
make sure they are properly adjusted:  
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.  
Height adjustment  
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.  
Adjust the head restraint so that the center  
is even with the top of the passenger's ears.  
*Some models.  
2
–11  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seats  
Removal/Installation  
To remove the head restraint, pull it up  
while pressing the stop-catch.  
To install the head restraint, insert the legs  
into the holes while pressing the stop-  
catch.  
WARNING  
Always drive with the head restraints  
installed when seats are being used and  
make sure they are properly installed:  
Driving with the head restraints not  
installed is dangerous. With no support  
behind your head, your neck could be  
seriously injured in a collision.  
2
–12  
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.  
(U.S.A. and Canada)  
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.  
(Mexico)  
The front seats and rear outboard seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors  
with inertia locks that keep them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts  
to remain comfortable on users, but they will lock in position during a collision.  
The rear center seat has a lap belt with manual adjustment.  
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. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the seat belt to  
remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.  
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.  
2
–13  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
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.  
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been  
expended:  
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately inspect the front seat belt  
pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Like the air bags, the front seat belt  
pretensioners and load limiters will only function once and must be replaced after  
any collision that caused them to deploy. A seat belt with an expended pretensioner  
or load limiter is still better than wearing no seat belt at all; however, if the front seat  
belt pretensioners and load limiters are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will  
increase.  
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.  
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.  
CAUTION  
Belt retraction may become diꢃcult 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 6-72).  
Ring  
2
–14  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Pregnant 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.  
Emergency Locking Mode  
When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode.  
In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the  
retractor will lock in position during a collision.  
If the belt is locked and cannot be pulled out, retract the belt once, and then try pulling it out  
slowly. If this fails, pull the belt strongly one time and loosen, then pull it out again slowly.  
(Seat Belt with Automatic Locking Mode)  
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  
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.  
Automatic 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 2-23).  
*Some models.  
2
–15  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Unfastening the Seat Belt  
3-Point Type Seat Belt  
Depress the button on the seat belt 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.  
Fastening the Seat Belt  
Seat belt tongue  
Seat belt  
buckle  
Button  
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.  
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.  
Take up slack  
Keep low on  
hip bone  
Front Shoulder Belt Adjuster  
To raise  
To lower  
Too high  
Make sure the adjuster is locked.  
2
–16  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Seat Belt Warning Systems  
If it detects that the driver's seat belt is  
unfastened, the warning light or beep  
alerts the driver.  
Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner and Load  
Limiting Systems  
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page  
4-20.  
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:  
When a collision is detected, the  
pretensioners deploy simultaneously with  
the air bags.  
For vehicles with the front passenger  
occupant classification system, the  
pretensioners deploy simultaneously  
with the air bags when a roll-over is also  
detected.  
For deployment details, refer to the SRS  
Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page 2-54).  
The front seat belt retractors remove slack  
quickly as the air bags are expanding.  
Any time the air bags and seat belt  
pretensioners have fired they must be  
replaced.  
A system malfunction or operation  
conditions are indicated by a warning.  
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page  
4-20.  
Refer to Air Bag/Front Seat Belt  
Pretensioner System Warning Beep on  
page 7-35.  
2
–17  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
(With Front Passenger Occupant  
Classification System)  
Have your seat belts changed  
immediately if the pretensioner or load  
limiter has been expended:  
In addition, the pretensioner system for  
the front passenger, like the front and side  
passenger air bag, is designed to only  
deploy in accordance with the total seated  
weight on the front passenger seat.  
For details, refer to the front passenger  
seat weight sensors (page 2-57).  
Always have an Authorized Mazda  
Dealer immediately inspect the front  
seat belt pretensioners and air bags  
after any collision. Like the air bags, the  
front seat belt pretensioners and load  
limiters will only function once and  
must be replaced after any collision  
that caused them to deploy. A seat  
belt with an expended pretensioner or  
load limiter is still better than wearing  
no seat belt at all; however, if the  
front seat belt pretensioners and load  
limiters are not replaced, the risk of  
injury in a collision will increase.  
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.  
Do not modify the components or  
wiring, or use electronic testing devices  
on the pretensioner system:  
Even if the pretensioners have not fired,  
the load limiting function must be checked  
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.  
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.  
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 2-16).  
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. Have an Authorized  
Mazda Dealer safely dispose of  
the pretensioner system or scrap a  
pretensioner system equipped vehicle.  
2
–18  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
NOTE  
Center-Rear Position  
2-Point Type Seat Belt*  
ꢀyꢀ(With Front Passenger Occupant  
Classification System)  
ꢀ The pretensioner system will not  
activate in rear impacts.  
Fastening the Seat Belt  
ꢀyꢀ(Without Front Passenger Occupant  
Classification System)  
ꢀ The pretensioner system will not  
activate in most roll-overs and rear  
impacts.  
1. Pull the seat belt tongue to the desired  
length.  
2. Insert it into the seat belt buckle until  
you hear a click sound.  
ꢀyꢀSome 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.  
Seat belt tongue  
Seat belt  
buckle  
*Some models.  
2
–19  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
3. Adjust the belt length.  
WARNING  
To lengthen the belt, hold the seat belt  
tongue at a right angle to the webbing  
and pull. To shorten, pull the loose end  
of the webbing.  
Wearing the Lap Belt:  
A lap 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 belt snugly and as  
low as possible.  
Lengthen  
Unfastening the Seat Belt  
Depress the button on the seat belt buckle.  
Shorten  
Button  
4. Make sure the lap belt is snugly fitted  
against your body.  
2
–20  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Seat Belt Extender  
WARNING  
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.  
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 ꢀt 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 diꢂerent 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 diꢂerent vehicle or seat.  
If you sell your Mazda, do not leave  
your seat belt extender in the vehicle. It  
could be used accidentally by the new  
owner of the vehicle. After removing  
the seat belt extender, discard it. Never  
use the seat belt extender in any other  
vehicle you may own in the future.  
Do not use an extender that is too long:  
Using an extender that is too long is  
dangerous. The seat belt will not ꢀt  
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 15  
cm (6 in).  
2
–21  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Seat Belt Systems  
Do not leave a seat belt extender  
connected to the buckle:  
Leaving a seat belt extender connected  
to the buckle without using the seat  
belt is dangerous. When the seat  
belt extender is connected to the  
driver's seat belt buckle (or front  
passenger) seat, the SRS driver's (or  
front passenger's) air bag system will  
determine that the driver (or front  
passenger) is wearing the seat belt  
even if the driver (or front passenger)  
is not wearing it. This condition could  
cause the driver's (or front passenger's)  
air bag to not activate correctly and  
result in death or serious injury in the  
event of collision. Always wear the seat  
belt with the seat belt extender.  
Do not use the seat belt extender when  
installing a child-restraint system on the  
front or rear passenger seat:  
Using a seat belt extender to fasten  
a child-restraint system on any seat  
is dangerous. Always follow the  
child-restraint system manufacturer's  
installation instructions and never use  
a seat belt extender.  
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.  
2
–22  
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.  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
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 front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light  
illuminates.  
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 2-57).  
2
–23  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
WARNING  
Use the correct size child-restraint system:  
For eꢂective 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.  
2
–24  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
(U.S.A. and Canada)  
Vehicles with a front passenger air bag have a warning label attached as shown below.  
The warning label reminds you not to put a rear-facing child-restraint system on the front  
passenger seat at any time.  
(Mexico)  
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in  
front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.  
Vehicles with a front passenger air bag have a warning label attached as shown below.  
The warning label reminds you not to put a rear-facing child-restraint system on the front  
passenger seat at any time.  
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 far back as possible.  
2
–25  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is dangerous  
under certain conditions (With Front Passenger Occupant Classiꢀcation System):  
Your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors. Even with the front  
passenger seat weight sensors, if you must use the front passenger seat to seat a child,  
using 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.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when  
seating a child in the child-restraint system.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint  
system.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A rear passenger or luggage pushing or pulling down on the front passenger  
seatback.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A rear passenger puts their feet on the front seat rails.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The seat is washed.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Liquids are spilled on the seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items  
placed behind it.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
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.  
Do not allow a child or anyone 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. The impact of inꢁation from a side or curtain air bag could cause serious injury  
or death to an out of position 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. Take special care not to  
allow a child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-  
restraint system.  
2
–26  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
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 seats. When using these anchors to secure a  
child-restraint system, refer to "Using LATCH Lower Anchor" (page 2-37).  
2
–27  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Child seat  
A child seat restrains a child's body using  
the harness.  
Child-Restraint System  
Installation  
Child-Restraint System Types  
In this owner's manual, explanation of  
child-restraint systems is provided for the  
following three types of popular child-  
restraint systems: infant seat, child seat,  
booster seat.  
NOTE  
ꢀyꢀInstallation position is determined  
by the type of child-restraint system.  
Always read the manufacturer's  
instructions and this owner's manual  
carefully.  
ꢀyꢀDue to variations in the design of child-  
restraint systems, vehicle seats and  
seat belts, all child-restraint systems  
may not fit all seating positions. Before  
purchasing a child-restraint system, it  
should be tested in the specific vehicle  
seating position (or positions) where it  
is intended to be used. If a previously  
purchased child-restraint system does  
not fit, you may need to purchase a  
different one that will.  
Booster seat  
A booster seat is a child restraint accessory  
designed to improve the fit of the seat belt  
system around the child's body.  
Infant seat  
An infant seat provides restraint by  
bracing the infant's head, neck and back  
against the seating surface.  
2
–28  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Installing Child-Restraint  
Systems  
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.  
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 beneꢀt of being tethered.  
Place tether equipped child-restraint  
systems where there are tether  
NOTE  
Even if your vehicle is equipped with front  
passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-  
57), which automatically deactivates the  
front passenger air bag, a rear seat is the  
safest place for a child of any age or size.  
anchors.  
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.  
Some child-restraint systems also employ  
specially designed LATCH attachments;  
refer to "Using LATCH Lower Anchor"  
(page 2-37).  
2
–29  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Anchor Bracket  
WARNING  
Anchor brackets for securing child-  
restraint systems are equipped in the  
vehicle. Locate each anchor position using  
the illustration.  
To install a child-restraint system,  
always follow the instruction manual  
accompanying the child-restraint system.  
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 oꢂ and loosen the  
child-restraint system. If the child-  
restraint system moves it could result  
in death or injury to the child.  
Anchor bracket location  
Use the indicated anchor bracket locations  
when installing a child-restraint system  
equipped with a tether.  
Always route the tether strap between  
the head restraint and the seatback:  
Routing the tether strap on top of  
the head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision the tether strap could slide oꢂ  
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.  
(4-Door)  
For right  
For center  
For left  
Tether strap  
(4-Door)  
Anchor bracket  
(5-Door)  
Anchor bracket  
Tether strap  
For left  
For center  
For right  
Some models.  
Anchor bracket  
2
–30  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
1. Make sure the seatback is securely  
latched by pushing it back until it is  
fully locked.  
2. Raise the head restraint to the top  
locked position.  
Refer to Head Restraints on page 2-11.  
3. 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.  
(5-Door)  
Tether strap  
Forward  
4. 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.  
Tether strap  
Forward  
Using Automatic Locking Mode*  
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 “Using LATCH Lower  
Anchor” (page 2-37).  
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 use LATCH system instead  
of seat belts or if the belt goes across the  
child's chest, may recommend against  
using automatic locking mode.  
*Some models.  
2
–31  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
5. Push the child-restraint system firmly  
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the  
belt retracts as snugly as possible. A  
clicking noise 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.  
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 route the tether strap between  
the head restraint and the seatback:  
Routing the tether strap on top of  
the head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision the tether strap could slide oꢂ  
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.  
Tether strap  
(4-Door)  
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.  
Anchor bracket  
6. 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.  
Tether strap  
Anchor bracket  
2
–32  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
If You Must Use the Front Seat for  
Children  
(5-Door)  
Tether strap  
Forward  
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 whether  
your vehicle is equipped with a seat  
weight sensor or not.  
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.  
Tether strap  
Forward  
Do not allow anyone to sleep against the  
side window since your vehicle has side  
and curtain air bags, 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.  
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 oꢂ and loosen the  
child-restraint system. If the child-  
restraint system moves it could result  
in death or injury to the child.  
NOTE  
ꢀyꢀTo 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.  
ꢀyꢀTo check if your vehicle has curtain air  
bags:  
ꢀ Mazda vehicles equipped with curtain  
air bag will have an "SRS AIRBAG"  
marking on the window pillars along  
the roof edge.  
2
–33  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Do not allow a child or anyone 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.  
The impact of inꢁation from a side or  
curtain air bag could cause serious  
injury or death to an out of position  
child. Furthermore, leaning over or  
against the front door could block the  
side and curtain air bags and eliminate  
the advantages of supplemental  
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 because 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.  
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.  
Take special care not to allow a child to  
lean over or against the side window,  
even if the child is seated in a child-  
restraint system.  
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.  
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, you should  
not use a rear-facing child-restraint  
system in the front seat.  
2
–34  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
NOTE  
Front Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint  
System Installation (With Front  
Passenger Occupant Classification  
System)  
ꢀyꢀInspect 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.  
ꢀyꢀFollow 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.  
1. Switch the ignition ON.  
2. Slide the seat as far back as possible.  
6. Seat your child safely in the child-  
restraint system and secure the child  
according to the instructions from the  
child-restraint system manufacturer.  
7. Make sure the front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light illuminates  
after installing a child-restraint system  
on the front passenger seat.  
3. Place the child-restraint system on the  
seat without putting your weight on  
the seat and fasten the seat belt. See  
the manufacturer's instructions on the  
child-restraint system for belt routing  
instructions.  
If the front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light does not  
illuminate, remove the child-restraint  
system, switch the ignition to OFF, and  
then re-install the child-restraint system  
(page 2-57).  
4. 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.  
5. Push the child-restraint system firmly  
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the  
belt retracts as snugly as possible. A  
clicking noise 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
–35  
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 illuminate:  
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 2-57). 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, 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.  
2
–36  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Using LATCH Lower Anchor  
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed  
LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seats. 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.  
Never attach 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 it 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.  
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.  
2
–37  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Installation on rear outboard seats  
6. If your child-restraint system came  
equipped with a tether, that 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.  
1. First, adjust the front seat to allow  
clearance between the child-restraint  
system and the front seat (page 2-5).  
2. Make sure the seatback is securely  
latched by pushing it back until it is  
fully locked.  
3. Expand the area between the seat  
bottom and the seatback slightly to  
verify the locations of the LATCH  
lower anchors.  
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.  
NOTE  
The markings above the LATCH lower  
anchors indicate the locations of the  
LATCH lower anchors for the attachment  
of a child-restraint system.  
4. Raise the head restraint to the top  
locked position.  
Refer to Head Restraints on page 2-11.  
5. Secure the child-restraint system  
using BOTH LATCH lower anchors,  
following the child-restraint system  
manufacturer's instruction. Pull on the  
child-restraint to be sure both anchors  
are engaged.  
2
–38  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
Always route the tether strap between  
the head restraint and the seatback:  
Routing the tether strap on top of  
the head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision the tether strap could slide oꢂ  
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.  
Installation on rear center seat  
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 443 mm  
(17.4 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 443 mm  
(17.4 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.  
Tether strap  
(4-Door)  
Anchor bracket  
(5-Door)  
Tether strap  
The procedure for installation on the rear  
outboards seats is the same.  
Forward  
LATCH lower anchor location  
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 oꢂ and loosen the  
child-restraint system. If the child-  
restraint system moves it could result  
in death or injury to the child.  
2
–39  
Essential Safety Equipment  
Child-Restraint  
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 oꢂ and loosen the  
child-restraint system. If the child-  
restraint system moves it could result  
in death or injury to the child.  
WARNING  
Always route the tether strap between  
the head restraint and the seatback:  
Routing the tether strap on top of  
the head restraint is dangerous. In a  
collision the tether strap could slide oꢂ  
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.  
(4-Door)  
Tether strap  
Anchor bracket  
(5-Door)  
Tether strap  
Forward  
2
–40  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions  
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 6 air bags. Please  
verify which kinds of air bags are equipped on your vehicle by locating the “SRS  
AIRBAG” location indicators. These indicators are visible in the area where the air bags  
are installed.  
The air bags are installed in the following locations:  
ꢀyꢀ  
The steering wheel hub (driver air bag)  
ꢀyꢀ  
The front passenger dashboard (front passenger air bag)  
*
ꢀyꢀ  
The outboard sides of the front seatbacks (side air bags)  
ꢀyꢀ  
The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides (curtain air bags)  
*
Vehicles with the Front Passenger Occupant Classification System have a sensor which  
detects an impending roll-over accident.  
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection  
in certain situations 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:  
ꢀyꢀ  
Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.  
ꢀyꢀ  
Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag  
inflation, such as rear impact.  
ꢀyꢀ  
Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal, near frontal or side collisions or roll-over  
accidents that are not severe enough to activate the air bags.  
ꢀyꢀ  
Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.  
ꢀyꢀ  
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.  
ꢀyꢀ  
Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.  
*Some models.  
2
–41  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
If your vehicle is also equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system,  
refer to the Front Passenger Occupant Classification System (page 2-57) for details.  
If your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system, the front  
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates for a specified time after the  
ignition is switched ON.  
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 2-23).  
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.  
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  
inꢁate only in the ꢀrst accident, such as frontal, near frontal or side collisions or roll-over  
accidents 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. A sleeping child is more  
likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in moderate collision to the  
front-passenger side of the vehicle. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and  
under on the rear seats with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and  
size.  
2
–42  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
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 inꢁate 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 ꢁoor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as  
far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn  
properly.  
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, or sleeping up  
against the door or hanging out the windows is extremely dangerous. The side and  
curtain air bags inꢁate with great force and speed directly expanding along the 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. 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 inꢁation and injure the occupants.  
2
–43  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a side air bag deploys:  
Attaching objects 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 inꢁates 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 inꢁates 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 or roll-over accident.  
Do not touch the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags  
have inꢁated:  
Touching the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have  
inꢁated is dangerous. Immediately after inꢁation, 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 aꢂected. This could cause air bags to inꢁate unexpectedly,  
or it could prevent the air bags from inꢁating 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  
modiꢀed, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision or roll-over accident  
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious  
injuries.  
2
–44  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
To prevent false detection by the air bag sensor system, heed the following:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not use tires or wheels other than those speciꢀed for your Mazda:  
ꢀ
Use of any tire or wheel other than those speciꢀed for your Mazda (page 9-10) is  
dangerous. Use of such wheels will prevent the vehicle's accident detections system  
from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or  
unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not overload your vehicle:  
ꢀ
Overloading your vehicle is dangerous as it could prevent the air bag crash sensor  
system from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect  
or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries. The gross axle  
weight rating (GAWR) and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle are  
on the Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label on the driver's door frame. Do not exceed  
these ratings.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not drive the vehicle oꢂ-road:  
ꢀ
Driving your Mazda oꢂ-road is dangerous because the vehicle has not been designed  
to do so. Driving the vehicle oꢂ-road could prevent the air bag crash sensor system  
from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or  
unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.  
ꢀ
Do not modify a front door or leave any damage unrepaired. Always have an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect a damaged front door:  
Modifying a front door or leaving any damage unrepaired is dangerous. Each front  
door has a side crash sensor as a component of the supplemental restraint system. If  
holes are drilled in a front door, a door speaker is left removed, or a damaged door is left  
unrepaired, the sensor could be adversely aꢂected causing it to not detect the pressure  
of an impact correctly during a side collision. If a sensor does not detect a side impact  
correctly, the side and curtain air bags and the front seat belt pretensioner may not  
operate normally which could result in serious injury to occupants.  
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 modiꢀcations  
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 front  
passenger occupant classiꢀcation system and that the seats retain an undamaged air  
bag connection.  
2
–45  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
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 operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system  
components:  
Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components must be  
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  
any subsequent accident. Driving with an expended or damaged air bag or pretensioner  
unit will not aꢂord you the necessary protection in the event of any subsequent accident  
which could result in serious injury or death.  
Do not remove interior air bag parts:  
Removing any components such as the front seats, 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.  
Properly dispose of the air bag system:  
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 could result. Have an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer safely dispose of the air bag system or scrap an air bag  
equipped vehicle.  
2
–46  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
NOTE  
ꢀyꢀIf 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 8-2).  
ꢀyꢀWhen 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.  
ꢀyꢀShould 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.  
ꢀyꢀThis highly-visible label is displayed which warns against the use of rear-facing child-  
restraint systems on the front passenger seat.  
(Except Mexico)  
(Mexico)  
2
–47  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Supplemental Restraint System Components  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
2
–48  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
(Without Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
Driver/Front passenger inflators and air bags  
Roll-over sensor*, crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)  
Front seat belt pretensioners (page 2-17)  
Front air bag sensors  
Side crash sensors*  
Air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light (page 4-20)  
Side and curtain inflators and air bags*  
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-57)  
Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-57)  
Front passenger seat weight sensor control module  
Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-61)  
NOTE  
-
are equipped only on models with the front passenger occupant classification system.  
*Some models.  
2
–49  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
How the SRS Air Bags Work  
Your Mazda is equipped with the following types of SRS air bags. SRS air bags are  
designed to work together with the seat belts to help to reduce injuries during an accident.  
The SRS air bags are designed to provide further protection for passengers in addition to the  
seat belt functions. Be sure to wear seat belts properly.  
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners  
The front seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near  
frontal collisions.  
In addition, the pretensioners operate when a side collision (only on the side in which the  
collision occurs) or a roll-over accident is detected. The pretensioners operate differently  
depending on what types of air bags are equipped. For details on the seat belt pretensioner  
operation, refer to the SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page 2-54).  
Driver Air Bag  
The driver's air bag is mounted in the steering wheel.  
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, the  
driver's air bag inflates quickly helping to reduce injury mainly to the driver's head or chest  
caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.  
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"  
(page 2-54).  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an  
impact of moderate severity the driver's air bag deploys with lesser energy, whereas during  
more severe impacts, it deploys with more energy.  
2
–50  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Front Passenger Air Bag  
The front passenger air bag is mounted in the front passenger dashboard.  
The inflation mechanism for the front passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag, as  
mentioned above.  
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"  
(page 2-54).  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In addition, the front passenger air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with the  
total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the front passenger  
occupant classification system (page 2-57).  
Side Air Bags*  
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.  
When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the  
system inflates the side air bag only on the side in which the vehicle was hit. The side  
air bag inflates quickly to reduce injury to the driver or front passenger's chest caused by  
directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.  
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"  
(page 2-54).  
*Some models.  
2
–51  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In addition, the front passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with  
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the front passenger  
occupant classification system (page 2-57).  
Curtain Air Bags*  
The curtain air bags are mounted in the front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge  
along both sides.  
When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the  
curtain air bag inflates quickly and helps to reduce injury mainly to the rear outboard  
passenger's head caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.  
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"  
(page 2-54).  
In a side impact:  
Greater than moderate impact to one side of the vehicle will cause the curtain air bag on that  
side only to inflate.  
Only one side curtain air bag will deploy on the  
side of the vehicle that receives the force of an  
impact.  
*Some models.  
2
–52  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In a roll-over:  
In response to a vehicle roll-over, both curtain air bags inflate.  
Both curtain air bags will deploy after  
the roll-over accident is detected.  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In an angled collision:  
During a collision, the driver and front passenger's air bags will deploy. Depending on the  
nature of the impact, the side air bag and the curtain air bag may deploy.  
Warning Light/Beep  
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.  
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-20.  
Refer to Warning Sound is Activated on page 7-35.  
2
–53  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria  
This chart indicates the applicable SRS equipment that will deploy depending on the type of  
collision.  
(The illustrations are the representative cases of collisions.)  
Types of collision  
A severe frontal/near frontal  
collision  
A severe side  
collision*4  
A roll-over/near  
roll-over*3  
A rear collision  
SRS  
equipment  
Front  
seat belt  
pretensioner  
X*1 (impact side  
only)  
X*1 (both sides)  
X*1 (both sides)  
Driver air  
bag  
X
No air bag and  
front seat belt  
pretensioner will be  
activated in a rear  
collision.  
Front  
passenger  
air bag  
X*1  
X*1 (impact side  
only)  
Side air bag*  
X*2  
X*2  
Curtain air  
bag*  
X (impact side  
only)  
X (both sides)  
X: The SRS air bag equipment is designed to deploy in a collision.  
*1 (With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
The front passenger front and side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy depending on  
the condition of the total seated weight on the front passenger seat.  
*2 (With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In an angled collision, the side air bag and curtain air bag may deploy.  
*3 (With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
In a roll-over accident, the seat belt pretensioners and the curtain air bags deploy.  
*4 (With Side/Curtain Air Bags)  
In a side collision, the seat belt pretensioners and the side/curtain air bags deploy (only on the side in which the  
collision occurs).  
*Some models.  
2
–54  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Limitations to SRS Air Bag  
In severe collisions such as those described previously in "SRS Air Bag Deployment  
Criteria", the applicable SRS air bag equipment will deploy. However, in some accidents,  
the equipment may not deploy depending on the type of collision and its severity.  
Limitations to front/near front collision detection:  
The following illustrations are examples of front/near front collisions that may not be  
detected as severe enough to deploy the SRS air bag equipment.  
Frontal offset impact to the vehicle  
Impacts involving trees or poles  
Rear-ending or running under a truck's tail gate  
2
–55  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Limitations to side collision detection:  
The following illustrations are examples of side collisions that may not be detected as severe  
enough to deploy the SRS air bag equipment.  
Side impacts with two-wheeled vehicles  
Side impacts involving trees or poles  
Roll-over (Without Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
Limitations to roll-over detection:  
The following illustration is an example of an accident that may not be detected as a roll-  
over accident. Therefore, the front seat belt pretensioners and curtain air bags may not  
deploy.  
Pitch end over end  
2
–56  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Front Passenger Occupant Classification System*  
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions" (page 2-41) carefully.  
Front Passenger Seat Weight Sensor  
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the  
supplemental restraint system. These sensors are located under both of the front passenger  
seat rails. These sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat and  
monitor the seat belt buckle for the front passenger seat. The SAS unit is designed to prevent  
the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying  
if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.  
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 the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light  
illuminates. Refer to the following table for the front passenger air bag deactivation  
indicator light illumination conditions.  
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 following table.  
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.  
*Some models.  
2
–57  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the  
ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light  
illuminates or is off under the following conditions:  
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart  
Condition detected by  
Front passenger seat  
the front passenger  
occupant classification  
system  
Front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light  
Front passenger front  
and side air bags  
belt pretensioner  
system  
Empty (Not occupied)  
On  
On  
Off  
Deactivated  
Deactivated  
Ready  
Deactivated  
Deactivated  
Ready  
Child or child-restraint  
system*1  
Adult*2  
*1 If a larger child sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the child as being an adult depending  
on the child's physique.  
*2 If a smaller adult sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending  
on the person's physique.  
The curtain air bag is ready for inflating regardless of what the front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart indicates.  
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the  
ignition is switched ON and does not illuminate as indicated in the front passenger air bag  
deactivation indicator light on/off condition 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.  
2
–58  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
WARNING  
Do not decrease 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 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 could result in an air bag not deploying under the  
following conditions, for example:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A front passenger is seated as shown in the following ꢀgure:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with their feet.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the front  
passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
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 front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.  
ꢀ
2
–59  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Do not increase 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 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 may cause serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on  
the front passenger seat 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:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint  
system.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with their feet.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The seat is washed.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Liquids are spilled on the seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items  
placed behind it.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front passenger  
seat are attached to the front passenger seat.  
CAUTION  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors in  
the front seat bottoms:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on them.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
Adjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the  
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.  
ꢀ¾ꢀ  
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 2-31).  
2
–60  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
NOTE  
ꢀyꢀThe 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.  
ꢀyꢀThe 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.  
ꢀyꢀThe front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if  
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.  
ꢀyꢀThe air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light might illuminate if the front  
passenger seat receives a severe impact.  
ꢀyꢀIf the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after  
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, first, re-install your child-  
restraint system according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the front  
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light still does not illuminate, install the child-  
restraint system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as  
possible.  
ꢀyꢀIf the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates when an adult is  
seated in the front passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by sitting  
with their feet on the floor, and then re-fastening the seat belt. If the front passenger air  
bag deactivation indicator light still illuminates, move the passenger to the rear seat.  
If sitting in the rear seat is not possible, slide the front passenger seat as far back as  
possible. 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.  
2
–61  
Essential Safety Equipment  
SRS Air Bags  
Constant Monitoring  
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:  
ꢀyꢀ  
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front air bag sensors  
ꢀyꢀ  
Air bag modules  
ꢀyꢀ  
Side crash sensors  
ꢀyꢀ  
Air bag/Front seat belt pretensioner system warning light  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front seat belt pretensioners  
ꢀyꢀ  
Related wiring  
(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front passenger seat weight sensors  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front passenger seat weight sensor control module  
ꢀyꢀ  
Front passenger seat belt buckle switches  
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the  
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is being driven.  
2
–62  

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