Get Essential Safety Equipment -> Child-Restraint Guide for Mazda 3 4 Door Third Generation (2014-2018)

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

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child-Restraint

WARNING

Use the correct size child-restraint system:

For eꢀective 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 beneꢂt 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

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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 oꢀ 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 oꢀ

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

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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

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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 oꢀ

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

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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 oꢀ 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

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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

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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

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child-Restraint

WARNING

Do not seat a child in a child-restraint

system on the front passenger seat if the

front passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light does not 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

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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

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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

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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 oꢀ

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 oꢀ and loosen the

child-restraint system. If the child-

restraint system moves it could result

in death or injury to the child.

2

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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 oꢀ 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 oꢀ

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

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Essential Safety Equipment -> Child-Restraint for Your Mazda 3 4 Door Third Generation (2014-2018)

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