Get Essential Safety Equipment -> Child Restraint Guide for Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

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 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.

A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the

air bag system activated.

If a small child or infant in the passenger seat ― particularly a child secured in a rear-

facing child-restraint system ― it is critically important that you consciously deactivate the

passenger air bag and not simply rely on the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

being turned on at all times. In a collision, the force of an air bag slamming the child-

restraint system rearwards could result in death to the child even if the child is properly

belted. Be alert to the operation of the indicator light and BE SURE THE PASSENGER

AIR BAG IS ALWAYS DEACTIVATED AS INDICATED BY PASSENGER AIR BAG

DEACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT.

Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

2-18

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by the deployment of the passenger air bag, there

are two methods to deactivate the passenger air bag for a child's safety as follows ―

however the surest way to avoid the passenger air bag not deploying is to use the key and

turn off the passenger air bag and not rely on the passenger seat weight sensors, which will

also detect other loads or objects on and around the passenger seat;

Passenger air bag deactivation switch

This switch should be used to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the

passenger seat belt pretensioner system if installing a child-restraint system is installed on

the passenger seat.

Make sure the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position except when a

child-restraint system is installed on the passenger seat.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-40.

Passenger seat weight sensors

These sensors deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat

belt pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than

approximately 30 kg (66 lb).

When an infant or small child is seated on the passenger seat, the system shuts off the

passenger air bag, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

illuminates.

Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-44.

LATCH Child-Restraint System

We have installed lower LATCH anchor points for LATCH style junior seats and infant

carriers that work without tethers only. Any other child-restraint system that has an upper

tether cannot be used in this vehicle because there is no tether anchor. A child-restraint

system with a tether cannot be properly mounted in this vehicle unless the child restraint

manufacturer provides instructions on mounting the child-restraint system with only seat

belts in automatic locking mode. Even then, without a tether, the child-restraint system may

move forward more easily in seat belts, further degrading the safety provided if you were to

put the child restraint in a tether anchor equipped rear seat of another vehicle. The seat and

head restraint is designed for maximum adult space utilization in this vehicle. Do not try to

secure the tether to something else in the vehicle, as too much slack will result and the

serious risk of injury or death to the child. Use the seat belts to properly secure the non-

tethered child-restraint systems other than the LATCH junior seats and non-tethered infant

carriers. Turn off the passenger air bag deactivation switch. To expose and use the lower

LATCH anchor points, which are affixed to the body and not the seat, slide the seat all the

way rearward which is the optimal vehicle seat position for all children in this two seat car.

WARNING

Use the correct size child-restraint system:

For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be

properly restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and

size. If not, the child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.

2-19

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

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.

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.

Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated

when using a rear-facing child-restraint system:

Seating a child in a rear-facing child-restraint system that is installed on the

passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not

illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an accident, a air bag could inflate and cause

serious injuries or even death to the child seated in the rear-facing child-restraint

system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is

illuminated using the key to turn the passenger air bag off.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-40.

Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-44.

2-20

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous:

This vehicle is equipped with both a passenger seat weight sensor and a passenger

air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-44). Even with the passenger seat weight

sensors, seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the

following conditions increases the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and

could result in serious injury or death to the child. These are among the reasons why

the passenger air bag should be turned off using the key.

Ø The total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the

passenger seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more with a child in the child-

restraint system.

Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint

system.

Ø The seat is washed.

Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat.

Ø The passenger seat is moved backward, and it is pushed into luggage or other

items placed behind it.

Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and center

console.

Ø Any accessories, which might increase the total seated weight on the passenger

seat, are attached to the passenger seat.

Before installing child-restraint system on the passenger seat, move the passenger

seat as far back as possible:

In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to

the child. Make sure that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF

position. Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch (page 2-40).

Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side air

bags:

Allowing anyone to lean over or against the door is dangerous. If the vehicle is

equipped with side air bags, the impact of an inflating side air bag could cause

serious injury or death to the person. Children are more likely to sleep in the vehicle;

when they do, they are more at risk in the passenger's seat that has a side air bag

because they may slump over into the path of the seatback-mounted air bag.

Furthermore, leaning over or against the doors could block the side air bag and

eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air bag

deploys from the outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or

against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.

2-21

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.

Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether:

Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether is dangerous. Your Mazda does

not have a child-restraint tether. The child-restraint system cannot be properly

secured. In a collision, it could move and injure other occupants as well as result in

serious injuries or death to the child.

CAUTION

A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot when exposed to direct

sunlight 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 behind the passenger seat that slide through the passenger seat when it is in

the fully rearward position. When using these anchors to secure a child-restraint system, refer to

“LATCH Child-Restraint Systems” (page 2-26).

2-22

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Before installing a child-restraint system,

make sure the passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light illuminated by

using the key to turn the passenger air bag

off.

Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on

page 2-44.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation

Switch on page 2-40.

Installing a Child-

Restraint System

The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily

be converted into the automatic locking

mode, which must be done to hold the

child-restraint system.

Some child-restraint systems also employ

specially designed LATCH attachments;

refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint

Systems” (page 2-26).

Follow these manufacturer's instructions

when installing a child-restraint system on

the passenger's seat, unless you are

attaching a LATCH-equipped child-

restraint system to the LATCH lower

anchors. Refer to “LATCH Child-

Restraint Systems” (page 2-26).

1. Make sure to remove articles from

behind the passenger seat that would

prevent the seat from sliding back fully,

and then slide the seat as far back as

possible.

NOTE

Follow the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you

are not sure whether you have a LATCH

system, check in the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instructions and follow them

accordingly. Depending on the type of child-

restraint system, it may not employ seat belts

which are in automatic locking mode, however

if it uses an upper tether, it may not be

mounted properly in this vehicle as there is no

safe way to anchor the tether. Confirm whether

the child-restraint system can be used with seat

belts by reading the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instructions.

2. Secure the child-restraint system with

the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.

See the instructions on the child-

restraint system for belt routing

instructions.

3. To get the retractor into the automatic

locking mode, pull the shoulder belt

portion of the seat belt until the entire

length of the belt is out of the retractor.

2-23

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

4. Push the child-restraint system firmly

into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt

retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking

from the retractor will be heard during

retraction if the system is in automatic

locking mode. If the belt does not lock

the seat down tight, repeat this step.

WARNING

Always make sure the passenger air

bag deactivation indicator light is

illuminated when using a rear-facing

child-restraint system:

Seating a child in a rear-facing child-

restraint system that is installed on

the passenger seat with the

5. Make sure the passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light illuminates

by using the key to turn the passenger

air bag off after installing a child-

restraint system on the passenger seat.

passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light not illuminated is

extremely dangerous. In an accident,

a air bag could inflate and cause

serious injuries or even death to the

child seated in the rear-facing child-

restraint system. Always make sure

the passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light is illuminated using

the key to turn the passenger air bag

off.

Refer to Passenger seat weight

sensors on page 2-44.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag

Deactivation Switch on page 2-40.

2-24

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

NOTE

l

Inspect this function before each use of the

child-restraint system. You should not be

able to pull the shoulder belt out of the

retractor while the system is in the

automatic locking mode. When you remove

the child-restraint system, be sure the belt

fully retracts to return the system to

emergency locking mode before occupants

use the seat belts.

l

Follow the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Depending on the type of child-restraint

system, it may not employ seat belts which

are in automatic locking mode, however if

it uses an upper tether, it may not be

mounted properly in this vehicle as there is

no safe way to anchor the tether. Confirm

whether the child-restraint system can be

used with seat belts by reading the child-

restraint system manufacturer's

instructions.

2-25

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

LATCH Child-Restraint System

Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed

LATCH child-restraint systems behind the passenger seat that slide through the passenger

seat when it is in the fully rearward position. Only LATCH junior seats and infant carriers

without upper tethers can be used in this position, as there is no good place to anchor the

tether due to this vehicle's design. Both anchors must be used when installing these lower

anchor only child-restraint systems, otherwise the seat will bounce around and put the child

in danger.

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 any child-restraint system does not rely on an upper tether and then properly

secure those non-tethered seats according to the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instructions.

Make sure the child-restraint system is properly secured:

An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it

could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Follow

the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions on belt routing to secure the

seat just as you would with a child in it so that nobody is tempted to put a child in

an improperly secured seat later on. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or

fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH

child-restraint systems.

Make sure there are no seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH child-

restraint system:

Not following the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing

the child-restraint system is dangerous. If seat belts or a foreign object prevent the

child-restraint system from being securely attached to the LATCH lower anchors and

the child-restraint system is installed improperly, the child-restraint system could

move in a sudden stop or collision causing serious injury or death to the child or

other occupants. When installing the child-restraint system, make sure there are no

seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH lower anchors. Always follow

the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.

2-26

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

3. Secure the child-restraint system using

BOTH LATCH lower anchors,

qLATCH Child-Restraint System

Installation Procedure

following the child-restraint system

manufacturer's instruction, however if

it uses an upper tether, it may not be

mounted properly in this vehicle as

there is no safe way to anchor the

tether. Confirm whether the child-

restraint system can be used with seat

belts by reading the child-restraint

system manufacturer's instructions.

Before installing a child-restraint system,

make sure the passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light illuminated by

using the key to turn the passenger air bag

off.

Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on

page 2-44.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation

Switch on page 2-40.

4. Make sure the passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light illuminates

by using the key to turn the passenger

air bag off after installing a child-

restraint system on the passenger seat.

1. Make sure to remove articles from

behind the passenger seat that would

prevent the seat from sliding back fully,

and then slide the seat as far back as

possible to insert the LATCH lower

anchors between the seat bottom and

the seatback.

2. Expand the area between the seat

bottom and the seatback slightly to

verify the locations of the LATCH

lower anchors.

NOTE

The markings above the LATCH lower anchors

indicate the locations of the LATCH lower

anchors for the attachment of a child-restraint

system.

2-27

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Always make sure the passenger air

bag deactivation indicator light is

illuminated when using a rear-facing

child-restraint system:

Seating a child in a rear-facing child-

restraint system that is installed on

the passenger seat with the

passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light not illuminated is

extremely dangerous. In an accident,

a air bag could inflate and cause

serious injuries or even death to the

child seated in the rear-facing child-

restraint system. Always make sure

the passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light is illuminated using

the key to turn the passenger air bag

off.

Refer to Passenger seat weight

sensors on page 2-44.

Refer to Passenger Air Bag

Deactivation Switch on page 2-40.

2-28

Essential Safety Equipment -> Child Restraint for Your Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals