Get Essential Safety Equipment -> Seat Belt Systems Guide for Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

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 passenger always wear seat belts.

All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way

when not in use.

The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an

emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a

collision.

However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency

locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.

Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child-

restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As

there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the

manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is

important (page 2-26).

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

WARNING

Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:

Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not

wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown

out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same

collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.

Do not wear twisted seat belts:

Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not

available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt,

which could cause serious injury or death.

Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:

Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt

used in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers

could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for

more than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant

properly restrained.

Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:

Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt

webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate

protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt

systems in use during an accident before they are used again.

Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has

been expended:

If the air bags deploy the corresponding pretensioner(s) may also deploy at the same

time. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. While it is

safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at

all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces

the safety available to you. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of

injury in a collision will increase. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must

be replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load

limiter will only limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason

to have the seat belts inspected. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect

the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

CAUTION

Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and seat belt guides are soiled, so try

to keep them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to “Cleaning

the Lap/Shoulder Belt Webbing” (page 8-55).

Seat belt guide

qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions

Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific

recommendations.

The lap belt should be worn SNUGLYAND AS LOWAS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS.

The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the

stomach area.

Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your

doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.

qEmergency Locking Mode

In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the

retractor will lock in position during a collision. When the seat belt is fastened, it will

always be in the emergency locking mode until it is switched to automatic locking mode by

pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable

movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may be in the automatic locking

mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return 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.

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.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

qAutomatic Locking Mode

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. If the LATCH lower anchors are not used alone for LATCH style

junior seats and infant carriers without tethers, always use the automatic locking mode to

keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an

accident. See the section on child restraint (page 2-18).

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

3. Insert the seat belt tongue into the seat

belt buckle until you hear a click

sound.

Seat Belt

WARNING

Always wear the seat belt with it

correctly routed in its guide:

Seat belt tongue

Wearing a seat belt without the seat

belt routed in its guide is dangerous

because the seat belt would not be

able to provide adequate protection

in an accident, which could result in

serious injury.

Seat belt guide

Seat belt buckle

WARNING

Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the

Seat Belt:

Improper positioning of the shoulder

portion of the seat belt is dangerous.

Always make sure the shoulder

portion of the seat belt is positioned

across your shoulder and near your

neck, but never under your arm, on

your neck, or on your upper arm.

qFastening the Seat Belt

1. Grasp the seat belt tongue.

4. Position the lap belt as low as possible,

not on the abdominal area, then adjust

the shoulder belt so that it fits snugly

against your body.

2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.

Lap/shoulder belt

Seat belt tongue

Keep low on

hip bone

Take up slack

Too high

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

qSeat Belt Caution Label

WARNING

A caution label has been placed inside the

sleeve of the lap portion of the driver's

seat belt. When an accident occurs while

the seat belt is in use, the resulting stress

on the seat belt will cause an indicator

with the words “REPLACE BELT”

visible on it to be pulled out of the sleeve

below the caution label. This indicates

that THE SEAT BELT MUST BE

REPLACED.

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.

Also note that if at any time the seat belt

has undergone stress because of an

accident or other reason, damage to the

seat belt's webbing, metal fittings, or

anchor bolt may have occurred, even

though nothing appears to be wrong with

the seat belt. For this reason we

qUnfastening the 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.

recommend that the seat belt be replaced

after it has undergone stress, whether or

not the indicator has been pulled out.

Caution

label

Button

NOTE

If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for

kinks and twists. If it is still not retracting

properly, have it inspected at an Authorized

Mazda Dealer.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Pretensioner and

Load Limiting Systems

WARNING

Wear seat belts only as recommended

in this owner's manual:

For optimum protection, the driver and

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.

Incorrect positioning of the driver and

passenger seat belts is dangerous.

Without proper positioning, the

pretensioner and load limiting

systems cannot provide adequate

protection in an accident and this

could result in serious injury. For

more details about wearing seat

belts, refer to “Fastening the seat

belts” (page 2-11).

Pretensioners:

In moderate or severe frontal or near-

frontal accidents, the air bag and

pretensioner systems deploy

simultaneously. The seat belt retractors

remove slack quickly as the air bags are

expanding. Any time the air bags and

front seat belt pretensioners have fired

they must be replaced.

Have your seat belts changed

immediately if the pretensioner or load

limiter has been expended:

If the air bags deploy the

In addition, the pretensioner system for

the passenger, like the passenger air bag,

is designed to only deploy in accordance

with the total seated weight on the

passenger seat (page 2-44) or when the

passenger air bag deactivation switch

turned to the ON position (page 2-40).

corresponding pretensioner(s) may

also deploy at the same time. Like

the air bags, the seat belt

pretensioners will only function once.

While it is safer to use a crash-used

seat belt that was used in an

accident than no seat belt at all,

using a seat belt with an expended

pretensioner or load limiter loaded

reduces the safety available to you. If

the seat belt pretensioners are not

replaced, the risk of injury in a

collision will increase. Expended seat

belt pretensioners and air bags must

be replaced after any collision which

caused them to deploy. Additionally,

the load limiter will only limit loads

on the chest once in a collision and

this is another reason to have the

seat belts inspected. Always have an

Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the

seat belt pretensioners and air bags

after any collision.

Load limiter:

The load limiting system releases belt

webbing in a controlled manner to reduce

belt force on the occupant's chest. While

the most severe load on a seat belt occurs

in frontal collisions, the load limiter has

an automatic mechanical function and can

activate in any accident mode with

sufficient occupant movement.

Even if the pretensioners have not fired,

the load limiting function must be

checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer

after any collision.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Do not modify the components or

wiring, or use electronic testing devices

on the pretensioner system:

qAir Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner

System Warning Light

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.

If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system

is working properly, the warning light

illuminates when the ignition switch is

turned to the ON position or after the

engine is cranked. The warning light turns

off after a specified period of time.

Properly dispose of the pretensioner

system:

Improper disposal of the pretensioner

system or a vehicle with non-

deactivated pretensioners is

A system malfunction is indicated if the

warning light constantly flashes,

dangerous. Unless all safety

constantly illuminates or does not

illuminate at all when the ignition switch

is turned to the ON position. If any of

these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda

Dealer as soon as possible. The system

may not work in an accident.

procedures are followed, injury could

result. Ask an Authorized Mazda

Dealer how to safely dispose of the

pretensioner system or how to scrap

a pretensioner-equipped vehicle.

NOTE

l

WARNING

The pretensioner system will activate in a

moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal

collision. It will not activate in most

rollovers, side or rear impacts.

The pretensioner system for the passenger

is designed to only deploy in accordance

with the total seated weight on the

passenger seat.

Never tamper with the air bag/

pretensioner systems and always have

an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform

all servicing and repairs:

Self-servicing or tampering with the

systems is dangerous. An air bag/

pretensioner could accidentally

activate or become disabled causing

serious injury or death.

l

Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be

released when the air bags and

pretensioners deploy. This does not indicate

a fire. This gas normally has no effect on

occupants, however, those with sensitive

skin may experience light skin irritation. If

residue from the deployment of the air bags

or the pretensioner system gets on the skin

or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as

possible.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Extender

WARNING

Do not use a seat belt extender unless

it is necessary:

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.

Using a seat belt extender when not

necessary is dangerous. The seat belt

will be too long and not fit properly.

In an accident, the seat belt will not

provide adequate protection and you

could be seriously injured. Only use

the extender when it is required to

fasten the seat belt properly.

Do not use an improper extender:

Using a seat belt extender that is for

another person or a different vehicle

or seat is dangerous. The seat belt

will not provide adequate protection

and the user could be seriously

injured in an accident. Only use the

extender provided for you and for the

particular vehicle and seat. NEVER

use the extender in a different vehicle

or seat. 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 fit

properly. In an accident, the seat belt

will not provide adequate protection

and you could be seriously injured.

Do not use the extender or choose

one shorter in length if the distance

between the extender's buckle and

the center of the user's body is less

than 15 cm (6 in).

2-15

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Do not leave a seat belt extender

connected to the buckle:

Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep

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 passenger) seat, the SRS

driver's (or passenger's) air bag

system will determine that the driver

(or passenger) is wearing the seat

belt even if the driver (or passenger)

is not wearing it. This condition could

cause the driver's (or 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.

The seat belt warning light illuminates

and a beep sound will be heard if the

driver's seat belt is not fastened when the

ignition switch is turned to the ON

position.

Conditions of operation

Condition

Result

The driver's seat belt is not The warning light

fastened when the ignition flashes and a beep

switch is turned to the ON sound will be heard

Do not use the seat belt extender when

installing a child-restraint system on

the passenger seat:

position.

for about 6 seconds.

The driver's seat belt is

fastened while the warning

light and the beep sound are

activated.

The warning light

turns off and the beep

sound stops.

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.

The driver's seat belt is

The warning light will

fastened before the ignition not illuminate and the

switch is turned to the ON beep sound will not be

position.

heard.

NOTE

qBelt Minder

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.

NOTE

Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to

deactivate or restore the belt minder. Though

the belt minder can be deactivated, doing so

will defeat the purpose of the system to warn

the driver and the front passenger in the event

that their seat belts are not fastened. For the

safety of the driver and front passenger, Mazda

recommends not deactivating the belt minder.

2-16

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Driver seated/Passenger not seated

Driver seated/Passenger seated

The belt minder is a supplemental

warning to the seat belt warning function.

If the driver's seat belt is not fastened

when the ignition switch is turned to the

ON position, the warning light/beep

operates to give you further reminders

according to the chart below.

The seat belt warning function reminds

the passenger to fasten the seat belt

according to the chart below.

Vehicle speed

Between 0 ― 20

km/h

(0 ― 12 mph)

20 km/h

(12 mph) or

more

Condition

Seat belt

(Driver)

Vehicle speed

Between 0 ― 20

km/h

20 km/h

(12 mph) or

more

Condition

Seat belt

(Passenger)

(0 ― 12 mph)

Indicator

Beep

Seat belt

Indicator

Beep

: Fastened

: Unfastened

: Illuminated

: Flashing

: Beep

: Fastened

: Unfastened

: Illuminated

: Flashing

: Beep

Placing heavy items on the passenger seat

may cause the passenger seat belt warning

function to operate depending on the

weight of the item.

Once the beep sound is heard, it continues

sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers

to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the

seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound

period has passed.

Once the beep sound is heard, it continues

sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers

to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the

seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound

period has passed.

NOTE

l

To allow the passenger seat weight sensor

to function properly, do not place and sit on

an additional seat cushion on the passenger

seat. The sensor may not function properly

because the additional seat cushion could

cause sensor interference.

l

When a small child sits on the passenger

seat, it is possible that neither the warning

light nor the warning beep operate.

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Essential Safety Equipment -> Seat Belt Systems for Your Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

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