WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation or you may be
burned.
WARNING: If the air bag has deployed, the air bag will not
function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag
is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of
injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²diagnostic module
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately.
Seating and safety restraints
87
WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
Side air bag system (if equipped)
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the air bag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying air bag. This is dangerous. In an accident, the object
could interfere with the air bag inflation and injure the
occupants.
WARNING: Side Air Bag Storage Areas:
Attaching things to the seat in such a way as to cover the
outboard side of the seat in any way is dangerous. In an
accident the object could interfere with the side air bag, which
inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the
added protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the
air bag in a way that is dangerous. Further more, the bag could
be cut open spewing exhaust. Do not hang net bags, map
pouches or back pads with side straps on the front seats.
Always keep the side air bag storage areas in your front seats
free to deploy in the event of a side collision.
WARNING: Using Seat Covers:
Using a seat cover on the front seats could be dangerous. In a
severe side collision, the seat covers could interfere with the
side air bag inflation and serious injuries could result. Never
use seat covers on the front seats.
To prevent damage to the side air bag wiring, don't place luggage
or other objects under the front seats.
Seating and safety restraints
88
WARNING: Seating Position with Side Air Bags
Sitting too close to the side air bag storage compartments or
placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. A side air bag
inflates with great force and speed directly out of the outboard
shoulder of the front seat and expands along the front door on
the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is
sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window in the
front seats or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front
seatbacks. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or
hanging out the driver's-side window while driving could block
the side air bag and eliminate the advantages of supplemental
protection. Give the side air bags room to work by sitting in the
center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts
worn properly.
WARNING: Modification of the Supplemental Restraint System
Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental
restraint system is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it
or make it inoperable. Don't make any modifications to the
supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim,
badges, or anything else over the air bag storage areas. It also
includes installing extra electric 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 side air bag wiring and connections to
assure that the bags do not accidently deploy and that the seats
retain an undamaged air bag connection.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air
bag Supplemental Restraint System, its fuses or the seat cover
on a seat containing an air bag. See your authorized Mazda
dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS
is provided.
Seating and safety restraints
89
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability
and causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been
submerged in water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water. Water entering these areas, while connected, could
short-circuit the system.
Driving
130
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. See your authorized Mazda dealer for more
information on tire cables and other traction devices for your vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use cables on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and traction devices.
²Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables on your vehicle.
Consult your dealer for information on other Mazda approved methods of
traction control.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and
fire.
WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap.
Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
Maintenance and care
189
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1 (800) 424±9393 (or 366±0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the
Hotline.
(Note)
If you live in the U.S.A., all correspondence to Mazda Motor Corporation
should be forwarded to:
Mazda North American Operations
7755, Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618±2922
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623±9734
Customer Assistance Center
or toll free at 1 (800) 222±5500
If you live outside of the U.S.A., please contact the nearest Mazda
Distributor. ( See theMazda Importers/Distributorssection of this
manual).
Service Publications
Factory-authorized Mazda service publication are available for owners
who wish to do some of their own maintenance and repair.
When requesting any of our publications through an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, refer to the chart below.
If they don't have what you need in stock, they can order it for you.
PUBLICATION ORDER NUMBER PUBLICATION DESCRIPTION
9999 95 062B 01 2001 WORKSHOP MANUAL
9999 95 038G 01 2001 WIRING DIAGRAM
9999 95 014C 01 2001 OWNER'S MANUAL
WORKSHOP MANUAL:
Covers recommended maintenance and repair procedures of the drive
train, body and chassis.
WIRING DIAGRAM:
Provides electrical schematics as well as component location for the
entire electrical system.
Customer assistance
222