2-18
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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.
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.
Rear Outboard Seats Child-
Restraint System Installation
Follow these instructions when using a
child-restraint system.
1. 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.
2. 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.
Installing Child-Restraint
Systems
Tethered Child-Restraint Systems
Work Only on Rear Seat:
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 benefit of being
tethered.
Place tether equipped child-restraint
systems where there are tether
anchors.
WARNING
NOTE
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.
J76Y.book Page 18 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
2-21
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
NOTE
To check if your Mazda front seats
have side air bags:
Every Mazda side air bag will have a
"SRS-Air Bag" label on the outboard
shoulder of the front seats.
Fr on t Pas se n g e r’s Seat Position:
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 seat only when it is unavoidable.
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.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
Rear-facing child-restraint systems
on the front seat are particularly
dangerous.
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.
NEVER use a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front seat with
an air bag that could deploy.
WARNING
Children and Seating Position with
Side Air Bag:
Allowing anyone to lean over or
against the front 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 front 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.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 who are prone to
sleeping. If a child can’t be seated in
the rear, do not allow the child to lean
over or against the front door, even if
the child is seated in a child-restraint
system.
WARNING
J76Y.book Page 21 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
2-24
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Air Bags without Seat Belts:
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 inflate only during a frontal, side or near-frontal collision of at least
moderate force. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.
Child in the Front 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 a moderate, right-
side collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on the
rear seat with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and size.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous.
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. NEVER use a rear-facing
child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy.
Seating Position with Front Air Bags:
Sitting too close to the air bag storage compartments or placing hands or feet on them
is extremely dangerous. Front Air bags inflate 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
floor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and
always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
WARNING
Deploying air bag
J76Y.book Page 24 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
2-25
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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 airbags room to work by sitting in the center of
the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.
Front Air Bag Storage Areas:
Attaching an object to a front air bag storage area or placing something in front of it
is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflation
and injure the occupants.
Always keep the front air bag storage areas free of objects.
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. Furthermore, 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.
Hot Air Bag Inflators:
Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the
steering wheel, dashboard or the seatbacks are very hot. You could get burned. Don't
touch the internal components of the air bag storage areas after the bags have
inflated.
Installation of Front-End Equipment:
Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar,
bull bar, push bar, etc.), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash sensor
system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate unexpectedly, or it could
prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Front occupants could be
seriously injured. Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.
WARNING
J76Y.book Page 25 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
2-26
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Suspension Adjustment:
Adjusting the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the
suspension is changed, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious
injuries.
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 accidentally deploy and that the seats retain an undamaged air
bag connection.
Using Seat Covers:
Using a seat cover on the front seats is 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.
NOTE
•When 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.
•Should 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.
WARNING
CAUTION
J76Y.book Page 26 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
11-3
Index
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-21
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-33
Defroster
Rear window
............................. 5-36
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-7
Driving In Flooded Area
.................... 4-9
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-6
Automatic transaxle
.................. 5-11
Break-in period
........................... 4-6
Driving in flooded area
............... 4-9
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-7
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-7
Trailer towing
........................... 4-10
Winter driving
............................. 4-8
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-12
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-12
Jump-starting
............................ 7-12
Push-starting
............................. 7-14
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-15
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant
...................................... 8-12
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-4
Hood release
............................. 3-17
Oil
............................................. 8-10
Overheating
............................... 7-10
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
........ 8-9
Engine Coolant
Overheating
............................... 7-10
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
............................................... 5-20
Exhaust Gas
....................................... 4-4
E
Exterior Care ....................................8-40
F
Flasher
Hazard warning
.........................5-37
Headlights
.................................5-31
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
.....................................7-5
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids
Classification
.............................10-4
Owner maintenance
.....................8-7
Fog Lights
........................................5-32
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front seats
..........................................2-2
Front-Door Storage
Compartments
..................................6-39
Fuel
Filler lid and cap
.......................3-15
Gauge
........................................5-20
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-34
Panel description
.......................8-36
Replacement
..............................8-34
G
Gauges ..............................................5-18
Glove Box
........................................6-39
H
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................5-37
Hazardous Driving
.............................4-7
J76Y.book Page 3 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
11-5
Index
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
P
Power Steering ................................. 5-12
Fluid
.......................................... 8-16
Power Windows
............................... 3-13
Push-Starting
.................................... 7-14
R
Rear Door Child Safety Locks ........... 3-9
Rear Seat
............................................ 2-5
Rear Window Defroster
................... 5-36
Rear-Armrest Opening
..................... 6-40
Rearview Mirror
............................... 3-24
Recreational Towing
........................ 7-17
Rocking the Vehicle
........................... 4-7
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................ 9-15
Seat Belt System
2-point type
............................... 2-12
3-point type
............................... 2-10
Automatic locking
...................... 2-9
Emergency locking
..................... 2-9
Extender
.................................... 2-13
Pregnant women
......................... 2-8
Seat belt precautions
................... 2-7
Warning beep
............................ 2-15
Warning light
............................ 2-14
Seats
Front seat
.................................... 2-2
Rear seat
...................................... 2-5
Security System
Theft-deterrent system
.............. 3-20
Service Publications
......................... 9-16
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
.............. 7-3
Specifications
................................... 10-4
Speedometer
..................................... 5-19
S
SRS Air Bags
Air bag system description
........2-27
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions
................................2-23
Warning light
............................2-31
Starting the Engine
.............................5-3
Steering Wheel
.................................3-22
Horn
..........................................5-36
Storage Compartments
.....................6-38
Sunroof
.............................................3-18
Sunshade
...........................................3-18
Sunvisors
..........................................6-34
T
Tachometer .......................................5-20
Temporary Spare Tire
......................8-27
Theft-Deterrent System
....................3-20
Tiedown
Hook
..........................................7-16
Tires
Flat tire
........................................7-3
Inflation pressure
.......................8-25
Replacement
..............................8-26
Rotation
.....................................8-26
Snow tires
....................................4-8
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Specifications
............................10-6
Tire chains
...................................4-9
Uniform tire quality grading
system (UTQGS)
.......................9-12
Tool
....................................................7-3
Towing
Description
................................7-15
Emergency towing
....................7-15
Hook
..........................................7-16
Recreational towing
..................7-17
Trailer towing
............................4-10
J76Y.book Page 5 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM