2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seatback is locked in
place by attempting to push it forward and
backward.
Head Restraint
Height adjustment
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the
desired position.
To lower the head restraint, press the stop-
catch release, then push the head restraint
down.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is
parallel with the top of the passenger’s
ears, never the passenger’s neck.
Removal
To remove the head restraint, press the
stop-catch release, then pull up on the
head restraint. When returning a rear-reclined
seatback to its upright position, make
sure you support the seatback while
operating the seatback lever. If the
seatback is not supported, it will flip
forward suddenly and could cause
injury.
Head Restraints Adjustment:
Driving with the head restraints
adjusted too low or removed is
dangerous. With no support behind
your head, your neck could be
seriously injured in a collision.
Always drive with the head restraints
inserted when seats are being used
and make sure they are properly
adjusted.
CAUTION
WARNING
Stop-catch release
Stop-catch release
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 15 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
2-20
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
3. Supporting the seat with your hands,
slowly lower the seat rearwards to lock
it in place.
4. Raise the reclining lever and lift the
seatback upright. Attempt to move the
seatback forward and backward to
make sure it is locked.
5. Buckle the seat belts once just to
confirm the seat belt buckles are
inboard which means each seat is on
the correct side of the vehicle.
Unsecured Seat:
Driving with the seat unsecured is
dangerous. The seat may become
detached while the vehicle is moving
causing serious injury. After
installing the seat, push it forward
and backward to make sure it is
securely locked.
Do not move the side seat-slide lever
with the seat removed. The lever could
be damaged resulting in loss of
functionality.
Front
WARNING
CAUTION
Third-Row Seat
Stacking Cargo:
Stacking luggage or other cargo
higher than the seatback is
dangerous. During a sudden stop or
collision, objects can fly around and
become projectiles that could hit and
injure passengers. Don’t stack cargo
higher than the seatback.
Not Securing Luggage and Cargo:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as they could move or be
crushed in sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury. Make sure
luggage and cargo is secured before
driving.
Securing Seats:
Adjustable seats that are not securely
latched are dangerous. In a sudden
stop or collision, the seat or seatback
could move, causing injury. Make
sure the adjustable components of the
seat are locked in place by attempting
to rock the seatback.
Seat Adjustment:
Adjusting the seat while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Sudden braking
or a collision could cause serious
injury. Adjust the seat only when the
vehicle is stopped.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 20 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
2-22
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Head Restraint
Height adjustment
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the
desired position.
To lower the head restraint, press the stop-
catch release, then push the head restraint
down.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is
parallel with the top of the passenger’s
ears, never the passenger’s neck.Removal
To remove the head restraint, press the
stop-catch release, then pull up on the
head restraint.
Folding the Third-Row Seat
1. Remove the head restraints from the
third-row seat (page 2-22).
Head Restraints Adjustment:
Driving with the head restraints
adjusted too low or removed is
dangerous. With no support behind
your head, your neck could be
seriously injured in a collision.
Always drive with the head restraints
inserted when seats are being used
and make sure they are properly
adjusted.
WARNING
Stop-catch release
Riding on Folded Flat Third-Row
Seat:
Riding on the third-row seat when it’s
folded is dangerous. During sudden
braking or a collision, passenger’s
could be thrown around inside the
vehicle and seriously injured. Always
ride with the third-row seat in the
forward-facing, upright position and
seat belt securely fastened.
Stop-catch release
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 22 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
2-30
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Seat Belt Systems
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
All of the outboard 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 front passenger’s seat and all rear outboard lap/shoulder belt retractors
operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic
locking mode. While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use
the front passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and
make sure the child-restraint system is secured properly.
The third-row center seat positions have a lap belt with manual adjustment.
Seat Belt Precautions
Not Wearing Seat Belts:
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. Always wear your seat
belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
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. Whether a front seat was occupied or not, if the front air bags deployed the
seat belt pretensioners also deployed and both front seat belts must be replaced. Have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident
before they are used again.
Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn’t
available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt,
which could cause serious injury or death. Don’t wear twisted seat belts.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 30 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
2-59
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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.
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 modules. 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 air bag wiring and connections to assure that the
bags do not accidentally deploy, the driver seat slide position sensor and front
passenger seat weight sensors are not damaged and that the seats retain an
undamaged air bag connection.
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
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 59 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM