2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 warning light

1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Dashboard Overview
Climate control system
Glove box
Shift lever Parking brakeAudio system
Passenger-side air bag Hazard warning flasher switch Wiper and washer lever
Ashtray/Lighter Information display
Fog lights switch*
Power window lock switch Lighting control/Turn signals Instrument cluster
Power window switches Driver-side air bag
Ignition switch Hood release handle
Audio control switchCup holder
Steering column release lever
(page 5-51)
(page 2-27)
(page 5-29)
(page 5-48)
(page 5-50)
(page 3-15)
(page 3-14)
(page 3-18)
(page 6-34)
(page 3-25)(page 6-40)
(page 5-5)
(page 5-8)/(page 5-10)
(page 6-43)/(page 6-42)(page 6-44)
(page 5-2) (page 5-55)
(page 6-10)
(page 6-2)
(page 2-27)
(page 6-45)
*Some models.
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2-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
2Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, SRS air bags and
child-restraint systems.
Seats
................................................................................................ 2-2
Front Seats ................................................................................. 2-2
Rear Seat .................................................................................... 2-7
Seat Belt Systems
........................................................................... 2-8
Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................. 2-8
3-Point Type Seat Belt ............................................................. 2-11
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ...... 2-12
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-14
Seat Belt Warning Light .......................................................... 2-15
Seat Belt Warning Beep ........................................................... 2-16
Child Restraint
............................................................................ 2-17
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-17
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-20
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-25
SRS Air Bags
............................................................................... 2-27
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-27
Air Bag System Description .................................................... 2-32
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Folding the Passenger’s Seat
To fold the seatback, pull the strap and
lower the seatback forward.
To return it to the upright position, lift the
seatback and push it into place. Rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked.

Seat Warmer*
The front seats are electrically heated. The
ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn the seat warmer
on or off. When the switch is in the ON
position, the indicator light will come on.
Unlocked Seatback:
A seatback plays an important role in
your protection in a vehicle. Leaving
the seatback unlocked is dangerous as
it can allow passengers to be ejected
or thrown around and baggage to
strike occupants in a sudden stop or
collision, resulting in severe injury.
After adjusting the seatback at any
time, even when there are no other
passengers, rock the seatback to make
sure it is locked in place.
WARNING
Strap
NOTE
The thermostat regulates seat
temperature by turning the current on
and off.
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 6 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

2-13
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Expended Seat Belt Pretensioners:
Use of front seat belts with the
pretensioner system expended is
dangerous.
The seat belt pretensioners will only
function once. After they are
expended, they will not work again
and both must be replaced
immediately, even if there was no
front seat occupant seated at the time
of the collision.
If the seat belt pretensioners are not
replaced, the risk of injury in a
collision will increase.
Always have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer inspect and replace the seat
belt pretensioners and air bags after a
collision.
Modification or Testing of the
Pretensioner System:
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 could be
seriously injured. Never modify the
components or wiring, or use
electronic testing devices on the
pretensioner system.
WARNING
Pretensioner System Disposal:
Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is
dangerous. Unless all safety
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
•The pretensioner system will only
activate in a moderate or greater
frontal or near-frontal collision. It
will not activate in most rollovers,
side or rear impacts.
•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 front pretensioner
system gets on the skin or in the
eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.
WARNING
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2-14
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning
Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is OK, the warning light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes, stays
on or doesn’t come on 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.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.
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
Seat Belt Extender
Unnecessary Use of an Extender:
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.
Using 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.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 14 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Using 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.
Don’t 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
15cm (6 in).
NOTE
When not in use, remove the seat belt
extender and store it in the vehicle. If
the seat belt extender is left connected,
the rear door cannot be opened
because the seat belt does not fully
retract and the seat belt warning light
will not illuminate and function
properly.
WARNINGSeat Belt Warning Light
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 15 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

2-26
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

LATCH Child-Restraint System
Installation Procedure (Rear
Seats)
1. Expand the open seams on the rear of
the seat bottom slightly to verify the
locations of the LATCH lower anchors.
2. Secure the child-restraint system using
BOTH LATCH lower anchors,
following the child-restraint system
manufacturer’s instruction.3. If your child-restraint system came
equipped with a tether, that probably
means it is very important to properly
secure the tether for child safety, please
carefully follow the child-restraint
system manufacturer’s instructions
when installing tethers.
NOTE
The markings above the LATCH lower
anchors indicate the locations of
LATCH lower anchors for the
attachment of a child-restraint system.
Marking
LATCH
lower anchor
Child-Restraint Tether Usage:
Using the tether or tether anchor to
secure anything but a child-restraint
system is dangerous. This could
weaken or damage the tether or tether
anchor and result in injury. Use the
tether and tether anchor only for a
child-restraint system.
Cover Open Anchor bracket location
For rear right seat For rear left seat
Tether strap Tether strap position
Anchor
bracket
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 26 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

2-38
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Constant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
•SAS unit
•Front air bag sensor
•Air bag modules
•Side and curtain air bag crash sensor
•Front seat belt pretensioners
•Related wiring
•Driver’s seat slide position sensor
•Front seat belt buckle switches
A diagnostic module continuously
monitors the systems’ readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning
Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is OK, the warning light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes, stays
on or doesn’t come on 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.

Maintenance
The air bag systems do not require regular
maintenance. But if any of the following
occurs, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:
•The air bag system warning light
flashes.
•The air bag system warning light stays
on.
•The air bag system warning light stays
off when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
•The air bags inflate.
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 38 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM