2005 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE Owners Manual (in English)

hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable
force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures,
facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who
are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
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 and safety belt pretensioners have
deployed, the air bag and safety belt pretensioners will not
function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag
and safety belt pretensioners are not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
•driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
•one or more impact and safing sensors,
•a readiness light and tone
•diagnostic module
•and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system wiring (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Front passenger sensing system
The front passenger sensing system will turn off the front passenger’s
frontal air bag under certain conditions. The front passenger
seat-mounted side air bag (if equipped) will be deactivated if the sensor
detects an empty seat; otherwise, the seat-mounted side air bag will be
enabled. The front passenger sensing system works with sensors that are
part of the front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are
designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and
determine if the front passenger’s frontal air bag should be enabled (may
inflate) or not.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
97

The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208
and is designed to turn off the front passenger’s frontal air bag if:
•The front passenger seat is unoccupied,
•The system determines that a small child is present in a rear-facing
child seat that is properly installed according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
•The system determines that a small child is present in a
forward-facing child restraint that is properly installed according to
the manufacturer’s instructions.
•The system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat.
•A front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of
time,
•A smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints or
a small adult, occupies the front passenger seat.
WARNING: Even with the front passenger sensing system,
children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the back
seat.
When the front passenger seat is
occupied and the sensing system
has turned off the passenger’s
frontal air bag, thepassenger airbag
offorpass airbag offindicator will
light and stay lit to remind you that
the front passenger frontal air bag is
off. The indicator light will be unlit
when:
•the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat),
•or in the event that the front passenger frontal air bag has been
enabled (may inflate).
The indicator light is located in the center stack of the instrument panel
just below the radio.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the front
passenger’s frontal air bag when a rear facing infant seat, a
forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. If the child
restraint has been installed and the indicator is not lit - all the more
important to put the child in the rear seat - if you insist on putting the
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
98

child in the front seat against all advice, then turn the vehicle off,
remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint
following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate)
the right front passenger’s frontal air bag anytime the system senses that
a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the air bag to be
enabled, the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit to remind you that the
air bag is enabled (may inflate).
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the
passenger air bag offorpass air bag offindicator is lit, it could be
that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the
vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the full upright
position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with
the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the
system to detect that person and then enable the passenger’s air bag. If
the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, then the occupant should
be advised to ride in the back seat.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seatbelts, it’s
very important that they continue to sit upright, with their back against
the seatback, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor while the
vehicle is still in motion. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of
injury in a crash event. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down,
turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or
both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.
WARNING: Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat
back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion
and affect the decision of the passenger sensing system,
resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit
upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects
placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front
passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the
passenger airbag is disabled, thepass airbag offlight may or may not
be illuminated according to the table below.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
99

ObjectsPass Airbag Off
Indicator LightPassenger Airbag
Empty seat Unlit Disabled
Small (i.e. 3 ring
binder, small purse,
bottled water)Unlit Disabled
Medium (i.e. heavy
briefcase, fully packed
luggage)Lit Disabled
Empty seat, Small or
medium object with
safety belt buckledLit Disabled
In case there is a problem with the passenger sensing system, the airbag
readiness light in the instrument cluster will stay lit. Do NOT attempt to
repair or service the system; take your vehicle immediately to the
authorized Mazda dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front air bag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Mazda Customer
Relationship Center at the phone number shown in the Customer
Assistance section of this Owner’s Guide.
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 malfunction with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beep sounds 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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
100

WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of safety belt pretensioners, air bags, or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your authorized Mazda dealership. Air bags MUST BE
disposed of by qualified personnel.
WARNING: Disposing of an air bag can be dangerous. Unless all
safety procedures are followed, injury can result. Ask an
Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of an air bag or
how to scrap an air bag equipped vehicle.
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. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
air bags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side air bag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air
bag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an air
bag. See your Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their safety belts even when an air bag SRS is provided.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
101

How does the side air bag system work?
The design and development of the
side air bag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Air Bag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side air bags.
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front air bags.
•Two crash sensors located on the lower portion of the b-pillar (one on
each side of the vehicle).
Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side air bag will
be deactivated. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door
panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided
occupants in side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
102

to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side air bag
has deployed, the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual. If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase
the risk of injury in a collision.
Determining if the side airbags are operational
First determine you have the optional side air bags - locate the
“AIRBAGlabels on the outboard sides of the front seats.
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 theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A 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
by your authorized Mazda dealership immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
103

Side-curtain air bag system (if equipped)
You can easily confirm if your vehicle has side-curtain air bags by looking
inside the vehicle up at the upperBpillar where you will see an
embossedAIRBAGlabel.
WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment on
or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying
side-curtain air bags (if
equipped). Failure to follow
these instructions may
increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a
collision.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door or window glass.
The side-curtain air bags (if equipped) could injure you as it
deploys from the headliner.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
side-curtain air bags (if equipped), fuses, the A, B, or C pillar
trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing side-curtain air
bags. See your Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS
and side-curtain air bags (if equipped) are provided.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
104