2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA weight

Black plate (52,1)
WARNING
Increasing the Total Seated Weight on the Passenger Seat:
When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, increasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66
lb) is dangerous. The passenger seat weight sensors will detect the increased total
seated weight, which could result in the unexpected deployment of the passenger front
and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system in an accident and serious injury.
Increasing the total seated weight on the passenger seat beyond the total seated weight
of approximately 30 kg (66 lb) could result in the passenger front and side air bags
and seat belt pretensioner system deployment in an accident under the following
conditions, for example:
lThe total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the passenger
seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more.
lLuggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
lThe seat is washed.lLiquids are spilled on the seat.lThe passenger seat is moved backward, and it is pushed into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
lLuggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and center console.lAny accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the passenger seat
are attached to the passenger seat.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb) and
they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).
CAUTION
lTo assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors
in the seat bottoms:
lDo not place sharp objects on the seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on them.lDo not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats.
lTo allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
lAdjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks
with seat belts worn properly.
lIf you place your child on the passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page52
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (53,1)
NOTE
lThe system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front
and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the
vehicle's interior changes suddenly.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if the
total seated weight on the passenger seat changes.
lYou must deactivate the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-30) and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driver and passenger buckle switches
The buckle switches on the seat belts detect whether or not the seat belts are securely
fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.
qHow the Side Air Bags Workí
When air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the side air bags and after the inflation, the side air bags
quickly deflate.
The side air bags will function only once. After that, the side air bags will not work again
and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.
The side air bag will deploy only on the
side the vehicle receives the force of the
impact.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-41íSome models.
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page53
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (54,1)
WARNING
Damaged Side Air Bag Wiring under the Seats:
Placing luggage or other objects under the seats is dangerous. The side air bag wiring
could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the side air bags may not
deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To prevent damage to the side air
bag wiring, do not place luggage or other objects under the seats.
qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation
NOTE
If the passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the passenger seat is
less than approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt
pretensioner may not inflate (page 2-37).
Front air bag activation
The front air bags will inflate if the
severity of impact is above the designed
threshold level.
lHitting a solid wall straight on at
greater than about 22 km/h (14 mph).
lHitting a curb, pavement edge or hard
object.
lLanding hard or the vehicle falling.
lFrontal impact within about a 30
degree range from head-on to the
vehicle.
2-42
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page54
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (57,1)
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
lSAS unit
lCrash sensor
lAir bag modules
lSide crash sensorsí
lSeat belt pretensioners
lRelated wiring
lFront passenger air bag deactivation
switch
lDriver seat slide position sensor
lFront passenger seat weight sensors
lDriver and front passenger seat belt
buckle switches
The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.
q Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is normal, the warning light illuminates
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,
constantly illuminates or doesn't
illuminate 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.
WARNING
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 causing
serious injury or death. Never tamper
with the systems and always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all
servicing and repairs.
q
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:
lThe air bag system warning light
flashes.
lThe air bag system warning light
remains illuminated.
lThe air bag system warning light does
not illuminate when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position.
lThe air bags have deployed.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-45íSome models.
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page57
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (58,1)
lPassenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position or does not illuminate
as indicated in the chart or when you
manually deactivate the passenger air
bag with the key.
For more details about passenger air
bag deactivation, refer to:
lPassenger seat weight sensors (page
2-37)
lPassenger air bag deactivation
switch (page 2-30)
WARNING
Damaged Air Bag/Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Components:
Expended or damaged air bag or seat
belt pretensioner units must be
replaced after any collision which
caused them to deploy or damage
them. Only a trained Authorized
Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these
systems to see that they will work in
the next accident. Driving with an
expended or damaged air bag or
pretensioner units will provide you
reduced protection in the next accident
and you could be injured or killed.
Removing Interior Parts:
Removing any components such as the
seats(if side air bags are equipped),
dashboard, the steering wheel or parts
containing air bag parts or sensors is
dangerous. These parts contain
essential air bag components. The air
bag could accidentally activate and
cause serious injuries. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer remove
these parts.
WARNING
Air Bag Disposal:
Improper disposal of an air bag or a
vehicle with live air bags in it can be
extremely 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.
NOTE
If it becomes necessary to have the
components or wiring system for the
supplementary restraint system
modified to accommodate a person with
certain medical conditions in
accordance with a certified physician,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer,
refer to“Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ”
(page 9-2).
2-46
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page58
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (129,1)
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page129
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (134,1)
Overloading
WARNING
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page134
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (154,1)
NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear
fixed mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6 →M5 190 km/h (118 mph)
M6 →M4 125 km/h (77 mph)
M5 →M4 125 km/h (77 mph)
M5 →M3 78 km/h (48 mph)
M4 →M3 78 km/h (48 mph)
M4 →M2 50 km/h (31 mph)
M3 →M2 50 km/h (31 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
q Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page154
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F