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qLATCH Child-Restraint System
Installation Procedure
Before installing a child-restraint system,
make sure the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminated by
using the key to turn the passenger air bag
off.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on
page 2-37.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Switch on page 2-30.
1. Make sure to remove articles from
behind the passenger seat that would
prevent the seat from sliding back fully,
and then slide the seat as far back as
possible to insert the LATCH lower
anchors between the seat bottom and
the seatback.
2. Expand the area between the seat bottom and the seatback slightly to
verify the locations of the LATCH
lower anchors.
NOTE
The markings above the LATCH lower
anchors indicate the locations of the
LATCH lower anchors for the
attachment of a child-restraint system. 3. Secure the child-restraint system using
BOTH LATCH lower anchors,
following the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instruction, however if
it uses an upper tether, it may not be
mounted properly in this vehicle as
there is no safe way to anchor the
tether. Confirm whether the child-
restraint system can be used with seat
belts by reading the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions.
4. Make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
by using the key to turn the passenger
air bag off after installing a child-
restraint system on the passenger seat.
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Child Restraint
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Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 4 air bags (verify
“SRS AIRBAG ”location indicator marks).
They are located in:
lThe steering wheel hub (driver air bag)
lThe passenger dashboard (passenger air bag)
lThe outboard sides of the seatbacks (side air bags)í
These systems operate independently depending on the type of accident encountered; if
you have side air bags, the side air bags are not likely to deploy on both sides in the same
accident because a vehicle is not often hit from both sides. The side air bags and the frontal
air bag system will not normally deploy during the same type of accident unless a
combination of frontal and side impacts occur.
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection
in certain situations, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an accident.
Seat belt usage is necessary to:
lKeep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.
lReduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
lReduce the possibility of injuries in frontal or side collisions that are not severe enough
to activate the air bags.
lReduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.
lReduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
lHold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every
state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint
system (page 2-15).
Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the
installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions.
Do not use a child-restraint system which employs an upper tether because there is no
appropriate means to anchor the tether.
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Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
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WARNING
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 in the first collision with frontal, near frontal or side forces that are at
least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
Seating a child in a rear-facing child-restraint system that is installed on the
passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated
is extremely dangerous. In an accident, a air bag could inflate and cause serious
injuries or even death to the child seated in the rear-facing child-restraint system.
When using a rear-facing child-restraint system, always make sure the passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated by using the key to turn the passenger
air bag off.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-30.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-37.
Seating Position with Front Air Bags:
Sitting too close to the air bag modules 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. Seat
occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright
against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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WARNING
Seating Position with Side Air Bags:
Sitting too close to the side air bag modules 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 seat and expands along the 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 seats. 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 air bags room to work by
sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn
properly.
Front Air Bag Modules Located in the Steering Wheel Hub and the Dashboard:
Attaching an object to the front air bag modules or placing something in front of them
is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflation and
injure the occupants.
Always keep the front air bag modules free of objects.
Side Air Bag Modules:
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 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.
Never use seat covers on the seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your 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 modules 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. Occupants could be seriously
injured. Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.
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Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch
WARNING
Unnecessary Deactivation of Passenger Air Bag:
Unnecessary deactivation of the passenger air bag is dangerous. If turned off
unnecessarily, the passenger will not receive the added protection of the air bag.
Serious injuries or even death could occur. With the exception of passengers fitting
the categories described below, do not turn the air bag deactivation switch to the OFF
position.
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger air bag deactivation switch. The switch is
located in the position shown in the figure below. The switch must be used to deactivate
the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt pretensioner system
when the occupant of the passenger seat fits into one of the following categories (as
described in the request form for the passenger air bag deactivation switch, the appendix B
to part 595 of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]):
lInfants (less than one year old; for all types of restraint, but particularly the rear-facing
child restraint.)
lChildren aged 1 to 12
lPeople with certain medical conditions which, according to his/her physician, could be
adversely affected by air-bag activation
For more government release information on air bag deactivation, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for the occupant categories as described in the request form for the air bag
deactivation switch in the NHTSA rules.
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The air bag deactivation switch turns off the passenger front and side air bags and the also
seat belt pretensioner system. Make sure the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
ON position except when a passenger fitting the previous categories occupies the front
passenger seat.
Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Switch Air Bag Deactivation
Indicator Light Passenger Air Bag
Operation Passenger Seat Belt
Pretensioner System
OFF position
ON Deactivate Deactivate
ON position
OFF ReadyReady
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light comes on for about 6 seconds.
If the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position, the indicator light
remains on to warn that the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system have been deactivated.
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SRS Air Bags
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In addition to using the key to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and the also
seat belt pretensioner system, the passenger front and side air bags and the also seat belt
pretensioner system is also deactivated and the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light is illuminated automatically when the total seated weight on the passenger seat is less
than 30 kg (66 lb).
NOTE
Have the passenger air bag deactivation switch inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer if any of these conditions occur:
lThe indicator light does not illuminate for about 6 seconds when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
lThe indicator light does not remain on when the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position.
lThe indicator remains on when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the
passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position.
qTo Deactivate the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements (page 2-30).
WARNING
Do not leave the Key in the Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch:
Unintentional deactivation of the passenger air bag is dangerous. In an accident, the
passenger will not be properly protected. Serious injuries or even death could occur.
To avoid unintentional deactivation, always use the same key to operate the passenger
air bag deactivation switch and the ignition switch, that way you won't leave the key in
the passenger air bag deactivation switch.
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1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key clockwiseuntil the key points to OFF.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light remains illuminated when the ignitionis in the ON position.
The passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system will remain
deactivated until the passenger air bag deactivation switch is turned to the ON position.
q To Ready the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements (page 2-30).
1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key
counterclockwise until the key points to ON.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light turns off after the ignition switch isturned to the ON position.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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