2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA ECU

Black plate (14,1)
Seats
WARNING
Modification of the Front Seats:
Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injury. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Damaged Front Seats:
Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag components.
If there was a subsequent collision, the
air bag may not deploy which could
lead to injuries. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the
front seats, front seat belt
pretensioners and air bags after a
collision.
Securing the Seats:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that
are not securely locked 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 slide the seat
forward and backward and rocking
the seatback.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Driver's Seat Adjustment:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. The
driver could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident. Adjust the
driver's seat only when the vehicle is
stopped.
To move a seat forward or backward, raise
the lever and slide the seat to the desired
position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and
backward.
2-2
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page14
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (17,1)
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger always wear seat belts.
All of the 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 passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child-
restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As
there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the
manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is
important (page 2-23).
WARNING
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. Air bags and pretensioners work together, but whether a seat was occupied
or not, if any air bag deployed and whether a seat belt pretensioner deployed or not,
all seat belts and air bags must be inspected and replaced if necessary. 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page17
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (27,1)
Child Restraint Precautions
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use
them.
You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety
of children riding in your vehicle.
Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age
and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual
child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should use seat belts, both lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of
the vehicle .
A rear-facing child-restraint system shouldNEVERbe used on the passenger seat with the
air bag system activated.
If a small child or infant in the passenger seat ―particularly a child secured in a rear-
facing child-restraint system ―it is critically important that you consciously deactivate the
passenger air bag and not simply rely on the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
being turned on at all times. In a collision, the force of an air bag slamming the child-
restraint system rearwards could result in death to the child even if the child is properly
belted. Be alert to the operation of the indicator light and BE SURE THE PASSENGER
AIR BAG IS ALWAYS DEACTIVATED AS INDICATED BY PASSENGER AIR BAG
DEACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-15
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page27
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (28,1)
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by the deployment of the passenger air bag, there
are two methods to deactivate the passenger air bag for a child's safety as follows―
however the surest way to avoid the passenger air bag not deploying is to use the key and
turn off the passenger air bag and not rely on the passenger seat weight sensors, which will
also detect other loads or objects on and around the passenger seat;
Passenger air bag deactivation switch
This switch should be used to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the
passenger seat belt pretensioner system if installing a child-restraint system is installed on
the passenger seat.
Make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position except
when a child-restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-30.
Passenger seat weight sensors
These sensors deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat
belt pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than
approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
When an infant or small child is seated on the passenger seat, the system shuts off the
passenger air bag, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
illuminates.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-37.
LATCH Child-Restraint System
We have installed lower LATCH anchor points for LATCH style booster seats and infant
carriers that work without tethers only. Any other child-restraint system that has an upper
tether cannot be used in this vehicle because there is no tether anchor. A child-restraint
system with a tether cannot be properly mounted in this vehicle unless the child restraint
manufacturer provides instructions on mounting the child-restraint system with only seat
belts in automatic locking mode. Even then, without a tether, the child-restraint system may
move forward more easily in seat belts, further degrading the safety provided if you were to
put the child restraint in a tether anchor equipped rear seat of another vehicle. The seat and
head restraint is designed for maximum adult space utilization in this vehicle. Do not try to
secure the tether to something else in the vehicle, as too much slack will result and the
serious risk of injury or death to the child. Use the seat belts to properly secure the non-
tethered child-restraint systems other than the LATCH booster seats and non-tethered infant
carriers. Turn off the passenger air bag deactivation switch. To expose and use the lower
LATCH anchor points, which are affixed to the body and not the seat, slide the seat all the
way rearward which is the optimal vehicle seat position for all children in this two seat car.
2-16
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page28
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (29,1)
WARNING
Proper Size of Child-Restraint System:
For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be
properly restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and
size. If not, the child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Follow the Manufacturer's Instructions and Always Keep the Child-Restraint System
Buckled Down:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it
could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure
any child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or
fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH
child-restraint systems.
Holding a Child While the Vehicle is Moving:
Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No
matter how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden
stop or collision and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. Even in a moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces
that could result in serious injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed
into the adult, injuring the adult. Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint
system.
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.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-17
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page29
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (31,1)
WARNING
Child-Restraint Tether:
Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether is dangerous. Your Mazda doesn't
have a child-restraint tether. The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In
a collision, it could move and cause serious injury or even death to the child or
someone else. Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether.
CAUTION
A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot when exposed to direct
sunlight during warm weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before
you or your child touches them.
NOTE
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially
designed LATCH child-restraint systems behind the passenger seat that slide through the
passenger seat when it is in the fully rearward position. When using these anchors to
secure a child-restraint system, refer to“LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ”(page 2-23).
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-19
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page31
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (32,1)
Installing a Child-
Restraint System
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily
be converted into the automatic locking
mode, which must be done to hold the
child-restraint system.
Some child-restraint systems also employ
specially designed LATCH attachments;
refer to“LATCH Child-Restraint
Systems ”(page 2-23).
Follow these manufacturer's instructions
when installing a child-restraint system on
the passenger's seat, unless you are
attaching a LATCH-equipped child-
restraint system to the LATCH lower
anchors. Refer to “LATCH Child-
Restraint Systems ”(page 2-23).
NOTE
Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully. If
you are not sure whether you have a
LATCH system, check in the child-
restraint system manufacturer's
instructions and follow them
accordingly. Depending on the type of
child-restraint system, it may not
employ seat belts which are in
automatic locking mode, 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. 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.
2. Secure the child-restraint system with
the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
See the instructions on the child-
restraint system for belt routing
instructions.
3. To get the retractor into the automatic locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
2-20
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page32
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (35,1)
LATCH Child-Restraint System
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed
LATCH child-restraint systems behind the passenger seat that slide through the passenger
seat when it is in the fully rearward position. Only LATCH booster seats and infant carriers
without upper tethers can be used in this position, as there is no good place to anchor the
tether due to this vehicle's design. Both anchors must be used when installing these lower
anchor only child-restraint systems, otherwise the seat will bounce around and put the child
in danger.
WARNING
Manufacturer's Instructions for Child-Restraint System:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it
could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure
any child-restraint system does not rely on an upper tether and then properly secure
those non-tethered seats according to the child-restraint system manufacturer's
instructions.
Unsecured Child-Restraint System:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it
could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Follow the
child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions on belt routing to secure the seat
just as you would with a child in it so that nobody is tempted to put a child in an
improperly secured seat later on. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten
it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH child-
restraint systems.
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems:
Not following the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing
the child-restraint system is dangerous. If seat belts or a foreign object prevent the
child-restraint system from being securely attached to the LATCH lower anchors and
the child-restraint system is installed improperly, the child-restraint system could move
in a sudden stop or collision causing serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. When installing the child-restraint system, make sure there are no seat
belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH lower anchors. Always follow the
child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-23
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page35
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F