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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
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qEmergency Locking Mode
In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the
retractor will lock in position during a collision. When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking mode until it is switched to automatic locking mode by
pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable
movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may be in the automatic locking
mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return to the belt to the more
comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped in a safe, level
area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and then extend it
around you again.
qAutomatic Locking Mode
To enable seat belt automatic locking mode, pull it all the way out and connect it as
instructed on the child-restraint system. It will retract down to the child-restraint system
and stay locked on it. If the LATCH lower anchors are not used alone for LATCH style
booster seats and infant carriers without tethers, always use the automatic locking mode to
keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an
accident. See the section on child restraint (page 2-15).
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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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.
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Child Restraint
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WARNING
Seating Children in a Child-Restraint System on the Passenger Seat:
This vehicle is equipped with both a passenger seat weight sensor and a passenger an
air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-37). Even with the passenger seat weight
sensors, seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the
following conditions increases the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and
could result in serious injury or death to the child. These are among the reasons why
the passenger air bag should be turned off by using the key.
lThe total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the passenger
seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more with a child in the child-restraint
system.
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.
Children and Seating Position with Side Air Bag:
Allowing anyone to lean over or against the door is dangerous. If the vehicle is
equipped with side air bags, the impact of an inflating side air bag could cause serious
injury or death to the person. Children are more likely to sleep in the vehicle; when
they do, they are more at risk in the passenger's seat that has a side air bag because
they may slump over into the path of the seatback-mounted air bag. Furthermore,
leaning over or against the doors could block the side air bag and eliminate the
advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air bag deploys from the
outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or against the side
window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
One Belt, One Passenger:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way can't spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be
crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
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Child Restraint
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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.
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Child Restraint
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4. Push the child-restraint system firmlyinto the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking
from the retractor will be heard during
retraction if the system is in automatic
locking mode. If the belt does not lock
the seat down tight, repeat this step.
5. 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.
WARNING
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 seat weight sensors
on page 2-37.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Switch on page 2-30.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
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NOTE
lInspect this function before each use
of the child-restraint system. You
should not be able to pull the
shoulder belt out of the retractor
while the system is in the automatic
locking mode. When you remove the
child-restraint system, be sure the
belt fully retracts to return the system
to emergency locking mode before
occupants use the seat belts.
lFollow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully.
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.
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Child Restraint
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Advanced Keysí
The advanced keyless functions (advanced keyless entry and start system) enables the
following operations while the advanced key is being carried (page 3-7).
lLocking/unlocking the doors, opening the trunk lid, without operating the key.
lStarting the engine without operating the key.
The advanced key enables additional functions other than those with the advanced keyless
functions (page 3-14).
lThe following operations are possible using the keyless entry system from a distance
(Lock/Unlock/Trunk button/Panic button):
lLocking/unlocking the doors.lOpening the trunk lid.lTurning on the alarm.
lLocking/unlocking the doors, opening the trunk lid, or starting the engine using the
auxiliary key.
WARNING
Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. This could result in someone
being badly injured or even killed. These new kinds of keys are fascinating to
children. They could play with power windows or other controls, or even make the
vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in your vehicle with children and keep them in a
place where your children will not find or play with them.
Use of Advanced Key Near Medical Equipment:
Radio waves from the advanced key may affect medical equipment such as
pacemakers. Before using the advanced key near people who use medical equipment,
ask the medical equipment manufacturer or your physician if radio waves from the
advanced key will affect the equipment.
NOTE
lThe driver must carry the advanced key to ensure the system functions properly.
lRefer to Immobilizer System (page 3-53) for information regarding keys and engine
starting.
l(With theft-deterrent system)
Refer to Theft-Deterrent System (page 3-59) for information regarding keys and the
prevention of vehicle and vehicle contents theft.
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Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
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