Black plate (48,1)
How the Air Bags Work
qHow the Front Air Bags Work
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the inflation, the front air bags
quickly deflate.
The front air bags will function only once. After that,the front air bags will not work
again and must be replaced.
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the system components.
The front air bags will deploy only
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.
Driver seat slide position sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide sensor as a part of the supplemental
restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor determines whether
the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat position to the crash
sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit). The sensor is also designed to control the
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering
wheel.
The air bag/ seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a possible
malfunction (page 2-44).
Passenger seat weight sensors
Your vehicle is also equipped with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light. The
deactivation indicator light illuminates when the key is used to turn the passenger air bag
off or the automatic function operates based on the passenger seat weight sensors. These
sensors are located under both of the passenger seat rails. These sensors determine the total
seated weight on the passenger seat. The sensors are also designed to prevent the passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from inflating if the total seated
weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
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To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the system
deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system
when:
lThere is no passenger in the passenger seat. (The passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate.)
lThe total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
(The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)
This system shuts off the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the chart below.
The air bag/ seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible malfunction. If this
happens, the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and
seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. After about 6 seconds it goes out.
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The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:
Total seated weight on the
passenger seatPassenger air bag
deactivation indicator lightPassenger front and side
air bagsPassenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)
*OFF OFF OFF
Less than approx. 30 kg
(66 lb)ON OFF OFF
Approx. 42 kg (93 lb) or
moreOFF ON ON
If the passenger air bag has been deactivated using the key, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light will
remain illuminated as long you leave the passenger air bag turned off, and the chart above no longer applies.
Refer to Passenger air bag deactivation switch on page 2-30.
* If the passenger seat belt is buckled, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this
does not indicate a malfunction.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and does not illuminate as indicated in the above chart,
do not allow a child to sit in the passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident. You must deactivate
the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-30) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Decreasing the Total Seated Weight on the Passenger Seat:
When an adult or large child sits on the passenger seat, decreasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 42 kg (93
lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The passenger seat weight sensors
will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and the passenger front and side
air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy during an accident. The
passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag, which could
result in serious injury. Decreasing the total seated weight on the passenger seat from
the total seated weight of approximately 42 kg (93 lb) could result in an air bag not
deploying under the following conditions, for example:
lLuggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and center console that push up the passenger seat bottom.
lThe passenger seat occupant sits in a manner such that the occupant's entire
weight is not placed on the seat sitting too close to the door.
lAny accessories which might decrease 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).
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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.
qAir 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. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
qMaintenance
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.
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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
2-36)
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).
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NOTE
lThe trunk is out of the operational
range, however, starting the engine
may be possible.
lThe engine may not start if the
advanced key is placed in the
following areas:
lAround the dashboardlIn the storage compartments such
as the glove box
lOn the rear parcel shelf
lStarting the engine may be possible
even if the advanced key is outside
of the vehicle and extremely close to
a door and window, however, always
start the engine from the driver's seat.
If the vehicle is started and advanced
key is not the vehicle. The vehicle
will not restart after it is shut off and
ignition switch is placed in lock
position.
lIf the advanced key is detected
within operational range, the
operation indicator light flashes
momentarily.
qLocking, Unlocking the Doors
with Request Switch
Both doors can be locked/unlocked by
pressing the request switch on the doors
while the advanced key is being carried.
Request switch
To lock
To lock the doors, press the request
switch. A beep sound will be heard once
and the hazard warning lights will flash
once.
To unlock
Driver's door request switch
To unlock the driver's door, press the
request switch. A beep sound will be
heard twice and the hazard warning lights
will flash twice.
To unlock both doors , press the request
switch again within 3 seconds and two
more beep sounds will be heard.
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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
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NOTE
(Without theft-deterrent system)
The hazard warning lights will flash
twice to indicate that the doors are
unlocked.
(With theft-deterrent system)
lThe hazard warning lights will not
flash.
lThe hazard warning lights only flash
when the theft deterrent system is
turned off, refer to the theft-deterrent
system (page 3-51).
Passenger door request switch
To unlock the doors, press the request
switch. A beep sound will be heard twice
and the hazard warning lights will flash
twice.
NOTE
lConfirm that both doors are securely
locked.
lBoth doors cannot be locked when
any door is open.
lA beep sound is heard for
confirmation when the doors are
locked/unlocked using the request
switch. If your prefer, the beep sound
can be turned off (page 3-20).
NOTE
lThe setting can be changed so that
the doors are locked automatically
without pressing the request switch.
(Auto-lock function)
A beep sound is heard when both
doors are closed while the advanced
key is being carried. Both doors are
locked automatically after about 3
seconds when the advanced key is
out of the operational range. Also,
the hazard warning lights flash once.
(Even if the driver is in the
operational range, both doors are
locked automatically after about 30
seconds.)
If you are out of the operational
range before the doors are
completely closed, the auto-lock
function will not work. Always make
sure that both doors are locked
before leaving the vehicle.(page
3-20).
lAfter unlocking doors by pressing
the request switch, both doors will
automatically lock and the hazard
warning light will flash if any of the
following operations are not
performed within about 30 seconds.
lA door is opened.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into
the ignition switch.
lThe start knob is pushed.
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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
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qOpening the Trunk Lid with
Request Switch
The trunk lid can be opened by pressing
the request switch on the under side of the
trunk lid above the license plate while the
advanced key is being carried.
Request switch
NOTE
If the advanced key is left in the trunk,
the trunk lid will close. However, the
trunk lid can be opened by pressing the
request switch.
qStarting the Engine
Ignition Switch Positions
Without a traditional key, some of the
ignition switch functions are different.
Start knob
LOCK(Released)
The steering wheel locks to help protect
against theft.
LOCK(Depressed)
The ignition switch can be turned to the
ACC position when the KEY indicator
light (green) illuminates in the instrument
cluster.
WARNING
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver's
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transmission or in 1 or R
with a manual transmission.
NOTE
lIf turning the ignition switch is
difficult, jiggle the steering wheel
from side to side.
l(Automatic transmission)
The ignition switch cannot be turned
from the ACC position to the LOCK
position when the shift lever is not in
P.
ACC(Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
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