2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (49,1)
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, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during
more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may
differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver seat position,
front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, all of which provide data from each sensor
to the air bag system.
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 position 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 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/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a
possible malfunction (page 2-46).
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-37
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page49
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (50,1)
Front passenger seat weight sensors
Your vehicle is also equipped with the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
(page 2-26). These sensors are located under both of the front passenger seat rails. These
sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. The sensors are also
designed to prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system from deploying if the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the
system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system when:
lThere is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)
lThe total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66
lb). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)
This system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the following table.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible
malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt
pretensioner system will not deploy.
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the front passenger front and side air
bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the front 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.
2-38
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page50
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (51,1)
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:
Total seated weight on the
front passenger seatFront passenger air bag
deactivation indicator lightFront passenger front and
side air bagsFront passenger 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 front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates,
however this does not indicate a malfunction.
If the front 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 front passenger seat and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an
accident.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-39
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page51
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (52,1)
WARNING
Do not decrease the total seated weight on the front passenger seat:
When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The front
passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and
the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary
protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total
seated weight on the front 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:
lA rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with the feet.lLuggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the front
passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.
lThe front passenger seat occupant sits in a manner that does not place the entire
weight of the occupant on the seat such as by sitting too close to the door, grasping
the assist grip or the rim of the moonroof and sitting with the seatback reclined too
far.
lAny accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
lTension in the upward direction is placed on the seat belt slide bar such as by
pulling up on the seat belt.
The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page52
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (53,1)
WARNING
Do not increase the total seated weight on the front passenger seat:
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, increasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 30 kg (66 lb) is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will
detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected
deployment of the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system in an accident and serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the
front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lb)
could result in the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system deployment in an accident under the following conditions, for example:
lLuggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
lA rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.lA rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with the feet.lLuggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.lThe seat is washed.lLiquids are spilled on the seat.lThe front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
lThe front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.lLuggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.lAny accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front passenger
seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
lFeet or other items are placed on the seat belt slide bar.
The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-41
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page53
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (54,1)
CAUTION
lTo assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors
in the front seat bottoms:
lDo not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.
lDo not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.
lTo allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
lAdjust the front 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 front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-26).
NOTE
lThe system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the front passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
lThe front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the
vehicle's interior changes suddenly.
lThe front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds
if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.
lIf the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child-restraint
system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Driver and front passenger buckle switches
The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are
securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.
2-42
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page54
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (55,1)
qHow the Side and Curtain Air Bags Work
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 and curtain air bags and after the inflation, the side
and curtain air bags quickly deflate.
The side and curtain air bags will function only once. After that,the side and curtain air
bags will not work again and must be replaced.Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can
replace the systems.
The side and curtain air bags will deploy only on the side the
vehicle receives the force of the impact.
WARNING
Do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats:
Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The side and
curtain air bag wiring could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the side
and curtain air bags may not deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To
prevent damage to the side and curtain air bag wiring, do not place luggage or other
objects under the front seats.
qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation
NOTE
If the front passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the front
passenger seat is less than approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the front passenger front and side
air bags and seat belt pretensioner may not deploy (page 2-37), but the curtain air bags
may deploy.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-43
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page55
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (56,1)
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.
lDriving into a big hole or hitting the far
side of a hole.
Limitations to front air bag activation
Depending on the severity of impact, the
front air bags may not inflate in the
following cases:
lImpacts involving trees or poles cause
severe cosmetic damage but may not
have enough stopping force to activate
the air bag.
lFrontal offset impact to the vehicle
may not provide the stopping force
necessary for air bag deployment.
2-44
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page56
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J