2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE HEV Owners Manual

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
Seat-mounted side airbag system (if equipped)
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an
airbag. See an authorized dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their seat belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.
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How does the side airbag system work?
The design and development of the
side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags.
The side airbag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (airbag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
• A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
• The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
• Two crash sensors located on the lower portion of the b-pillar (one on
each side of the vehicle).
Side airbags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by
the collision will be inflated. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side airbag will
be deactivated. The airbag was designed to inflate between the door
panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided
occupants in side impact collisions.
The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.
The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
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to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.WARNING: Several airbag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side airbag
has deployed, the airbag will
not function again. The side
airbag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by an authorized
dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Airbag readiness
section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
• The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.
Side-curtain airbag system (if equipped)
You can determine if you have a vehicle with a side-curtain airbag system
by looking near the top of the trim between the windows and see an
“SRS” label on the main pillars between the windows.
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WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment on
or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying
side-curtain airbags (if
equipped). Failure to follow
these instructions may
increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a
collision.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door or window glass.
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) could injure you as it
deploys from the headliner.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
side-curtain airbags (if equipped), fuses, the A, B, or C pillar
trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing side-curtain
airbags. See your authorized Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their seat belts even when an airbag SRS
and side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are provided.
WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable side-curtain
airbags (if equipped).
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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How do the side-curtain airbags (if equipped) work?
The design and development of the
side air curtain system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags (including side air
curtain systems).
The side-curtain airbags (if
equipped) consists of the following:
•An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).
• A headliner designed to flex open
above the side doors to allow side-curtain airbag deployment.
• The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
• Two crash sensors mounted at lower B-Pillar (one on each side).
• Two crash sensors located at the c-pillar behind the rear doors (one
on each side).
• Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped), in combination with seat belts,
can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant
side impact collision or rollover event.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the rear seats. The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) will not interfere
with children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are designed to activate when the
vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the RCM to
initiate side-curtain airbag (if equipped) inflation or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
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The side-curtain airbags are mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal,
behind the headliner, above the first and second row seats. In certain
lateral collisions or rollover events, the side-curtain airbags will be
activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. In certain rollover
events, the side-curtain airbag (if equipped) on both sides of the vehicle
will be inflated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The side-curtain
airbags (if equipped) are designed to inflate between the side window
area and occupants to further enhance protection provided in side
impact collisions and rollover events.
The fact that the side-curtain airbags (if equipped) did not activate in a
collision does not mean that there is a malfunction with the system.
Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause
activation. The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are designed to inflate
in certain side impact collisions or rollover events, not in rear impact,
frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient
lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood.WARNING: Several
side-curtain airbag (if
equipped) components get hot
after inflation. Do not touch
them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side-curtain airbags (if equipped) have
deployed, the side-curtain airbags will not function again unless
replaced. The side-curtain airbags (including the A, B and C
pillar trim) must be inspected and serviced by a authorized
dealer in accordance with the vehicle workshop manual. If the
side-curtain airbags are not replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a collision.
Determining if the side-curtain airbags are operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Airbag readiness
section in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
• A series of five beep sounds will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles
(including pretensioners)
See your authorized dealer. Airbags MUST BE disposed of by qualified
personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also see Airbag supplemental restraint system
(SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using airbags.
Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children (generally children who are four years old
or younger and who weigh 40 lb. [18 kg] or less) ride in your vehicle, you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Many states
require that children use approved booster seats until they are eight
years old. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle. When
possible, always place children under age 12 in the rear seat of your
vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating position. WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or
child restraint you might use.
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Children and seat belts
If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat. Children
who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your child safety
seat manufacturer) should always wear seat belts.
Follow all the important safety restraint and airbag precautions that
apply to adult passengers in your vehicle.
If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can
be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child
closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.WARNING: Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
Child booster seats
Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh
40 lb. (18 kg) and are around 4 years of age. Although the lap/shoulder
belt will provide some protection, these children are still too small for
lap/shoulder belts to fit properly, which could increase the risk of serious
injury in a crash.
To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on children who
have outgrown child safety seats, Mazda Motor Corporation recommends
use of a belt-positioning booster.
Booster seats position a child so that seat belts fit better. They lift the
child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips and the knees
bend comfortably. Booster seats may also make the shoulder belt fit
better and more comfortably. Try to keep the belt near the middle of the
shoulder.
When children should use booster seats
Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the
toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and
lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they weigh about
80 lb. (36 kg) (about 8 to 12 years old).
Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these
questions:
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