2009 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owner's Manual (in English)

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Front Seat Belt Pretensioner
and Load Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
front passenger seat belts are equipped
with pretensioner and load limiting
systems. For both these systems to work
properly you must wear the seat belt
properly.
Pretensioners:
In moderate or severe frontal or near-
frontal accidents, the front air bag and
pretensioner systems deploy
simultaneously. The front seat belt
retractors remove slack quickly as the air
bags are expanding.
In addition, the pretensioner system for
the front passenger, like the front
passenger air bag, is designed to only
deploy in accordance with the total seated
weight on the front passenger seat. Any
time the air bags and seat belt
pretensioners have fired they must be
replaced. For details, refer to the front
passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-48).
Load limiter:
The load limiting system releases belt
webbing in a controlled manner to reduce
belt force on the occupant's chest. While
the most severe load on a seat belt occurs
in frontal collisions, the load limiter has
an automatic mechanical function and can
activate in any accident mode with
sufficient occupant movement.
Even if the pretensioners have not fired,
the load limiting function must be
checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer
after any collision.
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended
in this owner's manual:Incorrect positioning of the driver and
front passenger seat belts is
dangerous. Without proper
positioning, the pretensioner and
load limiting systems cannot provide
adequate protection in an accident
and this could result in serious injury.
For more details about wearing seat
belts, refer to “Fastening the seat
belts ”(page 2-17).
Have your seat belts changed
immediately if the pretensioner or load
limiter has been expended: One or both front air bags may
deploy, and the corresponding
pretensioner(s) may also deploy at
the same time. Like the air bags, the
seat belt pretensioners will only
function once. While it is safer to use
a post-crash (a seat belt that was
used in an accident) than no seat belt
at all, using a seat belt with an
expended pretensioner or load limiter
loaded reduces the safety available to
you. If the seat belt pretensioners are
not replaced, the risk of injury in a
collision will increase. Expended seat
belt pretensioners and air bags must
be replaced after any collision which
caused them to deploy. Additionally,
the load limiter will only limit loads
on the chest once in a collision and
this is another reason to have the
front seat belts inspected. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
inspect the seat belt pretensioners
and air bags after any collision.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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Do not modify the components or
wiring, or use electronic testing devices
on the pretensioner system:Modifying the components or wiring
of the pretensioner system, including
the use of electronic testing devices is
dangerous. You could accidentally
activate it or make it inoperable
which would prevent it from
activating in an accident. The
occupants or repairers could be
seriously injured.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner
system: Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is
dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury could
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of the
pretensioner system or how to scrap
a pretensioner-equipped vehicle.
NOTE
lThe pretensioner system will activate in a
moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal
collision. The pretensioner system for the
front passenger is designed to only deploy
in accordance with the total seated weight
on the front passenger seat. It will not
activate in most rollovers, side or rear
impacts.
lSome smoke (non-toxic gas) will be
released when the air bags and
pretensioners deploy. This does not indicate
a fire. This gas normally has no effect on
occupants, however, those with sensitive
skin may experience light skin irritation. If
residue from the deployment of the air bags
or the front pretensioner system gets on the
skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as
possible.
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is working properly, the warning
light illuminates when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position or after the
engine is cranked. The warning light turns
off after a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the
warning light constantly illuminates or
does not 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
Never tamper with the air bag/
pretensioner systems and always have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
all servicing and repairs: Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.
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Seat Belt Systems
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qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Beep
If a malfunction is detected in the air bag/
front seat belt pretensioner systems and
the warning light, a warning beep sound
will be heard for about 5 seconds every
minute.
The air bag and seat belt pretensioner
system warning beep sound will continue
to be heard for approximately 35 minutes.
Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the air
bag/front seat belt pretensioner system
warning beep sounding:Driving the vehicle with the air bag/
front seat belt pretensioner system
warning beep sounding is dangerous.
In a collision, the air bags and the
front seat belt pretensioner system
will not deploy and this could result
in death or serious injury.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the vehicle inspected as soon
as possible.
Center-Rear Position Seat
Belt (3-Point Type)
Before using the center-rear lap/shoulder
belt make sure tongue (A) and anchor
buckle (B) are fastened.
(A)
(B)
qFastening the Seat Belt
1. Grasp the tongue (C).
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
3. Insert the tongue (C) into the buckle
(D) until you hear a click.
(C)
(D) (B)
(A)
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Seat Belt Systems
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WARNING
Fastening the Center-Rear Seat Belt
with Only One Buckle:Fastening the center-rear seat belt
with only one buckle is dangerous. If
only one pair of seat belt tongue and
buckle, either tongue (A) and anchor
buckle (B) or tongue (C) and anchor
buckle (D), is fastened, the seat belt
cannot provide full protection. In a
sudden stop or collision, the user
could slide under the belt and suffer
serious injuries. Always make sure
that both pairs of seat belt tongues
and buckles are fastened properly.
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the
Seat Belt: Improper positioning of the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is dangerous.
Always make sure the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is positioned
across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on
your neck, or on your upper arm.
4. Position the lap belt as low as possible, not on the abdominal area, then adjust
the shoulder belt so that it fits snugly
against your body.
WARNING
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat
Belt: The lap portion of the seat belt worn
too high is dangerous. In a collision,
this would concentrate the impact
force directly on the abdominal area,
causing serious injury. Wear the lap
portion of the belt snugly and as low
as possible.
qUnfastening the Seat Belt
Depress the button on the buckle. If the
belt does not fully retract, pull it out and
check for kinks or twists. Then make sure
it remains untwisted as it retracts.
Button
NOTE
If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for
kinks and twists. If it is still not retracting
properly, have it inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qUnfastening the Lap Portion of
the Seat Belt
Insert a small object such as a key in the
anchor buckle (B) slot.
(A)
(B)
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CAUTION
Always unfasten the lap portion of
the belt before folding the left-rear
seatback. Leaving the lap portion of
the belt fastened could cause
damage to the seat belt, buckle and
seatback.
NOTE
To encourage rear seat passengers to wear
their seat belts, we suggest leaving the center-
rear lap position of the belt fastened at all
times except when folding the rear seat
forward.
q Fastening the Lap Portion of the
Seat Belt
Grasp tongue (A) and insert it into the
anchor buckle (B) until you hear a click. It
is now secure for passenger use.
NOTE
After returning the left-rear seatback to its
upright position, fasten the lap portion of the
belt.
qStowing and pulling out the
Center-Rear Position Seat Belt
The center-rear position seat belt can be
stowed using the following procedure.
CAUTION
When stowing the seat belt, make
sure the belt is locked securely into
the recess. If the seat belt is not
properly stowed, it might get caught
in the seats and be damaged.
To stow the seat belt, retract the belt, put
tongues (A) and (C) together and insert
them into the recess. Sedan (Behind head restraint on left
side)
(A)(C)
Hatchback (Left side of luggage
compartment)
(A)
(C)
To pull out the seat belt, slide tongues
with your finger, and slowly pull out the
seat belt from the recess.
NOTE
Pulling the seat belt all the way out will switch
it to automatic locking mode. If automatic
locking mode is not needed, retract the seat
belt fully to convert it back to emergency
locking mode.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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Seat Belt Extender
If your seat belt is not long enough, even
when fully extended, a seat belt extender
may be available to you at no charge from
your Authorized Mazda Dealer.
This extender will be only for you and for
the particular vehicle and seat. Even if it
plugs into other seat belts, it may not hold
in the critical moment of a crash.
When ordering an extender, only order
one that provides the necessary additional
length to fasten the seat belt properly.
Please contact your Authorized Mazda
Dealer for more information.
WARNING
Do not use a seat belt extender unless
it is necessary:Using a seat belt extender when not
necessary is dangerous. The seat belt
will be too long and not fit properly.
In an accident, the seat belt will not
provide adequate protection and you
could be seriously injured. Only use
the extender when it is required to
fasten the seat belt properly.
Do not use an improper extender: Using a seat belt extender that is for
another person or a different vehicle
or seat is dangerous. The seat belt
will not provide adequate protection
and the user could be seriously
injured in an accident. Only use the
extender provided for you and for the
particular vehicle and seat. NEVER
use the extender in a different vehicle
or seat. If you sell your Mazda, do
not leave your seat belt extender in
the vehicle. It could be used
accidentally by the new owner of the
vehicle. After removing the seat belt
extender, discard it. Never use the
seat belt extender in any other
vehicle you may own in the future.
Do not use an extender that is too
long: Using an extender that is too long is
dangerous. The seat belt will not fit
properly. In an accident, the seat belt
will not provide adequate protection
and you could be seriously injured.
Do not use the extender or choose
one shorter in length if the distance
between the extender's buckle and
the center of the user's body is less
than 15 cm (6 in).
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NOTE
When not in use, remove the seat belt extender
and store it in the vehicle. If the seat belt
extender is left connected, the seat belt
extender might get damaged as it will not
retract with the rest of the seat belt and can
easily fall out of the door when not in use and
be damaged. In addition, the seat belt warning
light will not illuminate and function properly.Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
The seat belt warning light illuminates
and a beep sound will be heard if the
driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
Conditions of operation
ConditionResult
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position. The warning light
flashes and a beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated. The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position. The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
q
Belt Minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate or
restore the seat belt minder.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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Driver seated/Front passenger not
seated
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the warning light/beep
operates to give you further reminders
according to the chart below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or
more
Seat belt
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
Driver seated/Front passenger seated
The seat belt warning function reminds
the front passenger to fasten the seat belt
according to the chart below.
Condition Vehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
(Driver)
Seat belt
(Passenger)
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Placing heavy items on the front
passenger seat may cause the front
passenger seat belt warning function to
operate depending on the weight of the
item.
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
NOTE
lTo allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place
and sit on an additional seat cushion on the
front passenger seat. The sensor may not
function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor
interference.
lWhen a small child sits on the front
passenger seat, it is possible that neither
the warning light nor the warning beep
operate.
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