Black plate (66,1)
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 lbs) 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 may cause serious injury. Increasing the total seated
weight on the front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately
30 kg (66 lbs) 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:
ØLuggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
Ø A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.
Ø A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with their feet.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.
Ø The seat is washed.
Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat.
Ø The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
Ø The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver
seat.
Ø Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
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 less than
approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) and they will reactivate when the weight exceeds
approximately 42 kg (93 lbs).
CAUTION
Ø To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the
sensors in the front seat bottoms:
ØDo not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.
ØDo not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.
Ø To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
ØAdjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
ØIf 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
2-35).
2-52
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page66
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (67,1)
NOTElThe 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.
qHow the Side and Curtain Air Bags Workí
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. However, the side air bag system for the front
passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat, however the curtains are not deactivated.
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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-53íSome models.
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page67
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (68,1)
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 2-48), but the curtain air bags may deploy.
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.
2-54
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page68
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (70,1)
lSide impacts involving trees or poles
can cause severe cosmetic damage but
may not have enough impact force to
activate the side and curtain air bags.
lVehicle roll-over may not provide
enough side force to deploy the side
and curtain air bags.
lSide impacts with two-wheeled
vehicles may not provide enough force
to deploy the side and curtain air bags.
Non-activation of side and curtain air
bagí
The side and curtain air bags will not
normally inflate in the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lCollision from the front, but it may
deploy the front air bags.
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
lSAS unitlFront air bag sensorlAir bag moduleslSide crash sensorsí
lAir bag/Front seat belt pretensioner
system warning light
lFront seat belt pretensionerslFront passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light
lRelated wiringlDriver seat slide position sensorlFront passenger seat weight sensorslDriver and front passenger seat belt
buckle switches
2-56
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page70
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (72,1)
lThe air bag system warning beep
sound will be heard.
lThe air bags have deployed.lFront passenger 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. For more
details about this indicator light and
this chart, refer to“Front passenger
seat weight sensors ”(page 2-48).
WARNING
Do not operate a vehicle with damaged
air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
components:
Expended or damaged air bag/seat
belt pretensioner system components
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 any subsequent
accident. Driving with an expended
or damaged air bag or pretensioner
unit will not afford you the necessary
protection in the event of any
subsequent accident which could
result in serious injury or death.
Do not remove interior air bag parts: Removing any components such as
the front seats, front dashboard, the
steering wheel or parts on the front
and rear window pillars and along
the roof edge, 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.
Dispose of the air bag properly: 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.
2-58
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page72
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (87,1)
qLuggage Compartment
WARNING
Do not place anything on top of the
cover:
Placing luggage or other cargo on
top of the luggage compartment
cover is dangerous. During sudden
braking or a collision, the cargo
could become a projectile that could
hit and injure someone. The vehicle
has a light weight luggage
compartment cover to keep the
contents of your luggage area out of
sight; it will not retain heavy objects
that are not tied down in an accident
such as a rollover. Tie down all heavy
objects, whether luggage or cargo,
using the tie down hooks.
Make sure luggage and cargo is
secured before driving: Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as it could move or be
crushed during sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury.
CAUTION
Make sure the luggage compartment
cover is firmly secured. If it is not
firmly secured, it could unexpectedly
disengage resulting in injury.
Luggage compartment cover strap
The luggage compartment can be
accessed by opening the liftgate when the
straps are attached to the sides of the
liftgate.
Strap
Luggage compartment cover
The luggage compartment can be
accessed by opening the luggage
compartment cover from the inside of the
vehicle.
Latch
Latch
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-13
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page87
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (113,1)
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDo not race the engine.lDo not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDo not drive constantly at full-throttle
or high engine rpm for extended
periods of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.lKeep the tires properly inflated.lDo not carry unnecessary weight.lDo not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.lKeep windows closed at high speeds.lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill:Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause
damage to the drivetrain. Any loss of
steering or braking control could
cause an accident.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page113
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (118,1)
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of your load by weighing
the items (or people) before putting
them in the vehicle.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page118
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F