2009 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE deactivate airbag

WARNING:If the light remains on, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced immediately by an
authorized Mazda dealer. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake
system is disabled but normal braking is still effective unless the brake
warning light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Airbag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to on, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by an authorized Mazda dealer. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Seat belt: Reminds you to fasten
your seat belt. A Belt-Minder 
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your seat belt. Refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder chime feature.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure: Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer to Engine oilin
the Maintenance and
Specifications chapter.
AdvanceTrac/Traction
Control™: Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction Control™ is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to the Drivingchapter for
more information.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
14

Reasons given...Consider...
I have an airbag Airbags offer greater protection when
used with seat belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
I’d rather be thrown clear Not a good idea. Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE. Seat belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T PICK OUR
CRASH.
WARNING: Do not sit on top of a buckled seat belt or insert a
latchplate into the buckle to avoid the Belt-Minder chime. To
do so may adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s air bag
system and result in serious injury, ejection and death.
One-time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles
the seat belt for that seating position, the Belt-Minder is disabled for
the current ignition cycle. The Belt-Minder feature will enable during
the same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for
approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time
disable.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder are
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps1-4t horoughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder features can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
• The gearshift is in N (Neutral) (manual transmission)
• The ignition switch is in the off position
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
106

How does the side airbag system (if equipped) 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.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
118