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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 4 air bags.Please
verify the air bags equipped on your vehicle by locating the “SRS AIRBAG ”location
indicators. These indicators are visible in the area where the air bags are installed.
The air bags are installed in the following locations:
lThe steering wheel hub (driver air bag)lThe passenger dashboard (passenger air bag)lThe outboard sides of the seatbacks (side air bags)í
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection
in certain situations, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an accident.
Seat belt usage is necessary to:
lKeep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.lReduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
lReduce the possibility of injuries in frontal, near frontal, side collisions that are not
severe enough to activate the air bags.
lReduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.lReduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
lHold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
For some models, a passenger air bag deactivation switch is provided. This switch should
be used to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt
pretensioner system if a child-restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Make sure
the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position except when a child-
restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Switch on page 2-40.
If your vehicle is also equipped with a driver and passenger occupant classification
system, refer to the Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System (page 2-44)
for details.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by the deployment of the passenger air bag in the
unlikely event of an accident, there are two methods to deactivate the passenger air bag as
follows, however, the surest way to prevent the passenger air bag from deploying is to use
the ignition key to turn it off rather than rely on the passenger seat weight sensors, which
will also detect other loads or objects on and around the passenger seat.
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every
state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint
system (page 2-18).
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-29íSome models.
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Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the
installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions.
Do not use a child-restraint system which employs an upper tether because there is no
appropriate means to anchor the tether.
WARNING
Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles:Depending only on the air bags for protection during an accident is dangerous.
Alone, air bags may not prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air bags can be
expected to inflate only in the first accident, such as frontal, near frontal, side
collisions that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat
belts.
Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated
when using a rear-facing child-restraint system: Seating a child in a rear-facing child-restraint system that is installed on the
passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not
illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an accident, a air bag could inflate and cause
serious injuries or even death to the child seated in the rear-facing child-restraint
system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is
illuminated using the key to turn the passenger air bag off.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-40.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-44.
Do not sit too close to the driver and passenger air bags:
Sitting too close to the driver and passenger air bag modules or placing hands or
feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and passenger air bags inflate with
great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too close. The driver
should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The seat passenger
should keep both feet on the floor. Seat occupants should adjust their seats as far
back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn
properly.
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Form No.8AV1-EA-09F
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Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch
WARNING
Do not deactivate the passenger air bag unnecessarily:Unnecessary deactivation of the passenger air bag is dangerous. If turned off
unnecessarily, the passenger will not receive the added protection of the air bag.
Serious injuries or even death could occur. With the exception of passengers fitting
the categories described below, do not turn the air bag deactivation switch to the
OFF position.
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger air bag deactivation switch. The switch is
located in the position shown in the figure below. The switch must be used to deactivate
the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt pretensioner system
when the occupant of the passenger seat fits into one of the following categories (as
described in the request form for the passenger air bag deactivation switch, the appendix B
to part 595 of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]):
lInfants (less than one year old; for all types of restraint, but particularly the rear-facing
child restraint.)
lChildren aged 1 to 12lPeople with certain medical conditions which, according to his/her physician, could be
adversely affected by air-bag activation
For more government release information on air bag deactivation, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for the occupant categories as described in the request form for the air bag
deactivation switch in the NHTSA rules.
The air bag deactivation switch turns off the passenger front and side air bags and the also
seat belt pretensioner system. Make sure the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
ON position except when a passenger fitting the previous categories occupies the front
passenger seat.
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Do not increase the total seated weight on the passenger seat:When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, increasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg
(66 lbs) is dangerous. The passenger seat weight sensors will detect the increased
total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected deployment of the
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 passenger
seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) could result in
the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system deployment
in an accident under the following conditions, for example:
ØThe total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the
passenger seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) or more.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
Ø The seat is washed.
Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat.
Ø The passenger seat is moved backward, and it is pushed into luggage or other
items placed behind it.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and center
console.
Ø Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the passenger
seat are attached to the passenger seat.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lbs)
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lbs).
CAUTION
Ø To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the
sensors in the seat bottoms:
ØDo not place sharp objects on the seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.
ØDo not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats.
Ø To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
ØAdjust the 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 passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Form No.8AV1-EA-09F
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C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-4
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-20
Child RestraintChild restraint precautions ......... 2-18
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-26
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2 Gas specifications ...................... 10-6
Convertible Top
Power Retractable Hardtop ........ 3-48
Soft Top ...................................... 3-43
Cruise Control ................................... 5-21
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-81
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-40
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-57
Defroster Rear window .............................. 5-60
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-30
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-10
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-12
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6 Automatic transmission .............. 5-20
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-10
Driving on uneven road ............. 4-12
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
D
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-26
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-27
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-27
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-26
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-20Flooded engine ........................... 7-20
Jump-starting .............................. 7-21
Push-starting .............................. 7-24
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-25
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-20
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-42
Oil .............................................. 8-18
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-17
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-18
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-39
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-50
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-61
Headlights .................................. 5-56
Index
11-3
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