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If your vehicle is also equipped with a driver and passenger occupant classification
system, refer to the Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System (page 2-47)
for details.
If your vehicle is equipped with a driver and passenger occupant classification system, the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates for a specified time after the
ignition is switched ON.
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).
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.
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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, an 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 2-43.
Refer to Passenger Seat Weight Sensors on page 2-47.
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.
Do not sit too close to a door or lean against doors in vehicles with side air bags: Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely
dangerous. A side air bag inflates with great force and speed directly out of the
outboard shoulder of the seat and expands along the door on the side the car is hit.
Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning
against a window in the seats. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging
out the driver-side window while driving could block the side air bag and eliminate
the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side air bags room to work by
sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn
properly.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where driver and passenger air bags
deploy: Attaching an object to the driver and passenger air bag modules or placing
something in front of them is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere
with air bag inflation and injure the occupants.
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Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Switch Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Indicator Light Passenger Front and Side
Air Bag Operation Passenger Seat Belt
Pretensioner System
OFF position
On Deactivate Deactivate
ON position
Off ReadyReady
When the ignition is switched ON the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light comes
on for a specified period of time.
If the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position, the indicator light
remains on to warn that the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system have been deactivated.
In addition to using the key to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and the also
seat belt pretensioner system, the passenger front and side air bags and the also seat belt
pretensioner system is also deactivated and the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light is illuminated automatically.
NOTE
Have the passenger air bag deactivation switch inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any of
these conditions occur:
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate for a specified period of
time when the ignition is switched ON.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not remain on when the ignition is
switched ON and the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator remains on when the ignition is switched ON and
the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position.
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qTo Deactivate the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements.
WARNING
Do not leave the key in the front passenger air bag deactivation switch:
(With advanced key)
Unintentional deactivation of the passenger air bag is dangerous. In an accident, the
passenger will not be properly protected. Serious injuries or even death could occur.
To avoid unintentional deactivation, always use the auxiliary key stored in the
advanced key currently being used to operate the passenger air bag deactivation
switch. After deactivating the air bag, put the auxiliary key back into the advanced
key. That way you will not leave the key in the passenger air bag deactivation
switch.
(Without advanced key)
Unintentional deactivation of the passenger air bag is dangerous. In an accident, the
passenger will not be properly protected. Serious injuries or even death could occur.
To avoid unintentional deactivation, always use the same key to operate the
passenger air bag deactivation switch and the ignition switch, that way you will not
leave the key in the passenger air bag deactivation switch.
1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key clockwise until the key points to OFF.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light remains illuminated when the ignitionis switched ON.
NOTE
(With advanced key)
After operating the passenger air bag deactivation switch, put the auxiliary key back into the
advanced key.
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The passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system will remain
deactivated until the passenger air bag deactivation switch is turned to the ON position.
qTo Ready the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements.
1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key
counterclockwise until the key points to ON.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light turns off after the ignition is switchedON.
NOTE
(With advanced key)
After operating the passenger air bag deactivation switch, put the auxiliary key back into the
advanced key.
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Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and
seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the ignition
is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:Condition detected by the passenger occupant
classification system Passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Passenger front and side
air bags Passenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)
*1Off Deactivated Deactivated
Child or child-restraint
system
*2On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*3Off ReadyReady
If the passenger air bag has been deactivated using the key, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light will
remain illuminated as long you leave the passenger air bag turned off, and the chart above no longer applies.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-43.
*1 : If the passenger seat belt is buckled, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.
*2 : If a larger child sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the child as being an adult depending on the child's physique.
*3 : If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on the person's physique.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is
switched ON and does not illuminate as indicated in the above chart, do not allow a child
to sit in the passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
The system may not work properly in an accident. You must deactivate the passenger air
bag using the key (page 2-43) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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CAUTION
ØTo 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.
NOTE
lThe system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front and side
air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if luggage or other
items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior changes
suddenly.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if the total
seated weight on the passenger seat changes.
lThe air bag seat belt pretensioner system warning light might illuminate if the passenger seat
receives a severe impact.
lYou must deactivate the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-43) and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
lIf the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates when an adult is seated in the
passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by sitting with their feet on the floor,
and then re-fastening the seat belt. If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light still
illuminates, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
q Driver and 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.
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Monitoring and Maintenance
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:
lCrash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)lFront air bag sensorlAir bag moduleslSide crash sensorsí
lAir bag/Seat belt pretensioner system warning lightlSeat belt pretensionerslRelated wiringlFront passenger air bag deactivation indicator lightlFront passenger air bag deactivation switchlDriver seat slide position sensorlFront passenger seat weight sensorslFront passenger seat weight sensor control module
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is being driven.
q Maintenance
The air bag systems do not require regular maintenance. But if any of the following occurs,
take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:
lThe air bag system warning light flashes.lThe air bag system warning light remains illuminated.lThe air bag system warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON.lThe air bags have deployed.lPassenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is
switched ON or does not illuminate as indicated in the chart or when you manually
deactivate the passenger air bag with the key.
For more details about passenger air bag deactivation, refer to:
lPassenger seat weight sensors (page 2-47)lPassenger air bag deactivation switch (page 2-43)
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