2012 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA PRHT weight

Black plate (50,1)
qSide Air Bagsí
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.
When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the
system inflates the side air bag only on the side in which the vehicle was hit. The side air
bag inflates quickly to reduce injury to the driver or front passenger's chest caused by
directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-40).
In addition, the front passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the driver and front
passenger occupant classification system (page 2-47).
q Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition is switched ON 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 flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not
operate in an accident.
2-38
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page50
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (52,1)
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria
This chart indicates the applicable SRS equipment that will deploy depending on the type
of collision.
(The illustrations are the representative cases of collisions.)
SRS
equipment Types of collision
A severe frontal/near frontal collision A severe side collision A rear collision
Seat belt
pretensioner X*1(both sides)
No air bag and front seat
belt pretensioner will be
activated in a rear collision.
Driver air
bag X
Passenger air bag X
*1
Side air
bagíX*1(impact side only)
X: The SRS air bag equipment is designed to deploy in a collision.
*1: The passenger front and side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy depending on the condition of the total seated weight on the passenger seat or
the status of the passenger air bag deactivation switch.
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page52
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (59,1)
Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System
First, please read“Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions ”(page 2-30)
carefully.
q Driver Seat Slide Position Sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide position sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor
determines whether the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat
position to the diagnostic module (SAS unit). The SAS unit is designed to control the
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering
wheel.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a possible
malfunction (page 2-38).
qPassenger Seat Weight Sensors
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the supplemental
restraint system. These sensors are located under both of the passenger seat rails. These
sensors determine the total seated weight on the passenger seat and monitor the seat belt
buckle for the passenger seat. The SAS unit is designed to prevent the passenger front and
side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying if the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the system
deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system
when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. Refer to the following
table for the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illumination conditions.
This system shuts off the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the following table.
The air bag seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible malfunction. If this
happens, the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-47
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page59
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (60,1)
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.
2-48
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page60
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (61,1)
WARNING
Do not decrease the total seated weight on the passenger seat:When an adult or large child sits on the passenger seat, decreasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The
passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition
and the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy during an accident. The passenger will not have the supplementary protection
of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat could result in an air bag not deploying under the
following conditions, for example:
ØLuggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and center console that push up the passenger seat bottom.
Ø The passenger seat occupant sits in a manner such that the occupant's entire
weight is not placed on the seat sitting too close to the door.
Ø Any accessories which might decrease 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 passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
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 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 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 passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when
seating a child in the child-restraint system.
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 passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-49
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page61
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (62,1)
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.
2-50
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page62
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (63,1)
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)
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-51íSome models.
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page63
Monday, July 18 2011 10:7 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (148,1)
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.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page148
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F