2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK child restraint

2–38
Essential Safety Equipment
Child-Restraint
Tether strap
Forward
(5-Door)
Always attach the tether strap to the
correct tether anchor position:
Attaching the tether strap to the
incorrect tether anchor position is
dangerous. In a collision, the tether
strap could come off and loosen the
child-restraint system. If the child-
restraint system moves it could result
in death or injury to the child.
Installation on rear center seat
The LATCH lower anchors at the center
of the rear seat are much further apart
than the sets of LATCH lower anchors
for child-restraint system installation at
other seating positions. Child-restraint
systems with rigid LATCH attachments
cannot be installed on the center seating
position. Some LATCH equipped child-
restraint systems can be placed in the
center position and will reach the nearest
LATCH lower anchors which are 443 mm
(17.4 in) apart. LATCH compatible child-
restraint systems (with attachments on
belt webbing) can be used at this seating
position only if the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions state that the
child-restraint system can be installed to
LATCH lower anchors that are 443 mm
(17.4 in) apart. Do not attach two child-
restraint systems to the same LATCH
lower anchor. If your child-restraint
system has a tether, it must also be used
for your child's optimum safety.
The procedure for installation on the rear
outboards seats is the same.
LATCH lower anchor location
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2–39
Essential Safety Equipment
Child-Restraint
WARNING
Always route the tether strap between
the head restraint and the seatback:
Routing the tether strap on top of
the head restraint is dangerous. In a
collision the tether strap could slide off
the head restraint and loosen the child-
restraint system. The child-restraint
system could move which may result in
death or injury to the child.
Anchor bracket
Tether strap(4-Door)
Tether strap
Forward
(5-Door)
Always attach the tether strap to the
correct tether anchor position:
Attaching the tether strap to the
incorrect tether anchor position is
dangerous. In a collision, the tether
strap could come off and loosen the
child-restraint system. If the child-
restraint system moves it could result
in death or injury to the child.
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2–41
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
If your vehicle is also equipped with a front passenger occupant classifi cation system,
refer to the Front Passenger Occupant Classifi cation System (page 2-56 ) for details.
If your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classifi cation system, the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates for a specifi ed time after the
ignition is switched ON.
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 2-22 ).
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.
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
infl ate only in the fi rst accident, such as frontal, near frontal or side collisions or roll-over
accidents that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.

Children should not ride in the front passenger seat:
Placing a child, 12 years or under, in the front seat is dangerous. The child could be hit
by a deploying air bag and be seriously injured or even killed. A sleeping child is more
likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in moderate collision to the
front-passenger side of the vehicle. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and
under on the rear seats with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and
size.

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2–42
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that
could deploy:
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous even
though you may feel assured that a front passenger air bag will not deploy based on
the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. The
child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward
resulting in serious injury or death to the child.
Do not sit too close to the driver and front passenger air bags:
Sitting too close to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing hands or
feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and front passenger air bags infl ate 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 front seat passenger
should keep both feet on the fl oor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as
far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn
properly.

Sit in the center of the seat and wear seat belts properly:
Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them, or sleeping up
against the door or hanging out the windows is extremely dangerous. The side and
curtain air bags infl ate with great force and speed directly expanding 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, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front
seatbacks. Give the side and curtain 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 front passenger air bags
deploy:
Attaching an object to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing
something in front of them is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere with air
bag infl ation and injure the occupants.

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2–46
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
NOTE
 


y If it becomes necessary to have the components or wiring system for the supplementary
restraint system modifi ed to accommodate a person with certain medical conditions in
accordance with a certifi ed physician, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to
“Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)” (page 8-2 ).




y When an air bag deploys, a loud infl ation noise can be heard and some smoke will be
released. Neither is likely to cause injury, however, the texture of the air bags may cause
light skin injuries on body parts not covered with clothing through friction.
 


y Should you sell your Mazda, we urge you to tell the new owner of its air bag systems
and that familiarization with all instructions about them, from the Owner's Manual, is
important.
 


y This highly-visible label is displayed which warns against the use of rear-facing child-
restraint systems on the front passenger seat.
(U.S.A. and Canada)
(Mexico)
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2–57
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds.
The front/passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the
following conditions:
Condition detected by
the front passenger
occupant classifi cation
system Front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Front passenger front
and side air bags Front passenger seat
belt pretensioner
system
Empty (Not occupied) On Deactivated Deactivated
Child or child-restraint
system
*1 On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*2 Off Ready Ready
*1 If a larger child sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the child as being an adult depending
on the child's physique.
*2 If a smaller adult sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending
on the person's physique.
The curtain air bag is ready for infl ating regardless of the chart above.
If the front 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 front passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. The system may not work properly in an accident.
WARNING
Do not decrease the total seated weight on the front passenger seat:
When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total seated
weight on the front passenger seat required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The
front passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition
and the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will
not deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary
protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total seated
weight on the front passenger seat could result in an air bag not deploying under the
following conditions, for example:
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2–59
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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 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 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:
 


¾ Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
 


¾ A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.



¾ A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with their feet.



¾ Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.



¾ Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket.



¾ The seat is washed.



¾ Liquids are spilled on the seat.



¾ The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
 


¾ The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.



¾ Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.



¾ Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front passenger
seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
CAUTION
 


¾ To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors in
the front seat bottoms:
 


¾ Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on them.



¾ Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.




¾ To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:




¾ Adjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
 


¾ If 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 2-30 ).
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2–60
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
NOTE
 


y The 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.
 


y The 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.
 


y The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.
 


y The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light might illuminate if the front
passenger seat receives a severe impact.
 


y If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, fi rst, re-install your child-
restraint system according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light still does not illuminate, install the child-
restraint system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
 


y If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates when an adult is
seated in the front passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by sitting
with their feet on the fl oor, and then re-fastening the seat belt. If the front passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light still illuminates, move the passenger to the rear seat.
If sitting in the rear seat is not possible, slide the front passenger seat as far back as
possible. 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.
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