2–2
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Seat Precautions
WARNING
Make sure the adjustable components of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a
sudden stop or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make sure the
adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat
forward and backward and rocking the seatback.
Never allow children to adjust a seat:
Allowing children to adjust a seat is dangerous as it could result in serious injury if a
child's hands or feet become caught in the seat.
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:
All of the seatbacks play an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the
seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown
around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe
injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers,
rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
Adjust the driver's seat only when the vehicle is stopped:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. The driver could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Do not modify or replace the seats:
Modifying or replacing the seats such as replacing the upholstery or loosening any
bolts is dangerous. The seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental
restraint system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system
and result in serious injury. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to
remove or reinstall the seats.
Do not drive with damaged seats:
Driving with damaged seats is dangerous. A collision, even one not strong enough
to inflate the air bags, could damage the seats which contain essential air bag
components. If there was a subsequent collision, an air bag may not deploy which could
lead to injuries. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seats, seat belt
pretensioners and air bags after a collision.
Do not drive with either seats reclined:
Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you do not
get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide
under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well
back and upright.
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2–3
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Do not place an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back:
Putting an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back is dangerous
because you will be unable to maintain a safe driving posture and the seat belt cannot
function at its full capacity in a collision, which could result in a serious accident, injury or
death.
Do not place objects under the seat:
The object could get stuck and cause the seat to not be fixed securely, and result in an
accident.
Do not stack cargo higher than the seatbacks:
Stacking luggage or other cargo higher than the seatbacks is dangerous. During sudden
braking or a collision, objects can fly around and become projectiles that may hit and
injure passengers.
Make sure luggage and cargo is secured before driving:
Not securing cargo while driving is dangerous as it could move or be crushed during
sudden braking or a collision and cause injury.
Always leave your car locked and keep the car keys safely away from children:
Leaving your car unlocked or the keys in reach of children is dangerous. Children who find
their way into the trunk through an open trunk can become accidentally locked in the
trunk. This could result in death or brain damage from heat prostration, particularly in
the summer. Always lock the doors and the trunk.
CAUTION
When operating a seat, be careful not to put your hands or fingers near the moving parts of
the seat or on the side trim to prevent injury. When moving the seats, make sure there is no cargo in the surrounding area. If the cargo
gets caught it could damage the cargo. When moving the seats forward and rearward or returning a rear-reclined seatback to its
upright position, make sure you hold onto the seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not held, the seat will move suddenly and could cause injury.
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2–7
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during acci\
dents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passengers always wear seat \
belts.
(Except Mexico)
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder be\
lts out of the way when
not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and\
has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractor operates in two modes\
: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode. I\
f you must use the
passenger seat for a child, slide the passenger seat as far back as poss\
ible and make sure any
child-restraint system is secured properly.
(Mexico)
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors with inertia locks that keep
them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts to remain comfortable on
users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of
the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants
wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available to
absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could cause
serious injury or death. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the seat belt to
remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
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2–9
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
*Some models.
Pregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS.
The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the
stomach area.
Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Che\
ck with your doctor
for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
Emergency Locking Mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode.
In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the\
retractor will lock in position during a collision.
If the belt is locked and cannot be pulled out, retract the belt once, a\
nd then try pulling it out
slowly. If this fails, pull the belt strongly one time and loosen, then pull i\
t out again slowly.
(Seat Belt with Automatic Locking Mode)
When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode until it is
switched to automatic locking mode by pulling it all the way out to its \
full length. If the belt
feels tight and hinders comfortable movement while the vehicle is stoppe\
d or in motion, it
may be in the automatic locking mode because the belt has been pulled to\
o far out. To return
the belt to the more comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped
in a safe, level area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emer\
gency locking mode and
then extend it around you again.
Automatic Locking Mode*
Always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system\
from shifting to
an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To enable seat belt automatic locking mode,
pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restra\
int system. It will retract
down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. See the sectio\
n on child restraint
(page 2-15).
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2–18
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous under
certain conditions (With Passenger Occupant Classification System):
Your vehicle is equipped with passenger occupant classification sensor. Even with the
passenger occupant classification sensor, if you must use the passenger seat to seat a
child, using a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the following conditions
increases the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury
or death to the child.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when seating a
child in the child-restraint system. Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system. The seat is washed. Liquids are spilled on the seat. The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed
behind it. Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat. An electric device is put on the passenger's seat. An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the
passenger seat.
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with
side air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the
passenger seat from which the side air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is
used. The impact of inflation from a side air bag could cause serious injury or death to an
out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the door could block the side
air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air
bag deploys from the outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or
against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether or the LATCH
lower anchor:
Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether or the LATCH lower anchor is
dangerous. Your Mazda does not have a child-restraint tether or the LATCH lower anchor.
The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In a collision, it could move and
injure other occupants as well as result in serious injuries or death to the child.
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2–21
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Installing Child-Restraint
Systems
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily
be converted into the automatic locking
mode, which must be done to hold the
child-restraint system.
NOTE
To check if your seats have side air
bags:
Mazda vehicles equipped with side
air bag will have an embossed "SRS
AIRBAG" marking on the outboard
shoulder of the seats. Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Depending on the type of child-restraint
system, it may not employ seat belts
which are in automatic locking mode,
however if it uses an upper tether, it
may not be mounted properly in this
vehicle as there is no safe way to anchor
the tether. Confirm whether the child-
restraint system can be used with seat
belts by reading the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions.
WARNING
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean
over or against the side window of a
vehicle with side air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to
lean over or against the side window,
the area of the passenger seat from
which the side air bags deploy, even
if a child-restraint system is used. The
impact of inflation from a side air bag
could cause serious injury or death to
an out of position child. Furthermore,
leaning over or against the door could
block the side air bags and eliminate
the advantages of supplemental
protection. Because the side air bag
deploys from the outboard shoulder of
the seat, do not allow the child to lean
over or against the side window, even
if the child is seated in a child-restraint
system.
CAUTION
When moving the seats forward and
rearward, make sure you hold onto
the seatback with your hand while
operating. If the seatback is not held,
the seat will move suddenly and could
cause injury.
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2–22
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint
System Installation (With Passenger
Occupant Classification System)
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off.
2. Slide the seat as far back as possible.
3. Place the child-restraint system on the
seat without putting your weight on
the seat and secure the child-restraint
system with the lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's
instructions on the child-restraint
system for belt routing instructions.
4. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
5. Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the
belt retracts as snugly as possible. A
clicking noise from the retractor will
be heard during retraction if the system
is in automatic locking mode. If the
belt does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat the previous step and also this
one.
NOTE
Inspect this function before each use of
the child-restraint system. You should
not be able to pull the shoulder belt out
of the retractor while the system is in the
automatic locking mode. When you remove
the child-restraint system, be sure the
belt fully retracts to return the system to
emergency locking mode before occupants
use the seat belts.
6. Seat your child safely in the child-
restraint system and secure the child
according to the instructions from the
child-restraint system manufacturer.
7. Switch the ignition ON and make sure
the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates after
installing a child-restraint system on
the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate,
remove the child-restraint system,
switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-
install the child-restraint system (page
2-37).
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2–25
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulat\
ed by law in every
state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint
system (page 2-15).
Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your ch\
ild 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 becaus\
e 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 or 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 child-restraint system (With Passenger Occupant Classification System):
Seating a child in a 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 child-restraint system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Occupant Classification System on page 2-37.
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 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.
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