2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA sensor

2 –33 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags(With Passenger Occupant Classification System)
In addition, the passenger side bag is designed to only deploy when the passenger occupant
classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passeng er's seat. For details, refer to
the passenger occupant classification system (page 2-37 ).
Warning Light/BeepA system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-26 .
Refer to Warning Sound is Activated on page 7-48 .
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2 –34 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
SRS Air Bag Deployment CriteriaThis chart indicates the applicable SRS equipment that will dep loy 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 *2
A rear collision
Seat belt
pretensioner X *1
(both sides) X *1
(impact side only)
No air bag and seat belt
pretensioner will be
activated in a rear collision.Driver air
bag X
Passenger
air bag X *1
Side air bag X *1
(impact side only)
X : The SRS air bag equipment is designed to deploy in a collision.
*1 (Passenger Occupant Classification System)
The passenger front and side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy when the passenger
occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on th e passenger's seat.
*2 In a side collision, the seat belt pretensioners and the side air bags deploy (only on the side in which the
collision occurs).
NOTE
In a frontal offset collision, the equipped air bags and pretensioners may all deploy
depending on the direction, angle, and rate of impact.
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2 –37 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
* Some models.Passenger Occupant Classification System *
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precaut ions" (page 2-24 )
carefully.
Passenger Occupant Classification SensorYour vehicle is equipped with a passenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. This sensor is equipped in the passenger's seat cushion. This
sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's 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 turns on.
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 turns o n. 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 turns on 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.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light turns on to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and seat
belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
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2 –38 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags If the passenger occupant classification sensor is normal, the i ndicator light turns on when
the ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light
turns on or is off under the following conditions: Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart
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) On Deactivated Deactivated
A child is seated in a child-
restraint system *1
On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult *2
Off Ready Ready
*1 The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seated on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a
junior seat depending on the child's physical size and seated posture.
*2 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 turn on when the ignition
is switched ON and does not turn on as indicated in the passeng er air bag deactivation
indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupant 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.
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2 –39 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
WARNING Do not allow an occupant in the passenger's seat to sit with a posture which makes
it difficult for the passenger occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant
correctly:
Sitting in the passenger's seat with a posture which makes it difficult for the passenger
occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly is dangerous. If the
passenger occupant classification sensor cannot detect the occupant sitting on the
passenger's seat correctly, the passenger front and side air bags and pretensioner system
may not operate (non-deploy) or they may operate (deploy) accidentally. The passenger
will not have the supplementary protection of the air bags or the accidental operation
(deployment) of the air bags could result in serious injury or death.
Under the following conditions, the passenger occupant classification sensor cannot
detect a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat correctly and the deployment/non-
deployment of the air bags cannot be controlled as indicated in the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart. For example: 
A passenger is seated as shown in the following figure:
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2 –40 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags 
Luggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and driver seat that push up the passenger seat bottom. 
An object, such as a seat cushion, is put on the passenger's seat or between the
passenger's back and the seatback. 
A seat cover is put on the passenger's seat. 
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.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if
the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
CAUTION 
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in
the seat cushion: 
Do not place sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them. 
Do not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats. 
To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following: 
Adjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks
with seat belts worn properly. 
If you place your child on the passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system properly
and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
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2 –42 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Constant MonitoringThe following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system: 
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit) 
Front air bag sensors 
Air bag modules 
Side crash sensors 
Air bag/Seat belt pretensioner system warning light 
Seat belt pretensioners 
Related wiring
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System) 
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light 
Passenger occupant classification sensor 
Passenger occupant classification module
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is bein g driven.
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3 –22 Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions Fuel RequirementsVehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table. Fuel Octane Rating *
(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel
91 [(R M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
*
U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gaso line station pumps.
Regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating from 87 to 90 (91 t o 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine output, and engine knocking.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negativel y affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION 
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures. 
This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly. 
Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compo unds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline conta ining alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not be
covered by the warranty. 
Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol. 
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol. 
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
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