2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 sensor

▼Side Air Bags
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the seat
backs.
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 driv er or passenger's head and chest caused by
directly hitting interior pa rts such as a door or window.
For more details about air bag de ployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"
(page 2-37).
(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 passen ger's seat. For details, refer to
the passenger occupant classification system (page 2-40).

▼ Warning Light/Beep
A 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 7-49.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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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 equip- ment Types of collision
A severe frontal/near frontal collision A severe side collision
*2A rear collision
Seat belt
pretensioner X*1 (both sides)
X*1 (impact side only)
No air bag and seat belt
pretensioner will be activat- ed 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 collis ion.*1(Passenger Occupant Classification System)
The passenger front and side air b ags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy when the passenger
occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on t he 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).
NOTEIn a frontal offset collision, the equipped air bags and pretensioners may all deploy depending on the direction,
angle, and rate of impact.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Passenger Occupant Classification System*
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precaut ions" (page 2-26) carefully.
▼Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a p
assenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. This sensor is equipped in the p assenger's seat cushion. This
sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's s eat. 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 pa ssenger 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 illumina tion 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 pr etensioner 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.
If the passenger occupant classi fication sensor is normal, the indicator light turns on when
the ignition is switched ON. The light t urns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light
turns on or is off under the following conditions:
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-40*Some models.
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Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart
Condition detected by the pas-
senger occupant classification system Passenger air bag de-
activation 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-re-
straint system
*1On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*2Off Ready Ready
*1 The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seat ed on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a
junior seat depending on the ch ild'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 deactivat ion indicator light does not turn on when the ignition is
switched ON and does not turn on as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupan t 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.
WA R N I N G
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 ba gs and pretensioner system may not operate
(non-deploy) or they may operate (deploy) a ccidentally. The passenger will not have the
supplementary protection of the air bags or th e accidental operation (deployment) of the air
bags could result in serious injury or death.
Under the following conditions, the passenger occu pant classification sensor cannot detect a
passenger sitting on the passenger's seat co rrectly 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:
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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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 pr operly, always perform the following:
 Adjust the seats as far back as possible an d 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.
NOTE
The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front
and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light may turn on repeatedly if luggage or
other items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior
changes suddenly.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may turn on for 10 seconds if the
electrostatic capacity on the passenger seat changes.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light might turn on if the passenger
seat receives a severe impact.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light does not turn on after installing a
child-restraint system on the passenger seat, first, re-install your child-restraint system
according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light still does not turn on, and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on when an occupant is seated
directly 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 remains turned on, slide the passenger seat as far back as
possible. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Constant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:

Front air bag sensors
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
Side crash sensors
Air bag modules
Seat belt pretensioners
Air bag/Seat belt preten sioner system warning light
Related wiring
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System)
Passenger occupant classification sensor
Passenger occupant classification module
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
▼Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use O
NLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.

This vehicle will perform best w ith 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 to 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine o utput, 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 ser ious engine damage.
CAUTION
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic co nverter 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 us ing gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly.
 Never add fuel system additive s, 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 mo re than 10 % ethanol.
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
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NOTE
Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light sensor.
Otherwise, light sensor sensitivity will
be affected and may not operate
normally.

Light sensor
For information regarding the 3 buttons
(
,,) on the auto-dimming
mirror.
Refer to HomeLink Wireless Control
System on page 4-56.
The auto-dimming function is canceled
when the ignition is switched ON and
the shift/selector lever is in reverse (R).
Before Driving
Mirrors
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