warning MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 User Guide

2-12
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Child Restraint
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use
them.
You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Small children, generally those who are four years old or younger and who weigh under 18
kg (40 lb), riding in your vehicle, must be protected by child-restraint systems made
especially for children.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety
of children riding in your vehicle.
Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age
and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual
child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should use seat belts, both lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center.
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER
be used in the front seat because it
would be too close to the air bag. The passenger ’s seat is also the least preferred seat for
other child-restraint systems.
We have provided a deactivation switch that will disable passenger-side air bag inflation.
Do not switch off the passenger-side air bag without reading the "Passenger-Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch"(page 2-19).
Child Restraint Precautions
Proper Size of Child-Restraint System:
For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be
properly restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and
size. If not, the child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
WARNING
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2-13
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions and Always Keep the Child-Restraint System
Buckled Down:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it
could move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure
the child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint
system manufacturer’s instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or
fasten it with a seat belt.
Holding a Child While the Vehicle is Moving:
Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No
matter how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden
stop or collision and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. Even in a moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces
that could result in serious injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed
into the adult, injuring the adult. Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint
system.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
When a rear-facing child-restraint system is installed on the passenger ’s seat and the
passenger-side air bag deactivation switch is not in the OFF position, it is extremely
dangerous. In an accident, the air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even
death to the child in the rear-facing child-restraint system. When using a rear-facing
child-restraint system, always set the passenger-side air bag deactivation switch to
OFF position.
One Belt, One Passenger:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way can ’t 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.
WARNING
Deploying air bag
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2-14
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Child-Restraint Tether:
Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether is dangerous. Your Mazda doesn’t
have a child-restraint tether. The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In
a collision, it could move and cause serious injury or even death to the child or
someone else. Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether.
A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot in a closed vehicle during
warm weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before you or your child
touches them.
WARNING
CAUTION
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2-17
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Air Bags without Seat Belts:
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 during a frontal, near-frontal collision of at least moderate
force. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
When a rear-facing child-restraint system is installed on the passenger’s seat and the
passenger-side air bag deactivation switch is not in the OFF position, it is extremely
dangerous. In an accident, the air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even
death to the child in the rear-facing child-restraint system. When using a rear-facing
child-restraint system, always set the passenger-side air bag deactivation switch to
OFF position.
Seating Position with Air Bags:
Sitting too close to the air bag storage compartments or placing hands or feet on them
is extremely dangerous. 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.
Air Bag Storage Areas:
Attaching an object to an air bag storage area or placing something in front of it is
dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with air bag inflation and injure
the occupants.
Always keep the air bag storage areas free of objects.
Hot Air Bag Inflators:
Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the
steering wheel or the dashboard are very hot. You could get burned. Don ’
t touch the
internal components of the air bag storage areas after the bags have inflated.
WARNING
Deploying air bag
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2-18
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Installation of Front-End Equipment:
Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar,
bull bar, push bar, etc.), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash sensor
system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate unexpectedly, or it could
prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Occupants could be seriously
injured. Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.
Suspension Adjustment:
Adjusting the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle’s height or the
suspension is changed, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious
injuries.
Modification of the Supplemental Restraint System:
Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is
dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Don ’t make any
modifications to the supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim,
badges, or anything else over the air bag storage areas. It also includes installing
extra electric equipment on or near system components or wiring.
NOTE
• When an air bag deploys, a loud inflation 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.
• 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.
WARNING
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2-19
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Your vehicle is equipped with a
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch. The switch is located in the center
console. The switch must be used to
deactivate the passenger-side air bag
when the occupant of the passenger seat
fits into one of the following categories
(as described in the request form for the
air bag on-off switch, the appendix B to
part 595 of National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration [NHTSA]) :
•Infants (less than one year old; for all
types of restraint, but particularly the
rear-facing child restraint.)
• Children aged 1 to 12
• People with certain medical conditions
which, according to his/her physician,
could be adversely affected by air-bag
activation For more government release information
on air bag deactivation, contact your
Authorized Mazda Dealer for the
occupant categories as described in the
request form for the air bag deactivation
switch in the NHTSA rules. The factory
installed air bag deactivation switch in
your car only works for the passenger-side
air bag.
The air bag deactivation switch turns off
the passenger-side air bag. Make sure the
passenger-side air bag deactivation switch
is in the ON position except when a
passenger fitting the previous categories
occupies the front passenger seat.
Passenger-Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch
Unnecessary Deactivation of
Passenger-side Air Bag:
Unnecessary deactivation of the
passenger-side air bag is dangerous.
If turned off unnecessarily, the
passenger will not receive the added
protection of the air bag. Serious
injuries or even death could occur.
With the exception of passengers
fitting the categories described below,
do not turn the air bag deactivation
switch to the OFF position.
WARNING
Passenger-
Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch Passenger-side
Air Bag
Operation Air Bag
Deactivation
Indicator Light
OFF position
Deactivate ON
ON position Activate OFF
ON
OFF
Air bag deactivation switch
Deactivation indicatoir
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2-20
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
When the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the passenger-side air bag
deactivation indicator light comes on for
about 6 seconds.
If the passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch is in the OFF position, the
indicator light remains on to warn that the
passenger-side air bag has been
deactivated.
To Deactivate The Passenger-Side
Air Bag
1. Insert the key into the switch.
2. Turn the key clockwise until the key
points to OFF.
3. Remove the key.
4. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light remains on when the
ignition is in the ON position.
The passenger-side air bag will remain
deactivated until the passenger-side air
bag deactivation switch is turned to the
ON position.
NOTE
Have the passenger-side air bag
deactivation switch inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if any of
these conditions occur:
• The indicator doesn
’t come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
• The indicator doesn
’t remain on
when the ignition switch is in the
ON position and the passenger-side
air bag deactivation switch is in the
OFF position.
• The indicator remains on when the
ignition switch is in the ON position
and the passenger-side air bag
deactivation switch is in the ON
position.
Leaving the Key in the Passenger-
Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch:
Unintentional deactivation of the
passenger-side air bag is dangerous.
In an accident, the passenger will not
be properly protected. Serious injuries
or even death could occur. To avoid
unintentional deactivation, always
use the same key to operate the
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch and the ignition switch, that
way you won
’t leave the key in the
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch.
WARNING
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2-25
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Constant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
• SAS unit
• Crash sensor
• Air bag modules
• Seat belt pretensioners
• Related wiring
• Passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch
A diagnostic module continuously
monitors the systems ’ readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.

Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
Systems Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is OK, the warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out. A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes, stays
on or doesn
’t come on at all. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system
may not work in an accident.

Maintenance
The air bag systems are maintenance-free.
But if any of the following occurs, take
your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible:
• The air bag system warning light
flashes.
• The air bag system warning light stays
on.
• The air bag system warning light stays
off when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
• The air bags inflate.
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
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2-26
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Damaged Air Bag Sensors:
Driving with damaged air bag sensors
is dangerous. A collision, even one
not strong enough to inflate the air
bags, could damage the sensors. If
there was a subsequent collision, a
damaged sensor would not inflate the
air bags. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect the air bag
systems after a collision.
Removing Interior Parts:
Removing any components such as
the front dashboard, the steering
wheel or parts containing air bag
sensors is dangerous. These parts
contain essential air bag parts. The
air bag could accidentally activate
and cause serious injuries. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
remove these parts.
Air Bag Disposal:
Improper disposal of an air bag or a
vehicle with live air bags in it can be
extremely dangerous. Unless all
safety procedures are followed, injury
can result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of an air
bag or how to scrap an air bag
equipped vehicle.
WARNING
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3-2
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Doors and Locks
The keys operate all locks.
A code number is stamped on the plate
attached to the key set; detach this plate
and store it in a safe place (not in the
vehicle) for use if you need to make a
replacement key.
Also write down the code number and
keep it in another safe and handy place,
but not in the vehicle.
If your key is lost, consult your
Authorized Mazda Dealer with the code
number ready.Keys
Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous. This could
result in someone being badly injured
or even killed. They could play with
power windows or other controls, or
even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in your vehicle with
children.
• To avoid damage to the key, do not:

Drop the key.
 Get the key wet.
 Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
 Expose the key to high
temperatures on places such as
the dashboard or hood, under
direct sunlight.
• When starting the engine, do not let
the following materials touch the
key grip. The engine may not start:

Spare keys.
 Keys for other vehicles equipped
with an immobilizer system.
 Metal objects that touch or pass
through the hole in the key.
WARNING
CAUTION
Key code number plate
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