MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of safety belt pretensioners, air bags, or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your authorized Mazda dealership. Air bags MUST BE
disposed of by qualified personnel.
WARNING: Disposing of an air bag can be 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.
Side air bag system (if equipped)
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the air bag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying air bag. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
air bags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side air bag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air
bag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an air
bag. See your Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their safety belts even when an air bag SRS is provided.
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How does the side air bag system work?
The design and development of the
side air bag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Air Bag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side air bags.
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front air bags.
•Two crash sensors located on the lower portion of the b-pillar (one on
each side of the vehicle).
Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side air bag will
be deactivated. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door
panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided
occupants in side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
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to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side air bag
has deployed, the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual. If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase
the risk of injury in a collision.
Determining if the side airbags are operational
First determine you have the optional side air bags - locate the
“AIRBAGlabels on the outboard sides of the front seats.
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
by your authorized Mazda dealership immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
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Side-curtain air bag system (if equipped)
You can easily confirm if your vehicle has side-curtain air bags by looking
inside the vehicle up at the upperBpillar where you will see an
embossedAIRBAGlabel.
WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment on
or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying
side-curtain air bags (if
equipped). Failure to follow
these instructions may
increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a
collision.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door or window glass.
The side-curtain air bags (if equipped) could injure you as it
deploys from the headliner.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
side-curtain air bags (if equipped), fuses, the A, B, or C pillar
trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing side-curtain air
bags. See your Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS
and side-curtain air bags (if equipped) are provided.
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WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable side-curtain air
bags (if equipped).
How do the side-curtain air bags (if equipped) work?
The side-curtain air bags (if
equipped) consists of the following:
•An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).
•A headliner designed to flex open
above the side doors to allow
side-curtain air bag deployment.
•The same warning light,
electronic control and diagnostic
unit as used for the front airbags.
•Two crash sensors mounted at
lower B-Pillar (one on each side).
•Two crash sensors located at the
c-pillar behind the rear doors
(one on each side).
•Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The side-curtain air bags (if equipped), in combination with seat belts,
can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant
side impact collision or rollover event.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the rear seats. The side-curtain air bags (if equipped) will not interfere
with children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
The side-curtain air bags (if equipped) are designed to active when the
vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the RCM to
initiate side-curtain air bag (if equipped) inflation or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
The side-curtain air bags are mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal,
behind the headliner, above the first and second row seats. In certain
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lateral collisions or rollover events, the side-curtain air bags will be
activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. In certain rollover
events, the side-curtain air bag (if equipped) on both sides of the vehicle
will be inflated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The side-curtain
air bags (if equipped) are designed to inflate between the side window
area and occupants to further enhance protection provided in side
impact collisions and rollover events.
The fact that the side-curtain air bags (if equipped) did not activate in a
collision does not mean that there is a malfunction with the system.
Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause
activation. The side-curtain air bags (if equipped) are designed to inflate
in certain side impact collisions or rollover events, not in rear impact,
frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient
lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood.
WARNING: Several
side-curtain air bag (if
equipped) components get hot
after inflation. Do not touch
them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side-curtain
air bags (if equipped) have
deployed, the side-curtain air
bags will not function again
unless replaced. The
side-curtain air bags (including
the A, B and C pillar trim)
must be inspected and serviced
by a qualified technician in
accordance with the vehicle
workshop manual. If the
side-curtain air bags are not
replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.
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Determining if the side-curtain airbags are operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beep sounds will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of safety belt pretensioners, air bags, or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your authorized Mazda dealership. Air bags MUST BE
disposed of by qualified personnel.
WARNING: Disposing of an air bag can be 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.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also seeAir bag supplemental restraint system
(SRS)in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.
Important child restraint precautions
NOTE:You are required to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle.
WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
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NOTE:Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any
infant or child restraint you might use.
WARNING: When possible, always place children under age 12
in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating position.
Children and safety belts
If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat.
Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your
child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts.
Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that
apply to adult passengers in your vehicle.
If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can
be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child
closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.
WARNING: Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
WARNING: Placing a child, 12 years or younger, 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 a
moderate collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child, 12
years or younger, in the rear seat, with an appropriate child
restraint system for the child’s age and size. Never use a
rear-facing child restraint system in the front seat with an air
bag that could deploy.
Child booster seats
Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh
40 pounds and are around 4 years of age. Although the lap/shoulder belt
will provide some protection, these children are still too small for
lap/shoulder belts to fit properly, which could increase the risk of serious
injury.
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To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on children who
have outgrown child safety seats, Mazda recommends use of a
belt-positioning booster seat.
Booster seats position a child so that safety belts fit better. They lift the
child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips and the knees
bend comfortably. Booster seats also make the shoulder belt fit better
and more comfortably for growing children.
When children should use booster seats
Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the
toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and
lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they weigh about
80 lb. (about 8 to 12 years old).
Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these
questions:
•Can the child sit all the way back
against the vehicle seat back with
knees bent comfortably at the
edge of the seat without
slouching?
•Does the lap belt rest low across the hips?
•Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
•Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
WARNING: Booster seats must be installed only in seating
positions equipped with a combination lap/shoulder belt.
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Types of booster seats
There are two types of belt-positioning booster seats:
•Those that are backless.
If your backless booster seat has a
removable shield, remove the
shield and use the lap/shoulder
belt. If a seating position has a
low seat back and no head
restraint, a backless booster seat
may place your child’s head (top
of ear level) above the top of the
seat. In this case, use a
high-backed booster seat.
•Those with a high back.
If, with a backless booster seat,
you cannot find a seating position
that adequately supports your
child’s head, a high back booster
seat would be a better choice.
Both can be used in any vehicle in a seating position equipped with
lap/shoulder belts if your child is over 40 lb..
The shoulder belt should cross the chest, resting snugly on the center of
the shoulder. The lap belt should rest low and snug across the hips,
never up high across the stomach.
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition.
The importance of shoulder belts
Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is best to use a booster
seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat- the safest place for children
to ride.
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