weight MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual

2-21
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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.
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 sit in the rear and use seat belts,
both lap and shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to
the center of the vehicle in the outboard seats, and towards the buckle on the right if the
child is seated on the center seat.
Statistics confirm that the rear seat is the best place for all children up to 12 years of age,
and more so with a supplemental restraint system (air bags).
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER
be used on the front seat with the air
bag system activated. The front passenger ’s seat is also the least preferred seat for other
child-restraint systems.
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, a front passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light is also equipped (page 2-29). To reduce the chance of
injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the front passenger seat
weight sensors work as a part of the supplemental restraint system. This system deactivates
the front passenger front and side air bags and also the front passenger seat belt
pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than
approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, the system shuts off the front
passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system, so make sure the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
Even if the front passenger air bag is shut off, Mazda strongly recommends that children be
properly restrained and child-restraint systems of all kinds are properly secured on the rear
seats which are the best place for children.
For more details, refer to "Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-44)".
Child Restraint Precautions
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Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Seating Children in a Child-Restraint System on the Front Passenger Seat:
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, a front passenger
air bag deactivation indicator light is also equipped (page 2-29). Even with the front
passenger seat weight sensors, if you must use the front passenger seat for children,
seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat under the
following conditions increases the danger of the front passenger air bag deploying
and could result in serious injury or death to the child.
•The total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the front
passenger seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more.
• Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
• A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.
• A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with the feet.
• Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.
• The seat is washed.
• Liquids are spilled on the seat.
• The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
• The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.
• Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.
• Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
The designated positions with seat belts on the rear seats are the safest places for
children. Always use seat belts and child restraints.
Children and Seating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags:
Allowing anyone to lean over or against the front door, the area of front seat, front
and rear window pillars and the roof edge along both sides which the side and curtain
air bags deploy even though using a child-restraint system is dangerous. If the vehicle
is equipped with side and curtain air bags, the impact of inflation could cause serious
injury or death to the child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the front door could
block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental
protection. With the front air bag and the additional side air bag that comes out of the
front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Do not allow a child to
lean over or against the doors, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
WARNING
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Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Seating a Child in a Child-Restraint
System on the Front Passenger Seat
With the Front Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Indicator Light Not
Illuminated:
Seating a child in a child-restraint
system installed on the front
passenger seat with the front
passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light not illuminated is
dangerous. If the front passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light does
not illuminate even when the total
seated weight is less than
approximately 30 kg (66 lb), this
means that the front passenger front
and side air bags, and seat belt
pretensioner are ready for
deployment. If an accident were to
deploy an air bag, a child sitting in
the front passenger seat could be
seriously injured or killed. If the front
passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate
after installing a child-restraint
system on the front passenger seat,
install the child-restraint system on
the rear seat and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. While it is always better to
install any child-restraint system on
the rear seat, it is essential to do so if
the front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light does not
illuminate. For further details, refer
to "Front passenger seat weight
sensors (page 2-44)".
WARNING
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 modules. It also includes installing extra
electrical equipment on or near system components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda
Dealer can provide the special care needed in the removal and installation of front
seats. It is important to protect the air bag wiring and connections to assure that the
bags do not accidentally deploy, the driver seat slide position sensor and front
passenger seat weight sensors are not damaged and that the seats retain an
undamaged air bag connection.
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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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Front Air Bag System Components
(1) Front dual stage inflators and air bags
(2) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
(3) Front air bag sensor
(4) Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-44)
(5) Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-44)
(6) Front seats
(7) Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-44)
(8) Front seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-14)
(9) Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-44)
(4)
(8) (7) (5)(8)
(2)
(9)(3)
(1)
(6)
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

How the Front Air Bags Work
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the inflation, the front air bags
quickly deflate.
The front air bags will function only once. After that, the front air bags will not work
again and must be replaced.
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.
The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during
more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may
differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver seat position,
front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, which allow for further controlling of the
system.
Driver seat slide position sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide sensor as a part of the supplemental
restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor determines whether
the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat position to the crash
sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit). The sensor is also designed to control the
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering
wheel.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a
possible malfunction (page 2-53).
How the Air Bags Work
The front air bags will deploy only
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Front passenger seat weight sensors
If your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors, a front passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light is also equipped (page 2-29). These sensors are located
under both of the front passenger seat rails. These sensors determine the total seated weight
on the front passenger seat. The sensors are also designed to prevent the front passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from inflating if the total seated
weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the
system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system when:
•There is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)
• The total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66
lb). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)
This system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the chart below.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible
malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt
pretensioner system will not deploy.
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the front passenger front and side air
bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. After about 6 seconds it goes out.
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the
following conditions:
*If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position and does not illuminate as indicated in the
above chart, do not allow a child to sit in the front passenger seat and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident.
Total seated weight on
the front passenger seat Front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Front passenger front and
side air bags Seat belt pretensioner
system
Empty (Not occupied)
*OFF OFF OFF
Less than approx. 30 kg
(66 lb) ON
OFF OFF
Approx. 42 kg (93 lb) or
more OFF
ONON
Decreasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:
When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The front
passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and
the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary
protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) could result in an air bag not deploying under the
following conditions, for example:
•A rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with the feet.
• Luggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the front
passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.
• The front passenger seat occupant sits in a manner that does not place the entire
weight of the occupant on the seat such as by sitting too close to the door, grasping
the rim of the moonroof.
• The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.
• Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
WARNING
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Increasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, increasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 30 kg (66 lb) is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will
detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected
deployment of the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system in an accident and serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the
front passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lb) could
result in the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system
deployment in an accident under the following conditions, for example:
•Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
• A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.
• A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with the feet.
• Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.
• The seat is washed.
• Liquids are spilled on the seat.
• The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
• The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.
• Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.
• Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
• To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors
in the front seat bottoms:

Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on them.
Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.
• To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:

Adjust the front 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 front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-29).
WARNING
CAUTION
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Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Driver and front passenger buckle switches
The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are
securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags on the front seats.

How the Side and Curtain Air Bags Work*
When air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the side and curtain air bags and after the inflation, the side
and curtain air bags quickly deflate.
The side and curtain air bags will function only once. After that, the side and curtain air
bags will not work again and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can
replace the systems.
NOTE
• The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the front
passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
• The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the
vehicle
’s interior changes suddenly.
• The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds
if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.
•
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child-restraint
system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
To prevent damage to the side and curtain air bag wiring, don ’t place luggage or other
objects under the front seats.
The side air bag will deploy only on the side
the vehicle receives the force of the impact. The curtain air bag will deploy only on the side
the vehicle receives the force of the impact.
CAUTION
*Some models.
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