warning light MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual

1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Dashboard Overview
Climate control systemGlove box
Parking brakeLighter
Shift lever
Audio system
Passenger-side air bag
Hazard warning flasher
Wiper and washer lever
Ashtray
Information display
Fog light switch*
Power door lock switch Lighting control/Turn signals Instrument cluster
Power window switches* Driver-side air bag
Ignition switch
Hood release handle
Audio control switch* Cup holder
Steering column release lever
(page 6-38)
(page 2-36)
(page 5-26)
(page 5-44)
(page 5-48)
(page 3-8)
(page 3-16)
(page 3-20)
(page 6-32)
(page 3-29) (page 5-53)
(page 6-10)
(page 6-2)
(page 5-9)
(page 2-36)
(page 6-42)
(page 6-41)
(page 5-5)
(page 6-40)
(page 6-40) (page 5-2)
(page 5-48)
*Some models.
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2-1
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
2Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, SRS air
bags and child-restraint systems.
Seats ................................................................................................ 2-2
Front Seats ................................................................................. 2-2
Rear Seat .................................................................................... 2-5
Seat Belt Systems ........................................................................... 2-9
Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................. 2-9
3-Point Type Seat Belt ............................................................. 2-12
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ...... 2-14
Rear Center Position Seat Belt ................................................ 2-16
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-18
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................. 2-19
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-21
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-21
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-25
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-32
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-36
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-36
Supplemental Restraint System Components .......................... 2-41
How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-44
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2-3
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Seat ReclineTo change the seatback angle, lean
forward slightly while raising the lever.
Then lean back to the desired position and
release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seatback is locked in
place by attempting to push it forward and
backward.
Reclining:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous
because you don
’t get the full
protection from seat belts. During
sudden braking or a collision, you
can slide under the lap belt and suffer
serious internal injuries. For
maximum protection, sit well back
and upright.
Unlocked Seatback:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After adjusting the
seatback at any time, even when there
are no other passengers, rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked in
place.
WARNING
When returning a rear-reclined
seatback to its upright position, make
sure you support the seatback while
operating the seatback lever. If the
seatback is not supported, it will flip
forward suddenly and could cause
injury.
Lever
CAUTION
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2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning
Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is normal, the warning light
illuminates 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 illuminates or doesn
’t
illuminate at all when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system
may not work in an accident.
Pretensioner System Disposal:
Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is
dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury could
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of the
pretensioner system or how to scrap a
pretensioner-equipped vehicle.
NOTE
• The pretensioner system will only
activate in a moderate or greater
frontal or near-frontal collision. It
will not activate in most rollovers,
side or rear impacts.
• Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be
released when the air bags and
pretensioners deploy. This does not
indicate a fire. This gas normally
has no effect on occupants,
however, those with sensitive skin
may experience light skin irritation.
If residue from the deployment of
the air bags or the front pretensioner
system gets on the skin or in the
eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.
WARNING
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
performs all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
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2-16
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning
Beep
If a malfunction is detected in the air bag/
front seat belt pretensioner systems and
the warning light, a warning beep sound
will be heard for about 5 seconds every
minute.
The air bag and seat belt pretensioner
system warning beep sound will continue
to be heard for approximately 35 minutes.
Have your vehicle inspected at an Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. Before using the rear-center lap/shoulder
belt make sure tongue (A) and anchor
buckle (B) are fastened.


Fastening the Seat Belt
1. Grasp the buckle (D) and tongue (C).
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
3. Insert the tongue (C) into the buckle
(D) until you hear a click.
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Beep:
Driving the vehicle with the air bag/
front seat belt pretensioner system
warning beep sounding is dangerous.
In a collision, the air bags and the
front seat belt pretensioner system
will not deploy and this could result in
death or serious injury.
Do not drive the vehicle with the air
bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system warning beep sounding.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the vehicle inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Rear Center Position Seat
Belt
(A)
(B)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
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2-19
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The seat belt warning light illuminates
and a beep sound will be heard if the
driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
Conditions of operation
Using an Extender That is Too Long:
Using an extender that is too long is
dangerous. The seat belt will not fit
properly. In an accident, the seat belt
will not provide adequate protection
and you could be seriously injured.
Don ’t use the extender or choose one
shorter in length if the distance
between the extender ’s buckle and the
center of the user ’s body is less than
15cm (6 in).
NOTE
When not in use, remove the seat belt
extender and store it in the vehicle. If
the seat belt extender is left connected,
the seat belt warning light will not
illuminate and function properly.
WARNINGSeat Belt Warning Light/
Beep
Condition Result

The driver ’s seat belt is
not fastened when the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. The warning light
illuminates for about
1 minute and a beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The driver ’s seat belt is
fastened while the
warning light and the
beep are activated. The warning light
turns off and the
beep sound stops.
The driver ’s seat belt is
fastened before the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. The warning light
will not illuminate
and the beep sound
will not be heard.
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2-20
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Belt Minder
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
This feature provides additional
reminders to the driver that the driver
’s
seat belt is not fastened by intermittently
sounding a beep sound and flashing the
seat belt warning light in the instrument
cluster.
Condition Result

The driver ’s seat belt is
not fastened when the
vehicle speed reaches 8
km/h (5 mph) and about 1
minute has elapsed since
the ignition switch was
turned to the ON position. The warning light
flashes and the beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds
every 30 seconds,
for a period of about
5 minutes.
The driver ’s seat belt is
fastened while the
warning light and the
beep are activated. The warning light
turns off and the
beep sound stops.
The driver ’s seat belt is
fastened before the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. The warning light
will not illuminate
and the beep sound
will not be heard.
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated by
the following methods.
•
(Temporary deactivation)

To temporarily deactivate the belt
minder, turn the ignition switch to
the ON position, fasten the driver’ s
seat belt for about 2 seconds or
longer, and then unfasten it within
20 seconds. The belt minder will be
deactivated until the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position again.
• (Long-term deactivation)

To deactivate the belt minder over
the long term, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. If the
belt minder is long-term
deactivated, the belt minder will not
activate until it is restored at the
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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2-22
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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.
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, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH
child-restraint systems.
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:
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous.
The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently
backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child. Even though you may feel
assured that the front passenger air bag will not deploy based on the fact that the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, NEVER use a rear-facing
child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy even in a
moderate collision.
WARNING
Deploying air bag
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2-23
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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2-28
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

If You Must Use the Front Seat
for Children
If you cannot put all children in the rear
seat, at least put the smallest children in
the rear and be sure the largest child up
front uses the shoulder belt over the
shoulder.
Do not put rear-facing child-restraint
systems on the front passenger
’s seat.
This seat is also not set up for tethered
child-restraint systems, put them in one of
the rear seat positions set up with tether
anchors.
Likewise the LATCH child-restraint
system cannot be secured in the front
passenger ’s seat and should be used in the
rear seat.
Don ’t allow anyone to sleep against the
right front or rear doors if you have an
optional side and curtain air bag, it could
cause serious injuries to an out of position
occupant. As children more often sleep in
cars, it is better to put them in the rear
seat. If installing the child-restraint
system on the front seat is unavoidable,
follow these instructions when using a
front-facing child-restraint system in the
front passenger ’s seat.
NOTE
• To check if your front seats have
side air bags:
Every Mazda side air bag will have
a "SRS-Air Bag" label on the
outboard shoulder of the front seats.
• To check if your vehicle has curtain
air bags:
Every Mazda curtain air bag will
have an "SRS-Air Bag" marking on
the front and rear window pillars
along the roof edge.
Fro n t Pa ss en ge r
’s Seat Position:
As your vehicle has front air bags and
doubly so if your vehicle has side air
bags, a front-facing child-restraint
system should be put on the front seat
only when it is unavoidable.
Even if the front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light
illuminates, always move the seat as
far back as possible, because the force
of a deploying air bag could cause
serious injury or death to the child.
Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System:
The child-restraint system can be hit
by a deploying air bag and moved
violently backward resulting in
serious injury or death to the child.
Even though you may feel assured
that the front passenger air bag will
not deploy based on the fact that the
front passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates, NEVER
use a rear-facing child-restraint
system in the front seat with an air
bag that could deploy even in a
moderate collision.
WARNING
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