sensor MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2011 (in English) User Guide

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How the SRS Air Bags Work
Your Mazda is equipped with the following types of SRS air bags. SRS air bags are
designed to work together with the seat belts to help to reduce injuries during an accident.
The SRS air bags are designed to provide further protection for passengers in addition to
the seat belt functions. Be sure to wear seat belts properly.
qFront Seat Belt Pretensioners
The front seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near
frontal collisions.
qDriver Air Bag
The driver's air bag is mounted in the steering wheel.
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, the
driver's air bag inflates quickly helping to reduce injury mainly to the driver's head or chest
caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-53).
(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity the driver's air bag deploys with lesser energy, whereas during
more severe impacts, it deploys with more energy.
q Front Passenger Air Bag
The front passenger air bag is mounted in the front passenger dashboard. The inflation
mechanism for the front passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag, as mentioned
above.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-53).
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
In addition, the front passenger air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with the
total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the driver and front
passenger occupant classification system (page 2-56).
qSide Air Bagsí
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.
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 driver or front passenger's chest caused by
directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-53).
(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
In addition, the front passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the driver and front
passenger occupant classification system (page 2-56).
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qCurtain Air Bagsí
The curtain air bags are mounted in the front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge
along both sides.
When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the
curtain air bag inflates quickly and helps to reduce injury mainly to the rear outboard
passenger's head caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-53).
In a side impact:
Greater than moderate impact to one side of the vehicle will cause the curtain air bag on
that side only to inflate.
The side and curtain air bags will deploy only on the side the
vehicle receives the force of the impact.
q Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition is switched ON or after the engine is cranked. The warning
light turns off after a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work
in an accident.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification Systemí
First, please read“Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions” (page 2-43)
carefully.
q Driver Seat Slide Position Sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide position 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 diagnostic module (SAS unit). The SAS unit is 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 2-51).
qFront Passenger Seat Weight Sensors
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. These sensors are located under both of the front passenger
seat rails. These sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat and
monitor the seat belt buckle for the front passenger seat. The SAS unit is designed to
prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from
deploying if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
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 the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
illuminates. Refer to the following table for the front passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illumination conditions.
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 following table.
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.
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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 is switched ON. For a specified of time it goes out.
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:Condition detected by the
front passenger occupant
classification system Front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Front passenger front and
side air bags Front passenger seat
belt pretensioner
system
Empty (Not occupied)
*1Off Deactivated Deactivated
Child or child-restraint
system
*2On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*3Off ReadyReady
*1 : If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.
*2 : If a larger child sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the child as being an adult depending on the child's physique.
*3 : If a smaller adult sits on the front passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child
depending on the person's physique.
The curtain air bag is ready for inflating despite the chart above.
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the
ignition is switched ON 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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WARNING
Do not decrease 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 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 could result in
an air bag not deploying under the following conditions, for example:
ØA rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with their feet.
Ø 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.
Ø 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 assist grip or the rim of the moonroof and sitting with the seatback
reclined too far.
Ø Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
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Do not increase 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 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 may cause serious injury. Increasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat 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:
ØLuggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
Ø A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.
Ø A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with their feet.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.
Ø Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket.
Ø The seat is washed.
Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat.
Ø The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.
Ø The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver
seat.
Ø Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
CAUTION
Ø To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the
sensors in the front seat bottoms:
ØDo not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.
ØDo not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.
Ø To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
ØAdjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
ØIf 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
2-35).
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SRS Air Bags
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Monitoring and Maintenance
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:
lCrash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)lFront air bag sensorlAir bag moduleslSide crash sensorsí
lAir bag/Front seat belt pretensioner system warning lightlFront seat belt pretensionerslRelated wiring
(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
lFront passenger air bag deactivation indicator lightlDriver seat slide position sensorlFront passenger seat weight sensorslFront passenger seat weight sensor control modulelFront passenger seat belt buckle switch
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is being driven.
q Maintenance
The air bag systems do not require regular maintenance. But if any of the following occurs,
take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:
lThe air bag system warning light flashes.lThe air bag system warning light remains illuminated.lThe air bag system warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON.lThe air bag system warning beep sound is heard.lThe air bags have deployed.l(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition
is switched ON or does not illuminate as indicated in the chart. For more details about
this indicator light and this chart, refer to “Front passenger seat weight sensors ”(page
2-56).
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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WARNING
Do not operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
components:Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components must be
replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy or damage them. Only a
trained Authorized Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these systems to see that they
will work in any subsequent accident. Driving with an expended or damaged air bag
or pretensioner unit will not afford you the necessary protection in the event of any
subsequent accident which could result in serious injury or death.
Do not remove interior air bag parts: Removing any components such as the front seats, front dashboard, the steering
wheel or parts on the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge,
containing air bag parts or sensors is dangerous. These parts contain essential air
bag components. The air bag could accidentally activate and cause serious injuries.
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer remove these parts.
Dispose of the air bag properly: 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.
NOTE
If it becomes necessary to have the components or wiring system for the supplementary restraint
system modified to accommodate a person with certain medical conditions in accordance with a
certified physician, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to “Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ”
(page 9-2).
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NOTElDo 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
Light sensor
lThe auto-dimmer function is canceled when
the ignition is switched ON and the shift
lever/selector lever is in reverse (R).
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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