belt MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 User Guide

2-10
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

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. If your seat belt is not long enough, even
when fully extended, a seat belt extender
may be available to you at no charge from
your Authorized Mazda Dealer.
This extender will be only for you and for
the particular vehicle and seat. Even if it
plugs into other seat belts, it may not hold
in the critical moment of a crash.
When ordering an extender, only order
one that provides the necessary additional
length to fasten the seat belt properly.
Please contact your Authorized Mazda
Dealer for more information.
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
Seat Belt Extender
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2-11
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Unnecessary Use of an Extender:
Using a seat belt extender when not
necessary is dangerous. The seat belt
will be too long and not fit properly.
In an accident, the seat belt will not
provide adequate protection and you
could be seriously injured. Only use
the extender when it is required to
fasten the seat belt properly.
Using an Improper Extender:
Using a seat belt extender that is for
another person or a different vehicle
or seat is dangerous. The seat belt will
not provide adequate protection and
the user could be seriously injured in
an accident. Only use the extender
provided for you and for the
particular vehicle and seat. NEVER
use the extender in a different vehicle
or seat.
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).
WARNINGSeat Belt Warning Light/
Beep
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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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2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily
be converted into the automatic locking
mode, which must be done to hold the
child-restraint system.
Follow these instructions when installing
a child-restraint system on the passenger's
seat.
Before installing a rear-facing child-
restraint system, the passenger-side air
bag must be deactivated (page 2-19).
1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.
2. Secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
See the instructions on the child-
restraint system for belt routing
instructions.
3. To get the retractor into the automatic locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor. 4. Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking
from the retractor will be heard during
retraction if the system is in automatic
locking mode. If the belt does not lock
the seat down tight, repeat this step.
Installing a Child-
Restraint System
NOTE
Before installing a child-restraint
system, refer to "Passenger-Side Air
Bag Deactivation Switch" (page 2-19).
NOTE
•Inspect this function before each
use of the child-restraint system.
You should not be able to pull the
shoulder belt out of the retractor
while the system is in the automatic
locking mode. When you remove
the child-restraint system, be sure
the belt fully retracts to return the
system to emergency locking mode
before occupants use the seat belts.
• Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer
’s instruction carefully.
Depending on the type of child-
restraint system, it may not employ
seat belts which are in automatic
locking mode.
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2-16
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
SRS Air Bags
Read this owner’s manual carefully to verify what air bags (driver-side air bag, passenger-
side air bag) are equipped in your vehicle.
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include 2 air bags.
They are located in:
• The steering wheel
• The passenger side dashboard
In a front-end or near-front end impact, the air bag supplemental restraint systems are
designed to provide only supplemental protection for the driver and passenger. Seat belts
must still be worn.
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an
accident. Seat belt usage is necessary to:
• Keep the passenger away from an inflating air bag.
• Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
• Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal collisions that are not severe enough to
activate the air bags.
• Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.
• Reduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts.
• Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
Small children, those under 18 kg (40 lb), should be protected by a child-restraint system
(page 2-12).
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).
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions
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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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2-25
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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4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirror
(s), and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone
’s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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