MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owner's Guide

2-23
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Your vehicle is equipped with a
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch. The switch is located in the center
console. The switch must be used to
deactivate the passenger-side air bag when
the occupant of the passenger seat fits into
one of the following categories (as
described in the request form for the air
bag on-off switch, the appendix B to part
595 of National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration [NHTSA]):
•Infants (less than one year old; for all
types of restraint, but particularly the
rear-facing child restraint.)
• Children aged 1 to 12
• People with certain medical conditions
which, according to his/her physician,
could be adversely affected by air-bag
activation For more government release information
on air bag deactivation, contact your
Authorized Mazda Dealer for the
occupant categories as described in the
request form for the air bag deactivation
switch in the NHTSA rules. The factory
installed air bag deactivation switch in
your car only works for the passenger-side
air bag.
The air bag deactivation switch turns off
the passenger-side air bag. Make sure the
passenger-side air bag deactivation switch
is in the ON position except when a
passenger fitting the previous categories
occupies the front passenger seat.
Passenger-Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch
Unnecessary Deactivation of
Passenger-side Air Bag:
Unnecessary deactivation of the
passenger-side air bag is dangerous.
If turned off unnecessarily, the
passenger will not receive the added
protection of the air bag. Serious
injuries or even death could occur.
With the exception of passengers
fitting the categories described below,
do not turn the air bag deactivation
switch to the OFF position.
WARNING
Passenger-
Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch Passenger-side
Air Bag
Operation Air Bag
Deactivation
Indicator Light
OFF position
Deactivate ON
ON position Ready OFF
ON
OFF
Air bag deactivation switch
Deactivation indicatoir
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2-24
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
When the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the passenger-side air bag
deactivation indicator light comes on for
about 6 seconds.
If the passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch is in the OFF position, the
indicator light remains on to warn that the
passenger-side air bag has been
deactivated.
To Deactivate The Passenger-Side
Air Bag
1. Insert the key into the switch.
2. Turn the key clockwise until the key
points to OFF.
3. Remove the key.
4. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light remains on when the
ignition is in the ON position.
The passenger-side air bag will remain
deactivated until the passenger-side air
bag deactivation switch is turned to the
ON position.
NOTE
Have the passenger-side air bag
deactivation switch inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if any of
these conditions occur:
• The indicator doesn
’t come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
• The indicator doesn
’t remain on
when the ignition switch is in the
ON position and the passenger-side
air bag deactivation switch is in the
OFF position.
• The indicator remains on when the
ignition switch is in the ON position
and the passenger-side air bag
deactivation switch is in the ON
position.
Leaving the Key in the Passenger-
Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch:
Unintentional deactivation of the
passenger-side air bag is dangerous.
In an accident, the passenger will not
be properly protected. Serious injuries
or even death could occur. To avoid
unintentional deactivation, always
use the same key to operate the
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch and the ignition switch, that
way you won
’t leave the key in the
passenger-side air bag deactivation
switch.
WARNING
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2-25
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

To Ready The Passenger-Side Air
Bag
1. Insert the key into the switch.
2. Turn the key counterclockwise until the
key points to ON.
3. Remove the key.
4. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light goes off after 6 seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
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2-26
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:
•The air bag system with inflators and air bags.
• The electric system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.
The air bags are mounted in the following locations: the center of the steering wheel, the
passenger-side of the dashboard. They are out of sight until activated.
The passenger side air bag has a deactivation switch located on the center console
(page 2-23).

How the 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 air bags and after the inflation, the air bags quickly
deflate.
The air bags will function only once. After that, the air bags will not work again and
must be replaced.
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.
Air Bag System Description
Crash sensor
Inflators and air bags
Crash sensors and diagnostic
module (SAS unit)
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2-27
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Air Bag Activation/Deactivation
Air bag activation
A greater than moderate impact will cause the air bags to inflate in the following cases:
Hitting a solid wall straight on at greater
than about 22 km/h (14 mph). Frontal impact within about a 30 degree
range from head-on to the vehicle.
Driving into a big hole or hitting the far
side of a hole.
Hitting a curb, pavement edge or hard
object.
Landing hard or the vehicle falling.
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2-28
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Limitations to air bag activation
Depending on the severity of impact, the air bags may not inflate in the following cases:
Non-activation of air bags
Air bags will not normally inflate in the following cases:
Impacts involving trees or poles cause severe
cosmetic damage but may not have enough
impact to activate the air bag.Rear-ending or running under a truck's tail
gate may not provide the stopping force
necessary for air bag deployment.
Frontal offset impact to the vehicle may not
provide the stopping force necessary for air
bag deployment.
Collision from the rear.
Impact to the side. Vehicle roll-over.
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2-29
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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
System 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 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.

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:
• 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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2-30
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Damaged Air Bag Sensors:
Driving with damaged air bag sensors
is dangerous. A collision, even one
not strong enough to inflate the air
bags, could damage the sensors. If
there was a subsequent collision, a
damaged sensor would not inflate the
air bags. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect the air bag
systems after a collision.
Removing Interior Parts:
Removing any components such as
the front dashboard, the steering
wheel or parts containing air bag
parts or sensors is dangerous. These
parts contain essential air bag parts.
The air bag could accidentally
activate and cause serious injuries.
Always have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer remove these parts.
Air Bag Disposal:
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.
WARNING
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3-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
3Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Doors and Locks .......................................................................... 3- 2
Keys ......................................................................................... 3- 2
Keyless Entry System .............................................................. 3- 3
Door Locks .............................................................................. 3- 7
Trunk Lid ................................................................................. 3- 9
Trunk Release Handle ............................................................. 3-12
Power Windows ....................................................................... 3-13
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-14
Hood ........................................................................................ 3-16
Convertible Top ....................................................................... 3-17
Detachable Hardtop ................................................................. 3-22
Security System ........................................................................... 3-28
Immobilizer System ................................................................ 3-28
Mirrors ......................................................................................... 3-31
Mirrors ..................................................................................... 3-31
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3-2
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Doors and Locks
The keys operate all locks.
A code number is stamped on the plate
attached to the key set; detach this plate
and store it in a safe place (not in the
vehicle) for use if you need to make a
replacement key.
Also write down the code number and
keep it in another safe and handy place,
but not in the vehicle.
If your key is lost, consult your
Authorized Mazda Dealer with the code
number ready.Keys
Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous. This could
result in someone being badly injured
or even killed. They could play with
power windows or other controls, or
even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in your vehicle with
children.
(With immobilizer system)
• To avoid damage to the key, do not:

Drop the key.
 Get the key wet.
 Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
 Expose the key to high
temperatures on places such as
the dashboard or hood, under
direct sunlight.
• When starting the engine, do not let
the following materials touch or
come near the key grip. The engine
may not start:

Spare keys.
 Keys for other vehicles equipped
with an immobilizer system.
 Metal objects that touch or pass
through the hole in the key.
 Devices for electronic purchases,
and security passage.
WARNING
CAUTION
Key code number plate
Without immobilizer system
Key code number plate
With immobilizer system
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