light MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2008 Owner's Manual

Black plate (43,1)
Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle:Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar,
bull bar, push bar, or other similar devices), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The
air bag crash sensor system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate
unexpectedly, or it could prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident.
Occupants could be seriously injured.
Do not modify the suspension: Modifying the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the
suspension is modified, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious
injuries.
Do not modify 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. Do not 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
lWhen 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.
lShould 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-31
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page43
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (45,1)
Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Switch Passenger Air Bag
Deactivation Indicator Light Passenger Front and Side
Air Bag Operation Passenger Seat Belt
Pretensioner System
OFF position
ON Deactivate Deactivate
ON position
OFF ReadyReady
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light comes on for a specified period of time.
If the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position, the indicator light
remains on to warn that the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system have been deactivated.
In addition to using the key to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and the also
seat belt pretensioner system, the passenger front and side air bags and the also seat belt
pretensioner system is also deactivated and the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light is illuminated automatically when the total seated weight on the passenger seat is less
than 30 kg (66 lb).
NOTE
Have the passenger air bag deactivation switch inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any of
these conditions occur:
lThe indicator light does not illuminate for a specified period of time when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
lThe indicator light does not remain on when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the
passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the OFF position.
lThe indicator remains on when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the passenger air bag
deactivation switch is in the ON position.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-33
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page45
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (46,1)
qTo Deactivate the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements (page 2-32).
WARNING
Do not leave the key in the passenger air bag deactivation switch:
Unintentional deactivation of the passenger 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 air bag deactivation switch and the ignition switch, that way you will not
leave the key in the passenger air bag deactivation switch.
1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key clockwise until the key points to OFF.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light remains illuminated when the ignition
is in the ON position.
The passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system will remain
deactivated until the passenger air bag deactivation switch is turned to the ON position.
2-34
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page46
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (47,1)
qTo Ready the Passenger Air Bag
Before driving, always confirm that the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the
appropriate position according to your requirements (page 2-32).
1. Insert the key into the passenger air bag deactivation switch and turn the key
counterclockwise until the key points to ON.
2. Remove the key.
3. Make sure the air bag deactivation indicator light turns off after the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-35
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page47
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (48,1)
Supplemental Restraint System Components
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:lThe air bag system with inflators and air bags.lThe electrical system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.
The air bags are mounted in the following locations:
lThe steering wheel hublThe passenger dashboardlThe outboard sides of the seatbacksí
The air bags are out of sight until activated.
q Front Air Bag System Components
(4)
(8)
(7) (5) (2)
(9)
(3)
(1)
(6)
(5)
(1) Front dual stage inflators and air bags
(2) Front crash sensor
(3) Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-38)
(4) Crash sensor and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
(5) Seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-11)
(6) Passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-38)
(7) Driver and passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-38)
(8) Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-38)
(9) Seats
2-36
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page48
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (50,1)
How the Air Bags Work
qHow 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 system components.
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, all of which provide data from each sensor
to the air bag system.
The front air bags will deploy only
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.
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 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/seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a possible
malfunction (page 2-45).
2-38
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page50
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (51,1)
Passenger seat weight sensors
Your vehicle is also equipped with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light. The
deactivation indicator light illuminates when the key is used to turn the passenger air bag
off or the automatic function operates based on the passenger seat weight sensors. These
sensors are located under both of the passenger seat rails. These sensors determine the total
seated weight on the passenger seat. The SAS unit is designed to prevent the passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying if the total seated
weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the system
deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system
when:
lThere is no passenger in the passenger seat. (The passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate.)
lThe total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
(The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)
This system shuts off the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the following table.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible malfunction. If this
happens, the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and
seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-39
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page51
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (52,1)
If the passenger weight sensors are working properly, the indicator light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. After a specified period of time it goes out.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:Total seated weight on the passenger seat Passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Passenger front and side
air bags Passenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)
*OFF OFFOFF
Less than approx. 30 kg
(66 lb) ON
OFFOFF
Approx. 42 kg (93 lb) or
more OFF
ONON
If the passenger air bag has been deactivated using the key, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light will
remain illuminated as long you leave the passenger air bag turned off, and the chart above no longer applies.
Refer to Passenger air bag deactivation switch on page 2-32.
* If the passenger seat belt is buckled, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.
If the 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 passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident. You must deactivate
the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-32) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Do not decrease the total seated weight on the front passenger seat: When an adult or large child sits on the passenger seat, decreasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 42 kg
(93 lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The passenger seat weight
sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and the passenger front
and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy during an
accident. The passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag,
which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total seated weight on the
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:
ØLuggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and center console that push up the passenger seat bottom.
Ø The passenger seat occupant sits in a manner such that the occupant's entire
weight is not placed on the seat sitting too close to the door.
Ø Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the passenger
seat are attached to the passenger seat.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page52
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (54,1)
NOTElThe system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front and side
air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if luggage or other
items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior changes
suddenly.
lThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if the total
seated weight on the passenger seat changes.
lYou must deactivate the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-32) and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Driver and passenger buckle switches
The buckle switches on the seat belts detect whether or not the seat belts are securely
fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.
qHow the Side Air Bags Workí
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 air bags and after the inflation, the side air bags
quickly deflate. However, the side air bag system for the passenger is designed to only
deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the passenger seat.
The side air bags will function only once. After that, the side air bags will not work again
and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.
The side air bag will deploy only on the
side the vehicle receives the force of the
impact.
qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation
NOTE
If the passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than
approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner may not
deploy (page 2-38).
2-42
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page54
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (57,1)
lVehicle roll-over may not provide
enough side force to deploy the side air
bags.
lSide impacts with two-wheeled
vehicles may not provide enough force
to deploy the side air bags.
Non-activation of side air bagí
A side air bag will not normally inflate in
the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lCollision from the front, but it may
deploy the front air bags.
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
lSAS unitlCrash sensorlAir bag moduleslSide crash sensorsí
lAir bag/Seat belt pretensioner system
warning light
lSeat belt pretensionerslRelated wiringlFront passenger air bag deactivation
switch
lDriver seat slide position sensorlFront passenger seat weight sensorslDriver and front passenger seat belt
buckle switches
The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.
q Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is working properly, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position or after the
engine is cranked. The warning light turns
off after a specified period of time.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-45íSome models.
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page57
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:50 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F