driver MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2009 Owners Manual

Black plate (13,1)
2Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2Seats .......................................................................................... 2-2
Seat Warmer
í........................................................................... 2-4
Seat Belt Systems .......................................................................... 2-6 Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................ 2-6
Seat Belt .................................................................................. 2-10
Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ................ 2-12
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-14
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-15
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-17 Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-17
Installing a Child-Restraint System ......................................... 2-22
LATCH Child-Restraint System ............................................. 2-25
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-28 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions ................ 2-28
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-32
How the SRS Air Bags Work .................................................. 2-33
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria .......................................... 2-36
Limitations to SRS Air Bag .................................................... 2-37
Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch .................................. 2-39
Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System ........... 2-43
Monitoring and Maintenance .................................................. 2-48
2-1íSome models.
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page13
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (14,1)
Seats
WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front
seats:Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injury. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats: Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag
components. If there was a
subsequent collision, an air bag may
not deploy which could lead to
injuries. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats,
front seat belt pretensioners and air
bags after a collision.
Make sure the adjustable components
of a seat are locked in place: Adjustable seats and seatbacks that
are not securely locked are
dangerous. In a sudden stop or
collision, the seat or seatback could
move, causing injury. Make sure the
adjustable components of the seat
are locked in place by attempting to
slide the seat forward and backward
and rocking the seatback.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Adjust the driver's seat only when the
vehicle is stopped:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. The
driver could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident.
To move a seat forward or backward, raise
the lever and slide the seat to the desired
position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and
backward.
2-2
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page14
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (16,1)
CAUTION
When returning a rear-reclined
seatback to its upright position,
make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your other hand while
operating the lever. If the seatback is
not supported, it will flip forward
suddenly and could cause injury.
qHeight Adjustment (Driver's Seat)í
By moving the seat lever up or down, the
driver's seat height can be adjusted.
Up
Down
Seat Warmerí
The driver and passenger seats can be
warmed by rotating the applicable seat
warmer dial while the ignition is switched
ON.
The seat temperature increases as the
number on the dial increases. When the
seat warmers are not in use, rotate the seat
warmer dials to 0.
2-4
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
Seats
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page16
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (18,1)
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way
when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child-
restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As
there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the
manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is
important (page 2-25).
2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page18
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (23,1)
WARNING
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat
Belt:The lap portion of the seat belt worn
too high is dangerous. In a collision,
this would concentrate the impact
force directly on the abdominal area,
causing serious injury. Wear the lap
portion of the belt snugly and as low
as possible.
qUnfastening the Seat Belt
Depress the button on the seat belt buckle.
If the belt does not fully retract, pull it out
and check for kinks or twists. Then make
sure it remains untwisted as it retracts.
Button
NOTE
If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for
kinks and twists. If it is still not retracting
properly, have it inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qSeat Belt Caution Label
A caution label has been placed inside the
sleeve of the lap portion of the driver's
seat belt. When an accident occurs while
the seat belt is in use, the resulting stress
on the seat belt will cause an indicator
with the words “REPLACE BELT ”
visible on it to be pulled out of the sleeve
below the caution label. This indicates
that THE SEAT BELT MUST BE
REPLACED .
Also note that if at any time the seat belt
has undergone stress because of an
accident or other reason, damage to the
seat belt's webbing, metal fittings, or
anchor bolt may have occurred, even
though nothing appears to be wrong with
the seat belt. For this reason we
recommend that the seat belt be replaced
after it has undergone stress, whether or
not the indicator has been pulled out.
Caution
label
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-11
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page23
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (24,1)
Seat Belt Pretensioner and
Load Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
passenger seat belts are equipped with
pretensioner and load limiting systems.
For both these systems to work properly
you must wear the seat belt properly.
Pretensioners:
In moderate or severe frontal or near-
frontal accidents, the air bag and
pretensioner systems deploy
simultaneously. The seat belt retractors
remove slack quickly as the air bags are
expanding.
In addition, the pretensioner system for
the passenger, like the passenger air bag,
is designed to only deploy in accordance
with the total seated weight on the
passenger seat (page 2-43) or when the
passenger air bag deactivation switch
turned to the ON position (page 2-39).
Any time the air bags and seat belt
pretensioners have fired they must be
replaced.
Load limiter:
The load limiting system releases belt
webbing in a controlled manner to reduce
belt force on the occupant's chest. While
the most severe load on a seat belt occurs
in frontal collisions, the load limiter has
an automatic mechanical function and can
activate in any accident mode with
sufficient occupant movement.
Even if the pretensioners have not fired,
the load limiting function must be
checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer
after any collision.
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended
in this owner's manual:Incorrect positioning of the driver and
passenger seat belts is dangerous.
Without proper positioning, the
pretensioner and load limiting
systems cannot provide adequate
protection in an accident and this
could result in serious injury. For
more details about wearing seat
belts, refer to “Fastening the seat
belts ”(page 2-10).
Have your seat belts changed
immediately if the pretensioner or load
limiter has been expended: If the air bags deploy the
corresponding pretensioner(s) may
also deploy at the same time. Like
the air bags, the seat belt
pretensioners will only function once.
While it is safer to use a crash-used
seat belt that was used in an
accident than no seat belt at all,
using a seat belt with an expended
pretensioner or load limiter loaded
reduces the safety available to you. If
the seat belt pretensioners are not
replaced, the risk of injury in a
collision will increase. Expended seat
belt pretensioners and air bags must
be replaced after any collision which
caused them to deploy. Additionally,
the load limiter will only limit loads
on the chest once in a collision and
this is another reason to have the
seat belts inspected. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the
seat belt pretensioners and air bags
after any collision.
2-12
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page24
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (27,1)
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
extender might get damaged as it will not
retract with the rest of the seat belt and can
easily fall out of the door when not in use and
be damaged. In addition, the seat belt warning
light will not illuminate and function properly.Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
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
ConditionResult
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position. The warning light
flashes 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 sound 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.
q
Belt Minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate or
restore the seat belt minder.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-15
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page27
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (28,1)
Driver seated/Passenger not seated
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the warning light/beep
operates to give you further reminders
according to the chart below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
Driver seated/Passenger seated
The seat belt warning function reminds
the passenger to fasten the seat belt
according to the chart below.
Condition Vehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
(Driver)
Seat belt
(Passenger)
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Placing heavy items on the passenger seat
may cause the passenger seat belt warning
function to operate depending on the
weight of the item.
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
NOTE
lTo allow the passenger seat weight sensor
to function properly, do not place and sit on
an additional seat cushion on the passenger
seat. The sensor may not function properly
because the additional seat cushion could
cause sensor interference.
lWhen a small child sits on the passenger
seat, it is possible that neither the warning
light nor the warning beep operate.
2-16
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page28
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (40,1)
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 4 air bags.Please
verify the air bags equipped on your vehicle by locating the “SRS AIRBAG ”location
indicators. These indicators are visible in the area where the air bags are installed.
The air bags are installed in the following locations:
lThe steering wheel hub (driver air bag)lThe passenger dashboard (passenger air bag)lThe outboard sides of the seatbacks (side air bags)í
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection
in certain situations, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an accident.
Seat belt usage is necessary to:
lKeep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.lReduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
lReduce the possibility of injuries in frontal, near frontal, side collisions that are not
severe enough to activate the air bags.
lReduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.lReduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
lHold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
For some models, a passenger air bag deactivation switch is provided. This switch should
be used to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt
pretensioner system if a child-restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Make sure
the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position except when a child-
restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Switch on page 2-39.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a driver and passenger occupant classification
system. For details, refer to the driver and passenger occupant classification system
(page 2-43).
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by the deployment of the passenger air bag in the
unlikely event of an accident, there are two methods to deactivate the passenger air bag as
follows, however, the surest way to prevent the passenger air bag from deploying is to use
the ignition key to turn it off rather than rely on the passenger seat weight sensors, which
will also detect other loads or objects on and around the passenger seat.
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every
state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint
system (page 2-17).
2-28
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page40
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (41,1)
Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the
installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions.
Do not use a child-restraint system which employs an upper tether because there is no
appropriate means to anchor the tether.
WARNING
Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles: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 in the first accident, such as frontal, near frontal, side
collisions that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat
belts.
Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated
when using a rear-facing child-restraint system: Seating a child in a rear-facing child-restraint system that is installed on the
passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not
illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an accident, a air bag could inflate and cause
serious injuries or even death to the child seated in the rear-facing child-restraint
system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is
illuminated using the key to turn the passenger air bag off.
Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-39.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-43.
Do not sit too close to the driver and passenger air bags:
Sitting too close to the driver and passenger air bag modules or placing hands or
feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and passenger 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 seat 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-29
MX-5_8Z78-EA-08K_Edition1 Page41
Thursday, October 23 2008 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z78-EA-08K