belt MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2018 Owner's Guide

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.
â–¼ Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate
or severe frontal, near frontal
collisions.
In addition, during a side colli sion, the pretensioner operates on the side in which the
collision occurs. The pretensioners operate differently dependi ng on what types of air bags
are equipped. For more details about seat belt pretensioner operation, refer to the SRS Air
Bag Deployment Criteria (page 2-37).
â–¼ Driver 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 main
ly to the driver's head or chest
caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.
For more details about air bag de ployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"
(page 2-37).
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System)
The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in t wo 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria
This chart indicates the applicable SRS equipment that will deploy depending on the type of
collision.
(The illustrations are the representative cases of collisions.)
SRS equip- ment Types of collision
A severe frontal/near frontal collision A severe side collision
*2A rear collision
Seat belt
pretensioner X*1 (both sides)
X*1 (impact side only)
No air bag and seat belt
pretensioner will be activat- ed in a rear collision.
Driver air
bag X
Passenger air bag X
*1
Side air bag
X*1 (impact side only)
X : The SRS air bag equipment is designed to deploy in a collis ion.*1(Passenger Occupant Classification System)
The passenger front and side air b ags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy when the passenger
occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on t he passenger's seat.
*2 In a side collision, the seat belt pretensioners and the side air bags deploy (only on the side in which the
collision occurs).
NOTEIn a frontal offset collision, the equipped air bags and pretensioners may all deploy depending on the direction,
angle, and rate of impact.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Passenger Occupant Classification System*
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precaut ions" (page 2-26) carefully.
â–¼Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a p
assenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. This sensor is equipped in the p assenger's seat cushion. This
sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's s eat. The SAS unit is designed
to prevent the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from
deploying if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the pa ssenger air bag, the system
deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system
when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns o n. Refer to the following table
for the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illumina tion conditions.

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 turns on 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 pr etensioner system will not
deploy.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light turns on to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and seat
belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the passenger occupant classi fication sensor is normal, the indicator light turns on when
the ignition is switched ON. The light t urns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light
turns on or is off under the following conditions:
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-40*Some models.
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Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart
Condition detected by the pas-
senger occupant classification system Passenger air bag de-
activation indicator light Passenger front and
side air bags Passenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied) On Deactivated Deactivated
A child is seated in a child-re-
straint system
*1On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*2Off Ready Ready
*1 The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seat ed on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a
junior seat depending on the ch ild's physical size and seated posture.
*2 If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on
the person's physique.
If the passenger air bag deactivat ion indicator light does not turn on when the ignition is
switched ON and does not turn on as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupan t 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.
WA R N I N G
Do not allow an occupant in the passenger's seat to sit with a posture which makes it difficult
for the passenger occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly:
Sitting in the passenger's seat with a posture which makes it difficult for the passenger
occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly is dangerous. If the passenger
occupant classification sensor cannot detect the occupant sitting on the passenger's seat
correctly, the passenger front and side air ba gs and pretensioner system may not operate
(non-deploy) or they may operate (deploy) a ccidentally. The passenger will not have the
supplementary protection of the air bags or th e accidental operation (deployment) of the air
bags could result in serious injury or death.
Under the following conditions, the passenger occu pant classification sensor cannot detect a
passenger sitting on the passenger's seat co rrectly and the deployment/non-deployment of
the air bags cannot be controlled as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light on/off condition chart. For example:
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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CAUTION
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in
the seat cushion:
 Do not place sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them.
 Do not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats.
 To allow the sensors to function pr operly, always perform the following:
 Adjust the seats as far back as possible an d always sit upright against the seatbacks with
seat belts worn properly.
 If you place your child on the passenger seat , secure the child-restraint system properly
and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
NOTE
ï‚·The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front
and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
ï‚·The passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light may turn on repeatedly if luggage or
other items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior
changes suddenly.
ï‚·The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may turn on for 10 seconds if the
electrostatic capacity on the passenger seat changes.
ï‚·The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light might turn on if the passenger
seat receives a severe impact.
ï‚·If the passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light does not turn on after installing a
child-restraint system on the passenger seat, first, re-install your child-restraint system
according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light still does not turn on, and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
ï‚·If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on when an occupant is seated
directly in the passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by sitting with
their feet on the floor, and then re-fastening the seat belt. If the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light remains turned on, slide the passenger seat as far back as
possible. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Constant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:

ï‚·Front air bag sensors
ï‚·Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
ï‚·Side crash sensors
ï‚·Air bag modules
ï‚·Seat belt pretensioners
ï‚·Air bag/Seat belt preten sioner system warning light
ï‚·Related wiring
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System)
ï‚·Passenger occupant classification sensor
ï‚·Passenger occupant classification module
ï‚·Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is bein g driven.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Convertible Top (Soft Top)
When opening/closing the convertible top, park the vehicle in a safe place where it does not
obstruct traffic.
Top latch assembly
Convertible top's handles
Convertible top
â–¼ Convertible Top Precautions
WA R N I N G
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the conv
ertible top storage area or center console when
the vehicle is moving is a dangerous way to ri de. During a sudden maneuver or collision you
could be seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when moving the
convertible top:
It is dangerous to place your hands or fingers near the fastening mechanisms. Your hands or
fingers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
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Convertible Top (Hardtop)
The retractable hardtop opens/closes electrically by operating switches in the vehicle. When
opening/closing the roof and windo w glass operate together. The front roof is stored in the
storage area under rear roof.
To help prevent burglary or vanda lism and to ensure that the passenger compartment stays
dry, close the roof and both windows securely and lock both doo rs when leaving the vehicle.
Front roof
Rear roofMiddle roof
â–¼Convertible Top Precautions
WA R N I N G
Always
confirm that there are no people around the vehicle before operating the roof:
If the roof were to operate unexpectedly, it coul d result in an accident and serious injury from
someone getting caught in the mechanism.
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the rear roof or center console when the vehicle is
moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden maneuver or collision you could be
seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when moving the
roof:
It is dangerous to place your hands or fingers near the fastening mechanisms. Your hands or
fingers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
CAUTION
 When getting in or out of the vehicle with the roof open, be careful not to hit your head or
body on the corner of the windshie ld glass. It may cause an injury.
 Do not drive with the roof partially opened ; this could damage the roof or cause an
unexpected accident.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
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ï‚·After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound
from the engine compartment can be
heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate any
parts defect.
ï‚·Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transmission)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
selector lever is not in P or N and the
brake pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instr ument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate.

Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY
warning light (red)
NOTE
ï‚·If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes, make sure that
the key is being carried.
ï‚·If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes with the key
being carried, touch the key to the
push button start and start the
engine. Refer to Engine Start
Function When Key Battery is Dead
on page 4-8.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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SignalWarning Lights Page
ABS Warning Light*1
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System Wa r n i n g
7-33
ABS warning 7-36
Check Engine Light*17-36
*Automatic Transmission Warni ng Indication/Warning Light*17-36
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light*17-36
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light*1
Flashing
7-36
Turns on 7-41
(Red)
*KEY Warning Indication/Warning Light*1
Turns on7-36
Flashing 7-41
(Amber)
*KEY Warning Indication 7-36
*Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Warning Indication/
Wa r n i n g L i g h t*1
Turns on 7-36
Flashing 4-83
(Amber)
*High Beam Control System (HB C) Warning Indication/Warn-
ing Light*17-36
*Blind Spot Monitoring (BS M) Warning Indication 7-36
*Retractable Hardtop Warning Indication
7-36
LED Headlight Warning Light*17-36
Seat Belt Warning Light
7-41
*Door-Ajar Warning Light7-41
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.4-27
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