sensor MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA PRHT 2011 User Guide

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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 2-43.
Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-47.
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.
Do not sit too close to a door or lean against doors in vehicles with side air bags: Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely
dangerous. A side air bag inflates with great force and speed directly out of the
outboard shoulder of the seat and expands along the door on the side the car is hit.
Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning
against a window in the seats. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging
out the driver-side window while driving could block the side air bag and eliminate
the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side air bags room to work by
sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn
properly.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where driver and passenger air bags
deploy: Attaching an object to the driver and passenger air bag modules or placing
something in front of them is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere
with air bag inflation and injure the occupants.
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Do not attach objects on or around the area where a side air bag deploys:Attaching objects to the seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the seat
in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air
bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the seats, impeding the added
protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is
dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas.
Never use seat covers on the seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your
seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision.
Do not place luggage or other objects under the seats: Placing luggage or other objects under the seats is dangerous. The components
essential to the supplemental restraint system could be damaged, and in the event of
a side collision, the appropriate air bags may not deploy, which could result in death
or serious injury. To prevent damage to the components essential to the
supplemental restraint system, do not place luggage or other objects under the
seats.
Do not touch the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags
have inflated: Touching the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags
have inflated is dangerous. Immediately after inflation, they are very hot. You could
get burned.
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.
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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 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 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.
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Supplemental Restraint System Components
Driver/Passenger inflators and air bags
Crash sensor, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
Seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-13)
Front air bag sensor
Side crash sensorsí
Air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light (page 2-38)
Side inflators and air bagsí
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-47)
Passenger air bag deactivation switch (page 2-43)
Passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-47)
Passenger seat weight sensor control module
Driver and passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-50)
Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-47)
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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.
qSeat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near
frontal collisions.
qDriver 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 mainly to the driver's head or chest
caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-40).
The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two 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.
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qSide Air Bagsí
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.
When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the
system inflates the side air bag only on the side in which the vehicle was hit. The side air
bag inflates quickly to reduce injury to the driver or front passenger's chest caused by
directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.
For more details about air bag deployment, refer to “SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria ”
(page 2-40).
In addition, the front passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with
the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the driver and front
passenger occupant classification system (page 2-47).
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 is switched ON or after the engine is cranked. The warning
light turns off after a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work
in an accident.
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Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System
First, please read“Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions ”(page 2-30)
carefully.
q 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 SAS unit is 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 2-38).
qPassenger Seat Weight Sensors
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the supplemental
restraint system. These sensors are located under both of the passenger seat rails. These
sensors determine the total seated weight on the passenger seat and monitor the seat belt
buckle for 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 passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates.
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 the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. Refer to the following
table for the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illumination 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 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.
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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.
If the passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the ignition
is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:Condition detected by the passenger occupant
classification system Passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light Passenger front and side
air bags Passenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)
*1Off Deactivated Deactivated
Child or child-restraint
system
*2On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult
*3Off ReadyReady
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 2-43.
*1 : If the passenger seat belt is buckled, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.
*2 : If a larger child sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the child as being an adult depending on the child's physique.
*3 : 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 deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is
switched ON 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 2-43) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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WARNING
Do not decrease the total seated weight on the passenger seat:When an adult or large child sits on the passenger seat, decreasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat 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 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 passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
Do not increase the total seated weight on the passenger seat: When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, increasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat is dangerous. The passenger seat weight sensors will
detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected
deployment of the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system in an accident and may cause serious injury. Increasing the total seated
weight on the passenger seat could result in the passenger front and side air bags
and seat belt pretensioner system deployment in an accident under the following
conditions, for example:
ØThe passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when
seating a child in the child-restraint system.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.
Ø The seat is washed.
Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat.
Ø The passenger seat is moved backward, and it is pushed into luggage or other
items placed behind it.
Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and center
console.
Ø Any accessories which might increase 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 passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
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CAUTION
ØTo assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the
sensors in the seat bottoms:
ØDo not place sharp objects on the seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.
ØDo not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats.
Ø To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
ØAdjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
ØIf 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
lThe 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.
lThe air bag seat belt pretensioner system warning light might illuminate if the passenger seat
receives a severe impact.
lYou must deactivate the passenger air bag using the key (page 2-43) and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
lIf the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates when an adult is seated 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 still
illuminates, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
q Driver and Passenger Buckle Switches
The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are
securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.
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