belt MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2022 Owner's Manual

Installing Child-RestraintSystems
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily
be converted into th e automatic locking
mode, which must be done to hold the
child-restraint system.
NOTE
To check if your seats have side air
bags:
Mazda vehicles equipped with side air
bag will have an embossed "SRS
AIRBAG" marking on the outboard
shoulder of the seats.
Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Depending on the type of child-restraint
system, it may not employ seat belts
which are in automatic locking mode,
however if it uses an upper tether, it may
not be mounted properly in this vehicle
as there is no safe way to anchor the
tether. Confirm whether the
child-restraint system can be used with
seat belts by reading the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions.
WA R N I N G
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over
to or against the side window of a vehicle
with side and curtain air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean
over to or against the side window, the
area of the front passenger seat, the front
and rear window pillars and the roof edge
along both sides from which the side and
curtain air bags deploy, even if a
child-restraint system is used. The impact
of inflation from a side or curtain air bag
could cause serious injury or death to an
out of position child. Furthermore, leaning
over to or against the door could block the
side and curtain air bags and eliminate the
advantages of supplemental protection.
Because the front seats are equipped with
front air bags, the rear seat is always a
better location for children. Take special
care not to allow a child to lean over to or
against the side window, even if the child is
seated in a child-restraint system.
CAUTION
When moving the seats forward and
rearward, make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not he ld, the seat will move
suddenly and could cause injury.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-29
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint
System Installation (Except Mexico)
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off.
2. Slide the seat as far back as possible.
3. Place the child-restraint system on the
seat without putting your weight on the
seat and secure the child-restraint
system with the lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's
instructions on the child-restraint
system for belt routing instructions.
4. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
5. Push the child-res traint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. A
clicking noise from the retractor will
be heard during retraction if the system
is in automatic lo cking mode. If the
belt does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat the previous step and also this
one.
NOTE
Inspect this function before each use
of the child-restraint system. You
should not be able to pull the
shoulder belt out of the retractor
while the system is in the automatic
locking mode. When you remove the
child-restraint system, be sure the
belt fully retracts to return the
system to emergency locking mode
before occupants use the seat belts.
6. Seat your child safely in the child-restraint syst em and secure the
child according to the instructions
from the child-restraint system
manufacturer.
7. Switch the ignition ON and make sure the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates after
installing a child-restraint system on
the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate,
remove the child-restraint system,
switch the ignition to OFF, and then
re-install the chil d-restraint system
(page 2-49).

Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-30
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

WARNING
Do not seat a child in a child-restraint
system on the passenger seat if the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light does not illuminate (Except Mexico):
Seating a child in a child-restraint system
installed on the passenger seat with the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light not illuminated is dangerous. If this
indicator light does not illuminate, this
means that the passenger front and side air
bags, and seat belt pretensioner are ready
for deployment. If an accident were to
deploy an air bag, a child in a
child-restraint system sitting in the
passenger seat could be seriously injured or
killed. If the indicator light does not
illuminate after seating a child in a
child-restraint system on the passenger
seat consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
▼Anchor Bracket (Mexico)
Anchor brackets for securing
child-restraint systems are equipped in the
vehicle. Locate anchor position using the
illustration.
To install a child-re
straint system, always
follow the instruction manual
accompanying the child-restraint system.

Anchor bracket location
Use the indicated anchor bracket locations
when installing a child-restraint system
equipped with a tether.
Anchor bracket
WA R N I N G
Always attach the tether strap to the
correct tether anchor position:
Attaching the tether strap to the incorrect
tether anchor position is dangerous. In a
collision, the tether strap could come off
and loosen the child-restraint system. If the
child-restraint system moves it could result
in death or injury to the child.
Always route the tether strap between the
head restraint and the seatback:
Routing the tether strap on top of the head
restraint is dangerous. In a collision the
tether strap could slide off the head
restraint and loosen the child-restraint
system. The child-restraint system could
move which may result in death or injury to
the child.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-31
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

CAUTION
When moving the seats forward and
rearward, make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not held, the seat will move
suddenly and could cause injury.
1. Open the convertible top.
2. Slide the passenger seat as far back aspossible and then slide it forward about
10 notches (100 mm) so that your hand
can be placed behind it (page 2-10).
3. Remove the cover.

NOTE
Be careful not to lost the removed
cover.
4. Place the child-restraint on the passenger seat.
5. Pass the tether strap under the headrestraint and instal l it to the tether
anchor.
For the tether strap adjustment method,
refer to the child-restraint seat
manufacturer’s instructions.

▼ Using the Seat Belt (Mexico)
CAUTION
When moving the seats forward and
rearward, make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not held, the seat will move
suddenly and could cause injury.
When installing a ch
ild-restraint system,
follow the insta llation instructions
included with the product.
Also, open the convertible top and slide
the seat as far back as possible, fold down
the seatback as far as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-32
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

▼Using ISOFIX Anchor (Mexico)
WARNING
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for
the use of the child-restraint system:
An unsecured child-restraint system is
dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it
could move causing serious injury or death
to the child or other occupants. Make sure
any child-restraint system is properly
secured in place according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure the child-restraint system is
properly secured:
A child-restraint system that is not secured
is dangerous. In a sudden stop or collision,
it can become a projectile and hit someone,
causing serious injury. When not in use,
remove it from the vehicle, put it in the
trunk or at least make sure it is securely
fastened to the ISOFIX anchors.
Make sure there are no seat belts or foreign
objects near or around the ISOFIX
anchor-secured child-restraint system:
Not following the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions when
installing the child-restraint system is
dangerous. If seat belts or a foreign object
prevent the child-restraint system from
being securely attached to the ISOFIX
anchors and the child-restraint system is
installed improperly, the child-restraint
system could move in a sudden stop or
collision causing serious injury or death to
the child or other occupants. When
installing the child-restraint system, make
sure there are no seat belts or foreign
objects near or around the ISOFIX anchors.
Always follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions.
CAUTION
When moving the seats forward and
rearward, make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not he
ld, the seat will move
suddenly and could cause injury.
1. Open the convertible top.
2. Make sure the ignition is switched off.
3. Slide the passenger seat as far back as
possible (page 2-10).
*1
*
1 You may need to move the seat forward slightly and recline the
back of the seat, in order to assist
in the fitment of some
child-restraint systems.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-33
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include different types of air bags.
Please verify which kinds of air bags are 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:

The steering wheel hub (driver air bag)
The passenger dashboard (passenger air bag)
The outboard sides of the seatbacks (side air bags)
The air bag supplemental restraint systems ar e 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:
Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.
Reduce the possibility of injuri es during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal, near frontal or side collisions that are not
severe enough to activate the air bags.
Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.
Reduce 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.
Hold the driver in a position which allows better cont rol of the vehicle.

Refer to the Passenger Occupant Class ification System (page 2-49) for details.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates for a specified time after the
ignition is switched ON.

Ty p e A
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-36
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Ty p e B

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 2-21).

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 appr opriate air bags can be expected to inflate
only in the first accident, such as frontal, near frontal or side collisions that are at least
moderate. Vehicle occupants shou ld always wear seat belts.

Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated when
using a child-restraint system:
Seating a child in a 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, an air bag could inflate and cause seri ous injuries or even death to the child seated
in the child-restraint system. Always make su re the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light is illuminated.
Refer to Occupant Classification System on page 2-49.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-37
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

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 passeng er 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 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 module s 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 d oor 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.
Sit in the center of the seat and wear seat belts properly:
Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them, or sleeping up against
the door or hanging out the windows is extremely dangerous. The side air bags
inflate with
great force and speed directly expanding along th e door on the side the car is hit. Serious
injury could occur if someone is sitting too clos e to the door. 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 air bags deploy:
Attaching objects to the air bags or placing something in the area where the air bags deploy
is dangerous. In an accident, an object coul d interfere with air bag inflation and injure the
occupants. Furthermore, the bag could be da maged causing gases to release. Always keep
the deployment area of the air bag modules free of any obstructions.
For example, you should not do any of the following as it may interfere with air bag
deployment.
 Do not put a covering on or lean anything against areas such as the dashboard and lower
portion of the instrument panel that blocks the passenger front air bag and knee air bags.
 Do not use seat covers on the front seats and rear seats equipped with in-seat side air bags.
 Do not hang any backpacks, bags or pouches that cover the sides of the seats that block the
side air bags.
 Do not place any objects on the assist grips. Only hang clothes directly on the coat hooks.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-38
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

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 inflati ng 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 accura tely detect a collision resulting in incorrect or
unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.
Do not modify a door or leave any damage unrepaired. Always have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer inspect a damaged door:
Modifying a door or leaving any damage unrepai red is dangerous. Each door has a side crash
sensor as a component of the supplemental restr aint system. If holes are drilled in a door, a
door speaker is left removed, or a damaged d oor is left unrepaired, the sensor could be
adversely affected causing it to not detect the pressure of an impact correctly during a side
collision. If a sensor does not detect a side impa ct correctly, the side air bags and the seat belt
pretensioner may not operate normally which could result in serious injury to occupants.
Do not modify the supplemental restraint system:
Modifying the components or wiri ng 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 inst alling 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, and that the passenger
occupant classification system and the seats retain an undamaged air bag connection.
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.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-39
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Do not operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components:
Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components must be replaced
after any collision which caused them to depl oy or damage them. Only a trained Authorized
Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these systems to see that they will work in any subsequent
accident. Driving with an expended or damage d air bag or pretensioner unit will not afford
you the necessary protection in the event of any subsequent accident which could result in
serious injury or death.
Do not remove interior air bag parts:
Removing any components such as the seats, front dashboard, the steering wheel, containing
air bag parts or sensors is dangerous. These pa rts contain essential air bag components. The
air bag could accidentally activate and cause serious injuries. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer remove these parts.
Properly dispose of the air bag system:
Improper disposal of an air bag or a vehicle with live air bags in it can be extremely
dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are foll owed, injury could result. Have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer safely dispose of the air bag sy stem or scrap an air bag equipped vehicle.
NOTE
If it becomes necessary to have the components or wiring system for the supplementary
restraint system modified to accommodate a person with certain medical conditions in
accordance with a certified physician, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to
“Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)” (page 8-2).
When 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 text ure of the air bags may cause
light skin injuries on body parts not covered with clothing through friction.
Should 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.
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have a warning label attached as shown in the
following.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-40
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56