sensor MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2022 Owners Manual

Seat Belt Pretensioner andLoad Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
passenger seat belts are equipped with
pretensioner and load limiting systems.
For both these system s to work properly
you must wear the seat belt properly.

Pretensioners:
When a collision is detected, the
pretensioners deploy simultaneously with
the air bags.
For deployment details, refer to the SRS
Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page
2-46).
The seat belt retractors remove slack
quickly as the air bags are expanding. Any
time the air bags and seat belt
pretensioners have fired they must be
replaced.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-40.
Refer to Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Beep on page 7-48.
In addition, the preten sioner system for the
passenger, like the front and side
passenger air bag, is designed to only
deploy when the passenger occupant
classification sensor detects a passenger
sitting on the passenger's seat.
For details, refer to the passenger occupant
classification sensor (page 2-49).

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.
WA R N I N G
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 2-16).
Have your seat belts changed immediately
if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
immediately inspect the seat belt
pretensioners and air ba gs after any collision.
Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners
and load limiters will only function once and
must be replaced after any collision that
caused them to deploy. A seat belt with an
expended pretensioner or load limiter is still
better than wearing no seat belt at all;
however, if the seat belt pretensioners and
load limiters are not replaced, the risk of
injury in a collision will increase.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-18
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Child-Restraint Precautions
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use
them.

You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety
of children riding in your vehicle.

Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age
and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual
child-restraint system.

A child who has outgrown child-restraint syst ems should use seat belts, both lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of
the vehicle.

A rear-facing child-res traint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the
air bag system activated.

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the
passenger occupant classification sensor work as a part of the supplemental restraint system.
This system deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt
pretensioner system when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.

When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, the 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.

For more details, refer to "Passenger oc cupant classification sensor" (page 2-49).

WARNING
Use the correct size child-restraint system:
For effective protection in ve hicle accidents and sudden stop s, a child must be properly
restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and size. If not, the
child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-21
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

(Mexico)
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front
of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have the following warning label. The warning label
reminds you not to put a rear-facing child-restrai nt system on the passenger seat at any time.

Before installing child-restraint system on the passenger seat, move the passenger seat as far
back as possible:
In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child.
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous under certain
conditions:
Your vehicle is equipped with passenger occupant
classification sensor. Even with the
passenger occupant classification sensor, if you must use the passenger seat to seat a child,
using a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the following conditions increases
the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury or death to
the child.
 The passenger air bag deactivation indicator ligh t does not illuminate when seating a child
in the child-restraint system.
 Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint system.
 The seat is washed.
 Liquids are spilled on the seat.
 The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed behind
it.
 Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat.
 An electric device is put on the passenger's seat.
 An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the
passenger seat.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-23
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

Supplemental Restraint System Components
Driver/Passenger inflators and air bags
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
Seat belt pretensioners (page 2-18)
Front air bag sensors
Side crash sensors
Air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light (page 4-27)
Side inflators and air bags
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-49)
Passenger occupant classification sensor (page 2-49)
Passenger occupant classification module
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-42
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

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.
▼ Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near frontal
collisions.
In addition, during a side collision, the pr
etensioner operates. The pretensioners operate
differently depending 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 2-46).
▼ 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 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 2-46).
(Except Mexico)
The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity, the driver's ai r bag deploys with lesser energy, whereas during
more severe impacts, it de ploys with more energy.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-43
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

▼Passenger Air Bag
The passenger air bag is mounted in the passenger dashboard.
The inflation mechanism for the passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag.
For more details about air bag deployment,
refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria"
(page 2-46).
In addition, the passenger air bag is designed to only deploy when the passenger occupant
classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat. For details, refer to
the passenger occupant classification system (page 2-49).
▼ Side Air Bags
The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the 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 passenger's head and 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 2-46).
In addition, the passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy when the passenger
occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat. For details,
refer to the passenger occupant classification system (page 2-49).

Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-44
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

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*1X*1
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 collision.*1 The passenger front and side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner are designed to deploy when the passenger
occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat.
*2 In a side collision, the seat belt pretensioners and the side air bags deploy.
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
2-46
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Passenger Occupant Classification System
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions" (page 2-36) carefully.
▼Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint sy
stem. This sensor is equipped in the passenger's seat cushion. This
sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's seat. The SAS unit is designed
to prevent the passenger front and side air ba gs 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 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 turns on. Refer to the following table
for the passenger air bag deactivation in dicator 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 deactiva tion indicator light turns on according to the
following table.

The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system wa rning light flashes and the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates if the se nsors 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 turns on to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and seat
belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
Ty p e A
If the passenger occupant classification sensor is normal, the indicator light turns on when
the ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light
turns on or is off under the following conditions:
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-49
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56