MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE 2006 Owners Manual (in English)

•Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,
with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
•Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for
about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person
and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
•If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be
advised to ride in the rear seat, and the system should be taken
promptly to an authorized Mazda dealer for repair before that seat is
occupied again.
OccupantPass Airbag Off
Indicator LampPassenger Airbag
Empty seat Unlit Disabled
Small child in child
safety seat or boosterLit Disabled
Small child with safety
belt buckled or
unbuckledLit Disabled
Adult Unlit Enabled
WARNING: Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children
12 and under should be properly restrained in the back seat.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s
very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated
occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on the
seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. Sitting
improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event. For
example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward,
leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of
injury during a crash is greatly increased.
WARNING: Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat
back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion
and affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system,
resulting in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the
floor.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
101

The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects
placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front
passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the
passenger airbag is disabled, thepass airbag offlamp may or may not
be illuminated according to the table below.
ObjectsPass Airbag Off
Indicator LampPassenger Airbag
Small (i.e. 3 ring
binder, small purse,
bottled water)Unlit Disabled
Medium (i.e. heavy
briefcase, fully packed
luggage)Lit Disabled
Empty seat, Small or
medium object with
safety belt buckledLit Disabled
If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is
incorrect, check for the following:
•Objects lodged underneath the seat
•Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if
equipped)
•Objects hanging off the seat back
•Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)
•Objects placed on the occupant’s lap
•Cargo interference with the seat
•Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat
•Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat
The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated
occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing
system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or
lighter due to the conditions described in the list above.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
102

WARNING: To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:
Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or
hang objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger
seat.
Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or
between the seat and the center console (if equipped).
Check Passenger Airbag Disable Indicator for proper airbag
Status.
Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front
passenger seat sensing system.
In case there is a problem with the
front passenger sensing system, the
airbag readiness lamp in the
instrument cluster will stay lit.
If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do the following:
The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that
may be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering
with the seat.
If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take
the following steps to remove the obstruction:
•Pull the vehicle over.
•Turn the vehicle off.
•Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
•Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
•Restart the vehicle.
•Wait at least 2 minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is no
longer illuminated
•If the airbag readiness lamp remains illuminated, this may or may/not
be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.
DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle
immediately to an authorized Mazda dealer. Ask the front seat occupant
to sit in a rear seat until the air bag system if checked by the authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Mazda Customer
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
103

Relationship Center at the phone number shown in theCustomer
Assistancesection of thisOwner’s Manual.
WARNING: Any alteration/modification to the front passenger
seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing
system.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
A malfunction with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beep sounds will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately.
WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
Seat-mounted side airbag system (if equipped)
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
104

WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers or non-Mazda
leather seat upgrade kits. The use of accessory seat covers and
kits may prevent the deployment of the side airbags and
increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an
airbag. See an authorized dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their safety belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.
How does the side airbag system (if equipped) work?
The design and development of the
side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags.
The side airbag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (airbag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
•Two crash sensors located on the lower portion of the b-pillar (one on
each side of the vehicle).
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
105

Side airbags, in combination with safety belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by
the collision will be inflated. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side airbag will
be deactivated. The airbag was designed to inflate between the door
panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided
occupants in side impact collisions.
The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.
The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
WARNING: Several airbag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side airbag
has deployed, the airbag will
not function again. The side
airbag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by an authorized
dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.
Determining if the side airbags are operational
First determine you have the optional side airbags - locate the “AIRBAG
labels on the outboard sides of the front seats.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
106

The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
Side-curtain airbag system (if equipped)
You can easily confirm if your vehicle has side-curtain airbags by looking
inside the vehicle up at the upperBpillar where you will see an
embossedAIRBAGlabel.
WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment on
or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying
side-curtain airbags (if
equipped). Failure to follow
these instructions may
increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a
collision.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door or window glass.
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) could injure you as it
deploys from the headliner.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
107

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
side-curtain airbags (if equipped), fuses, the A, B, or C pillar
trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing side-curtain
airbags. See your authorized Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS
and side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are provided.
WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable side-curtain
airbags (if equipped).
How do the side-curtain airbags (if equipped) work?
The design and development of the
side air curtain system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags (including side air
curtain systems).
The side-curtain airbags (if
equipped) consists of the following:
•An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).
•A headliner designed to flex open
above the side doors to allow side-curtain airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
108

•Two crash sensors mounted at lower B-Pillar (one on each side).
•Two crash sensors located at the c-pillar behind the rear doors (one
on each side).
•Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped), in combination with safety belts,
can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant
side impact collision or rollover event.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the rear seats. The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) will not interfere
with children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are designed to activate when the
vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the RCM to
initiate side-curtain airbag (if equipped) inflation or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
The side-curtain airbags are mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal,
behind the headliner, above the first and second row seats. In certain
lateral collisions or rollover events, the side-curtain airbags will be
activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. In certain rollover
events, the side-curtain airbag (if equipped) on both sides of the vehicle
will be inflated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The side-curtain
airbags (if equipped) are designed to inflate between the side window
area and occupants to further enhance protection provided in side
impact collisions and rollover events.
The fact that the side-curtain airbags (if equipped) did not activate in a
collision does not mean that there is a malfunction with the system.
Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause
activation. The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are designed to inflate
in certain side impact collisions or rollover events, not in rear impact,
frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient
lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
109

WARNING: Several
side-curtain airbag (if
equipped) components get hot
after inflation. Do not touch
them after inflation.
WARNING: If the side-curtain
airbags (if equipped) have
deployed, the side-curtain
airbags will not function again
unless replaced. The
side-curtain airbags (including
the A, B and C pillar trim)
must be inspected and serviced
by a authorized dealer in
accordance with the vehicle
workshop manual. If the
side-curtain airbags are not
replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.
Determining if the side-curtain airbags are operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beep sounds will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately. Unless serviced, the
system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
2006 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
110