belt MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2016 User Guide

2–12
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Pretensioner
and Load Limiting
Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
passenger seat belts are equipped with
pretensioner and load limiting systems.
For both these systems 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
2-34).
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 Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-16.
Refer to Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Beep on page 7-45.
(With Passenger Occupant
Classification System)
In addition, the pretensioner 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 2-37).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.
WARNING
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 2-10).
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 bags 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.
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2–13
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Do not modify the components or
wiring, or use electronic testing devices
on the pretensioner system:Modifying the components or wiring
of the pretensioner system, including
the use of electronic testing devices
is dangerous. You could accidentally
activate it or make it inoperable which
would prevent it from activating in an
accident. The occupants or repairers
could be seriously injured.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner
system: Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is
dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury
could result. Have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer safely dispose of
the pretensioner system or scrap a
pretensioner system equipped vehicle.
NOTE
 The pretensioner system may not
operate depending on the type of the
collision. For details, refer to the SRS
Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page
2-34).
 Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will
be released when the air bags and
pretensioners deploy. This does not
indicate a fire. This gas normally has
no effect on occupants, however, those
with sensitive skin may experience
light skin irritation. If residue from
the deployment of the air bags or the
pretensioner system gets on the skin
or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as
possible.
Seat Belt Extender
If your seat belt is not long enough, even
when fully extended, a seat belt extender
may be available to you at no charge from
your Authorized Mazda Dealer.
This extender will be only for you and for
the particular vehicle and seat. Even if it
plugs into other seat belts, it may not hold
in the critical moment of a crash.
When ordering an extender, only order
one that provides the necessary additional
length to fasten the seat belt properly.
Please contact your Authorized Mazda
Dealer for more information.
WARNING
Do not use a seat belt extender unless it
is necessary: Using a seat belt extender when not
necessary is dangerous. The seat belt
will be too long and not fit properly.
In an accident, the seat belt will not
provide adequate protection and you
could be seriously injured. Only use the
extender when it is required to fasten
the seat belt properly.
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2–14
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Do not use an improper extender:Using a seat belt extender that is for
another person or a different vehicle
or seat is dangerous. The seat belt will
not provide adequate protection and
the user could be seriously injured in
an accident. Only use the extender
provided for you and for the particular
vehicle and seat. NEVER use the
extender in a different vehicle or seat.
If you sell your Mazda, do not leave
your seat belt extender in the vehicle. It
could be used accidentally by the new
owner of the vehicle. After removing
the seat belt extender, discard it. Never
use the seat belt extender in any other
vehicle you may own in the future.
Do not use an extender that is too long: Using an extender that is too long is
dangerous. The seat belt will not fit
properly. In an accident, the seat belt
will not provide adequate protection
and you could be seriously injured.
Do not use the extender or choose
one shorter in length if the distance
between the extender's buckle and the
center of the user's body is less than 15
cm (6 in). Do not leave a seat belt extender
connected to the buckle:
Leaving a seat belt extender connected
to the buckle without using the seat
belt is dangerous. When the seat belt
extender is connected to the driver's
seat belt buckle (or passenger) seat,
the SRS driver's (or passenger's) air bag
system will determine that the driver
(or passenger) is wearing the seat belt
even if the driver (or passenger) is not
wearing it. This condition could cause
the driver's (or passenger's) air bag
to not activate correctly and result in
death or serious injury in the event of
collision. Always wear the seat belt
with the seat belt extender.
Do not use the seat belt extender when
installing a child-restraint system on the
passenger seat: Using a seat belt extender to fasten
a child-restraint system on any seat
is dangerous. Always follow the
child-restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions and never use
a seat belt extender.
NOTE
When not in use, remove the seat belt
extender and store it in the vehicle. If the
seat belt extender is left connected, the
seat belt extender might get damaged
as it will not retract with the rest of the
seat belt and can easily fall out of the
door when not in use and be damaged. In
addition, the seat belt warning light will
not illuminate and function properly.
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2–15
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
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 t\
he 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 com\
e with the individual
child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should use seat belts, b\
oth lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer t\
o the center of
the vehicle.
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the
air bag system activated.
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System)
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger ai\
r 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 t\
he passenger seat belt
pretensioner system when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator li\
ght illuminates.
When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, the system shu\
ts 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 occupant classification sensor" (page 2-37).
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2–16
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
WARNING
Use the correct size child-restraint system:
For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, 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.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always keep the child-restraint system
buckled down: 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 child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with
a seat belt.
Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint system: Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No
matter how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden
stop or collision and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. Even in a moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces that
could result in serious injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed into an
adult, causing injury to both child and adult.
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 serious injuries or even death to the child
seated in the child-restraint system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Passenger Occupant Classification System on page 2-37.
(Except Mexico)
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have a warning label attached as shown below. This
warning label is displayed in compliance with regulations.
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2–18
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous under
certain conditions (With Passenger Occupant Classification System):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 light 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.
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with
side air bags: It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the
passenger seat from which the side air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is
used. The impact of inflation from a side air bag could cause serious injury or death to an
out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the door could block the side
air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air
bag deploys from the outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or
against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time: Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether or the LATCH
lower anchor: Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether or the LATCH lower anchor is
dangerous. Your Mazda does not have a child-restraint tether or the LATCH lower anchor.
The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In a collision, it could move and
injure other occupants as well as result in serious injuries or death to the child.
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2–19
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
CAUTION
A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot in a closed vehicle during warm
weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before you or your child touches
them.
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2–20
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Child-Restraint System
Installation
Child-Restraint System Types
In this owner's manual, explanation of
child-restraint systems is provided for the
following three types of popular child-
restraint systems: infant seat, child seat,
booster seat.
NOTE
 Installation position is determined
by the type of child-restraint system.
Always read the manufacturer's
instructions and this owner's manual
carefully.
 Due to variations in the design of child-
restraint systems, vehicle seats and
seat belts, all child-restraint systems
may not fit all seating positions. Before
purchasing a child-restraint system, it
should be tested in the specific vehicle
seating position (or positions) where it
is intended to be used. If a previously
purchased child-restraint system does
not fit, you may need to purchase a
different one that will.
Infant seat
An infant seat provides restraint by
bracing the infant's head, neck and back
against the seating surface.
Child seat
A child seat restrains a child's body using
the harness.
Booster seat
A booster seat is a child restraint accessory
designed to improve the fit of the seat belt
system around the child's body.
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2–21
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Installing Child-Restraint
Systems
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily
be converted into the 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.
WARNING
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean
over or against the side window of a
vehicle with side air bags:It is dangerous to allow anyone to
lean over or against the side window,
the area of the passenger seat from
which the side air bags deploy, even
if a child-restraint system is used. The
impact of inflation from a side air bag
could cause serious injury or death to
an out of position child. Furthermore,
leaning over or against the door could
block the side air bags and eliminate
the advantages of supplemental
protection. Because the side air bag
deploys from the outboard shoulder of
the seat, do not allow the child to lean
over 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 held,
the seat will move suddenly and could
cause injury.
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2–22
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint
System Installation (With Passenger
Occupant Classification System)
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-restraint 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 locking 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 system 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 child-restraint system (page
2-37).

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