Mazda 3 Hatchback 2008 Owners Manual
A Word to Mazda Owners
Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that's the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you
resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at
Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Event Data Recorder
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. In the event of a crash, this device records data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time. These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and lead to the designing of safer
vehicles.
Air Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to
damage the earth's ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries, ...] may
contain Perchlorate Material– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2007 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed in Japan July 2007(Print2)
How to Use This Manual
We want to help you get the most driving
pleasure from your vehicle. Your owner's
manual, when read from cover to cover,
can do that in many ways.
Illustrations complement the words of the
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
Mazda. By reading your manual, you can
find out about the features, important
safety information, and driving under
various road conditions.
The symbol below in this manual means
“Do not do this” or “Do not let this
happen”.
Index: A good place to start is the Index,
an alphabetical listing of all information
in your manual.
NOTE
A NOTE provides information and sometimes
suggests how to make better use of your
vehicle.
The symbol below, located on some parts
of the vehicle, indicates that this manual
contains information related to the part.
Please refer to the manual for a detailed
explanation.
You'll find several WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs, and NOTEs in the manual.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious injury or death could
result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which bodily injury or damage to
your vehicle, or both, could result if
the caution is ignored.
Table of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.
Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio
system.
In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Specifications
Technical information about your Mazda.
Index
9
10
11
1
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Dashboard and Interior Overview .............................................. 1-2
Exterior Overview ......................................................................... 1-4
1-1
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
*Refer to Navigation System at the separate manual (if equipped).
Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-19
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-18
Power door lock switch ....................................................................................... page 3-9
1-2
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
Headlight leveling switch .................................................................................. page 5-52
Dashboard illumination knob ............................................................................ page 5-35
Lighting control/Turn signal .............................................................................. page 5-50
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-32
SRS air bags ...................................................................................................... page 2-40
Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-19
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-54
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-60
Information display ............................................................................................ page 6-53
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-16
Glove box .............................................................. ............................................ page 6-60
Center console ................................................................................................... page 6-61
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-6
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-59
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-9
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-12
Lighter ............................................................................................................... page 6-58
Rear window defroster switch ........................................................................... page 5-58
Ashtray ............................................................................................................... page 6-58
Climate control system ........................................... ............................................. page 6-2
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Steering column release lever ............................................................................ page 3-29
Audio control switches ...................................................................................... page 6-44
Remote fuel-filler lid release ............................................................................. page 3-20
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-21
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-29
Interior lights ..................................................................................................... page 6-50
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-50
Rearview mirror .............................. ................................................................... page 3-30
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-50
Front seat ............................................................................................................. page 2-2
Seat belt ............................................................................................................. page 2-10
Rear seat .............................................................................................................. page 2-5
1-3The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
4 Door
1-4
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
Trunk lid ............................................................................................................ page 3-14
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-15
Rear window defroster ....................................................................................... page 5-58
Power window ................................................................................................... page 3-18
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-35
Fuel-filler lid ...................................................................................................... page 3-20
Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-39
Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-21
Windshield wiper blades .................................................................................... page 8-29
Moonroof ........................................................................................................... page 3-23
Child safety lock ................................................................................................ page 3-10
Door lock ............................................................................................................. page 3-8
Outside mirror .................................................................................................... page 3-29
1-5The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
5 Door
1-6
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
Liftgate ............................................................................................................... page 3-11
Rear window defroster ....................................................................................... page 5-58
Rear wiper blade ................................................................................................ page 8-30
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-15
Fuel-filler lid ...................................................................................................... page 3-20
Power window ................................................................................................... page 3-18
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-35
Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-39
Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-21
Windshield wiper blades .................................................................................... page 8-29
Moonroof ........................................................................................................... page 3-23
Child safety lock ................................................................................................ page 3-10
Door lock ............................................................................................................. page 3-8
Outside mirror .................................................................................................... page 3-29
1-7The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
1-8
2
Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2
Front Seats ................................................................................ 2-2
Rear Seat ................................................................................... 2-5
Seat Belt Systems ........................................................................ 2-10
Seat Belt Precautions .............................................................. 2-10
Seat Belt (Except Center-Rear Position) ................................. 2-14
Front Seat Belt Pretensione r and Load Limiting Systems ....... 2-16
Center-Rear Position Seat Belt (3-Point Type) ....................... 2-19
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-21
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-23
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-25
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-25
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-29
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-35
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-40
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-40
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-44
How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-47
2-1
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Front Seats
WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front
seats:
Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injur y. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats:
Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even on e not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag
components. If there was a
subsequent collision, an air bag may
not deploy which could lead to
injuries. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats,
front seat belt pretensioners and air
bags after a collision.
Make sure the adjustable components
of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that
are not securely locked are
dangerous. In a sudden stop or
collision, the seat or seatback could
move, causing injury. Make su re the
adjustable components of the seat
are locked in place by attempting to
slide the seat forward and backward
and rocking the seatback.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Adjust the drive r seat only when the
vehicle is stopped:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. The
driver could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident.
To move a seat forward or backward, raise
the lever and slide the seat to the desired
position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and
backward.
qSeat Recline
WARNING
Do not drive with the seats reclined:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous
because you don't get the full
protection from seat belts. Du ring
sudden braking or a collision, you
can slide under the lap belt and
suffer serious internal injuries. For
maximum protection, sit well back
and upright.
2-2
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Always sit in a passenger seat properly
with the seatback upright and feet on
the floor:
If your vehicle is equipped with front
passenger seat weight sensors,
sitting in the front passenger seat
improperly out of position or with the
seatback reclined too far while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous as it
can take off weight from the seat
bottom and affect the weight
determination of the front passe nger
sensing system. As a result the front
passenger will not have the
supplementary protection of the air
bag and seat belt pretensioner, which
could cause result in serious injury.
Always sit upright against your
seatback, with your feet on the floor.
Do not drive with the seatback
unlocked:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After ad justing the
seatback at any time, even when
there are no other passengers, rock
the seatback to make sure it is locked
in place.
To change the seatback angle, lean
forward slightly while raising the lever.
Then lean back to the desired position and
release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seatback is locked in
place by attempting to push it forward and
backward.
CAUTION
When returning a rear-reclined
seatback to its uprigh t position,
make sure you hold onto the
seatback with your other hand while
operating the lever. If the seatback is
not supported, it will flip forward
suddenly and could cause injury.
2-3
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
q
Height Adjustment (Driver's Seat)
By moving the seat lever up or down, the
seat bottom height can be adjusted.
Up
Down
qLumbar Support Adjustment
(Driver's Seat)
í
To adjust the lum bar support, pull the
lever forward.
í
qHead Restraint
WARNING
Always drive with the head restraints
installed when seats are being used
and make sure they are properly
adjusted:
Driving with the head restraints
adjusted too low or removed is
dangerous. With no support behind
your head, your neck could be
seriously injured in a collision.
Height adjustment
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the
desired position.
To lower the head restraint, press the stopcatch release, then push the head restraint
down.
2-4
í
Some models.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is
even with the top of the passenger's ears,
never the passenger's neck to prevent
injury.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
qSeat Warmer
í
The front seats are electrically heated. The
ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn the seat warmer
on or off. When the switch is in the ON
position, the indicator light will come on.
NOTE
The seat temperature is regulated
automatically by a thermostat. Other than
turning it on or off, it cannot be adjusted.
Rear Seat
WARNING
Do not stack cargo higher than the
seatbacks or place articles on the rear
package tray or on the luggage
compartment cover:
Stacking luggage or other cargo
higher than the seatbacks, and
placing articles on the rear package
tray or on the luggage compartment
cover is dangerous. During sudden
braking or a collision, objects can fly
around and become projectiles that
may hit and injure passengers.
Make sure luggage and cargo is
secured before driving:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as it could move or be
crushed during sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury.
Make sure the adjustable components
of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats that are not securely
locked are dangerous. In a sudden
stop or collision, the seat or seatback
could move, causing injury.
Do not drive with the seatback
unlocked:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After returning the
seatback at any time, even when
there are no other passengers, rock
the seatback to make sure it is locked
in place.
í
Some models.
2-5
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Never allow a passenger to sit or stand
on the folded seatback while the
vehicle is moving:
Driving with a passenger on the
folded seatback is dangerous.
Allowing a child to sit up on the
folded seatback while the vehicle is
moving is particularly dangerous. In
a sudden stop or even a minor
collision, a ch ild not in a proper seat
or child-restraint system and seat
belt could be thrown forward, back
or even out of the vehicle resulting in
serious injuries or death. The child in
the baggage area could be thrown
into other occupants and cause
serious injury.
Never give the car keys to children and
do not allow them to play in the
vehicle:
Playing with the folding rear seats is
dangerous. The folding rear
seatbacks cannot be folded down
from inside the trunk. Once the
seatbacks are back up, a child in the
trunk would not be able to get out
the way they had entered. If you have
small children, keep the seatbacks
locked (sedan).
Always leave your car locked and keep
the car keys safely away from children:
Leaving your car unlocked or the
keys in reach of children is
dangerous. Children who find their
way into the trunk through an
unlocked rear seatback or an open
trunk can become accidentally locked
in the trunk. This could result in
death or brain damage from heat
prostration, particularly in the
summer. Always lock the doors and
the trunk, and as an added measure,
keep the rear seatbacks locked,
whether you have children in your
home or not.
NOTE
When returning a rear seat to its original
position, also replace the seat belt to its
normal position. Verify that the seat belt pulls
out and retracts.
qSplit-Folding Rear Seatback
To fold the seatbacks
CAUTION
When operating the rear seatback
knob, make sure you support the
seatback with your hand. If the
seatback is not supported with your
hand, it will flip forward suddenly
and could cause injury to the finger
that pushes the rear seatback knob
down.
2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
1. Unfasten the lap portion of the centerrear seat belt (page 2-19).
CAUTION
Always unfasten the lap portion of
the belt before folding the rear-left
seatback. Leaving the lap portion of
the belt fastened could cause
damage to the seat belt, buckle and
seatback.
2. Position the outboard seat belts to the
side when folding the seatbacks down.
3. Support the seatback with your hand.
4. Push the rear seatback knob down.
WARNING
Always make sure the seat belts are
fully pulled out from under the
seatbacks:
A seat belt caught under a seatback
after the seatback is returned to its
upright position is dangerous. In a
collision or sudden stop, the seat belt
cannot provide adequate protection.
When returning the seatback to the
upright position, make sure there is no
red indication:
A rear seatback not fully returned
and locked in the upright position is
dangerous. Sudden stops or
maneuvering could cause a seatback
to flip forward suddenly resulting in
injury. If the red indicator is visible on
the back of the rear seatback knob,
the seatback is not locked in the
upright position.
Locked position
To return the seatbacks to the upright
position
1. Position the outboard seat belts to the
side.
2. Lift the seatbacks upright.
3. Make sure the seat belts are fully
pulled out from under the seatbacks.
4. Pull on the top of the seatbacks from
inside the vehicle to make sure they are
locked.
5. Fasten the center-rear lap/shoulder belt
and check that all seat belts are routed
properly for passenger use (page 2-19).
Unlocked position
Red indicator
2-7
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
qRear Seatback Lock (4 Door)
To lock or unlock a seatback, move the
lever.
NOTE
The seatback locks are part of the trunk
security system (page 3-15).
qHead Restraint
WARNING
Always drive with the head restraints
installed when seats are being used
and make sure they are properly
adjusted:
Driving with the head restraints
adjusted too low or removed is
dangerous. With no support behind
your head, your neck could be
seriously injured in a collision.
Height adjustment
To raise a head restraint, pull it up to the
desired position.
To lower the head restraint, press the stopcatch release, then push the head restraint
down.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top is
even with the top of the passenger's ears,
never the passenger's neck to prevent
injury.
Removal
To remove the head restraint, press the
stop-catch release, then pull up on the
head restraint.
2-8
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
qArmrest
í
The rear armr est in the center of the rear
seatback can be used (no occupant in the
center seat) or placed upright.
Armrest
í
Some models.
2-9
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way
when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the front passenger's seat and all rear lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two
modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use the front
passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and make
sure any child-restraint system is secured properly.
2-10
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown
out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In th e same
collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not
available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt,
which could cause serious injury or death.
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 on e person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant
properly restrained.
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt
webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate
protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt
systems in use during an accident before they are used again.
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has
been expended:
One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may
also deploy at the same time. While it is safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was
used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended
pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. Like the air
bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended,
they will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the seat belt
pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags
after any collision. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced
after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will
only limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the
front seat belts inspected.
2-11
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become diffic ult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep
them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to “Cleaning the
Lap/Shoulder Belt Webbing” (page 8-64).
qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLYAND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS.
The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the
stomach area.
Persons with serious medical condit ions also should wear seat belts. Check with your
doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
qEmergency Locking Mode
In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the
retractor will lock in position during a collision. When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking mode until it is switched to automatic locking mode by
pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable
movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may be in the automatic locking
mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return to the belt to the more
comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped in a safe, level
area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and then extend it
around you again.
2-12
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
qAutomatic Locking Mode
Always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system from shifting to
an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To enable seat belt automatic locking mode,
pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restraint system. It will
retract down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. See the section on child
restraint (page 2-25).
2-13
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt (Except CenterRear Position)
NOTE
When using the center-rear seat belt, refer to
“Center-Rear Position Seat Belt” (page 2-19).
qFastening the Seat Belt
1. Grasp the tongue.
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
Belt
Tongue
3. Insert the tongue into the buckle until
you hear a click.
WARNING
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the
Seat Belt:
Improper positioning of the shoulder
portion of th e seat belt is dangerous.
Always make sure the shoulder
portion of th e seat belt is positioned
across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on
your neck, or on your upper arm.
4. Position the lap belt as low as possible,
not on the abdominal area, then adjust
the shoulder belt so that it fits snugly
against your body.
Take up slack
Keep low on
hip bone
Too high
2-14
Buckle
Tongue
WARNING
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat
Belt:
The lap portion of the seat belt worn
too high is dangerous. In a collision,
this would concentrate the impact
force directly on the abdominal area,
causing serious injury. Wear the lap
portion of th e belt snugly and as low
as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
qUnfastening the Seat Belt
Depress the button on the buckle. If the
belt does not fully retract, pull it out and
check for kinks or twists. Then make sure
it remains untwisted as it retracts.
Button
NOTE
If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for
kinks and twists. If it is still not retracting
properly, have it inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qShoulder Belt Adjuster
í
Adjust the height of the shoulder belt if
the seat belt touches your neck, or if it
crosses your arm instead of your shoulder.
To raise the shoulder belt adjuster, push
the adjuster up. To lower the shoulder belt
adjuster, pull the adjuster and slide it
down. Make sure the adjuster is locked.
To raise To lower
WARNING
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the
Seat Belt:
Improper positioning of the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is dangerous.
Always make sure the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is positioned
across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on
your neck, or on your upper arm.
í
Some models.
2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
front 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:
In moderate or severe frontal or nearfrontal accidents, the front air bag and
pretensioner systems deploy
simultaneously. The front seat belt
retractors remove slack quickly as the air
bags are expandi ng.
In addition, the pretensioner system for
the front passenger, like the front
passenger air bag, is designed to only
deploy in accordance with the total seated
weight on the front passenger seat. Any
time the air bags and seat belt
pretensioners have fired they must be
replaced. For details, refer to the front
passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-47).
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended
in this owner's manual:
Incorrect positioning of the driver and
front 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 det ails about wearing seat
belts, refer to “Fastening the seat
belts” (page 2-14).
Load limiter:
The load limit ing 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.
2-16
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