Mazda 6 2004 Owner's 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 North American Operations

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.

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.

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.

Printed in U.S.A.

Index

11-1

Index

Accessory Socket ............................. 6-54

Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and

Accessories ...................................... 9-11

Air Bag Systems

Air Filter ..........................................8-20

Ambient Temperature Display

Antenna ............................................6-16

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........5-7

Warning light Appearance Care

Ashtray .............................................6-50

Audio

Audio control switch ................6-40

Audio System ................................... 6-16

Audio set ................................... 6-23

Operating tips for audio

system ....................................... 6-16

Safety certification ....................6-42

Automatic Transaxle

Driving tips ............................... 5-16

Fluid ..........................................8-18

Indicators .................................. 5-12

Manual shift mode ....................5-12

Recommendations for

shifting ...................................... 5-15

Shifting

Shifting specification ................5-14

Shift-lock system ...................... 5-12

Transaxle ranges ....................... 5-11

.............................. 2-31

........ 6-48

.............................. 5-8

.............................. 8-40

..................................... 5-13

Battery

Emergency starting

Maintenance ............................. 8-24

Specifications

...................7-14

........................... 10-3

Beeps

Ignition key reminder ................5-36

Lights-on reminder ...................5-36

Before Starting the Engine

After getting in ............................4-5

Before getting in

Body Lubrication .............................8-20

Bottle Holder ....................................6-51

Brake/Clutch

Fluid ..........................................8-15

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ....5-7

Foot brake ...................................5-4

Pad wear indicator ......................5-8

Parking brake ..............................5-5

Warning light ..............................5-6

Break-In .............................................4-6

Bulb Replacement ............................8-29

.................4-5

.........................4-5

Capacities .........................................10-4

Carbon Monoxide ..............................4-4

Catalytic Converter ............................4-3

Cell Phones ......................................9-12

Center Box .......................................6-52

Center Console Child Restraint

Child restraint precautions ........2-21

Installing child-restraint

systems

LATCH child-restraint

systems ......................................2-29

Child Safety Locks for Rear Door

Cigarette Lighter ..............................6-49

Climate Control System

Gas specifications .....................10-4

Clock ................................................6-47

.................................6-53

......................................2-24

.....3-9

.....................6-2

11-2

Index

Courtesy Lights ................................6-45

Cruise Control ..................................5-17

Cup Holder .......................................6-50

Customer Assistance

..........................9-2

Dashboard Illumination ...................5-26

Daytime Running Lights ..................5-38

Defroster

Rear window .............................5-41

Dimensions ......................................10-4

Door Locks .........................................3-7

Driving In Flooded Area ....................4-9

Driving Tips .......................................4-6

Automatic transaxle ..................5-16

Break-in ......................................4-6

Driving in flooded area ...............4-9

Hazardous driving ....................... 4-7

Money-saving suggestions ..........4-6

Rocking the vehicle ....................4-7

Winter driving .............................4-8

Emergency Starting ..........................7-14

Flooded engine ..........................7-14

Jump-starting ............................7-14

Push-starting .............................7-16

Emergency Towing Emission Control System Engine

Coolant ......................................8-13

Exhaust gas

Hood release .............................3-17

Oil .............................................8-10

Overheating

Starting ........................................5-3

..........................7-17

...................4-3

.................................4-4

...............................7-12

Engine Compartment Overview .........8-9

Engine Coolant

Overheating ...............................7-12

Engine Coolant Temperature

...............................................5-25

Gauge Exhaust Gas

Exterior Care ....................................8-42

........................................4-4

Flasher

Hazard warning .........................5-42

Headlights .................................5-37

Flat Tire ..............................................7-3

Changing .....................................7-5

Spare tire and tool storage ...........7-3

Fluids

Classification .............................10-3

Owner maintenance .....................8-7

Fog Lights ........................................5-39

Foot Brake ..........................................5-4

Front seats ..........................................2-2

Fuel

Filler lid and cap .......................3-16

Gauge ........................................5-26

Requirements ..............................4-2

Tank capacity

Fuses .................................................8-35

Panel description .......................8-37

Replacement

............................10-4

..............................8-35

Gauges ..............................................5-23

Glove Box ........................................6-53

11-3

Index

Hazard Warning Flasher ..................5-42

Hazardous Driving ............................. 4-7

Headlights

Control

Flashing .................................... 5-37

High-low beam

On reminder .............................. 5-37

HomeLink Wireless Control System Hood Release

Horn .................................................5-42

...................................... 5-37

......................... 5-37

..............................................5-43

................................... 3-17

Ignition

Keys ............................................3-2

Switch .........................................5-2

Illuminated Entry System ................6-43

Immobilizer System ......................... 3-20

Indicator Lights ................................ 5-27

Cruise Main .............................. 5-36

Cruise set .................................. 5-36

Headlight high-beam ................5-34

Security ..................................... 5-33

Shift position ............................ 5-34

TCS ...........................................5-35

TCS OFF

Information Display ......................... 6-46

Ambient temperature display ... 6-48

Audio display

Climate control display .............6-48

Clock

Display dimmer cancel

function ..................................... 6-48

Information display functions ... 6-46 Instrument Cluster Instrument Cluster Dimmer Cancel

Button ..............................................5-26

.................................. 5-35

............................ 6-48

.........................................6-47

........................... 5-23

Interior Care .....................................8-45

Interior Lights ..................................6-43

Jump-Starting ...................................7-14

Keyless Entry System ........................3-3

Keys ...................................................3-2

Label Information ............................10-2

Lane-Change Signals .......................5-38

Light Bulbs

Replacement ..............................8-29

Specifications ............................10-5

Lighter ..............................................6-49

Lighting Control ...............................5-37

Lubricant Quality .............................10-3

Maintenance

Introduction .................................8-2

Owner maintenance

precautions

Owner maintenance schedule

Scheduled Manual Transaxle Operation

Recommendations for shifting

Map Lights .......................................6-45

Meters and Gauges ...........................5-23

..................................8-8

.....8-7

....................................8-3

..............5-9

....5-9

11-4

Index

Mirrors

Outside mirrors .........................3-25

Rearview mirror ........................3-26

Money-Saving Suggestions

...............4-6

Odometer and Trip Meter ................5-24

Outside Mirrors ................................3-25

Overhead Console ............................6-52

Overhead Lights ...............................6-44

Overheating ......................................7-12

Overloading ........................................4-9

Paint Damage ...................................8-40

Parking Brake .....................................5-5

Parking in an Emergency ...................7-2

Power Door Locks .............................3-9

Power Steering .................................5-16

Fluid ..........................................8-17

Power Windows ...............................3-14

Push-Starting ....................................7-16

Rear Door Child Safety Locks ...........3-9

Rear Seat

Rear Window Defroster ...................5-41

Rearview Mirror Recreational Towing Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign Country Rocking the Vehicle

............................................2-7

...............................3-26

........................7-18

...........................9-10

...........................4-7

Safety Defects, Reporting ................9-16

Seat Belt System

3-point type ...............................2-13

Automatic locking

Emergency locking ...................2-12

Extender

Pregnant women ........................2-12

Pretensioner and load limiting Rear-center lap/shoulder

Seat belt precautions .................2-10

Warning light ............................2-20

Seats

Front seat .....................................2-2

Rear seat ......................................2-7

Security System

Immobilizer system ...................3-20

Theft-deterrent system ..............3-22

Service Publications .........................9-17

Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...............7-3

Specifications ...................................10-3

Speedometer .....................................5-24

SRS Air Bags

Air bag system description ........2-36

Supplemental restraint systems

precautions

Warning light ............................2-42

Starting the Engine .............................5-3

Steering Wheel .................................3-25

Horn ..........................................5-42

Storage Compartments

Center box

Center console ...........................6-53

Glove box ..................................6-53

Overhead console

Storage pocket ...........................6-52

Storage Pocket ..................................6-52

....................................2-19

......................................2-15

.....................2-12

...........2-17

................................2-31

.....................6-52

.................................6-52

......................6-52

11-5

Index

Sunroof ............................................3-18

Sunshade ..........................................3-19

Sunvisors ..........................................6-43

Tachometer ...................................... 5-25

Temporary Spare Tire

Theft-Deterrent System ...................3-22

Tiedown

Hook .........................................7-18

Tires

Flat tire ........................................7-3

Inflation pressure ...................... 8-25

Replacement ............................. 8-27

Rotation .................................... 8-26

Snow tires ................................... 4-8

Spare tire and tool storage ..........7-3

Specifications ........................... 10-5

Tire chains .................................. 4-8

Uniform tire quality grading

system (UTQGS) ...................... 9-14

Tool ....................................................7-3

Towing

Description ............................... 7-17

Emergency towing ....................7-17

Recreational towing

Trailer towing ........................... 4-10

Traction Control System (TCS) ....... 5-20

TCS indicator light

TCS OFF indicator light ...........5-21

TCS OFF switch Trailer Towing Trip Meter

Trunk Lid .........................................3-10

Trunk Light

Trunk Release lever ......................... 3-12

Turn and Lane-Change Signals ....... 5-38

........................................5-24

...................................... 3-12

...................... 8-27

..................7-18

...................5-21

....................... 5-22

................................. 4-10

Vanity Mirrors ..................................6-43

Vehicle Information Labels .............10-2

Warning Lights ................................5-27

...........................................5-31

ABS Air bag system

Automatic transaxle ..................5-33

Brake system .............................5-29

Charging system .......................5-30

Check engine .............................5-31

Door-ajar ...................................5-33

Engine oil pressure ....................5-30

Front seat belt pretensioner

system .......................................5-32

Low fuel ....................................5-32

Low washer fluid level .............5-33

Seat belt .....................................5-32

Warranty .............................................9-8

Washer Fluid ....................................8-19

Weights ............................................10-4

Wheel Replacement .........................8-28

Windows

Power windows .........................3-14

Windshield Washer ..........................5-40

Windshield Wipers

Blades replacement ...................8-22

Winter Driving ...................................4-8

..........................5-32

...........................5-40

11-6

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 above symbol 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.

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.

NOTE

A NOTE provides information and sometimes suggests how to make better use of your vehicle.

The above symbol, 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.

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, SRS air bags and child-restraint systems.

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 climate control 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.

Customer Information

Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.

Specifications

Technical information about your Mazda.

Index

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.

Dashboard Overview

Interior Overview

Exterior Overview

..........................................................................1-3

.........................................................................1-4

.................................................................... 1-2

1-1

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Dashboard Overview

Driver-side air bag

(page 2-31)

Instrument cluster

(page 5-23)

Lighting control/Turn signals

(page 5-37)

Fog lights switch

(page 5-39)

Power window switches

(page 3-14)

Wiper and washer lever

(page 5-39)

Information display

(page 6-46)

Hazard warning flasher switch

(page 5-42)

Audio system

(page 6-16)

Shift lever

(page 5-9) (page 5-10)

Passenger-side air bag

(page 2-31)

Glove box

(page 6-53)

Center console

(page 6-53)

Power window lock switch

(page 3-15)

Hood release handle

(page 3-17)

Storage pocket

(page 6-52)

Steering column release lever

(page 3-25)

Ignition switch

(page 5-2)

1-2

Cup holder

(page 6-50)

Parking brake

(page 5-5)

Lighter

(page 6-49)

Ashtray

(page 6-50)

Climate control system

(page 6-2)

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior Overview

Sunvisors

(page 6-43)

Curtain air bags

(page 2-31)

Interior light

(page 6-43)

Rear seat

(page 2-7) (page 2-2)

Seat belts

(page 2-10)

Map light

(page 6-45)

Rearview mirror

(page 3-26)

Vanity mirror

(page 6-43)

Front seats

Side air bags

(page 2-31)

1-3

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Exterior Overview

Antenna

(page 6-16)

High-mount brake light

(page 8-33)

Trunk lid

(page 3-10)

License plate lights

(page 8-33)

Reverse lights

(page 8-33)

Headlights

(page 8-30)

Windshield wiper blades

(page 8-22)

Hood

(page 3-17)

Brake lights/Taillights

(page 8-33)

Rear window defroster

(page 5-41)

Power windows

(page 3-14)

Tires

(page 8-25)

Rear turn signal lights

(page 8-33)

Sunroof

(page 3-18)

Child safety locks

(page 3-9)

Fuel-filler lid

(page 3-16)

Parking lights

(page 8-31)

Fog lights

(page 8-31)

1-4

Doors and keys

(page 3-2)

Outside mirrors

(page 3-25)

Side marker lights

(page 8-31)

Front turn signal lights

(page 8-31)

Essential Safety Equipment

Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, SRS air bags and child-restraint systems.

Seats

................................................................................................ 2-2

Front Seats .................................................................................2-2

Rear Seat .................................................................................... 2-7

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Precautions ............................................................... 2-10

3-Point Type Seat Belt ............................................................. 2-13

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ...... 2-15

Rear Center Position Seat Belt ................................................2-17

Seat Belt Extender ...................................................................2-19

Seat Belt Warning Light .......................................................... 2-20

Child Restraint

Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-21

Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-24

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-29

SRS Air Bags

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ...............2-31

Air Bag System Description ....................................................2-36

......................................................................... 2-10

............................................................................2-21

...............................................................................2-31

2-1

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Front Seats

(Manually operated seats)

Seat Slide

▼

(Manually operated seats)

WARNING

Securing the Seats: 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 sure the adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat forward and backward and rocking the seatback.

(Electrically operated seats)

The seat-bottom tilt, seat height, seat slide, and seat recline can be electrically adjusted. Move them to the desired positions by using the switch on the seat’s lower side.

CAUTION

•

The seat-bottom power adjustment is operated by motors. Avoid extended operation because excessive use can damage the motors.

•

To prevent the battery from running down, avoid using the power adjustment when the engine is stopped. The adjuster uses a great amount of electric power.

•

Don’t use the switch to make more than one adjustment at a time.

WARNING

Driver’s Seat Adjustment: Adjusting the driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. The driver could lose control of the vehicle and have an accident. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is stopped.

To move a seat forward or backward, raise the lever and slide the seat to the desired position and release the lever.

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.

2-2

Essential Safety Equipment

WARNING

Seats

(Electrically operated seats)

To slide the seat, move the slide lifter switch on the outside of the seat to the front or back and hold it. Release the switch at the desired position.

Slide lifter switch

Seat Recline

▼

Reclining: Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you don’t get the full protection from seat belts. During 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.

Unlocked Seatback: A 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 adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.

2-3

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

(Manually operated seats)

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.

Lever

CAUTION

When returning a rear-reclined seatback to its upright position, make sure you support the seatback while operating the seatback lever. If the seatback is not supported, it will flip forward suddenly and could cause injury.

(Electrically operated seats)

Change the seatback angle by pressing the front or rear side of the reclining switch. When the seatback is at the desired angle, release the switch.

Reclining switch

Seat Height Adjustment (Driver’s

▼

Seat)

(Manually operated seats)

To raise the seat, pull up the lever. Release the lever at the desired position.

To lower the seat, push down the lever. Release the lever at the desired position.

Down

2-4

Lever

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

(Electrically operated seats)

Front height adjustment

To adjust the front height of the seatbottom, raise or lower the front of the slide lifter switch on the left side of the seat.

Switch

Rear height adjustment

Raise or lower the back of the switch to adjust the rear height of the seat-bottom.

Switch

Height adjustment

Raise the seat by pulling up on the center of the switch. Release the switch at the desired position.

Lower the seat by pressing down on the center of the switch. Release the switch at the desired position.

Switch

Lumbar Support Adjustment

▼

(Driver’s Seat)

To adjust the lumbar support, pull the lever forward.

Lever

2-5

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Head Restraint

▼

WARNING

Head Restraints Adjustment: 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. Always drive with the head restraints inserted when seats are being used and make sure they are properly adjusted.

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.

Stop-catch release

Seat Warmer

▼

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.

OFF

NOTE

The thermostat regulates seat temperature by turning the current on and off.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top is parallel with the top of the passenger’s ears, never the passenger’s neck.

2-6

Rear Seat

WARNING

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

WARNING

Stacking Cargo: Stacking luggage or other cargo higher than the seatbacks, and putting things on the rear package tray is dangerous. During sudden braking or a collision, objects can become projectiles that may hit and injure passengers. Don’t stack things higher than the seatbacks or put things on the rear package tray.

Securing Seats: 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 sure the adjustable components of the seat are locked in place.

Unlocked Seatback: A 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.

Passenger on the Folded Seatback: 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 child not in a proper seat or child-restraint system and seat belt could be thrown forward, back or even out of the car resulting in serious injuries or death. The child or other objects in the baggage area could be thrown into other occupants and cause serious injury. Never allow a passenger to sit or stand on the folded seatback while the vehicle is moving.

Children and the Folding Rear Seats: Playing with the folding rear seats is dangerous. Once the seats 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. Do not give the car keys to children and do not allow them to play in the vehicle.

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 and retracts.

2-7

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Split-Folding Rear Seatback

▼

The seatbacks can be folded down to provide more space in the luggage compartment.

To fold the seatbacks

WARNING

Folding Seatbacks with Remote Handle Levers: Not checking the rear seat area before folding the seatbacks with the remote handle levers is dangerous. The rear seat area is difficult to see from the rear of the vehicle. Operating the remote handle levers without checking could cause injury to a person when a seatback suddenly flips forward. Make sure to check the rear seat area before operating the remote handle levers.

Operating the Remote Handle Levers While a Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System is in the Rear Seat: Operating the remote handle levers while a rear-facing child-restraint system is in the rear seat is dangerous. It could cause injury to a child seated in the child-restraint system when the seatback suddenly flips forward. Always remove the child-restraint system from the rear seat before operating the remote handle levers for the rear seat.

CAUTION

Be careful of the following when using the remote handle levers:

•

On a downward slope, the seatback could flip forward faster than on a flat area.

•

On an upward slope, the seatback may not fold down. When the seatbacks cannot be folded down with levers, pull the rear seatback forward from inside the vehicle.

1. Unfasten the lap portion of the rear center seat belt (page 2-17).

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. After checking that the rear seats are clear, open the trunk and pull the remote handle levers on the left and right.

2-8

Remote handle lever

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

To return the seatbacks to the upright position

1. Lift the seatbacks upright. Pull on the tops of the seatbacks from inside the vehicle to make sure they are locked.

2. Fasten the rear-center lap/shoulder belt and check that all seat belts are routed properly for passenger use (page 2-17).

WARNING

Seat Belts Caught Under 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. Always make sure the seat belts are fully pulled out from under the seatbacks.

Armrest

▼

The armrest can be used or placed upright.

Armrest

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.

2-10

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

WARNING

Not Wearing Seat Belts: 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 the same collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.

Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident: 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. Whether a front seat was occupied or not, if the front air bags deployed the pretensioners also deployed and both front seat belts must be replaced. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.

Twisted Seat Belts: Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn’t available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could break them or cause other serious injury or death. Don’t wear twisted seat belts.

One Belt, One Passenger: Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way can’t 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.

CAUTION

Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them clean.

Ring

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Pregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions

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Pregnant women should wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND 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 conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.

Emergency Locking Mode

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If the belt has fully retracted, it will always be in the emergency locking mode until you move it into automatic locking mode by pulling the belt all the way out to its full length. In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the retractor will lock in position during a collision. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, you may be in the automatic locking mode because you have pulled the belt too far out. To return to the more comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until you can stop the vehicle in a safe area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and then again extend it around you.

Automatic Locking Mode

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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 get the seat belt into the 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 2-21).

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3-Point Type Seat Belt

WARNING

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

NOTE

When using the rear center seat belt, refer to "Rear Center Position Seat Belt" (page 2-17).

Fastening the Seat Belts

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1. Grasp the buckle and tongue.

2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.

Belt

Tongue

3. Insert the tongue into the buckle until you hear a click.

Tongue

Buckle

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.

4. Make sure the shoulder belt is snugly fitted against your body.

Take up slack Keep low on hip bone

Too high

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 the belt snugly and as low as possible.

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