Mazda 6 2009 User 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.

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.

Printed in U.S.A. (Print1)

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 symb ol 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.

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.

NOTE

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

The symb ol 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.

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.

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects

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.

Interior Overview .............................. ............................................ 1-2

Interior Equipment (View A) .................................................... 1-2

Interior Equipment (View B) .................................................... 1-3

Interior Equipment (View C) .................................................... 1-4

Exterior Overview ......................................................................... 1-5

Front .......................................................................................... 1-5

Rear ........................................................................................... 1-6

1-1

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior Overview

Interior Equipment (View A)

Door-lock knob .................................................................................................. page 3-30

Power door lock switch ..................................................................................... page 3-31

Headlight leveling switch .................................................................................. page 5-62

TCS-OFF switch ................................................................................................ page 5-23

DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-25

BSM OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-36

Lighting control ................................................................................................. page 5-60

Turn and lane-change signals ............................................................................ page 5-63

Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-38

Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-64

Lock release lever .............................................................................................. page 3-59

Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-33

Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-59

Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-38

Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-40

1-2

The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior Overview

Interior Equipment (View B)

Audio control switches ...................................................................................... page 6-56

SRS air bags ...................................................................................................... page 2-41

Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-19

Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-16

Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-70

Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2

MT shift lever .................................................................................................... page 5-10

AT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-12

Push button start ................................................................................................ page 3-10

Seat warmer switches ........................................................................................ page 2-13

Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-46

Storage pocket ................................................................................................. page 6-102

Navigation system (if equipped) .......................................... Refer to the separate manual

1-3The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior Overview

Interior Equipment (View C)

SRS air bags ...................................................................................................... page 2-41

Seat belts ............................................................................................................ page 2-15

Remote fuel-filler lid relea se ............................................................................. page 3-45

Bottle holder .................................................................................................... page 6-101

Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-93

Overhead lights .................................................................................................. page 6-94

Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-60

Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-93

Accessory sockets ............................................................................................ page 6-105

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

Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-6

Cup holders ...................................................................................................... page 6-100

Center console ................................................................................................. page 6-103

Rear seat ............................................................................................................ page 2-10

1-4

The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Exterior Overview

Front

Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-46

Windshield wiper blades .................................................................................... page 8-28

Moonroof .................................................................................................. ......... page 3-47

Door lock ............................................................... ............................................ page 3-30

Fuel-filler lid ...................................................................................................... page 3-44

Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-32

Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-37

1-5The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Exterior Overview

Rear

Trunk lid ............................................................................................................ page 3-33

Rear window antenna ........................................................................................ page 6-16

Child safety lock ................................................................................................ page 3-32

Outside mirror .................................................................................................... page 3-59

Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-32

Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-37

1-6

The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Essential Safety Equipment

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

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

Front Seats (Manually Operated Seats) ..................................... 2-2

Front Seats (Electrically Operated Seats) .................................. 2-4

Rear Seat ................................................................................. 2-10

Head Restraints ....................................................................... 2-12

Seat Warmer

Seat Belt Systems ........................................................................ 2-15

Seat Belt Precautions .............................................................. 2-15

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

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ....... 2-21

Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-23

Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-25

Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-27

Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-27

Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-31

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-37

SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-41

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-41

Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-45

How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-47

......................................................................... 2-13

Some models.

2-1

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Front Seats (Manually Operated 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 injury. 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 one 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 sure 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 driver's 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.

2-2

Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seat is locked in place by attempting to push it forward and backward.

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

qSeat Recline

WARNING

Do not drive with either front seat reclined:

Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you do not 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.

Always sit in the passenger seat properly with the seatback upright and feet on the floor:

Your front passenger seat has 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 passenger sensing system. As a result the front passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag and seat belt pretensioner, which could result in serious injury. Always sit upright against the seatback with your feet on the floor.

Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:

All of the seatbacks play 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 seatbac k 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.

2-3

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

CAUTION

When returning a rear-reclined seatback to its upright 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.

Height Adjustment (Driver's Seat)

By movi ng the seat lever up or down, the driver's seat bottom height can be adjusted.

Down

Front Seats (Electrically Operated Seats)

WARNING

Do not modify or replace the front seats:

Do not drive with damaged front seats:

2-4

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

CAUTION

Ø The seat-bottom power

adjustment is operated by motors. Avoid extended operation because excessive use can damage the motors.

Ø To prevent the battery from

running down, avoid using the power adjustment when the engine is stopped. The adjuster uses a large amount of electrical power.

Ø Do not use the switch to make

more than one adjustment at a time.

qSeat Slide

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.

qSeat Recline

WARNING

Do not drive with either front seat reclined:

Always sit in the front passenger seat properly with the seatback upright and feet on the floor:

2-5

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Change the seatback angle by pressing the front or rear side of the reclining switch. Release the switch at the desired position.

Height Adjustment (Driver's Seat)

The seat height can be adjusted by moving the switch up or down.

qSeat Position Memory (Driver's

Seat)

One-touch seat position progra mming and activation is avail able on the driver's seat.

CAUTION

When activating the seat position, do not place your hands or fingers around the seat bottom. The seat moves to the desired position automatically, and if your hands or fingers are placed around the seat bottom, it could cause injury.

2-6

Some models.

Set button

Programming of the driver's seat positions is possible using the following functions:

Programming buttons 1, 2, or 3 and the set button.

Operation using the advanced key/

retractable type key Programmed seat positions can activated using the following functions:

Programming buttons 1, 2, or 3.

Operation using ad vanced keyless

functions/keyless entry system

NOTE

Individual seat positions can be programmed to the three available programming buttons on the side of the driver's seat, plus one seat position for each advanced key/retractable type key used with the vehicle.

Operation using the seat-side buttons

Programming

Park the vehicle in a safe location before performing the seat position programming. (Vehicle must be stopped)

1. Adjust the seat to the desired position.

For each seat position adjustment

method refer to the following pages:

Seat Slide (page 2-5)

Seat Recline (page 2-5)

Height Adjustment (page 2-6)

2. Press the desired programming button

1, 2, or 3 while pressing the set button

until a beep sound is heard.

The butt on is programmed after a beep

sound is heard. Other buttons can be

programmed using the same procedure.

NOTE

Vehicle maintenance or other reasons requiring the vehicle battery to be disconnected will result in the seat position memory being erased. In this case, re-program the seat positions.

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Setting the driver's seat to a preprogrammed position

There are two methods for setting the driver's seat to a pre-programmed position. For example, the type A method can be used before sitting in the seat and while the driver's door is open, and the type B method can be used after getting in the vehicle with the driver's door closed.

TYPE A

When the ignition switched off and the driver's door is open, press the programming button 1, 2, or 3 for the desired seating position.

NOTE

In the following cases, the seat position set function cancels:

Any of the seat adjustment switches are operated.

The set switch is pressed.

A programming button 1, 2, or 3 is pressed.

The vehicle starts moving.

Vehicle locking/unlocking is done using the transmitter.

Vehicle unlocking is done by pressing the request switch on a front door while the advanced key is being carried.

Vehicle unlocking is done by touching the sensor area on the backside of the front door handle while the advanced key is being carried.

TYPE B

When the ignition is switched ON or the driver's door is closed, press and hold the desired programming button 1, 2, or 3.

2-7

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

NOTE

In the following cases, the seat position set function cancels:

Any of the seat adjustment switches are operated.

The set switch is pressed.

The vehicle starts moving.

Operation using the advanced key/ retractable type key

With advanced key

Lock button

Unlock button

With retractable type key

Lock button

Operation indicator light

Unlock button

After the following conditions have been met, operate the seat and the advanced key/retractable type key to program the seat positions.

The igni tion switched off (The auxiliary key/retractable type key is removed from the ignition switch)

The driver's door is open

1. Adjust the seat to the desired position. For each seat position adjustment method, refer to the following pages: Seat Slide (page 2-5) Seat Recline (page 2-5) Height Adjustment (page 2-6)

2. Press and hold the unlock button on the advanced key/retractable type key while pressing the set button until a beep sound is heard. The advanced key/retractable type key is programmed after a beep sound is heard.

Seat position activation

With the ignition switched off, unlock the doors using any of the following methods and open the driver's door within about 40 seconds to set the driver's seat to a preprogrammed position.

Press the unlock switch on the advanced key/retractable type key.

Touch the sensor area on the backside of the front door handle while the advanced key is being carried.

Programming

One seat position can be programmed into each advanced key/retractable type key.

2-8

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

NOTE

If any of the following occurs, the seat position activation function cancels:

Press the lock/unlock button while the key is not inserted into the ignition switch or the key slot.

A seat adjustment switch is operated.

The vehicle moves or starts to move.

The selected programming button 1, 2, or 3 or the set button is pressed again.

Press the request switch on a front door while the advanced key is being carried.

Touch the sensor area on the backside of the front door handle while the advanced key is being carried.

The set switch is pressed.

Erasing memory

After the following conditions have been met, press the lock button on the advanced key/retractable type key while pressing the set button until a beep sound is heard.

The igni tion switch is in the LOCK position (The auxiliary key/retractable type key is removed from the ignition switch)

The driver's door is open

NOTE

Memory will also be erased if any of the following operations are performed:

The advanced key/retractable type key code has been changed. Refer to Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) on page 3-50. Refer to Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) on page 3-53.

The vehicle battery is disconnected for vehicle maintenance or other reasons.

qLumbar Support Adjustment

(Driver's Seat)

The amoun t of lumbar support can be adjusted by rotating dial.

2-9

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Rear Seat

WARNING

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.

Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:

All of the seatbacks play 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.

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.

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.

Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. This could result in someone being badly injured or even killed. Children may find these new kinds of keys to be an interesting toy to play with and could cause the power windows or other controls to operate, or even make the vehicle move.

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.

2-10

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

qSplit-Folding Rear Seatback

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

To fold down the seatbacks

WARNING

Always remove the child-restraint system from the rear seat before operating the straps (in trunk) for the rear seat:

Operating (pulling) the straps (in trunk) while a rear-facing childrestraint 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.

Make sure there is nobody in the rear seat area before operating (pulling) the straps (in trunk):

Not checking the rear seat area for persons before folding the seatbacks down with the straps (in trunk) is dangerous. The rear seat area is difficult to see from the rear of the vehicle. Operating (pulling) the straps (in trunk) without checking could cause injury to a person when a seatback suddenly flips forward.

CAUTION

Before folding the seatbacks down with the straps (in trunk), make sure there is no cup in a rear cup holder. Folding the seatbacks with the straps (in trunk) while a cup is in the cup holder could soil or damage the seat bottom and seatback.

CAUTION

Be careful of the following when using the straps (in trunk): On a downward slope, the seatback could flip forward faster than on a flat surface.

1. After checking that the rear seats are clear, open the trunk and pull the straps (in trunk) on the left and right sides of the trunk.

2. Open the rear door and fold the rear seatbacks forward.

To return the seatbacks to the upright position

1. Lift the seatbacks upright.

2. Pull on the top of the seatbacks from inside the vehicle to make sure they are locked.

WARNING

Always make sure the seat belts are fully pulled out from under the seatbacks:

A seat belt caught under a seatback after the seatb ack is returned to its upright position is dangerous. In a collision or sudd en stop, the seat belt cannot provide adequate protection.

2-11

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

qArmrest

The rear armrest in the center of the rear seatback can be used (no occupant in the center seat) or placed upright.

Armrest

Head Restraints

Head restraints are intended to help protect you and the passengers from neck injury.

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.

Front seat

2-12

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Rear seat

Seat Warmer

Press the HI or LO side of the seat warmer switch with the ignition is switched ON. The indi cator on the switch illuminates and the seat warms up. If a higher temperature is preferred, press the HI side of the switch, and for a lower temperature, press the LO side. When not using the seat warmer, set the switch to neutral with neither HI or LO depressed.

Some models.

2-13

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

WARNING

Ø Be careful when using the seat

warmer. The heat from the seat warmer may be too hot for some people, as indicated below, and could cause a low-temperature burn.

Infants, small babies, elderly people, and physically challenged people

People with delicate skin

People who are excessively fatigued

People who are drunk

People who have taken sleepinducing medicine such as sleeping pills or cold medicine

Ø Do not use the seat warmer with

anything having high moistureretention ability such as a blanket or cushion on the seat. The seat may be heated excessively and cause a low-temp erature burn.

Ø Do not use the seat warmer even

when taking a short nap in the vehicle. The seat may be heated excessively and cause a lowtemperature burn.

Ø Do not place heavy objects with

sharp projections on the seat, or insert needles or pins into it. This could cause the seat to become excessively heated and result in injury from a minor burn.

NOTE

Use the seat warmer when the engine is running, and do not continue to use it for a long period of time. The temperature of the seat warmer cannot be adjusted beyond High and Low because the seat warmer is controlled by a thermostat.

CAUTION

Do not use organic solvents to clean the seat. It may damage the seat surface and the heater.

2-14

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 operat e 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.

2-15

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 the 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 one 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. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretens ioners will only function once. While it is safer to use a post-crash (a 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. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. 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. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.

2-16

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

CAUTION

Belt retraction may become difficult 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 8-57).

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 shoul der 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.

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 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 locki ng mode and then extend it around you again. If the belt is locked and cannot be pulled out, retract the belt once, and then try pulling it out slowly. If this fails, pull the belt strongly one time and loosen, then pull it out again slowly.

2-17

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 2-27).

2-18

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt

qFastening the Seat Belt

1. Grasp the seat belt tongue.

2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.

Lap/shoulder belt

Seat belt tongue

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

Seat belt tongue

Seat belt buckle

WARNING

Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt:

Improper positioning of the shoulde r 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. 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

Too high

Keep low on hip bone

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 the belt snugly and as low as possible.

2-19

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

qUnfastening the Seat Belt

Depress the button on the seat belt 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.

qFront Shoulder Belt Adjuster

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:

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems

For optimum prote ction, 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 expanding.

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 after any collision.

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 details about wearing seat belts, refer to “Fastening the seat belts” (page 2-19).

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. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. While it is safer to use a post-crash (a 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. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. 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. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.

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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 nondeactivated pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury could result. Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of the pretensioner system or how to scrap a pretensioner-equipped vehicle.

NOTE

The pretensioner system will activate in a moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal collision. The pretensioner system for the front passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. It will not activate in most rollovers, side or rear impacts.

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 front pretensioner system gets on the skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light

If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light illuminates when the ignition is switched ON or after the engine is cranked. The warning light turns off after a specified period of time.

A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work in an accident.

WARNING

Never tamper with the air bag/ pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:

Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/ pretensioner could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.

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Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Beep

If a malfunction is detected in both the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system and the warning light, a warning beep sound will be heard for about 1 minute. After that, the one-minute beep will be repeated every 30 minutes.

Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING

Do not drive the vehicle with the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep sounding:

Driving the vehicle with the air bag/ front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep sounding is dangerous. In a collision, the air bags and the front seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy and this could result in death or serious injury. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

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.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

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.

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 extende r 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 exten der 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).

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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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep

The seat belt warning light illuminates and a beep sound will be heard if the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition is switched ON.

Conditions of operat ion

Condition Result

The driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition is switched ON.

The driver's seat belt is fastened while the warning light and the beep sound are activated.

The driver's seat belt is fastened before the ignition is switched ON.

qBelt Minder

NOTE

The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate or restore the seat belt minder.

The warning light illuminates for about 1 minute and a beep sound will be heard for about 6 seconds.

The warning light turns off and the beep sound stops.

The warning light will not illuminate and the beep sound will not be heard.

Driver seated/Front passenger not seated

The belt minder is a supplemental warning to the seat belt warning function. If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition is switched ON, the warning light/beep operates to give you further reminders according to the chart below.

Vehicle speed

Condition

Seat belt

Indicator

Beep

: Fastened : Unfastened : Illuminated : Flashing : Beep

Between 0 ― 20

km/h

(0 ― 12 mph)

20 km/h

(12 mph) or

Once the beep sound is heard, it continues sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound period has passed.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Driver seated/Front passenger seated

The seat belt warning function reminds the front passenger to fasten the seat belt according to the chart below.

Vehicle speed

Condition

Seat belt (Driver)

Seat belt (Passenger)

Indicator

Beep

: Fastened : Unfastened : Illuminated : Flashing : Beep

Between 0 ― 20

km/h

(0 ― 12 mph)

Placing heavy items on the front passenger seat may cause the front passenger seat belt warning function to operate depending on the weight of the item.

20 km/h

(12 mph) or

Once the beep sound is heard, it continues sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound period has passed.

NOTE

To allow the front passenger seat weight sensor to function properly, do not place and sit on an additional seat cushion on the front passenger seat. The sensor may not function properly because the additional seat cushion could cause sensor interference.

When a small child sits on the front passenger seat, it is possible that neither the warning light nor the warning beep operate.

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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 the U.S. and Canada. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children riding in your vehicle.

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

A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should sit in the rear and use seat belts, both lap and shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of the vehicle in the outboard seats, and towards the buckle on the right if the child is seated on the center seat.

Statistics confirm that the rear seat is the best place for all children up to 12 years of age, and more so with a supplemental restraint system (air bags).

A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used on the front seat with the air bag system activated. The front passenger's seat is also the least preferred seat for other child-restraint systems.

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, your vehicle is equipped with the front passenger seat weight sensors. These sensors deactivate the front passenger front and side air bags and also the front passenger seat belt pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).

When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, the system shuts off the front passenger air bag, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.

Even if the front passenger air bag is shut off, Mazda strongly recommends that children be properly restrained and child-restraint systems of all kinds are properly secured on the rear seats which are the best place for children.

For more details, refer to “Front passenger seat weight sensors” (page 2-47).

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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-r estraint system is properly secured in place according to the childrestraint system manufacturer's instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH child-restraint systems, and attach the corresponding tether anchor.

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.

Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy:

Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous. The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Do not install a front-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat unless it is unavoidable:

In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child. If installing a front-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is unavoidable, move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat is dangerous:

Your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors. Even with front passenger seat weight sensors, if you must use the front passenger seat to seat a child, using a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat under the following conditions increases the danger of the front passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury or death to the child. Ø The total seated weight of the child with the child-restraint system on the front

passenger seat is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) or more with a child in the childrestraint system.

Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint

system.

Ø A rear passenger or luggage pushing or pulling down on the front passenger

seatback.

Ø A rear passenger puts their feet on the front seat rails. Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint. Ø Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket. Ø The seat is washed. Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat. Ø The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items

placed behind it.

Ø The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat. Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger sea t and driver

seat.

Ø Any accessories increasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat are

attached to the front passenger seat. The designated positions with seat belts on the rear seats are the safest places for children. Always use seat belts and child restraints.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side and curtain air bags:

It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the front passenger seat, the front and rear window pillars and the roof edge along both sides from which the side and curtain air bags deploy, even if a child-res traint system is used. The impact of inflation from a side or curtain air bag could cause serious injury or death to an out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the front door could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. With the front air bag and the additional side air bag that comes out of the front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Take special care not to allow a 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:

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.

NOTE

Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seat. When using these anchors to secure a child-restraint system, refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint Systems” (page 2-37).

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Installing Child-Restraint Systems

Accident statistics reveal that a child is safer in the rear seat. The front passenger's seat is clearly the worst choice for any child under 12, and with rear-facing childrestraint systems it is clearly unsafe due to air bags.

Some child-restraint systems now come with tethers and therefore must be installed on the seats that take tethers to be effective. In your Mazda, tethered child-restraint systems can only be accommodated in the three positions on the rear seat.

Even if your vehicle is equipped with front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-47), which autom atically deactivates the front passenger air bag, a rear seat is the safest place for a child of any age or size.

Some child-restraint systems also employ specially designed LATCH attachments; refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint Systems” (page 2-37).

WARNING

Tethered Child-Restraint Systems Work Only on Tether-Equipped Rear Seats:

Installation of a tether equipped child-restraint system in the front passenger's seat defeats the safety design of the system and will result in an increased chanc e of serious injury if the child-restraint system goes forward without benefit of being tethered. Place tether equipped child-restraint systems where there are tether anchors.

qRear Seat Child-Restraint System

Installation

Follow these instructions when using a child-restraint system, unless you are attaching a LATCH-equipped childrestraint system to the rear LATCH lower anchors. Refer to “LATCH ChildRestraint Systems” (page 2-37).

NOTE

Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you are not sure whether you have a LATCH system or tether, check in the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions and follow them accordingly. Depending on the type of child-restraint system, it may use LATCH system instead of seat belts or if the belt goes across the child's chest, may recommend against using automatic locking mode.

1. Raise the head restraint to the top locked position (except center seat position). Refer to Head restraints on page 2-12.

2. 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.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

3. 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.

4. 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 the automatic locking mode. If the belt does not lock the seat down tight, repeat this step.

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.

5. If your child-restraint system requires the use of a tether strap, refer to the manufacturer's instructions to hook and tighten the tether strap (except center position).

Anchor bracket location

Tether strap position

2-32

Tether strap

Anchor bracket

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system:

Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.

Always route the tether strap between the head restraint and the seatback (Except center seat position):

Routing the tether strap on top of the head restraint is dangerou s. In a collision the tether strap could slide off the head restraint and loosen the child-restraint system. The childrestraint system could move which may result in death or injury to the child.

Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position:

Attaching the tether strap to the incorrect tether anchor position is dangerous. In a collision, the tether strap could come off and loosen the child-restraint system. If the childrestraint system moves it could result in death or injury to the child.

qIf You Must Use the Front Seat

for Children

If you cannot put all children in the rear seat, at least put the smallest children in the rear and be sure the largest child up front uses the shoulder belt over the shoulder. NEVER put a rear-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, even with a seat weight sensor equipped vehicle. This seat is also not set up for tethered child-restraint systems, put them in one of the rear seat positions set up with tether anchors. Likewise the LATCH child-restraint system cannot be secured in the front passenger's seat and should be used in the rear seat. Do not allow anyone to sleep against the side window if you have an optional side and curtain air bag, it could cause serious injuries to an out of position occupant. As children more often sleep in cars, it is better to put them in the rear seat. If installing the child-restraint system on the front seat is unavoidable, follow these instructions when using a front-facing child-restraint system in the front passenger's seat.

NOTE

To check if your front seats have side air bags: Mazda vehicles equipped with side air bag will have a “SRS AIRBAG” tag on the outboard shoulder of the front seats.

To check if your vehicle has curtain air bags: Mazda vehicles equipped with curtain air bag will have an “SRS AIRBAG” marking on the window pillars along the roof edge.

2-33

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Always move the front passenger seat as far back as possible if installing a front-facing child-restraint system on it is unavo idable:

As your vehicle has front air bags and doubly so because your vehicle has side air bags, a front-facing child-restraint system should be put on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Even if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child.

Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy:

Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous. Even in a moderate collision, the child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child. Even though you may feel assured that the front passenger air bag will not deploy base d on the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.

Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side and curtain air bags:

It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the front passenger seat, the front and rear window pillars and the roof edge along both sides from which the side and curtain air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is used. The impact of inflation from a side or curtain air bag could cause serious injury or death to an out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the front door could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. With the front air bag and the additional side air bag that comes out of the front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Take special care not to allow a child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.

qFront Passenger's Seat Child-

Restraint System Installation

1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

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.

5. Make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates after installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat. Refer to Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on page 2-47.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Do not seat a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate:

While it is always better to install any child-restraint system on the rear seat, it is imperative that a childrestraint system ONLY be used on the front passenger seat if the deactivation indicator light illuminates when the child is seated in the child-res traint system (page 2-47). Seating a child in a childrestraint system installed on the front passenger seat with the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is dangerous. If th is indicator light does not illuminate even when the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb), this means that the front passenger front and side air bags, and seat belt pretensioner are ready for deployment. If an accident were to deploy an air bag, a child in a childrestraint system sitting in the front passenger seat could be seriously injured or killed. If the indicator light does not illuminate after seating a child in a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, seat a child in a child-restraint system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems

Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seat. Both anchors must be used, otherwise the seat will bounce around and put the child in danger. Most LATCH child-restraint systems must also be used in conjunction with a tether to be effective. If they have a tether you must use it to better assure your child's safety.

WARNING

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the use of the child-restraint system:

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 the child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the childrestraint system manufacturer's instructions.

Never attach two child-restraint systems to the same LATCH lower anchor:

Attaching two child-restraint systems to the same LATCH lower anchor is dangerous. In a collision, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child-restraint system attachments, and it may break, causing serious injury or death. If you use the seat position for another child-restraint system when an outboard LATCH position is occupied, use the center seat belts instead, and the tether if tether-equipped.

Make sure the child-restraint system is properly secured:

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. Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions on belt routing to secure the seat just as you would with a child in it so that nobody is tempted to put a child in an improperly secured seat later on. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for LATCH child-restraint systems.

Make sure there are no seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH childrestraint system:

Not following the child-res traint system manuf acturer's instructions when installing the child-restraint system is dangerous. If seat belts or a foreign object prevent the child-restraint system from being securely attached to the LATCH lower anchors and the child-restraint system is installed improperly, the child-restraint system could move in a sudden stop or collision causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. When insta lling the child-restraint system, make sure there are no seat belts or foreign objects near or around the LATCH lower anchors. Always follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.

NOTE

To install a child-restraint system on the rear-seat center position, use a seat belt-secured childrestraint system.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

qLATCH Child-Restraint System

Installation Procedure (Rear Outboard Seats)

1. Make sure the seatback is securely latched by pushing it back until it is fully locked.

2. Expand the area between the seat bottom and the seatback slightly to verify the locations of the LATCH lower anchors.

3. Raise the head restraint to the top locked position. Refer to Head restraints on page 2-12.

4. Secure the child-restraint system using BOTH LATCH lower anchors, following the chil d-restraint system manufacturer's instruction. Pull on the child-restraint to be sure both anchors are engaged.

5. If your child-restraint system came equipped with a tether, that means it is very important to properly secure the tether for child safety. Please carefully follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing tethers.

Anchor bracket location

Tether strap position

Tether strap

Anchor bracket

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system:

Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.

Always route the tether strap between the head restraint and the seatback:

Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position:

qLATCH Child-Restraint System

Installation Procedure (Rear Center Seat)

The LATCH lower anchors at the center of the rear seat are much further apart than the sets of LATCH lower anchors for child-restraint system installation at other seating positions. Child-restraint systems with rigid LATCH attachments cannot be installed on the center seating position. Some LATCH equipped child-restraint systems can be placed in the center position and will reach the nearest LATCH lower anchors which are 466 mm (18.35 in) apart. LATCH compatible child-restraint systems (with attachments on belt webbing) can be used at this seating position only if the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions state that the child-restraint system can be installed to LATCH lower anchors that are 466 mm (18.35 in) apart. Do not attach two child-restraint systems to the same LATCH lower anchor. If your childrestraint system has a tether, it must also be used for your child's optimum safety.

2-39

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system:

Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.

Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position:

1. Make sure the seatback is securely latched by pushing it back until it is fully locked.

2. Expand the area between the seat bottom and the seatback slightly to verify the locations of the LATCH lower anchors.

3. Secure the child-restraint system using BOTH LATCH lower anchors, following the chil d-restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Pull on the child-restraint to be sure both anchors are engaged.

4. If your child-restraint system came equipped with a tether, that means it is very important to properly secure the tether for child safety. Please carefully follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing tethers.

Anchor bracket location

Tether strap position

2-40

Tether strap

Anchor bracket

Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions

The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include 6 air bags. You can locate the various air bags by the use of “SRS AIRBAG” location indicators. These indicators

are visible in the area where the air bags are installed. The air bags are installed in the following locations:

The steering wheel hub (driver air bag)

The front passenger dashboard (front passenger air bag)

The outboa rd sides of the front seatbacks (side air bags)

The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides (curtain air bags)

These systems operate independently depending on the type of accident encountered; the side and curtain air bags are not likely to deploy on both sides in the same accident because a vehicle is not often hit from both sides. The side and curtain air bags and the frontal air bag system will not normally deploy during the same type of accident unless a combination of frontal and side impacts occur.

The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection only in the front seats in certain situations and the rear outside passenger position s only in same-side collisions, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:

Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provi de adequate protection during an accident. Seat belt usage is necessary to:

Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.

Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.

Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal or side collisions that are not severe enough to activate the air bags.

Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.

Reduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.

Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.

Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint system (page 2-27). Carefully consider which chil d-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

WARNING

Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles:

Depending only on the air bags for protection during an accident is dangerous. Alone, air bags may not prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air bags can be expected to inflate only in the first collision with frontal, near frontal or side forces that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.

Children should not ride in the front passenger seat:

Placing a child, 12 years or under, in the front seat is dangerous. The child could be hit by a deploying air bag and be seriously injured or even killed. Even if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the front passenger seat as far back as possible. A sleeping child is more likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in a moderate, right-side collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on the rear seat with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and size.

Never use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy:

Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous even though you may feel assured that a front passenger air bag will not deploy based on the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child.

Do not sit too close to the driver and front passenger air bags:

Sitting too close to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing hands or feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and front passenger air bags inflate with great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too close. The driver should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The front seat passenger should keep both feet on the floor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Sit in the center of the seat and wear seat belts properly:

Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. The side air bags inflate with great force and speed directly out of the outboard side of the front seat and expand along the front door on the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows in the vehicle could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side and curtain air bags room to work by sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.

Do not attach objects on or around the area where driver and front passenger air bags deploy:

Attaching an object to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing something in front of them is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere with air bag inflation and injure the occupants.

Do not attach objects on or around the area where a si de air bag deploys:

Attaching things to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the seat in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the added protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas. Do not hang net bags, map pouches or backpacks with side straps on the front seats. Never use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your front seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision.

Do not attach objects on or around the area where a curtain air bag deploys:

Attaching objects to the areas where the curtain air bag activates such as on the windshield glass, side door glass, front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge and assist grips is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the curtain air bag, which inflates from the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, impeding the added protection of the curtain air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas. Do not place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clot hes, hang them on the coat hook directly. Always keep the curtain air bag modules free to deploy in the event of a side collision.

Do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats:

Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The components essential to the supplemental restraint system could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the appropriate air bags may not deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To prevent damage to the components essential to the supplemental restraint system, do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Do not touch the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have inflated:

Touching the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have inflated is dangerous. Immediately after inflation, they are very hot. You could get burned.

Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle:

Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar, bull bar, push bar, or other similar devices), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash sensor system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate unexpectedly, or it could prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Front occupants could be seriously injured.

Do not modify the suspension:

Modifying the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the suspension is modified, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.

Do not modify the supplemental restraint system:

Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Do not make any modifications to the supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim, badges, or anything else over the air bag modules. It also includes installing extra electrical equipment on or near system components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda Dealer can provid e the special care needed in the removal and installation of front seats. It is important to protect the air bag wiring and connections to assure that the bags do not accidentally deploy, the driver seat slide position sensor and front passenger seat weight sensors are not damaged and that the seats retain an undamaged air bag connec tion.

NOTE

When an air bag deploys, a loud inflation noise can be heard and some smoke will be released. Neither is likely to cause injury, however, the texture of the air bags may cause light skin injuries on body parts not covered with clothing through friction.

Should you sell your Mazda, we urge you to tell the new owner of its air bag systems and that familiarization with all instructions about them, from the Owner's Manual, is important.

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Supplemental Restraint System Components

The suppl emental rest raint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:

The air bag system with inflators and air bags.

The electrical syste m with crash sensors and diagnostic module.

The air bags are mounted in the following locations:

The steering wheel hub

The front passenger dashboard

The outboa rd sides of the front seatbacks

The front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides

The air bags are out of sight until activated.

Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Driver/Front passenger inflators and air bags Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit) Front seat belt pretensioners (page 2-21) Front air bag sensor Side crash sensor s Air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light (page 2-55) Side and curtain inflators and air bags Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-47) Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-47) Front passenger seat weight sensor control module

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches Driver seat slide position sensor Front seats

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

How the Air Bags Work

qHow the Front Air Bags Work

When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an electrical current is sent to the inflators. Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the infl ation, the front air bags quickly deflate. The front air bags will function only once. After that, the front air bags will not work

again and must be replaced.

Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the system components.

The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver seat position, front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, all of which provide data from each sensor to the air bag system.

The front air bags will deploy only in a frontal or frontal offset impact.

Driver seat slide position sensor

Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide position sensor as a part of the supplemental restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor determines whether the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat position to the diagnostic module (SAS unit). The SAS unit is also designed to control the deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering wheel.

The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a possible malfunction (page 2-55).

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Front passenger seat weight sensors

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the supplemental restraint system. (page 2-34). These sensors are located under both of the front passenger seat rails. These sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. The SAS unit is designed to prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying if the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lbs).

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system when:

There is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)

The total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lbs). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)

This system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates according to the following table.

The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy.

Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

This indicator light illumina tes to remind you that the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.

If the front passenger weight sensors are working properly, the indicator light illuminates when the ignition is switched ON. After a specified period of time it goes out.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:

Total seated weight on the

front passenger seat

Empty (Not occupied)

Less than approx. 30 kg (66 lbs)

Approx. 42 kg (93 lbs) or more

* If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates,

however this does not indicate a malfunction.

The curtain air bag is always ready to inflate and is not deactivated like the front passenger front and side air bag.

Front passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light

Front passenger front and

side air bags

OFF Deactivated Deactivated

ON Deactivated Deactivated

OFF Ready Ready

If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON and does not illuminate as indicated in the above chart, do not allow a child to sit in the front passenger seat; contact the Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident.

WARNING

Do not decrease the total seated weight on the front passenger seat:

When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 42 kg (93 lbs) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 42 kg (93 lbs) could result in an air bag not deploying under the following conditions, for example:

Ø A rear passenger pushes up on the front passen ger seat with their feet. Ø Luggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the

front passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.

Ø The front passenger seat occupant sits in a manner that does not place the entire

weight of the occupant on the seat such as by sitting too close to the door, grasping the as sist grip or the rim of the moonroof and sitting with the seatback reclined too far.

Ø Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front

passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat. The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lbs) and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lbs).

Front passenger seat

belt pretensioner

system

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Do not increase the total seated weight on the front passenger seat:

When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, increasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected deployment of the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system in an accident and may cause serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) could result in the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system deployment in an accident under the following conditions, for example: Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint

system.

Ø A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback. Ø A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with their feet. Ø Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint. Ø Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket. Ø The seat is washed. Ø Liquids are spilled on the seat. Ø The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items

placed behind it.

Ø The front passenger seatback contacts the rear seat. Ø Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger sea t and driver

seat.

Ø Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front

passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat. The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) and they will reactivate when the weight exceeds approximately 42 kg (93 lbs).

CAUTION

Ø To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the

sensors in the front seat bottoms:

Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on them.

Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.

Ø To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:

Adjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.

If you place your child on the front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system properly and slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-34).

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

NOTE

The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if luggage or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior changes suddenly.

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.

If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child-restraint system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

Driver and front passenger buckle switches

The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.

qHow the Side and Curtain Air Bags Work

When air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, an electrical current is sent to the inflators. Gases are produced to inflate the side and curtain air bags and after the inflation, the side and curtain air bags quickly deflate. However, the side air bag system for the front passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat, howe ver the curtains are not deactivated. The side and curtain air bags will function only once. After that, the side and curtain air bags will not work again and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.

The side and curtain air bags will deploy only on the side the vehicle receives the force of the impact.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation

NOTE

If the front passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner may not deploy (page 2-47), but the curtain air bags may deploy.

Front air bag activation

The front air bags will inflate if the severity of impact is above the designed threshold level.

Hitting a solid wall straight on at greater than about 22 km/h (14 mph).

Hitting a curb, pavement edge or hard object.

Landing hard or the vehicle falling.

Frontal impact within about a 30 degree range from head-on to the vehicle.

Driving into a big hole or hitting the far side of a hole.

Limitations to front air bag activation

Depending on the severity of impact, the front air bags may not inflate in the following cases:

Impacts involving trees or poles cause severe cosmetic damage but may not have enough stopping force to activate the air bag.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Frontal offset impact to the vehicle may not provide the stopping force necessary for air bag deployment.

Rear-ending or running under a truck's tail gate may not provide the stopping force necessary for air bag deployment.

Non-activation of front air bags

Front air bags will not normally inflate in the following cases:

Collision from the rear.

Impact to the side, but it may deploy the side and curtain air bags.

Vehicle roll-over, may deploy the side and curtain air bags but not the front air bags.

Side and curtain air bag activation

The severity of impact above the designed threshold level to one side of the vehicle (driver or passenger side areas) will cause the side and curtain air bags on that side to inflate, but it will not normally deploy the front air bags.

Limitations to side and curtain air bag activation

Depending on the severity of impact, the side and curtain air bags may not inflate in the following cases:

Frontal offset impact may not provide enough side impact to deploy the side and curtain air bags.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Side impacts involving trees or poles can cause severe cosmetic damage but may not have enough impact force to activate the side and curtain air bags.

Vehicle roll-over may not provide enough side force to deploy the side and curtain air bags.

Side impacts with two-wheeled vehicles may not provide enough force to deploy the side and curtain air bags.

Non-activation of side and curtain air bag

The side and curtain air bags will not normally inflate in the following cases:

Collision from the rear.

Collision from the front, but it may deploy the front air bags.

qConstant Monitoring

The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:

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SAS unit

Front air bag sensor

Air bag modules

Side crash sensors

Air bag/Front seat belt pretensioner system warning light

Front seat belt pretensioners

Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

Related wiring

Driver seat slide position sensor

Front passenger seat weight sensors

Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

The diagno stic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is being driven.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light

WARNING

Never tamper with the air bag/ pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:

Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/ pretensioner could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Beep

Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING

Do not drive the vehicle with the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep sounding:

qMaintenance

The air bag systems do not require regular maintenance. But if any of the following occurs, take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:

The air bag system warning light flashes.

The air bag system warning light remains illuminated.

The air bag system warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON.

The air bag system warning beep sound will be heard.

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

The air bags have deployed.

Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON or does not illuminate as indicated in the chart. For more details about this indicator light and this chart, refer to “Front passenger seat weight sensors” (page 2-47).

WARNING

Do not operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components:

Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components must be replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy or damage them. Only a trained Authorized Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these systems to see that they will work in any subsequent accident. Driving with an expended or damaged air bag or pretensioner unit will not afford you the necessary protection in the event of any subsequent accident which could result in serious injury or death.

Do not remove interior air bag parts:

Removing any components such as the front seats , front dashboard, the steering wheel or parts on the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, containing air bag parts or sensors is dangerous. These parts contain essential air bag components. The air bag could accidentally activate and cause serious injuries. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer remove these parts.

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Dispose of the air bag properly:

Improper disposal of an air bag or a vehicle with live air bags in it can be extremely dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury can result. Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of an air bag or how to scrap an air bag equipped vehicle.

NOTE

If it becomes necessary to have the components or wiring system for the supplementary restraint system modified to accommodate a person with certain medical conditions in accordance with a certified physician, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to “Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)” (page 9-2).

Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

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Knowing Your Mazda

Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment of various parts.

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System ................................ 3-2

Advanced Keys

Operation Using Advanced Keyless Functions ......................... 3-7

Operation Using Advanced Key Functions ............................. 3-16

Advanced Key Suspend Function ........................................... 3-19

Warning Lights and Beep Sounds ........................................... 3-19

When Warning Indicator/Beep is Activated ............................ 3-22

Doors and Locks ......................................................................... 3-23

Keys ........................................................................................ 3-23

Keyless Entry System

Door Locks ............................................................................. 3-29

Trunk Lid ................................................................................ 3-33

Inside Trunk Release Lever ............................. ........................ 3-36

Power Windows ...................................................................... 3-37

Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-44

Hood ....................................................................................... 3-46

Moonroof

Security System ........................................................................... 3-50

Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) ............................. 3-50

Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) ........................ 3-53

Theft-Deterrent System

Steering Wheel and Mirrors ...................................................... 3-59

Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-59

Mirrors .... ................................................................................ 3-59

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

.......................................................... 3-24

............................................................................. 3-47

........................................................ 3-55

Some models.

3-1

Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Advanced Keys

The advanced keyless functions (advanced keyless entry and start system) enables the following operations while the advanced key is being carried (page 3-7).

Locking/unlocking the doors, and opening the trunk lid, without operating the key.

Starting the engine without operating the key. Additional functions are available using the buttons on the advanced key. Refer to Operati on Using Advanced Key Functions on page 3-16.

The following operat ions are possible using the transmitter of the keyless entry system

from a distance (Lock/Unlock/Trunk/Panic button):

Locking/unlocking the doors.

Opening the trunk lid.

Opening the power windows and the moonroofí.

Operating the theft-deterrent systemí.

Turning on the alarm.

Locking/unlocking the doors or starting the engine using the auxiliary key.

WARNING

Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. This could result in someone being badly injur ed or even killed. Children may find these new kinds of keys to be an interesting toy to play with and could cause the power windows or other controls to operate, or even make the vehicle move.

Radio waves from the advanced key may affect medical equipment such as pacemakers:

Before using the advanced key near people who use medical equipment, ask the medical equipment manufacturer or your physician if radio waves from the advanced key will affect the equipment.

NOTE

The driver must carry the advanced key to ensure the system functions properly.

Refer to Immobilizer System (page 3-50) for information regarding keys and engine starting.

(With theft-deterrent system)

Refer to Theft-Deterrent System (page 3-55) for information regarding keys and the prevention of

vehicle and vehicle contents theft.

The advanced keyless functions can be turned off.

Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

3-2

Some models.

Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Lock button

Operation indicator light

Unlock button

Auxiliary key

Key code number plate

Trunk button

Panic button

A code number is stamped on the plate attached to the key set; detach this plate and store it in a safe place (not in the vehicle) for use if you need to make a replacement key.

Also write down the code number and keep it in another safe and handy place, but not in the vehicle.

If your key is lost, consult your Authorized Mazda Dealer with the code number ready.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

CAUTION

Ø Because the advanced key uses low-intensity radio waves, it may not function

correctly under the following conditions:

The advanced key is carried with communication devices such as cellular phones.

The advanced key contacts or is covered by a metal object.

The advanced key is near electronic devices such as personal computers or cell phones.

Non-Mazda genuine electronic equipment is installed in the vehicle.

There is equipment which discharges radio waves near the vehicle.

If the vehicle is near equipment such as wireless pay devices installed at certain gas stations.

Ø The advanced key may consume battery power excessively if it receives high-

intensity radio waves. Do not place the advanced key near electronic devices such as televisions or personal computers.

Ø To avoid damage to the advanced key, DO NOT:

Drop the advanced key.

Get the advanced key wet.

Disassemble the advanced key.

Expose the advanced key to high temperatures on places such as the dashboard or hood, under direct sunlight.

Place heavy objects on the advanced key.

Put the advanced key in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Put any magnetized objects close to the advanced key.

NOTE

Battery life is about one year. Be sure to replace the battery as soon as you see the green KEY

indicator light in the instrument cluster begin flashing for 30 seconds after turning off the engine,

otherwise, you will not be able to start the engine using the advanced keyless start system once the

battery is completely dead Refer to KEY warning light (red) on page 5-53. If this occurs, you will

have to either force-start the engine or use the auxiliary key Refer to Advanced Key Battery Dead

Warning on page 3-20.

Additional advanced keys can be obtained at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Up to 6 advanced keys

can be used with the advanced keyless functions per vehicle.

3-4

Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

qAdvanced Key Maintenance

CAUTION

Ø Make sure the battery is installed

with the correct pole facing upward. Battery leakage could occur if it is not installed correctly.

Ø When replacing the battery, be

careful not to bend the electrical terminals or get oil on them. Also be careful not to get dirt in the transmitter as it could be damaged.

Ø There is the danger of explosion if

the battery is not correctly replaced.

Ø Replace only with the same type

battery (CR2025 or equivalent).

Ø Dispose of used batteries

according to the following instructions.

Insulate the plus and minus terminals of the battery using cellophane or equivalent tape.

Never disassemble.

Never throw the battery into fire or water.

Never deform or crush.

The following conditions indicate that the battery power is low:

The KEY indicator light (green) flashes in the instrument cluster for about 30 seconds after the engine is turned off.

The syst em does not operate and the operation indicator light on the transmitter does not flash when the buttons are pressed.

The syst em's operational range is reduced.

Replacing the battery at an Authorized Mazda Dealer is recommended to prevent damage to the advanced key. If replacing the battery by yourself, follow the instruction below.

Replacing the advanced key battery

1. Pull out the auxiliary key.

2. Gently and slowly pry open the cover using a small flathead screwdriver.

3-5

Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

3. Remove the battery by pressing its edge.

4. Install a new battery (CR2025 or equivalent) with the positive pole facing down.

5. Close the cover.

6. Reinsert the auxiliary key.

qService

If you have a problem with the advanced keyless functions, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

If your advanced key is lost or stolen, bring all remaining advanced keys to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible for a replacement and to make the lost or stolen advanced key inoperative.

CAUTION

Radio equipment like this is governed by law s in the United States. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Operation Using Advanced Keyless Functions

qOperational Range

The syst em operates only when the driver is in the vehicle or within operational range while the advanced key is being carried.

NOTE

When the battery power is low, or in places where there are high-intensity radio waves or noise, the operational range may become narrower or the system may not operate.

Locking, unlocking the doors

The operational range for locking/ unlocking the doors is an area of up to 80 cm (2.6 ft) from the center of the front door handles.

Exterior transmitter

Opening the trunk lid

The operational range for opening the trunk lid is an area of up to 80 cm (2.6 ft) from the center of the trunk lid.

Exterior transmitter

Operational range

Starting the engine

The operational range for starting the engine includes nearly the entire cabin area.

Interior transmitter

Operational range

NOTE

The system may not operate if you are too close to the windows, door handles.

Operational range

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

NOTE

The trunk is out of the operational range, however, starting the engine may be possible.

The engine may not start if the advanced key is placed in the following areas:

Around the dashboard

In the storage compartments such as the glove box

On the rear parcel shelf

Starting the engine may be possible even if the advanced key is outside of the vehicle and extremely close to a door and window, however, always start the engine from the driver's seat. If the vehicle is started and driven away while the advanced key is not in the vehicle, the vehicle will not restart after it is turned off and the push button start will switch off.

If the advanced key is detected within operational range, the operation indicator light on the transmitter flashes momentarily.

qLocking, Unlocking Doors

To lock

All the doors can be locked by pressing the request switch on either front door while the advanced key is being carried. A beep sound will be heard once and the hazard warning lights will flash once.

Request switch

NOTE

The request switch on driver's door can be used to close the power windows, refer to Opening/Closing Power Windows from Outside (page 3-41).

Confirm that all the doors are securely locked.

All the doors cannot be locked when any door is open.

If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system, the hazard warning lights only flash when the system is armed. Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page 3-55.

A beep sound is heard for confirmation when the doors are locked using the request switch. If you prefer, the beep sound can be turned off. The volume of the beep sound can also be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

The setting can be changed so that the doors are locked automatically without pressing the request switch when walking away from the vehicle (page 10-8).

(Auto-lock function)

Three seconds after the doors and the trunk lid are closed and the advanced key is out of the operational range, the doors will lock automatically. Also, the hazard warning lights flash once. (Even if the driver is in the operational range, all doors are locked automatically after about 30 seconds.) If you are out of the operational range before the doors are completely closed or another advanced key is left in the vehicle, the auto-lock function will not work. Always make sure that all doors are closed and locked before leaving the vehicle. The auto-lock function does not close the power windows or moonroof.

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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

To unlock

Driver's door handle

To unlock the driver's door, touch the sensor area on the inside of the driver's door handle. A beep sound will be heard twice and the hazard warning lights will flash twice. After unlocking the driver's door, unlock all the other doors by pressing the doorlock switch on the inside of the driver's door.

Front passenger door handle

To unlock the doors, touch the sensor area on the inside of a front passenger door handle. A beep sound will be heard twice and the hazard warning lights will flash twice.

Knowing Your Mazda

The sensor is installed on the inside of the front door handles. The doors cannot be unlocked by touching any area other than the sensor area.

If you grasp a front door handle while wearing gloves, the doors may not unlock, or they could require extra time to unlock.

The doors could unlock if someone is carrying the advanced key near the front door handle and the front door handle is splashed with water such as by rain, or by a car wash.

If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system, the hazard warning lights only flash when the system is turned off. Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page 3-55.

The system can be set to unlock all doors by performing a single operation. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

A beep sound is heard for confirmation when the doors are unlocked using a door handle. If you prefer, the beep sound can be turned off. The volume of the beep sound can also be adjusted. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

NOTE

The doors cannot be unlocked for about three seconds after they are locked even if the sensor area on the inside of either front door handle is touched.

Grasp either front door handle properly to unlock the doors, and make sure it is unlocked before opening it. If the door handle is pulled before the door is unlocked, the door may not open. If this happens, lock the door and securely grasp the door handle again to confirm that the door is unlocked, then open the door.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

(Auto re-lock function)

After unlocking the doors using the sensor on the inside of the door handle, all the doors will automatically lock if any of the following operations are not done within about 30 seconds. If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system, the hazard warning lights will flash for confirmation. The time required for the doors to lock automatically can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

A door or the trunk lid is opened.

The auxiliary key is inserted into the key slot.

The push button start is in any position except off position.

It may require a few seconds for the doors to unlock after touching the sensor area on the inside of either front door handle.

qOpening the Trunk Lid with

Request Switch

The trunk lid can be opened by pressing the request switch on the under side of the trunk lid above the license plate while the advanced key is being carried.

Request switch

NOTE

If the advanced key is left in the trunk, the trunk lid will close, however, the trunk lid can be opened using the request switch and the vehicle could be stolen.

While the ignition is switched ON, the trunk lid can be opened only when the vehicle is stopped with the parking brake applied (manual transaxle) or with the selector lever in the P position (automatic transaxle).

qStarting the Engine

Locking, unlocking the steering wheel

The steering wheel is locked if a door is opened/closed/locked after the power is turned off using the push button start while the vehicle is stopped. This is an automatic safety device to protect the vehicle against theft. The steering wheel can be unlocked by pressing the push button start. If the electronic steering lock warning light is flashing and the beep sound is heard, this indicates that the steering wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the steering wheel, jiggle the steering wheel from side to side while pressing the push button start.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Ignition positions

Each time the push button start is pressed, the ignition switches in the order of off, ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button start again from ON switches the ignition off.

Indicator light

Indicator light (ACC)

Indicator light (ON)

NOTE

The order in which the ignition is switched can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

The engine starts by pressing the push button start while depressing the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle). To switch the ignition position, press the push button start without depressing the pedal.

Do not leave the ignition switched ON while the engine is not running. Doing so could result in the battery going dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For automatic transaxle, the shift lever is in the P position, and the ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches off automatically after one hour. The setting can be changed to not switch the ignition off automatically. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

Off

The steering wheel locks to help protect against theft. Also, the power supply to electrical devices is turned off. The push button start indicator lights (ACC and ON) turn off.

WARNING

Before leaving the driver's seat, always switch the ignition off, set the parking brake, and make sure the shift lever is in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear or R (manual transaxle):

Leaving the driver's seat without switching off the ignition, setting the parking brake, and shifting the shift lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to 1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle movement could occur which could result in an accident. In addition, if your intention is to leave the vehicle for even a short period, it is important to switch the ignition off, as leaving it in another position will disable some of the vehicle's security systems and run the battery down.

ACC (Accessory)

The steering wheel unlocks and some electrical accessories will operate. The indi cator light (ACC) illuminates.

NOTE

The advanced keyless entry system does not function while the push button start has been pressed to ACC, and the doors will not lock/ unlock even if they have been locked manually.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

This is the normal running position after the engine is started. The indicator light (ON) turns off. (The indicator light (ON) illuminates when the ignition is switched ON and the engine is not running.) The warning lights (except brakes) should be inspected before the engine is started (page 5-43).

NOTE

(With headlight auto-leveling)

When the push button start is pressed to the ON position, the sound of the headlight leveling motors operating at the front of the engine compartment can be heard. This does not indicate an abnormality.

Starting the engine

NOTE

The advanced key must be carried because the advanced key carries an immobilizer chip that must communicate with the engine controls at short range.

The engine can be started when the push button start is pressed from off, ACC, or ON.

1. Make sure you are carrying the advanced key.

2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.

3. Make sure the parking brake is on.

4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.

5. (Manual transaxle) Continue to press the clutch pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.

(Automatic transaxle)

Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift into neutral (N).

NOTE

(Manual transaxle)

The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not depressed sufficiently.

(Automatic transaxle)

The starter will not operate if the shift lever is not in P or N and the brake pedal is not depressed sufficiently.

6. Verify that the KEY indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster and the push button start indicator light (green) illuminate. If the KEY indicator light (green) does not illuminate, make sure that the advanced key is being carried. If the KEY indicator light (green) does not illuminate while the advanced key is being carried, you may have to use the auxiliary key to start the engine instead (page 3-22).

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

CAUTION

If the KEY warning light (red) illuminates, and the push button start indicator light (red) illuminates, this could indicate a problem with the engine starting system and the inability to start the engine or switch the ignition to ACC or ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

NOTE

Under the following conditions, the KEY warning light (red) flashes to inform the driver that the push button start will not switch to ACC even if it is pressed from off.

The advanced key battery is dead.

The advanced key is out of operational range.

The advanced key is placed in areas where it is difficult for the system to detect the signal (page 3-7).

A key from another manufacturer similar to the advanced key is in the operational range.

(Forced engine starting method)

If the KEY warning light (red) illuminates, and the push button start indicator light (red) flashes, this could indicate a problem with the engine starting system. Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. If this occurs, the engine can be force-started. Press and hold the push button start until the engine starts. Other procedures necessary for starting the engine such as having the advanced key in the cabin, and depressing the brake pedal (Automatic transaxle) or the clutch pedal (Manual transaxle) are required.

When the engine is force-started, the key warning light (red) remains illuminated and the key indicator light (green) does not illuminate.

If the attempt to start the engine using the forced-start method is unsuccessful, it may be necessary to use the auxiliary key.

7. Press the push button start after the KEY indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster, and the push button start indicator light (green) illuminate.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

NOTE

After starting the engine, the push button start indicator lights (ACC and ON) turn off and the ignition is in the ON position.

After pressing the push button start and before the engine starts, the operation sound of the fuel pump motor from near the fuel tank can be heard, however, this does not indicate a malfunction.

(With headlight auto-leveling)

After pressing the push button start and before the engine starts, the operation sound of the headlight leveling motors operating at the front of the engine compartment can be heard, however, this does not indicate a malfunction.

8. After starting the engine, let it idle for about ten seconds.

NOTE

Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be started without the use of the accelerator.

If the engine does not start the first time, refer to Starting a Flooded Engine under Emergency Starting. If the engine still does not start, have your vehicle inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-13).

Starting the engine using the auxiliary key

If the engine cannot be started for reasons such as the advanced key battery is dead or the engine cannot be started using the forced-start method, the engine can be started using the auxiliary key.

1. Slide the auxiliary key out from the bottom of the advanced key.

2. Use the auxiliary key to remove the key slot cover.

3. Depress the clutch (manual transaxle) or brake pedal (automatic transaxle) until the ring around the key slot starts flashing.

4. Insert the auxiliary key into the slot while it is flashing, but DO NOT TURN THE AUXILIARY KEY IN THE SLOT.

CAUTION

After inserting the auxiliary key, do not attempt to turn it in the key slot. It could damage the vehicle or the auxiliary key.

5. Press the push button start to start the engine.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

NOTE

Leave the auxiliary key in the key slot while the engine is running.

When leaving the vehicle, remove the auxiliary key from the key slot and the vehicle. A thief does not need your advanced key to steal the vehicle if the thief has your auxiliary key.

To switch the ignition position, insert the auxiliary key into the key slot, depress the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle), and then press the push button start right after releasing the pedal.

Turning off the engine

1. Stop the vehicle completely.

2. (Manual transaxle) Shift into neutral.

(Automatic transaxle)

Shift the shift lever to the P position.

3. Press the push button start to turn off the engine.

CAUTION

When leaving th e vehicle, make sure the push button start is pressed to off.

NOTE

When the push button start is pressed to off from ON, the KEY indicator light (green) flashes for approximately 30 seconds indicating that the remaining battery power of the advanced key is low. Replace with a new battery before the advanced key becomes unusable. Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance (page 3-5)

(Automatic transaxle)

If the engine is turned off while the shift lever is in a position other than P, the ignition switches to ACC.

Emergency engine stop

Continuously pressing the push button start while the engine is running and the vehicle is stopped, or quickly pressing it any number of times will stop turn the engine off immediately.

CAUTION

Other than an emergency situation, do not attempt to stop the engine while driving the vehicle.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Operation Using Advanced Key Functions

qKeyless Entry System

This system uses the more traditional keyless entry buttons to remotely lock and unlock the doors and opens the trunk lid, and opens the power windows and the moonroof. It can also help you signal for attention. Press the buttons slowly and carefully.

NOTE

The keyless entry system is designed to operate up to about 2.5 m (8 ft) from the center of the vehicle, but this may vary due to local conditions.

The system does not operate when the auxiliary key is in the key slot.

The keyless entry system is fully operational when the push button start is switched off. The system does not operate if the push button start is switched to any position other than off.

All doors cannot be locked by pressing the lock button while any door is open. The hazard warning lights will also not flash.

If the transmitter does not operate when pressing a button or the operational range becomes too small, the battery may be dead. To install a new battery, refer to Maintenance (page 3-5).

Transmitter

Lock button

Operation indicator light

Unlock button

Trunk button

Panic button

NOTE

(U.S.A.)

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

(CANADA)

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry CANADA. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

NOTE

The unlock button can be used to open the power windows and the moonroof, but the lock button cannot be used to close the power windows and the moonroof. Refer to the following pages: Opening/Closing the Power Windows (page 3-41) Opening/Closing the Moonroof (page 3-48)

The operation indicator light flashes when the buttons are pressed.

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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Lock button

To lock the doors, press the lock button. A beep sound will be heard once and the hazard warning lights will flash once.

To confirm that all doors have been locked, press the lock button again within 5 seconds. If they are closed and locked, the horn will sound. The syst em can be set not to sound the horn. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

NOTE

A beep sound can be heard for confirmation when the doors are locked using the advanced keyless transmitter. If you prefer, the beep sound can be turned off. The volume of the beep sound can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

(Without theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights will flash once to indicate that all doors are locked.

(With theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights flash when the theft deterrent system is armed. The hazard warning lights do not flash if all the doors are locked before the theftdeterrent system is properly armed. When the doors are locked by pressing the lock button on the transmitter while the theft-deterrent system is armed, the hazard warning lights will flash once to indicate that the system is armed. Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page 3-55.

The system can be set to unlock all doors by performing a single operation. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

NOTE

All doors cannot be locked when any door is open.

Confirm that all doors are locked visually or audibly by use of the double click.

Unlock button

To unlock the driver's door, press the unlock button. A beep will be heard twice and the hazard warning lights will flash twice.

To unlock all doors, press the unlock button again within 3 seconds and two more beep sounds will be heard.

NOTE

(Without theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights will flash twice to indicate that all doors are unlocked.

(With theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights flash when the theft deterrent system is turned off. The hazard warning lights do not flash unless the theft deterrent system has been properly turned off. When the doors are unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the transmitter while the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the hazard warning lights will flash twice to indicate that the system is turned off. Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page 3-55.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

NOTE

(Auto re-lock function)

After unlocking with the transmitter, All doors will automatically lock and the hazard warning light will flash if any of the following operations are not performed within about 30 seconds. If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system, the hazard warning lights will flash for confirmation. The time required for the doors to lock automatically can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

A door or the trunk lid is opened.

The auxiliary key is inserted into the key slot.

The push button start is in any position except off position.

Trunk button

To open the trunk, press and hold the trunk button until the trunk lid opens.

NOTE

To open the trunk when the ignition is switched to a position other than off, use the remote release button inside the vehicle (page 3-33).

Panic button

If you witness from a distance someone attempting to break into or damage your vehicle, pressing the panic button will activate the vehicle's alarm.

NOTE

The panic button will work whether any door or the trunk lid is open or closed.

(Turning on the alarm)

Pressing the panic button for 1 second or more will trigger the alarm for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and the following will occur:

The horn sounds intermittently.

The hazard warning lights flash.

NOTE

However, if the driver is too close to the vehicle the panic button may not function.

(Turning off the alarm)

The alarm stops by pressing any button on the transmitter.

qAuxiliary Key Function

Use the auxiliary key stored in the advanced key in the event of a dead transmitter battery or malfunction.

Removing the auxiliary key

Pull out the auxiliary key from the advanced key.

Locking, unlocking the doors

The doors can be locked/unlocked using the auxiliary key, refer to Locking, Unlocking with Key (page 3-30).

Starting the engine

The engine can be started with the auxiliary key, refer to Starting the engine (page 3-10).

Locking, unlocking the glove box

The glove box can be locked/unlocked using the auxiliary key, refer to Glove Box (page 6-102).

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

Advanced Key Suspend Function

If an advanced key is left in the vehicle, the functions of the advanced key left in the vehicle are temporarily suspended to prevent theft of the vehicle. The following are inoperable:

Starting the engine using the push button start.

Operating the request switches.

To restore these functions, perform any one of the following:

Press a switch on the advanced key which has had its functions temporarily suspended.

(Manual transaxle)

When carrying another advanced key, depress the clutch pedal until the KEY indicator light (green) illuminates.

(Automatic transaxle)

When carrying another advanced key, depress the brake pedal until the KEY indicator light (green) illuminates.

Warning Lights and Beep Sounds

System Malfunction Warning Light

If any malfunction occurs in the advanced keyless function, the KEY warning light (red) in the instrument cluster illuminates continuously.

CAUTION

If the KEY warning light (red) remains illuminated, do not continue to drive the vehicle with the advanced keyless function. Park the vehicle in a safe place and use the auxiliary key to continue driving the vehicle. Have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. Refer to Starting the engine (page 3-10).

qIgnition Not Switched Off

(STOP) Warning Beep

If the driver's door is opened while the ignition is switched to ACC, a continuous beep sound will be heard to notify the driver that the ignition has not been switched off (STOP). Left in this condition, the keyless entry system will not operate, the car cannot be locked, and the battery power will be depleted.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

qAdvanced Key Removed from

Vehicle Warning Beep

Under the following conditions, a beep sound will be heard and the KEY warning light (red) will flash continuously when the push button start has not been switched off to notify the driver that the advanced key has been removed. The KEY warning light (red) will stop flashing when the advanced key is back inside the vehicle:

The push button start has not been switched off, the driver's door is open, and the advanced key is removed from the vehicle. (A beep sound will be heard 3 times.) However the beep sound will be heard continuously when the push button start is switched to ACC and the door is open due to the activation of the warning beep sound indicating that the push button start is not switched off.

The push button start has not been switched off and all the doors are closed after remo ving the advanced key from the vehicle. (A beep sound will be heard 6 times. The volume of the beep sound can be changed.) Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

NOTE

Because the advanced key utilizes low-intensity radio waves, the Advanced Key Removed From Vehicle Warning may activate if the advanced key is carried together with a metal object or it is placed in a poor signal reception area within the vehicle.

qRequest Switch Inoperable

Warning Beep

If the request switch for a front door is pressed under the following conditions while the advanced key is being carried, a beep will be heard 6 times to indicate that the front doors cannot be locked.

A door is open (door ajar included).

The push button start has not been switched to off.

The auxiliary key is inserted into the key slot.

qAdvanced Key Battery Dead

Warning

When the push button start is pressed off from ON, the KEY indicator light (green) flashes for approxi mately 30 seconds indicating that the remaining battery power is low. Replace with a new battery before the advanced key becomes unusable. Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance (page 3-5).

NOTE

The advanced key can be set so that the KEY indicator light (green) does not flash even if the battery power is low. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

Engine Start Not Permitted Warning

Under the following conditions, the KEY warning light (red) flashes to inform the driver that the push button start will not switch to ACC even if it is switched from off.

The advanced key battery is dead.

The advanced key is not within operational range.

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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

The advanced key is placed in areas where it is difficult for the system to detect the signal (page 3-7).

A key from another manufacturer similar to the advanced key is in the operational range.

qAdvanced Key Left-in-trunk

Warning Beep

If the advanced key is left in the trunk compartment with all doors locked and the trunk lid closed, a beep sound is heard for about 10 seconds to remind the driver the advanced key has been left in the trunk compartment. If this happens, open the trunk lid by pressing the request switch and remove the advanced key. An advanced key removed from the trunk may not function because its functions may have been temporarily suspended. To restore the advanced key function, perform the applicable procedure (page 3-19). The syst em can be set not to open the trunk. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

Knowing Your Mazda

qAdvanced Key Left-in-vehicle

Warning Beep

If an advanced key is left in the vehicle cabin and all the doors are locked using a separate advanced key, a beep sound is heard for about 10 seconds to remind the driver that the advanced key has been left in the vehicle cabin. If this happens, the doors lock but the functions of the advanced key left in the vehicle cabin may be temporarily suspended. Perform the following procedure to restore the functions of the advanced key (page 3-19). The volume of the beep sound can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

NOTE

The warning beep does not sound while the trunk is open. The warning beep sounds after the trunk is closed.

qAuxiliary Key Removed Warning

Beep

If the auxiliary key is removed under the following conditions while it is in use and in the ACC or ON position, the warning beep sounds three times.

The advanced key is not in the vehicle.

The battery for the advanced key is dead.

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Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System

When Warning Indicator/Beep is Activated

Under the following conditions, warning beeps are heard and a warning/indicator light in the instrument clust er illuminates to notify the driver of improper operation of the advanced key to prevent theft of the vehicle (page 3-19).

When a door is open, a continuous beep sound will be heard.

When a door is open, 3 beep sounds are heard, and the KEY warning light (red) in the instrument cluster flashes.

When a door is closed, a beep sound is heard 6 times, and the KEY warning light (red) in the instrument cluster flashes.

When locking the doors or closing the trunk, the chime sounds for about ten seconds.

When attempting to lock the doors by pressing the request switch on the front doors, and six beep sounds are heard.

When the KEY indicator light (green) flashes in the instrument cluster.

When the KEY warning light (red) remains illuminated in the instrument cluster.

Warning How to check

Check whether the push button start has been switched off.

Check whether the advanced key has been removed from the vehicle.

Check whether the advanced key has been left in the vehicle or the trunk.

Check whether the push button start has been switched off.

Check whether a door is open.

The advanced key battery power is low. Replace the battery with a new one. Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance on page 3-5.

The advanced key is malfunctioning. Park the vehicle in a safe place, and use the auxiliary key to continue driving the vehicle. Have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Doors and Locks

Keys

WARNING

Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them:

NOTE

Refer to Immobilizer System (page 3-53) for information regarding keys and engine starting.

(With theft-deterrent system)

Refer to Theft-Deterrent System (page 3-55) for information regarding keys and the prevention of vehicle and vehicle contents theft.

The keys operate all locks.

With keyless entry system

Without keyless entry system

Key code number plate

A code number is stamped on the plate attached to the key set; detach this plate and store it in a safe place (not in the vehicle) for use if you need to make a replacement key.

NOTE

Write down the code number and keep it in a separate safe and convenient place, but not in the vehicle. If your key is lost, consult your Authorized Mazda Dealer and have your code number ready.

Some types of key chains cannot be attached to the retractable type key. In this case, use the key ring provided with the transmitter which has the key code number plate attached.

Retractable type key

Key code number plate

Key ring

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Knowing Your Mazda

Doors and Locks

Key extend/retract method (Retractable type key)

To extend the key, press the release button.

To retract the key, rotate it into the holder while pressing the release button.

Keyless Entry System

This system remotely locks and unlocks the doors and opens the trunk lid, and opens the power windows and the moonroof. It can also help you signal for attention. Operating the theft-deterrent system with the keyless entry system transmitter is also possible on theft-deterrent systemequipped vehicles. Press the buttons slowly and carefully.

CAUTION

To avoid damage to the transmitter, do not:

Ø Drop the transmitter. Ø Get the transmitter wet. Ø Disassemble the transmitter. Ø Expose the transmitter to any kind

of magnetic field.

Ø Expose the transmitter to high

temperatures on places such as the dashboard or hood, under direct sunlight.

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Knowing Your Mazda

Doors and Locks

NOTE

The keyless entry system is designed to operate up to about 2.5 m (8 ft) from the center of the vehicle, but this may vary due to local conditions.

The system does not operate when the key is in the ignition switch.

Doors can be locked by pressing the lock button while any other door is open. However, the hazard warning lights will not flash and the horn will not sound.

If the transmitter does not operate when pressing a button or the operation range becomes too small, the battery may be dead. To install a new battery, refer to Maintenance (page 3-27).

Additional transmitters can be obtained at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Up to 3 transmitters can be used with the keyless entry system per vehicle. Bring all transmitters to an Authorized Mazda Dealer when additional transmitters are required.

qTransmitter

Lock button

Unlock button

Panic button

Operation indicator light

Trunk button

NOTE

(U.S.A.)

(CANADA)

NOTE

The operation indicator light flashes when the buttons are pressed.

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Doors and Locks

Lock button

To lock the doors, press the lock button.

NOTE

Pressing the transmitter lock button to lock the doors while any door is open does not sound the horn.

(Without theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights will flash once to indicate that all doors are locked.

(With theft-deterrent system)

NOTE

All doors cannot be locked when the key is in the ignition switch.

Confirm that all doors are locked visually or audibly by use of the double click.

Unlock button

To unlock the driver's door, press the unlock button.

To unlock all doors, press the unlock button again within 5 seconds.

NOTE

(Without theft-deterrent system)

The hazard warning lights will flash twice to indicate that all doors are unlocked.

(With theft-deterrent system)

NOTE

Auto re-lock function

After unlocking with the transmitter, all doors will automatically lock if one of the doors or the trunk lid is not opened within about 30 seconds. The time required for the doors to lock automatically can be changed. Refer to Personalization Features on page 10-8.

Trunk button

To open the trunk, press and hold the trunk button until the trunk lid opens.

NOTE

To open the trunk when the ignition is switched to a position other than off, use the remote release button inside the vehicle (page 3-33).

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Knowing Your Mazda

Doors and Locks

Panic button

If you witness from a distance someone attempting to break into or damage your vehicle, pressing the panic button will activate the vehicle's alarm.

NOTE

The panic button will work whether any door or the trunk lid is open or closed.

Turning on the alarm

Pressing the panic button for 1 second or more will trigger the alarm for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and the following will occur:

The horn sounds intermittently.

The hazard warning lights flash.

Turning off the alarm

Press any button on the transmitter.

qTransmitter Maintenance

If the buttons on the transmitter are inoperable and the operation indicator light does not flash, the battery may be dead. Replace with a new battery before the transmitter becomes unusable.

CAUTION

Ø Install the battery with the positive

Ø When replacing the battery, be

Ø There is the danger of explosion if

Ø Replace only with the same type

Ø Dispose of used batteries

Replacing the transmitter battery

1. Unfold the key (page 3-23).

) facing up. Battery

pole ( leakage could occur if it is not installed correctly.

careful not to bend the electrical terminals or get oil on them. Also be careful not to get dirt in the transmitter as it could be damaged.

the battery is not correctly replaced.

battery (CR1620 or equivalent).

according to the following instructions.

Insulate the plus and minus terminals of the battery using cellophane or equivalent tape.

Never disassemble.

Never throw the battery into fire and/or water.

Never deform or crush.

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Doors and Locks

2. Insert a small flathead screwdriver into the slot and push the tab to remove the key from the transmitter.

Tab

3. Insert a small flathead screwdriver into the slot and gently pry open the transmitter.

4. Press the tab outward and remove the battery slowly and carefully using a small flathead screwdriver.

Tab

5. Install a new battery (CR1620 or equivalent) by inserting it under the retainer tabs with the positive pole facing up.

Retainer tab

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6. Align the front and back covers and snap the transmitter shut.

Knowing Your Mazda

Doors and Locks

7. Align the key with the transmitter as shown in the figure, and insert the key until a click sound is heard.

CAUTION

Insert the key into the transmitter securely until a click sound is heard. If it is not inserted securely, it could detach from the transmitter.

qService

If you have a problem with the keyless entry system, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

If your transmitte r is lost or stolen, bring all remaining transmitters to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible for a replacement and to make the lost or stolen transmitter inoperative.

CAUTION

Door Locks

WARNING

Always take all children and pets with you or leave a responsible person with them:

Leaving a child or a pet unattended in a parked vehicle is dangerous. In hot weather, temperatures inside a vehicle can become high enough to cause brain damage or even death.

Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. This could result in someone being badly injured or even killed.

Keep all doors locked when driving:

Unlocked doors in a moving vehicle are dangerous. Passengers can fall out if a door is accidentally opened and can more easily be thrown out in an accident.

Always close all the windows and the moonroof, lock the doors and take the key with you when leaving your vehicle unattended:

Leaving your vehicle unlocked is dangerous as children could lock themselves in a hot vehicle, which could result in death. Also, a vehicle left unlocked becomes an easy target for thieves and intruders.

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Doors and Locks

qLocking, Unlocking with Key

The driver's door can be locked/unlocked with the key. Turn the key toward the front to lock, toward the back to unlock.

Lock

Unlock

qLocking with Request Switch

(with Advanced Key)

The doors can be locked by operating the request switch while carrying the advanced key outside the vehicle, refer to Operations Using Advanced Keyless Functions (page 3-7).

qUnlocking with Door Handle

(With Advanced Key)

The doors can be unlocked by operating the door handle on the front doors while carrying the advanced key outside the vehicle, refer to Operations Using Advanced Keyless Functions (page 3-7).

Locking, Unlocking with Transmitter (with Retractable Type Key)

The doors can be locked/unlocked by operating the keyless entry system transmitter, refer to Keyless Entry System (page 3-24).

qLocking, Unlocking with Door-

Lock Knob

To lock any door from the inside, push the door-lock knob. To unlock, pull it out. This does not operate the other door locks.

Lock

Unlock

qLocking, Unlocking with

Transmitter (with Advanced Key)

The doors can be locked/unlocked by operating the keyless entry system transmitter, refer to Keyless Entry System (page 3-16).

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Mazda 6 2009 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual