Mazda Miata MX-5 2003, MX-5 Miata 2003 Owner's Manual

8R09

2003

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G (Part No. 9999-95-031C-03)

2 0 0 3

A Word to Mazda Owners

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete customer satisfaction in mind.

To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual carefully and follow its recommendations.

An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is necessary, that’s the place to go.

Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service.

We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.

Mazda Motor Corporation

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN

Printed in Japan July 2002(Print1)

Important Notes About This Manua

Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.

All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.

Air Conditioning and the Environment

Your Mazda’s genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to damage the earth’s ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.

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How to Use This Manual

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

We want to help you get the most driving pleasure from your vehicle. Your owner’s manual, when read from cover to cover, can do that in many ways.

Illustrations complement the words of the manual to best explain how to enjoy your Mazda. By reading your manual, you can find out about the features, important safety information, and driving under various road conditions.

The above symbol in this manual means "Do not do this " or "Do not let this happen".

Index:

A good place to start is the Index, an alphabetical listing of all information in your manual.

You’ll find several WARNINGs, CAUTIONs, and NOTEs in the manual.

The above symbol, located on some parts of the vehicle, indicates that this manual contains information related to the part. Please refer to the manual for a detailed explanation.

A WARNING indicates a situation in which serious injury or death could result if the warning is ignored.

A CAUTION indicates a situation in which bodily injury or damage to your vehicle, or both, could result if the caution is ignored.

NOTE

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

WARNING

CAUTION

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Table of Contents

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.

Essential Safety Equipment

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

Knowing Your Mazda

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

Before Driving Your Mazda

Important information about driving your Mazda.

Driving Your Mazda

Explanation of instruments and controls.

Interior Comfort

Use of various features for drive comfort, including 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

Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.

Specifications

Technical information about your Mazda.

Index

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Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.

Dashboard Overview

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

Interior Overview

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

Exterior Overview

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

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Your Vehicle at a Glance

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Dashboard Overview

Hood release handle

Climate control system

Cup holder

Glove box

Shift lever

Parking brake

Audio system

Passenger-side air bag

Hazard warning flasher switch

Fog lights switch

Lighting control/Turn signals

Instrument cluster

Driver-side air bag

Wiper and washer lever

Ignition switch

Ashtray

Center console

Power window switches

Cruise control switches

Cruise main switch

(page 2-20)

(page 5-17)

(page 5-30)

(page 5-13)

(page 5-31)

(page 5-32)

(page 5-13)

(page 5-35)

(page 6-10)

(page 5-9)

(page 6-40)

(page 3-13)

(page 3-15)

(page 5-2)

(page 6-2)

(page 5-5)

(page 6-38)

(page 6-39)

(page 6-40)

(page 2-20)

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Your Vehicle at a Glance

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Interior Overview

Vanity mirror

Rearview mirror

Seat belts

Interior light

Sunvisors

Seats

(page 6-37)

(page 2-4)

(page 2-2)

(page 6-37)

(page 3-32)

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Your Vehicle at a Glance

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Exterior Overview

Door and keys

Outside mirrors

Side-marker lights

Headlights

Fuel-filler lid

Tires

Windshield wiper blades

Washer fluid

Hood

Front turn signal lights/ Parking lights

Rear turn signal lights

Brake lights/Taillights

Power windows

Antenna

Rear window defroster

Trunk lid

High-mount brake light

License plate lights

Reverse lights

Convertible top

(page 3-9)

(page 8-35)

(page 5-34)

(page 3-2)

(page 8-27)

(page 8-35)

(page 3-14)

(page 6-10)

(page 3-17)

(page 8-24)

(page 8-22)

(page 3-15)

(page 8-34)

(page 8-32)

(page 8-34)

(page 3-31)

(page 3-13)

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Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Essential Safety Equipment

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

Seats

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

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

Seat Belt Systems

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

Seat Belt Precautions ............................................................... 2- 4

3-Point Type Seat Belt ............................................................. 2- 7

Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ................ 2- 8

Seat Belt Extender ...................................................................2-10

Seat Belt Warning Light .......................................................... 2-11

Seat Belt Warning Beep ........................................................... 2-12

Child Restraint

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

Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-13

Installing a Child-Restraint System ......................................... 2-16

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................2-18

SRS Air Bags

...............................................................................2-20

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-20

Passenger-Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch ..........................2-23

Air Bag System Description .................................................... 2-26

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Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Seats

▼

Seat Slide

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

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

Seats

Securing the Seats: Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a sudden stop or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make sure the adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat forward and backward and rocking the seatback.

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

WARNING

Lever

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

Seat Recline

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.

Reclining: Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you don’t get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well back and upright.

Unlocked Seatback: A seatback plays an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.

WARNING

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

Lever

CAUTION

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Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Seat Belt Systems

Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger 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 passenger’s seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.

Seat Belt Precautions

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Not Wearing Seat Belts: Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.

Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident: Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.

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

One Belt, One Passenger: Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way can’t spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than one person at a time.

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

WARNING

CAUTION

Ring

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

Pregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions

Pregnant women should wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS. The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the stomach area. Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.

▼

Emergency Locking Mode

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

▼

Automatic Locking Mode

Always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To get the seat belt into the automatic locking mode, pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restraint system. It will retract down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. See the section on child restraint (page 2-13).

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

Fastening the Seat Belts

1. Grasp the buckle and tongue.

2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.

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

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

3-Point Type Seat Belt

Belt

Tongue

Tonge

Buckle

Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt: Improper positioning of the shoulder portion of the seat belt is dangerous. An improperly positioned belt will provide little or no protection in a collision. 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.

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.

WARNING

Keep low on hip bone

Too high

Take up slack

WARNING

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

Unfastening the Seat Belts

Depress the button on the buckle.

To secure the passenger's seat belt when not in use, insert the belt tongue into the slot.

For optimum protection, the driver and passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. In moderate or greater frontal or nearfrontal accidents, the air bag and pretensioner systems deploy simultaneously. The pretensioners take up slack in the seat belts as the air bags are expanding. The load limiting system releases belt webbing in a controlled manner to reduce belt force on the occupant’s chest.

NOTE

If a belt does not fully retract, inspect it for kinks and twists.

Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Incorrect Positioning of the Driver and Passenger Seat Belts: Incorrect positioning of the driver and passenger seat belts is dangerous. Without proper positioning, the pretensioner and load limiting systems cannot provide adequate protection in an accident and this could result in serious injury. Wear seat belts only as recommended in this owner’s manual.

Expended Seat Belt Pretensioners: Use of front seat belts with the pretensioner system expended is dangerous. The seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended, they will not work again and must be replaced immediately, even if there was no front seat occupant seated at the time. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioners after a collision.

Modification or Testing of 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 could be seriously injured. Never modify the components or wiring, or use electronic testing devices on the pretensioner system.

WARNING

Pretensioner System Disposal: 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 only activate in a moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal collision. It will not activate in 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 pretensioner system gets on the skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.

WARNING

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner Systems Warning Light

If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system is OK, the warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or after the engine is cranked. After about 6 seconds it goes out.

A system malfunction is indicated when the warning light constantly flashes, stays on or doesn’t come on at all. If any of these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work in an accident.

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.

Self-Servicing the Air Bag/ Pretensioner Systems: Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/ pretensioner could accidentally activate or become disabled. This could cause serious injuries. Never tamper with the systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs.

WARNING

Seat Belt Extender

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the seat belt warning light will remain on until the belt is fastened. If the system does not operate correctly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Unnecessary Use of an Extender: 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.

Using an Improper Extender: Using a seat belt extender that is for another person or a different vehicle or seat is dangerous. The seat belt will not provide adequate protection and the user could be seriously injured in an accident. Only use the extender provided for you and for the particular vehicle and seat. NEVER use the extender in a different vehicle or seat.

Using 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. Don’t 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 15cm (6 in).

WARNING

Seat Belt Warning Light

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, a beep will sound for about 6 seconds.

Seat Belt Warning Beep

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Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Child Restraint

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 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 .

A rear-facing child-restraint system should

NEVER

be used in the front seat because it

would be too close to the air bag.

We have provided a deactivation switch that will disable passenger-side air bag inflation. Do not switch off the passenger-side air bag without reading the "Passenger-Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch" (page 2-23).

Child Restraint Precautions

Proper Size of 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.

WARNING

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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 the child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint system manufacturer’s instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to BOTH LATCH lower anchors for "LATCH" child-restraint systems.

Holding a Child While the Vehicle is Moving: 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 the adult, injuring the adult. Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint system.

Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System: When a rear-facing child-restraint system is installed on the passenger’s seat and the passenger-side air bag deactivation switch is not in the OFF position, it is extremely dangerous. In an accident, the air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even death to the child in the rear-facing child-restraint system. When using a rear-facing child-restraint system, always set the passenger-side air bag deactivation switch to OFF position.

WARNING

Deploying air bag

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Child-Restraint Tether: Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether is dangerous. Your Mazda doesn’t have a child-restraint tether. The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In a collision, it could move and cause serious injury or even death to the child or someone else. Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether.

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 passenger’s seat. When using these anchors to secure a child-restraint system, refer to "LATCH Child-Restraint Systems" (page 2-18).

WARNING

CAUTION

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily be converted into the automatic locking mode, which must be done to hold the child-restraint system. Some child-restraint systems also employ specially designed LATCH attachments; refer to "LATCH Child-Restraint Systems" (page 2-18). Follow these instructions when installing a child-restraint system on the passenger’s seat, unless you are attaching a LATCHequipped child-restraint system to the LATCH lower anchors. Refer to "LATCH Child-Restraint Systems" (page 2-18).

Before installing a rear-facing childrestraint system, the passenger-side air bag must be deactivated (page 2-23).

1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.

2. Secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the instructions on the childrestraint 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. Clicking 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 this step.

Installing a ChildRestraint System

NOTE

Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer’s instructions carefully. If you are not sure whether you have a LATCH system, check in the childrestraint system manufacturer’s instructions and follow them accordingly. Depending on the type of child-restraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode.

NOTE

Before installing a child-restraint system, refer to "Passenger-Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch" (page 2-23).

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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.

•

Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer’s instruction carefully. Depending on the type of childrestraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode.

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the passenger’s seat. Both anchors must be used, otherwise the seat will bounce around and put the child in danger.

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems

Manufacturer’s Instructions for 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 child-restraint system manufacturer’s instructions.

Unsecured 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. 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 childrestraint systems.

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems: Not following the child-restraint system manufacturer’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 installing 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.

WARNING

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Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

▼

LATCH Child-Restraint System Installation Procedure

Before installing a rear-facing childrestraint system, the passenger-side air bag must be deactivated (page 2-23).

1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.

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 child-restraint system manufacturer’s instruction.

NOTE

Before installing a child-restraint system, refer to "Passenger-Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch" (page 2-23).

NOTE

The markings above the LATCH lower anchors indicate the locations of LATCH lower anchors for the attachment of a child-restraint system.

Marking

LATCH lower anchor

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2-20

Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

SRS Air Bags

The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include 2 air bags (verify "SRS AIR BAG" location indicator marks). They are located in:

•

The steering wheel hub

•

The passenger side dashboard

The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide only supplemental protection only in the front seats in a few modes, so seat belts become important in the following ways:

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

•

Keep the passenger away from 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 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.

•

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

Small children, those under 18 kg (40 lb), should be protected by a child-restraint system (page 2-13). We have provided a deactivation switch that will disable passenger-side air bag inflation. Do not switch off the passenger-side air bag without reading the "Passenger-Side Air Bag Deactivation Switch" (page 2-23). Carefully consider which child-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.

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions

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Essential Safety Equipment

SRS Air Bags

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Air Bags without Seat Belts: 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 collisions with frontal or near frontal forces that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.

Seating Position with Air Bags: Sitting too close to the air bag storage compartments or placing hands or feet on them is extremely dangerous. 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 passenger should keep both feet on the floor. Seat occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.

Air Bag Storage Areas: Attaching an object to an air bag storage area or placing something in front of it is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with air bag inflation and injure the occupants. Always keep the air bag storage areas free of objects.

Hot Air Bag Inflators: Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the steering wheel or the dashboard are very hot. You could get burned. Don’t touch the internal components of the air bag storage areas after the bags have inflated.

WARNING

Deploying air bag

J07R_8R09_EA_02G.book Page 21 Monday, July 1, 2002 11:30 AM

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Mazda Miata MX-5 2003, MX-5 Miata 2003 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual