Mazda MX-5 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.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Event Data Recorder
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. In the event of a crash, this device records data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time. These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and lead to the designing of safer vehicles.
Air Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to damage the earth's ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries, ...] may contain Perchlorate Material– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2008 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed in Japan Nov. 2008(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 symbol below in this manual means Do not do thisor Do not let this happen.
Index: A good place to start is the Index, an alphabetical listing of all information in your manual.
NOTE
A NOTE provides information and sometimes suggests how to make better use of your vehicle.
The symbol below, located on some parts of the vehicle, indicates that this manual contains information related to the part. Please refer to the manual for a detailed explanation.
You'll find several WARNINGs, CAUTIONs, and NOTEs in the manual.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in which serious injury or death could result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in which bodily injury or damage to your vehicle, or both, could result if the caution is ignored.

Table of Contents

Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint systems and SRS air bags.
Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment of various parts.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio system.
In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Specifications
Technical information about your Mazda.
Index
9
10
11
1

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
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 3-31
DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-25
Passenger air bag deactivation switch ............................................................... page 2-39
Lighting control ................................................................................................. page 5-55
Turn and lane-change signal .............................................................................. page 5-57
Dashboard illumination knob ............................................................................ page 5-39
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-35
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-58
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-73
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-42
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-33
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-73
1-2
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Interior Overview

Interior Equipment (View B)

Your Vehicle at a Glance
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-56
SRS air bags ...................................................................................................... page 2-28
Cruise control switch ......................................................................................... page 5-21
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-16
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-60
Climate control system ........................................... ............................................. page 6-2
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-6
Seat warmer switches .......................................................................................... page 2-4
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-37
MT shift lever .................................................................................................... page 5-10
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-13
Accessory socket ............................................................................................... page 6-83
Bottle holder ...................................................................................................... page 6-81
1-3The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior Overview

Interior Equipment (View C)

Windblocker ...................................................................................................... page 6-84
Convertible top unlock lever .............................................................................. page 3-46
Seat side box ...................................................................................................... page 6-82
Remote fuel-filler lid release ............................................................................. page 3-40
Back trim storage box ........................................................................................ page 6-82
Seat belt ............................................................................................................... page 2-6
Seats ..................................................................................................................... page 2-2
Rearview mirror .............................. ................................................................... page 3-74
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-80
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-80
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-80
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-81
1-4
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle

Front

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Exterior Overview

Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-42
Windshield wiper blades .................................................................................... page 8-25
Convertible top (Power retractable hardtop) ...................................................... page 3-48
Convertible top (Soft top) .................................................................................. page 3-43
Fuel-filler lid ...................................................................................................... page 3-40
Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-34
1-5The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview

Rear

Trunk lid ............................................................................................................ page 3-33
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-15
Doors and keys .................................................................................................. page 3-30
Outside mirror .................................................................................................... page 3-73
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-30
Light bulbs ......................................................................................................... page 8-34
1-6
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
2

Essential Safety Equipment

Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2
Seats .......................................................................................... 2-2
Seat Warmer
Seat Belt Systems .......................................................................... 2-6
Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................ 2-6
Seat Belt .................................................................................. 2-10
Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ................ 2-12
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-14
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-15
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-17
Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-17
Installing a Child-Restraint System ......................................... 2-22
LATCH Child-Restraint System ............................................. 2-25
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-28
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions ................ 2-28
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-32
How the SRS Air Bags Work .................................................. 2-33
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria .......................................... 2-36
Limitations to SRS Air Bag .................................................... 2-37
Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch .................................. 2-39
Driver and Passenger Occupant Classification System ........... 2-43
Monitoring and Maintenance .................................................. 2-48
í
........................................................................... 2-4
í
Some models.
2-1
Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Seats

WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front seats:
Modifying or replacing the front seats such as replacing the upholstery or loosening any bolts is dangerous. The front seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental restraint system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system and result in serious injur y. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to remove or reinstall the front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats:
Driving with damaged front seats is dangerous. A collision, even on e not strong enough to inflate the air bags, could damage the front seats which contain essential air bag components. If there was a subsequent collision, an air bag may not deploy which could lead to injuries. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats, front seat belt pretensioners and air bags after a collision.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Adjust the drive r'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.
Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seat is locked in place by attempting to push it forward and backward.
Make sure the adjustable components of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a sudden stop or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make su re the adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat forward and backward and rocking the seatback.
2-2
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. Du ring sudden braking or a collision, you can slide under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well back and upright.
Always sit in the passenger seat properly with the seatback upright and feet on the floor:
Your passenger seat has weight sensors, sitting in the 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 passenger sensing system. As a result the 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 seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
To change the seatback angle, lean forward slightly while raising the lever. Then lean back to the desired position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seatback is locked in place by attempting to push it forward and backward.
2-3
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
CAUTION
When returning a rear-reclined seatback to its uprigh t position, make sure you hold onto the seatback with your other hand while operating the lever. If the seatback is not supported, it will flip forward suddenly and could cause injury.
q
Height Adjustment (Driver's Seat)
By moving the seat lever up or down, the driver's seat height can be adjusted.
Up
Down

Seat Warmer

í
The driver and passenger seats can be warmed by rotating the applicable seat warmer dial while the ignition is switched ON. The seat temperature increases as the number on the dial increases. When the seat warmers are not in use, rotate the seat
í
warmer dials to 0.
2-4
í
Some models.
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.
Ø
Infants, small babies, elderly people, and physically challenged people
Ø
People with delicate skin
Ø
People who are excessively fatigued
Ø
People who are drunk
Ø
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-temperature 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.
CAUTION
Do not use organic solvents to clean the seat. It may damage the seat surface and the heater.
2-5
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 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. Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child­restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is important (page 2-25).
2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In th e same collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could cause serious injury or death.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than on e person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly restrained.
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended:
If the air bags deploy 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 crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. 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 seat belts inspected. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.
2-7
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become diffic ult if the belts and seat belt guides 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 8-5 5).
Seat belt guide
qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be worn SNUGLYAND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS. The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the stomach area. Persons with serious medical condit ions also should wear seat belts. Check with your doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
qEmergency Locking Mode
In the emergency locking mode, the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the retractor will lock in position during a collision. When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode until it is switched to automatic locking mode by pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt feels tight and hinders comfortable movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may be in the automatic locking mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return the belt to the more comfortable emergency locking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped in a safe, level area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and then extend it around you again. 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.
2-8
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
qAutomatic Locking Mode
To enable seat belt automatic locking mode, pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-res traint system. It will retract down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. If the LATCH lower anchors are not used alone for LATCH style junior seats and infant carriers without tethers, always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an accident. See the section on child restraint (page 2-17).
2-9
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt

WARNING
Always wear the seat belt with it correctly routed in its guide:
Wearing a seat belt without the seat belt routed in its guide is dangerous because the seat belt would not be able to provide adequate protection in an accident, which could result in serious injury.
Seat belt guide
qFastening the Seat Belt
1. Grasp the seat belt tongue.
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
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 shoulder portion of th e seat belt is dangerous. Always make sure the shoulder portion of th e seat belt is positioned across your shoulder and near your neck, but never under your arm, on your neck, or on your upper arm.
4. Position the lap belt as low as possible, not on the abdominal area, then adjust the shoulder belt so that it fits snugly against your body.
2-10
Lap/shoulder belt
Seat belt tongue
Keep low on hip bone
Take up slack
Too high
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
WARNING
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat Belt:
The lap portion of the seat belt worn too high is dangerous. In a collision, this would concentrate the impact force directly on the abdominal area, causing serious injury. Wear the lap portion of th e belt snugly and as low as possible.
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.
qSeat Belt Caution Label
A caution label has been placed inside the sleeve of the lap portion of the driver's seat belt. When an accident occurs while the seat belt is in use, the resulting stress on the seat belt will cause an indicator with the words REPLACE BELT visible on it to be pulled out of the sleeve below the caution label. This indicates that THE SEAT BELT MUST BE REPLACED. Also note that if at any time the seat belt has undergone stress because of an accident or other reason, damage to the seat belt's webbing, met al fittings, or anchor bolt may have occurred, even though nothing appears to be wrong with the seat belt. For this reason we recommend that the seat belt be replaced after it has undergone stress, whether or not the indicator has been pulled out.
Caution
label
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.
2-11
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems

For optimum protection, the driver and passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. For both these systems to work properly you must wear the seat belt properly.
Pretensioners:
In moderate or severe frontal or near­frontal accidents, the air bag and pretensioner systems deploy simultaneously. The seat belt retractors remove slack quickly as the air bags are expanding. In addition, the pretensioner system for the passenger, like the passenger air bag, is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the passenger seat (page 2-43) or when the passenger air bag deactivation switch turned to the ON position (page 2-39). Any time the air bags and seat belt pretensioners have fired they must be replaced.
Load limiter:
The load limit ing system releases belt webbing in a controlled manner to reduce belt force on the occupant's chest. While the most severe load on a seat belt occurs in frontal collisions, the load limiter has an automatic mechanical function and can activate in any accident mode with sufficient occupant movement. Even if the pretensioners have not fired, the load limiting function must be checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer after any collision.
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended in this owner's manual:
Incorrect positioning of the driver and passenger seat belts is dangerous. Without proper positioning, the pretensioner and load limiting systems cannot provide adequate protection in an accide nt and this could result in serious injury. For more details about wearing seat belts, refer to Fastening the seat belts(page 2-10).
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended:
If the air bags deploy 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 crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. 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 seat belts inspected. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.
2-12
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 pretens ioner system, including the use of electronic testing devices is dangerous. You could ac cidentally activate it or make it inoperable which would prevent it from activating in an accide nt. 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 sa fety 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
l
The pretensioner system will activate in a moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal collision. The pretensioner system for the passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the passenger seat. It will not activate in most rollovers, side or rear impacts.
l
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.
qAir Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position 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 switch is turned to the ON position. 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.
2-13
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.
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 extender in a different vehicle or seat. If you sell your Mazda, do not leave your seat belt extender in the vehicle. It could be used accidentally by the new owner of the vehicle. After removing the seat belt extender, discard it. Never use the seat belt extender in any other vehicle you may own in the future.
2-14
Do not use an extender that is too long:
Using an ext ender 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).
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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.

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 switch is turned to the ON position.
Conditions of operation
Condition Result
The driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
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 switch is turned to the ON position.
The warning light flashes 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.
qBelt Minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate or restore the seat belt minder.
2-15
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Driver seated/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 switch is turned to the ON position, 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
more
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 fast ened or the beep sound period has passed.
Driver seated/Passenger seated
The seat belt warning function reminds the 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)
20 km/h
(12 mph) or
more
Placing heavy items on the passenger seat may cause the passenger seat belt warning function to operate depending on the weight of the item.
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 fast ened or the beep sound period has passed.
NOTE
l
To allow the passenger seat weight sensor to function properly, do not place and sit on an additional seat cushion on the passenger seat. The sensor may not function properly because the additional seat cushion could cause sensor interference.
l
When a small child sits on the passenger seat, it is possible that neither the warning light nor the warning beep operate.
2-16
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 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-res traint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the air bag system activated. If a small child or infant in the passenger seat particularly a child secured in a rear­facing child-restraint system it is critically important that you consciously deactivate the passenger air bag and not simply rely on the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light being turned on at all times. In a collision, the force of an air bag slamming the child­restraint system rearwards could result in death to the child even if the child is properly belted. Be alert to the operation of the indicator light and BE SURE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS ALWAYS DEACTIVATED AS INDICATED BY PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
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Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by the deployment of the passenger air bag, there are two methods to deactivate the passenger air bag for a child's safety as follows however the surest way to avoid the passenger air bag not deploying is to use the key and turn off the passenger air bag and not rely on the passenger seat weight sensors, which will also detect other loads or objects on and around the passenger seat;
Passenger air bag deactivation switch
This switch should be used to deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt pretensioner system if installing a child-restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Make sure the passenger air bag deactivation switch is in the ON position except when a child-restraint system is installed on the passenger seat. Refer to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch on page 2-39.
Passenger seat weight sensors
These sensors deactivate the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt pretensioner system when the total seated weight on the passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb). When an infant or small child is seated on the passenger seat, the system shuts off the passenger air bag, so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. Refer to Passenger seat weight sensors on page 2-43.
LATCH Child-Restraint System
We have installed lower LATCH anchor points for LATCH style junior seats and infant carriers that work without tethers only. Any other child-restraint system that has an upper tether cannot be used in this vehicle because there is no tether anchor. A child-restraint system with a tether cannot be properly mounted in this vehicle unless the child restraint manufacturer provides instructions on mounting the child-res traint system with only seat belts in automatic locking mode. Even then, without a tether, the child-restraint system may move forward more easily in seat belts, further degrading the safety provided if you were to put the child restraint in a tether anchor equipped rear seat of another vehicle. The seat and head restraint is designed for maximum adult space utilization in this vehicle. Do not try to secure the tether to something else in the vehicle, as too much slack will result and the serious risk of injury or death to the child. Use the seat belts to properly secure the non­tethered child-restraint systems other than the LATCH junior seats and non-tethered infant carriers. Turn off the passenger air bag deactivation switch. To expose and use the lower LATCH anchor points, which are affixed to the body and not the seat, slide the seat all the way rearward which is the optimal vehicle seat position for all children in this two seat car.
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.
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