Mazda RX 8 2004 Owner's Manual

A Word to Mazda Owners

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

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

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

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

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

Mazda 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.

Air Conditioning and the Environment

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

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

Printed in Japan July 2003 (Print3)

How to Use This Manual

WARNING

CAUTION

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.

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.

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

Table of Contents

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.

Essential Safety Equipment

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

Knowing Your Mazda

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

Before Driving Your Mazda

Important information about driving your Mazda.

Driving Your Mazda

Explanation of instruments and controls.

Interior Comfort

Use of various features for drive comfort, including climate control and audio system.

In Case of an Emergency

Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.

Maintenance and Care

How to keep your Mazda in top condition.

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects

Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.

Specifications

Technical information about your Mazda.

Index

Navigation System

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.

Dashboard Overview

Interior Overview

Exterior Overview

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

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

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

1-1

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Dashboard Overview

Wiper and washer lever

(page 5-51)

Driver-side air bag

(page 2-27)

Instrument cluster

(page 5-29)

Lighting control/Turn signals

(page 5-48)

Fog lights switch*

(page 5-50)

Power window lock switch

(page 3-15)

Information display

(page 6-40)

Hazard warning flasher switch

(page 5-55)

Audio system

(page 6-10)

Climate control system

(page 6-2)

Passenger-side air bag

(page 2-27)

Glove box

(page 6-45)

Power window switches

(page 3-14)

Hood release handle

(page 3-18)

Audio control switch

(page 6-34)

Steering column release lever

(page 3-25)

1-2

*Some models.

Cup holder

(page 6-44)

Parking brake

(page 5-5)

Shift lever

(page 5-8)/(page 5-10)

Ashtray/Lighter

(page 6-43)/(page 6-42)

Ignition switch

(page 5-2)

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Interior Overview

Curtain air bags

(page 2-27)

Seat belts

(page 2-8)

Interior light

(page 6-37)

Sunvisors

(page 6-37)

Rearview mirror

(page 3-26)

Vanity mirror

(page 6-37)

Rear seat

(page 2-7)

Front seats

(page 2-2)

Side air bags

(page 2-27)

1-3

Your Vehicle at a Glance

Exterior Overview

Rear window defroster

(page 5-53)

Trunk lid

(page 3-11)

High-mount brake light

(page 8-32)

License plate lights

(page 8-32)

Brake lights/Taillights

(page 8-32)

Reverse lights

(page 8-32)

Windshield wiper blades

(page 8-19)

Hood

(page 3-18)

Antenn

(page 6-10)

Power windows

(page 3-14)

Tires

(page 8-23)

Rear side marker lights

(page 8-32)

Rear turn signal lights

(page 8-32)

Sunroof*

(page 3-19)

Fuel-filler lid

(page 3-16)

Fog lights*

(page 8-30)

Parking lights

(page 8-30)

Headlights

(page 8-28)

1-4

Doors and keys

(page 3-2)

Outside mirrors

(page 3-25)

Front side marker lights

(page 8-30)

Front turn signal lights

(page 8-30)

*Some models.

Essential Safety Equipment

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

Seats

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

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

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

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................. 2-8

3-Point Type Seat Belt ............................................................. 2-11

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ...... 2-12

Seat Belt Extender ...................................................................2-14

Seat Belt Warning Light .......................................................... 2-15

Seat Belt Warning Beep ........................................................... 2-16

Child Restraint

Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-17

Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-20

LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-25

SRS Air Bags

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-27

Air Bag System Description .................................................... 2-32

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

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

...............................................................................2-27

2-1

Essential Safety Equipment

WARNING

Seats

Front Seats

(Manually operated seats)

WARNING

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

Seat Slide

▼

(Manually operated seats)

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

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

(Electrically operated seats)

CAUTION

The seat-bottom power adjustment

•

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

To prevent the battery from running

•

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

Don’t use the switch to make more

•

than one adjustment at a time.

2-2

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.

Essential Safety Equipment

WARNING

Seats

(Electrically operated seats)

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

Switch

Seat Recline

▼

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

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

2-3

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

(Manually operated seats)

To change the seatback angle, lean forward slightly while raising the lever. Then lean back to the desired position and release the lever.

Lever

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

CAUTION

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

(Electrically operated seats)

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

Switch

Height Adjustment (Driver’s

▼

Seat)*

(Manually operated seats)

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

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

2-4

Down

Lever

*Some models.

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

(Electrically operated seats)

Front height adjustment

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

Switch

Rear height adjustment

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

Lumbar Support Adjustment

▼

(Driver’s Seat)*

The amount of lumbar support can be adjusted by pressing the switch. To increase the seat firmness, press and hold the front part of the switch to the desired position, then release it. Press the rear part of the switch to increase softness.

Switch

*Some models.

2-5

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Folding the Passenger’s Seat

▼

WARNING

To fold the seatback, pull the strap and lower the seatback forward.

Strap

Seat Warmer*

▼

The front seats are electrically heated. The ignition switch must be in the ON position.

Press the switch to turn the seat warmer on or off. When the switch is in the ON position, the indicator light will come on.

NOTE

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

To return it to the upright position, lift the seatback and push it into place. Rock the seatback to make sure it is locked.

2-6

*Some models.

Rear Seat

WARNING

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

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Do Not Sit on the Rear Center Console: Allowing someone to sit on the rear center console between the rear seats is dangerous. The rear center console is not designed for occupant seating. During a collision, occupants not wearing a seat belt could be thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured or even killed. Do not allow anyone to sit on the center console between the rear seats.

2-7

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Precautions

Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.

All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way when not in use.

The driver’s seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a collision.

However, the front passenger’s seat and all rear lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.

WARNING

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

Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident: Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a collision. Whether a front seat was occupied or not, if the front air bags deployed the pretensioners also deployed and both front seat belts must be replaced. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.

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

2-8

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

WARNING

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.

Seat Belt Caught or Pinched in the Door: Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or collision. Always make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door.

Seat Belt with Seat Belt Slide Bar: Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is dangerous. The front seat belt is built in the rear door and the lower part of the seat belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door opens or closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly positioned and would provide little or no protection in a collision. Always make sure nothing is placed on the seat belt slide bar.

CAUTION

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

Ring

2-9

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

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 2-17).

2-10

3-Point Type Seat Belt

WARNING

Fastening the Seat Belts

▼

1. Grasp the buckle and tongue.

2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.

Belt

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt: Improper positioning of the shoulder portion of the seat belt is dangerous. Always make sure the shoulder portion of the seat belt is positioned across your shoulder and near your neck, but never under your arm, on your neck, or on your upper arm.

Tongue

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

Tonge

Buckle

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

Keep low on hip bone

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.

Take up slack

Too high

2-11

Essential Safety Equipment

WARNING

Seat Belt Systems

Unfastening the Seat Belts

▼

Depress the button on the buckle.

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.

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems

For optimum protection, the driver and front passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. In moderate or greater frontal or nearfrontal accidents, the front air bag and pretensioner systems deploy simultaneously. The pretensioners take up slack in the front 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.

Incorrect Positioning of the Driver and Front 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.

2-12

WARNING

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

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 both must be replaced immediately, even if there was no front seat occupant seated at the time of the collision. 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 and air bags 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.

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 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.

2-13

Essential Safety Equipment

WARNING

Seat Belt Systems

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt

▼

Pretensioner System Warning Light

If the air bag/front 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 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

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.

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.

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.

2-14

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.

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

WARNING

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).

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 rear door cannot be opened because the seat belt does not fully retract and the seat belt warning light will not illuminate and function properly.

Seat Belt Warning Light

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.

2-15

Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Seat Belt Warning Beep

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.

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 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.

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

A rear-facing child-restraint system should would be too close to the air bag. The front passenger’s seat is also the least preferred seat for other child-restraint systems.

NEVER

be used in the front seat because it

WARNING

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.

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.

2-17

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

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

Deploying air bag

Front Passenger’s Seat Position: If your vehicle is equipped with a passenger air bag, a front-facing child-restraint system should only be put on the front seat when it is unavoidable. 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.

2-18

Essential Safety Equipment

Child Restraint

WARNING

Children and Seating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags: Allowing anyone to lean over or against the front or rear doors is dangerous. If the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain air bags, the impact of inflation could cause serious injury or death to the person. Children are more likely to sleep in the vehicle; when they do, they are more at risk in the front passenger’s seat that have a side air bag because they may slump over into the path of the air bags.Furthermore, leaning over or against the doors 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 who are prone to sleeping. Do not allow a child to lean over or against the doors, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.

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 2-25).

2-19

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 child-restraint 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 two positions on the rear seat.

Some child-restraint systems also employ specially designed LATCH attachments; refer to "LATCH Child-Restraint Systems" (page 2-25).

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 chance 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.

Rear 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 2-25).

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 not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode.

1. 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.

2. 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.

2-20

+ 274 hidden pages