SRS Air Bags

If the vehicle receives a strong impact from the front or side of the vehicle when the vehicle power is switched ON, the air bags inflate instantaneously and lessen the impact on the head or chest of the driver or passenger.

The SRS air bag system protects occupants together with the seat belts and they are not a substitute for the seat belts.

There are 3 types of air bags.

Vehicles have a sensor which detects an impending roll-over accident.

The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection in certain situations so seat belts are always important.

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

Keep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.
Reduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag inflation, such as rear impact.
Reduce the possibility of injuries in frontal, near frontal or side collisions or roll-over accidents that are not severe enough to activate the air bags.
Reduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.
Reduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
Hold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.

Driver's air bag

The driver's air bag is stored in the center of the steering wheel.

When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, the driver's air bag inflates quickly helping to reduce injury mainly to the driver's head or chest caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.

(Except Mexico)

The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an impact of moderate severity, the driver's air bag deploys with lesser energy, whereas during more severe impacts, it deploys with more energy.

Passenger's air bag

The passenger's air bag is stored in the dashboard.

The inflation mechanism for the passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag.

In addition, the passenger air bag is designed to only deploy when the passenger occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat.

Side air bags

The side air bags are installed in the outboard sides of the seatbacks.

When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the system inflates the side air bag only on the side in which the vehicle was hit. The side air bag inflates quickly to reduce injury to the driver or passenger's head and chest caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.

In addition, the passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy when the passenger occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat.

In a roll-over:

In response to a vehicle roll-over, both side bags inflate.

Both side air bags will deploy after the roll-over accident is detected.

Constant Monitoring

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

Air bag sensors
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
Side crash sensors
Air bag modules
Seat belt pretensioners
Air bag/Seat belt pretensioner system warning light
Related wiring

Passenger occupant classification sensor
Passenger occupant classification module
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

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

Warnings and Cautions for Using the SRS Air Bags

Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles.

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

Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated when using a child-restraint system:

Seating a child in a child-restraint system that is installed on the passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an accident, an air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even death to the child seated in the child-restraint system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated.

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

Sitting too close to the driver and passenger air bag modules or placing hands or feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and passenger air bags inflate with great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too close. The driver should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The 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.

Do not sit too close to a door or lean against doors in vehicles with side air bags.

Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. A side air bag inflates with great force and speed directly out of the outboard shoulder of the seat and expands along the door on the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window in the seats. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the driver-side window while driving could block the side air bag and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side air bags room to work by sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.

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

Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them, or sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows is extremely dangerous. The side air bags inflate with great force and speed directly expanding along the door on the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window. Give the side air bags room to work by sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.

Do not attach objects on or around the area where air bags deploy.

Attaching objects to the air bags or placing something in the area where the air bags deploy is dangerous. In an accident, an object could interfere with air bag inflation and injure the occupants. Furthermore, the bag could be damaged causing gases to release. Always keep the deployment area of the air bag modules free of any obstructions.

For example, you should not do any of the following as it may interfere with air bag deployment.

Do not put a covering on or lean anything against areas such as the dashboard and lower portion of the instrument panel that blocks the passenger air bag.
Do not use seat covers on the seats.
Do not hang any backpacks, bags or pouches that cover the sides of the seats that block the side air bags.

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

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

Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.

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

Do not modify the suspension.

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

To prevent false detection by the air bag sensor system, heed the following.

Do not use tires or wheels other than those specified for your Mazda.

Use of any tire or wheel other than those specified for your Mazda (Search) is dangerous. Use of such wheels will prevent the vehicle's accident detection system from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.
Do not overload your vehicle:

Overloading your vehicle is dangerous as it could prevent the air bag crash sensor system from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries. The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label on the driver's door frame. Do not exceed these ratings.
Do not drive the vehicle off-road.

Driving your Mazda off-road is dangerous because the vehicle has not been designed to do so. Driving the vehicle off-road could prevent the air bag crash sensor system from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.

Do not modify a door or leave any damage unrepaired. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect a damaged door.

Modifying a door or leaving any damage unrepaired is dangerous. Each door has a side crash sensor as a component of the supplemental restraint system. If holes are drilled in a door, a door speaker is left removed, or a damaged door is left unrepaired, the sensor could be adversely affected causing it to not detect the pressure of an impact correctly during a side collision. If a sensor does not detect a side impact correctly, the side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner may not operate normally which could result in serious injury to occupants.

Do not modify the supplemental restraint system.

Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Do not make any modifications to the supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim, badges, or anything else over the air bag modules. It also includes installing extra electrical equipment on or near system components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda Dealer can provide the special care needed in the removal and installation of seats. It is important to protect the air bag wiring and connections to assure that the bags do not accidentally deploy, and that the passenger occupant classification system and the seats retain an undamaged air bag connection.

Do not place luggage or other objects under the seats.

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

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

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

Do not remove interior air bag parts.

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

Properly dispose of the air bag system.

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

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Deployment of SRS air bags

The driver's and passenger's air bags deploy when a strong impact is applied to the vehicle in a frontal collision, and the side air bags deploy in side collisions.

The air bags do not always deploy even if the vehicle receives an impact.

Conditions in which air bags may not deploy

The air bags may not deploy under the following conditions depending on the level of the impact.

Driver's and passenger's air bags

(Impacts involving trees or poles)

(Rear-ending or running under a truck's tail gate)

(Frontal offset impact to the vehicle)

Side air bags

(Frontal offset impact to the vehicle)

(Pitch end over end)

(Side impacts involving trees or poles from the vehicle side (around driver or passenger))

(Side impacts with two-wheeled vehicles)

Conditions in which air bags do not deploy

The air bags do not deploy under the following conditions.

Driver's and passenger's air bags

(Rear impact)

(Roll-over)

(Pitch end over end)

(Lateral direction side impact)

Side air bags

(Rear impact)

(Frontal impact)

If it becomes necessary to have the components or wiring system for the supplementary restraint system modified to accommodate a person with certain medical conditions in accordance with a certified physician, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to “Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)” (Search).
When an air bag deploys, a loud inflation noise can be heard and some smoke will be released. Neither is likely to cause injury, however, the texture of the air bags may cause light skin injuries on body parts not covered with clothing through friction.
Should you sell your Mazda, we urge you to tell the new owner of its air bag systems and that familiarization with all instructions about them, from the Owner's Manual, is important.
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have a warning label attached as shown in the following.

(Mexico)

This warning label reminds you not to put a rear-facing child-restraint system on the passenger seat at any time.
(Except Mexico)

This warning label is displayed in compliance with regulations.

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Air bag structural view

Side crash sensors
Seat belt pretensioners
Side inflators and air bags
Driver passenger inflators and air bags
Air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning indication/warning light
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
Air bag sensors
Passenger occupant classification sensor
Passenger occupant classification module
Roll-over sensor, crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)

Passenger Occupant Classification System

Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the supplemental restraint system. This sensor is equipped in the passenger's seat cushion. This sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's seat. The SAS unit is designed to prevent the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the system deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.

Warnings and Cautions for Using the Passenger Occupant Classification System

Do not allow an occupant in the passenger's seat to sit with a posture which makes it difficult for the passenger occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly.

Sitting in the passenger's seat with a posture which makes it difficult for the passenger occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly is dangerous. If the passenger occupant classification sensor cannot detect the occupant sitting on the passenger's seat correctly, the passenger front and side air bags and pretensioner system may not operate (non-deploy) or they may operate (deploy) accidentally. The passenger will not have the supplementary protection of the air bags or the accidental operation (deployment) of the air bags could result in serious injury or death.

Under the following conditions, the passenger occupant classification sensor cannot detect a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat correctly and the deployment/non-deployment of the air bags cannot be controlled as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart. For example:

A passenger is seated as shown in the following figure:
Luggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger seat and driver seat that push up the passenger seat bottom.
An object, such as a seat cushion, is put on the passenger's seat or between the passenger's back and the seatback.
A seat cover is put on the passenger's seat.
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint system.
The seat is washed.
Liquids are spilled on the seat.
The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed behind it.
Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat.
An electric device is put on the passenger's seat.
An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the passenger seat.

The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.

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To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in the seat cushion:
- Do not place sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them.
- Do not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats.

To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:
- Adjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
- If you place your child on the passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system properly and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible within the position in which the child-restraint system can be installed.

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How to Use the Passenger Occupant Classification System

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

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

Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

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

Type A

If the passenger occupant classification sensor is normal, the indicator light turns on when the ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light turns on or is off under the following conditions:

Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart

Condition detected by the passenger occupant classification system	Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light	Passenger front and side air bags	Passenger seat belt pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)	On	Deactivated	Deactivated
A child is seated in a child-restraint system^*1	On	Deactivated	Deactivated
Adult^*2	Off	Ready	Ready

The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seated on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a junior seat depending on the child's physical size and seated posture.
If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on the person's physique.

If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not turn on when the ignition is switched ON and does not turn on as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupant to sit in the passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident.

Type B

Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart

Condition detected by the passenger occupant classification system	Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light	Passenger front and side air bags	Passenger seat belt pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied)		Deactivated	Deactivated
A child is seated in a child-restraint system^*1		Deactivated	Deactivated
Adult^*2	Turns off after a short period of time.	Ready	Ready

The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seated on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a junior seat depending on the child's physical size and seated posture.
If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on the person's physique.

If both of the passenger air bag deactivation indicator lights do not turn on for a specified period of time when the ignition is switched ON or they do not turn on as indicated in the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupant to sit in the passenger seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an accident.

The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may turn on repeatedly if luggage or other items are put on the passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's interior changes suddenly.
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may turn on for 10 seconds if the electrostatic capacity on the passenger seat changes.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light might turn on if the passenger seat receives a severe impact.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not turn on after installing a child-restraint system on the passenger seat, first, re-install your child-restraint system according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light still does not turn on, and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on when an occupant is seated directly in the passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by sitting with their feet on the floor, and then re-fastening the seat belt. If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light remains turned on, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

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