Seat Belts
Seat Belts
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.
(Mexico)
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors with inertia locks that keep them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts to remain comfortable on users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
(Except Mexico)
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 retractor operates in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode. If you must use the passenger seat for a child, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible and make sure any child-restraint system is secured properly.
Emergency locking mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode.
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 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 1 time and loosen, then pull it out again slowly.
(Seat belt with automatic lock mode)
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.
Automatic locking mode (Except Mexico)
Always use the automatic locking mode to keep the child-restraint system from shifting to an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To enable seat belt automatic locking mode, pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restraint system. It will retract down to the child-restraint system and stay locked on it. See the section on child restraint (Search).
Pretensioner system
If the vehicle receives a strong impact from the front or side of the vehicle, the system retracts the seat belts to increase their effect.
When a collision is detected, the pretensioners deploy simultaneously with the air bags.
The pretensioners deploy simultaneously with the air bags when a roll-over is also detected.
The seat belt retractors remove slack quickly as the air bags are expanding. Any time the air bags and seat belt pretensioners have fired they must be replaced.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light (Search).
In addition, the pretensioner system for the passenger, like the front and side passenger air bag, is designed to only deploy when the passenger occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat.
For details, refer to the How to Use the Passenger Occupant Classification System (Search).
Load limiting system
If the vehicle receives a strong impact from the front of the vehicle, the load limiting system operates to prevent the seat belts from applying an excessive load. By maintaining the load applied to the seat belt to a specified level, the system reduces impact to an occupant's chest.
Even if the pretensioners have not fired, the load limiting function must be checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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The pretensioner system operates if the vehicle receives a strong impact from the vehicle front or side direction. The system may not operate if the impact is weak.
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Some smoke might be released when the pretensioner system operates, but this does not mean there is a fire. This gas normally has no effect on occupants. However, those with sensitive skin may experience light skin irritation. If residue from the operation of the pretensioner system gets on the skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.
Warnings and Cautions for Using the Seat Belts
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
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. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the seat belt to remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time.
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly restrained.
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt.
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended.
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters will only function once and must be replaced after any collision that caused them to deploy. A seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter is still better than wearing no seat belt at all; however, if the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase.
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.
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.
Pregnant women and persons with a medical condition should always wear seat belts.
However, ask your doctor about precautions in using a seat belt because a strong impact might be applied locally during sudden braking or a collision. The lap portion of the belt should fit the pelvis as low as possible avoiding abdominal area. In addition, the shoulder portion should be positioned on the shoulder and fitted to the chest avoiding the abdominal area.
Wear seat belts only as recommended in this owner's manual.
Incorrect positioning of the seat belts is dangerous. Without proper positioning, the pretensioner and load limiting systems cannot provide adequate protection in an accident and this could result in serious injury. For more details about wearing seat belts, refer to "How to Use the Seat Belts" (Search).
Do not modify the components or wiring, or use electronic testing devices on the pretensioner system.
Modifying the components or wiring of the pretensioner system, including the use of electronic testing devices is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable which would prevent it from activating in an accident. The occupants or person making the modification could be seriously injured.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner system.
Improper disposal of the pretensioner system or a vehicle with non-deactivated pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury could result. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer safely dispose of the pretensioner system or scrap a pretensioner system equipped vehicle.
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.
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Seat belt guide
Belt retraction may become difficult 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 "Seat Belt Maintenance" (Search).
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Seat belt guide
How to Use the Seat Belts
Fastening a Seat Belt
Before fastening a seat belt, make sure that the seat belt passes through the seat belt guide correctly and it is not twisted.
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Sit back in the seat with your back upright.
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Hold the plate and slowly pull out the seat belt.
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 seat belt strongly one time and loosen it, then pull it out again slowly.
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Make sure that the belt is not twisted.
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Insert the plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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The belt should fit the pelvis as low as possible.
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The belt should not touch the neck, jaw, or face and it should pass over the shoulder.
Unfastening a Seat Belt
Make sure that the seat belt is not twisted, then let the seat belt retract slowly.
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.
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.
Warnings and Cautions for Using the Seat Belt Extender
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.
Do not use an extender that is too long.
Using an extender that is too long is dangerous. The seat belt will not fit properly. In an accident, the seat belt will not provide adequate protection and you could be seriously injured. Do not use the extender or choose one shorter in length if the distance between the extender's buckle and the center of the user's body is less than 15 cm (6 in).
Do not leave a seat belt extender connected to the buckle.
Leaving a seat belt extender connected to the buckle without using the seat belt is dangerous. When the seat belt extender is connected to the driver's seat belt buckle (or passenger's seat belt buckle), the SRS driver's (or passenger's) air bag system will determine that the driver (or passenger) is wearing the seat belt even if the driver (or passenger) is not wearing it. This condition could cause the driver's (or passenger's) air bag to not activate correctly and result in death or serious injury in the event of collision. Always wear the seat belt with the seat belt extender.
Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child-restraint system on the passenger seat.
Using a seat belt extender to fasten a child-restraint system on any seat is dangerous. Always follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's installation instructions and never use a seat belt extender.
