Child-restraint Systems
Child-restraint Systems
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use them.
You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children riding in your vehicle.
Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should use seat belts, both lap and shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of the vehicle.
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the air bag system activated.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the passenger occupant classification sensor work as a part of the supplemental restraint system. This system deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt pretensioner system when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.
When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, the 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 illuminates.
For more details, refer to "How to Use the Front Passenger Occupant Classification System" (Search).
Types of Child-restraint Systems
Categories of Child-Restraint Systems
When purchasing, ask the manufacturer of the child-restraint system which type of child-restraint system is appropriate for your child and vehicle.
(Mexico)
Child-restraint systems are classified into the following 5 groups according to the UN-R 44 and UN-R 129 regulation.
Group |
Age |
Weight |
Size Classification/Fixture (CRF) |
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0 |
Up to about 9 months old |
Up to 10 kg (up to 22 lb) |
ISO/L1 |
ISO/L2 |
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ISO/R1 |
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0+ |
Up to about 2 years old |
Up to 13 kg (up to 29 lb) |
ISO/R1 |
ISO/R2 |
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ISO/R3 |
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1 |
About 8 months to 4 years old |
9 kg ― 18 kg (20 lb ― 40 lb) |
ISO/R2 |
ISO/R3 |
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ISO/F2 |
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ISO/F2X |
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ISO/F3 |
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2 |
About 3 to 7 years old |
15 kg ― 25 kg (33 lb ― 55 lb) |
― |
3 |
About 6 to 12 years old |
22 kg ― 36 kg (48 lb ― 79 lb) |
― |
(Except Mexico)
Please comply with the legal regulations concerning the use of child-restraint systems in your country.
Child-Restraint System Types
In this owner's manual, explanation of child-restraint systems is provided for the following three types of popular child-restraint systems: infant seat, child seat, booster seat.
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Installation position is determined by the type of child-restraint system. Always read the manufacturer's instructions and this owner's manual carefully.
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Due to variations in the design of child-restraint systems, vehicle seats and seat belts, all child-restraint systems may not fit all seating positions. Before purchasing a child-restraint system, it should be tested in the specific vehicle seating position (or positions) where it is intended to be used. If a previously purchased child-restraint system does not fit, you may need to purchase a different one that will.
Infant seat
An infant seat provides restraint by bracing the infant's head, neck and back against the seating surface.
Equal to Group 0 and 0+ of the UN-R 44 and UN-R 129 regulation.

Child seat
A child seat restrains a child's body using the harness.
Equal to Group 1 of the UN-R 44 and UN-R 129 regulation.

Booster seat
A booster seat is a child restraint accessory designed to improve the fit of the seat belt system around the child's body.
Equal to Group 2 and 3 of the UN-R 44 and UN-R 129 regulation.

Installing Child-Restraint Systems
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily be converted into the automatic locking mode, which must be done to hold the child-restraint system.
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To check if your seats have side air bags:
Mazda vehicles equipped with side air bag will have an embossed "SRS AIRBAG" marking on the outboard shoulder of the seats.
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Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions carefully. Depending on the type of child-restraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode, however if it uses an upper tether, it may not be mounted properly in this vehicle as there is no safe way to anchor the tether. Confirm whether the child-restraint system can be used with seat belts by reading the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.
Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint System Installation (Except Mexico)
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Make sure the ignition is switched off.
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Slide the seat as far back as possible.
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Place the child-restraint system on the seat without putting your weight on the seat and secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's instructions on the child-restraint system for belt routing instructions.
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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.
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Push the child-restraint system firmly into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt retracts as snugly as possible. A clicking noise from the retractor will be heard during retraction if the system is in automatic locking mode. If the belt does not lock the seat down tight, repeat the previous step and also this one.
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Inspect this function before each use of the child-restraint system. You should not be able to pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor while the system is in the automatic locking mode. When you remove the child-restraint system, be sure the belt fully retracts to return the system to emergency locking mode before occupants use the seat belts.
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Seat your child safely in the child-restraint system and secure the child according to the instructions from the child-restraint system manufacturer.
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Switch the ignition ON and make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates after installing a child-restraint system on the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate, remove the child-restraint system, switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-install the child-restraint system (Search).
Do not seat a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate (Except Mexico).
Seating a child in a child-restraint system installed on the passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is dangerous. If this indicator light does not illuminate, this means that the passenger front and side air bags, and seat belt pretensioner are ready for deployment. If an accident were to deploy an air bag, a child in a child-restraint system sitting in the passenger seat could be seriously injured or killed. If the indicator light does not illuminate after seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Anchor Bracket Overview (Mexico)
Anchor brackets for securing child-restraint systems are equipped in the vehicle. Locate anchor position using the illustration.
Always follow the instruction manual accompanying the child-restraint system.
Anchor bracket location
Use the indicated anchor bracket locations when installing a child-restraint system equipped with a tether.

Warnings and Cautions for Using the Anchor Bracket
Always attach the tether strap to the correct tether anchor position.
Attaching the tether strap to the incorrect tether anchor position is dangerous. In a collision, the tether strap could come off and loosen the child-restraint system. If the child-restraint system moves it could result in death or injury to the child.
Always route the tether strap between the head restraint and the seatback.
Routing the tether strap on top of the head restraint is dangerous. In a collision the tether strap could slide off the head restraint and loosen the child-restraint system. The child-restraint system could move which may result in death or injury to the child.
Use the tether and tether anchor only for a child-restraint system.
Using the tether or tether anchor to secure anything but a child-restraint system is dangerous. This could weaken or damage the tether or tether anchor and result in injury.
How to Use the Anchor Bracket (Mexico)
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Open the convertible top.
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Slide the passenger seat as far back as possible and then slide it forward about 10 notches (100 mm) so that your hand can be placed behind it (Search).
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Remove the cover.
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Place the child-restraint on the passenger seat.
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Pass the tether strap under the head restraint and install it to the tether anchor.
For the tether strap adjustment method, refer to the child-restraint seat manufacturer’s instructions.
How to Use the Seat Belt (Mexico)
When installing a child-restraint system, follow the installation instructions included with the product.
Also, open the convertible top and slide the seat as far back as possible, fold down the seatback as far as possible.
When installing the child-restraint system, if the seat belt is loose and cannot be secured, adjust the forward and back/up and down positions of the seat where the child-restraint system is installed, or slide the child-restraint system to the left or right so that there is no slack in the seat belt.
How to Use the ISOFIX Lower Anchor (Mexico)
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Open the convertible top.
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Make sure the ignition is switched off.
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Slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.*1
Refer to How to Use the Front Seats (Search).
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You may need to move the seat forward slightly and recline the back of the seat, in order to assist in the fitment of some child-restraint systems.
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Make sure the seatback is securely latched by pushing it back until it is fully locked.
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Expand the area between the seat bottom and the seatback slightly to verify the locations of the ISOFIX lower anchor.
The markings above the ISOFIX lower anchors indicate the locations of the ISOFIX lower anchors for the attachment of a child-restraint system.
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Secure the child-restraint system using the ISOFIX lower anchor, following the child-restraint system manufacturer's instruction.
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Switch the ignition ON and make sure the passenger air bag deactivation OFF indicator light illuminates after installing a child-restraint system on the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation OFF indicator light does not illuminate, remove the child-restraint system, switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-install the child-restraint system (Search).
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If your child-restraint system came equipped with a tether, that probably means it is very important to properly secure the tether for child safety. Please carefully follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions when installing tethers (Search).