Mazda B2300 (2003 year). Instruction

How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?

The air bag SRS is designed to
activate when the vehicle sustains
sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation. Air bags are
designed to inflate in frontal and
near-frontal collisions, not rollover,
side-impact, or rear-impacts.

The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air bag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.

While the system is designed to help
reduce serious injuries, it may also
cause minor abrasions, swelling or temporary hearing loss. Because air
bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable force, there is the risk of
death or serious injuries such as fractures, facial and eye injuries or
internal injuries, particularly to occupants who are not properly
restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of air bag
deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly
restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.

Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation or you may be
burned.

WARNING: If the air bag has deployed, the air bag will not
function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag
is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of
injury in a collision.

The SRS consists of:
• driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and

air bags),

• passenger air bag deactivation switch and restraint control module

(RCM)

• a readiness light and tone,
• and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The RCM (restraints control module) monitors its own internal circuits
and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the
passenger air bag deactivation switch, the system wiring, the air bag
system readiness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag
ignitors).

Determining if the system is operational

The SRS uses readiness lights in the instrument cluster and the
passenger air bag deactivate switch or a tone to indicate the condition of
the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness section in the
Instrumentation chapter or Passenger air bag deactivate switch
section in this chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not
required.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
• The readiness lights will either

flash or stay lit.

• The readiness lights will not

illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.

Seating and Safety Restraints

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately.

WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.

Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
(including safety belt pretensioners)

For disposal of safety belt pretensioners, air bags, or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your authorized Mazda dealership or qualified technician.
Air bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch

WARNING: An air bag
ON/OFF switch has been
installed in this vehicle. Before
driving, always look at the
face of the switch to be sure
the switch is in the proper
position in accordance with
these instructions and
warnings. Failure to put the
switch in a proper position can
increase the risk of serious
injury or death in a collision.

Turning the passenger air bag off

1. Ignition OFF.

2. Insert the ignition key, turn the

switch to OFF position and hold
in OFF position while removing
the key.

3. When the ignition switch is

turned to the ON position the
OFF light illuminates briefly,
momentarily shuts off and then
turns back on. This indicates that the passenger air bag is
deactivated.

OFF

PASSENGER AIRBAG

OFF

PASSENGER AIRBAG

Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: If the OFF light fails to illuminate when the
passenger air bag switch is in the OFF position and the ignition
switch is in ON, have the passenger air bag switch serviced at
you authorized Mazda dealership.

WARNING: In order to avoid inadvertent activation of the
switch, always remove the ignition key from the passenger air
bag ON/OFF switch.

Turning the passenger air bag back on

The passenger air bag remains OFF until you turn it back ON.

1. Insert the ignition key and turn

the switch to ON.

2. The OFF light will briefly

illuminate when the ignition is
turned to ON. This indicates
that the passenger air bag is
operational.

WARNING: If the light is illuminated when the passenger air
bag ON/OFF switch is in the ON position and the ignition switch
is ON, have the passenger air bag ON/OFF switch serviced at
your authorized Mazda dealership immediately.

The passenger side air bag should always be ON (the air bag OFF light
should not be illuminated) unless the passenger is a person who meets
the requirements stated either in Category 1, 2 or 3 of the
NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria which follows.

OFF

PASSENGER AIRBAG

Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: The safety belts for the driver and right front
passenger seating positions have been specifically designed to
function together with the air bags in certain types of crashes.
When you turn OFF your air bag, you not only lose the
protection of the air bag, you also may reduce the effectiveness
of your safety belt system, which was designed to work with the
air bag. If you are not a person who meets the requirements
stated in the NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria
turning OFF the air bag can increase the risk of serious injury
or death in a collision.

WARNING: Always use safety belts and child restraints
properly. If a child in a rear facing infant seat must be
transported in front, the passenger air bag must be turned OFF.
This is because the back of the infant seat is too close to the
inflating air bag and the risk of a fatal injury to the infant when
the air bag inflates is substantial.

The vast majority of drivers and passengers are much safer with an air
bag than without. To do their job and reduce the risk of life threatening
injuries, air bags must open with great force, and this force can pose a
potentially deadly risk in some situations, particularly when a front seat
occupant is not properly buckled up. The most effective way to reduce
the risk of unnecessary air bag injuries without reducing the overall
safety of the vehicle is to make sure all occupants are properly
restrained in the vehicle, especially in the front seat. This provides the
protection of safety belts and permits the air bags to provide the
additional protection they were designed to provide. If you choose to
deactivate your air bag, you are losing the very significant risk reducing
benefits of the air bag and you are also reducing the effectiveness of the
safety belts, because safety belts in modern vehicles are designed to
work as a safety system with the air bags.

Read all air bag Warning labels in the vehicle as well as the other
important air bag instructions and Warnings in this Owner’s Guide.

NHTSA deactivation criteria (excluding Canada)

1. Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat

because:

• the vehicle has no rear seat;
• the vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing

infant seat; or

Seating and Safety Restraints

• the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s

physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front so that
the driver can constantly monitor the child’s condition.

2. Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat

because:

• the vehicle has no rear seat;
• although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever

possible, children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front
because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of the vehicle; or

• the child has a medical condition which, according to the child’s

physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so
that the driver can constantly monitor the child’s condition.

3. Medical condition. A passenger has a medical condition which,

according to his or her physician:

• causes the passenger air bag to pose a special risk for the passenger;

and

• makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag in a crash

greater than the potential harm from turning OFF the air bag and
allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or
windshield in a crash.

WARNING: This vehicle has special energy management safety
belts for the driver and right front passenger. These particular
belts are specifically designed to work with air bags to help
reduce the risk of injury in a collision. The energy management
safety belt is designed to give or release additional belt
webbing in some accidents to reduce concentration of force on
an occupant’s chest and reduce the risk of certain bone
fractures and injuries to underlying organs. In a crash, if the air
bag is turned OFF, this energy management safety belt might
permit the person wearing the belt to move forward enough to
incur a serious or fatal injury. The more severe the crash, and
the heavier the occupant, the greater the risk is. Be sure the air
bag is turned ON for any person who does not qualify under the
NHTSA deactivation criteria.

Seating and Safety Restraints

Transport Canada air bag deactivation criteria (Canada Only)

1. Infant: An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat

because:

• my vehicle has no rear seat;
• the rear seat in my vehicle cannot accommodate a rear-facing infant

seat; or

• the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s

physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so
that the driver can monitor the infant’s condition.

2. Child age 12 or under: A child age 12 or under must ride in the

front seat because:

• my vehicle has no rear seat;
• although children age 12 and under ride in the rear seat whenever

possible, children age 12 and under have no option but to sometimes
ride in the front seat because rear seat space is insufficient; or

• the child has a medical condition that, according to the child’s

physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so
that the driver can monitor the child’s condition.

3. Medical condition: A passenger has a medical condition that,

according to his or her physician:

• poses a special risk for the passenger if the air bag deploys; and
• makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag deployment

greater than the potential harm from turning OFF the air bag and
experiencing a crash without the protection offered by the air bag

Seating and Safety Restraints

Transport Canada air bag deactivation criteria (continued)

WARNING: This vehicle has special energy management safety
belts for the driver and/or right front passenger. These
particular belts are specifically designed to work with air bags
to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. The energy
management safety belt is designed to give or release additional
belt webbing in some accidents to reduce concentration of force
on an occupant’s chest and reduce the risk of certain bone
fractures and injuries to underlying organs. In a crash, if the air
bag is turned OFF, this energy management safety belt might
permit the person wearing the belt to move forward enough to
incur a serious or fatal injury. The more severe the crash, and
the heavier the occupant, the greater the risk is. Be sure the air
bag is turned ON for any person who does not qualify under the
Transport Canada deactivation criteria.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN

See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also see Air bag supplemental restraint system
(SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.

Important child restraint precautions

NOTE:You are required by law to use a child-restraint system in the U.S.
and Canada. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle.

WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.

NOTE:Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any
infant or child restraint you might use.

WARNING: Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear facing child seat in front of an active air bag.
If you must use a forward facing child seat in the front seat,
position the vehicle seat fully rearward and turn the passenger
air bag off.

Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: An air bag can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Child seats should never be placed in the front seats, unless
passenger air bag switch is turned off, See Passenger air bag
on/off switch

WARNING: Rear facing child seats should NEVER be placed in
the front seats unless the passenger airbag switch is turned off.
Also, slide the front seat forward until the rear facing child seat
contacts the dash board for maximum support. (All other
children and forward facing child seats and booster seats should
be on front seats that are slid back as far away as possible from
the dashboard.

WARNING: Do not install a child seat in a center facing jump
seat.

Children and safety belts

If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat.

Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your
child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts.

Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that
apply to adult passengers in your vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can
be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child
closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.

WARNING: Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.

Seating and Safety Restraints

WARNING: Placing a child, 12 years or younger, in the front
seat is dangerous. The child could be hit by a deploying air bag
and be seriously injured or even killed. Never place a child
safety seat in a center facing rear jump seat. If you must place
a child safety seat in a front seating position, make sure the
passenger airbag is turned off. See Turning the airbag Off in
this section. Never use a rear-facing child restraint system in
the front seat with an air bag that could deploy.

Child booster seats

Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh
40 pounds and are around 4 years of age. Although the lap/shoulder belt
will provide some protection, these children are still too small for
lap/shoulder belts to fit properly, which could increase the risk of serious
injury.

To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on children who
have outgrown child safety seats, Mazda recommends use of a
belt-positioning booster.

Booster seats position a child so that safety belts fit better. They lift the
child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips and the knees
bend comfortably. Booster seats also make the shoulder belt fit better
and more comfortably for growing children.

When children should use booster seats

Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the
toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and
lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they weigh about
80 lbs (about 8 to 12 years old).

Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these
questions:
• Can the child sit all the way back

against the vehicle seat back with
knees bent comfortably at the
edge of the seat without
slouching?

• Does the lap belt rest low across the hips?
• Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?

Seating and Safety Restraints

• Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

WARNING: Booster seats must be installed only in seating
positions equipped with a combination lap/shoulder belt.

Types of booster seats

There are two types of belt-positioning booster seats:
• Those that are backless.

If your backless booster seat has a
removable shield, remove the
shield and use the lap/shoulder
belt. If a seating position has a
low seat back and no head
restraint, a backless booster seat
may place your child’s head (top
of ear level) above the top of the
seat. In this case, use a
high-backed booster seat.

• Those with a high back.

If, with a backless booster seat,
you cannot find a seating position
that adequately supports your
child’s head, a high back booster
seat would be a better choice.

Both can be used in any vehicle in a seating position equipped with
lap/shoulder belts if your child is over 40 lbs.

The shoulder belt should cross the chest, resting snugly on the center of
the shoulder. The lap belt should rest low and snug across the hips,
never up high across the stomach.

If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition.

Seating and Safety Restraints

The importance of shoulder belts

Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is best to use a booster
seat with combination lap/shoulder belts.

WARNING: Follow all instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the booster seat.

WARNING: Never put the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or
behind the back because it eliminates the protection for the
upper part of the body and may increase the risk of injury or
death in a collision.

WARNING: Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a
child. They can slide around and increase the likelihood of
injury or death in a collision.

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN

Child and infant or child safety seats

Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the
child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the
safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the
safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or
collision.

Seating and Safety Restraints

When installing a child safety seat:
• Review and follow the information

presented in the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System
section in this chapter.

• Use the correct safety belt buckle

for that seating position (the
buckle closest to the direction the
tongue is coming from).

• Insert the belt tongue into the

proper buckle until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the
buckle.

WARNING: Do not install a child seat in a center facing jump
seat.

• Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety

seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button,
to prevent accidental unbuckling.

• Place seat back in upright position.
• Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer to Automatic

locking mode (passenger side front seat).

Mazda recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether
strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable
of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether
straps, refer to Attaching child safety seats with tether straps.

WARNING: Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s
instructions included with the safety seat you put in your
vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly,
the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

Seating and Safety Restraints

Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder
belts (front outboard passenger seat only)

1. Position the child safety seat in

a seat with a combination lap
and shoulder belt.

WARNING: If there is a tether on the child safety seat, attach
it to the tether anchor point. Refer to Attaching child safety
seats with tether straps

in this chapter.

WARNING: Air bags can kill or inure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear facing child seat in the right front seat
unless the air bag on/off switch is turned OFF. If you place a
forward-facing child seat in the right front seat, turn the air bag
on/off switch to OFF. See Passenger air bag on/off switch in
this chapter.

WARNING: Rear facing child seats should NEVER be placed in
the front seats unless the passenger air bag switch is turned
off. Also, slide the front seat forward until the rear facing child
seat contacts the dash board for maximum support. (All other
children and forward facing child seats and booster seats should
be on front seats that are slid back as far away as possible from
the dashboard.)

Seating and Safety Restraints

2. Pull down on the shoulder belt

and then grasp the shoulder
belt and lap belt together.

3. While holding the shoulder and

lap belt portions together, route
the tongue through the child
seat according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. Be
sure the belt webbing is not
twisted.

4. Insert the belt tongue into the

proper buckle (the buckle
closest to the direction the
tongue is coming from) for that
seating position until you hear
and feel the latch engage. Make
sure the tongue is latched
securely by pulling on it.

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100

5. To put the retractor in the

automatic locking mode, grasp
the shoulder portion of the belt
and pull downward until all of
the belt is extracted and a click
is heard.

6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate

it is in the automatic locking mode.

7. Pull the lap belt portion across

the child seat toward the buckle
and pull up on the shoulder belt
while pushing down with knee
on the child seat.

8. Allow the safety belt to retract

to remove any slack in the belt.

9. Before placing the child in the

seat, forcibly tilt the seat
forward and back to make sure
the seat is securely held in
place. To check this, grab the
seat at the belt path and
attempt to move it side to side
and forward. There should be
no more than one inch of movement for proper installation.

10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is

in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more
belt out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat
steps two through nine.

11. See Attaching child safety seats with tether straps in this chapter.

Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.

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101

Mazda B2300 (2003 year). Instruction - part 6