How the SRS Air BagsWork

Your Mazda is equipped with the following types of SRS air bags. SRS air bags are
designed to work together with the seat belts to help to reduce injuries during an accident.

The SRS air bags are designed to provide further protection for passengers in addition to
the seat belt functions. Be sure to wear seat belts properly.

Front Seat Belt Pretensioners

The front seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near
frontal collisions or roll-over accidents.

Driver Air Bag

The driver air bag is mounted in the steering wheels.


The driver air bag is mounted in the steering wheels.

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.

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

Front Passenger Air Bag

The front passenger air bag is mounted in the front passenger dashboard.


The front passenger air bag is mounted in the front passenger dashboard.

The inflation mechanism for the front passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag,
as mentioned above. In addition, the front passenger air bag is designed to only deploy in
accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the
driver and front passenger occupant classification system.

Side Air Bags

The side bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.


The side bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front 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 front passenger's chest caused by
directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window. In addition, the front passenger side
air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat. For details, refer to the driver and front passenger occupant classification
system.

Curtain Air Bags

The curtain air bags are mounted in the front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge
along both sides.

When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the
curtain air bag inflates quickly and helps to reduce injury mainly to the rear outboard
passenger's head caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.

In a side impact:

Greater than moderate impact to one side of the vehicle will cause the


Greater than moderate impact to one side of the vehicle will cause the curtain air bag on
that side only to inflate.

In a roll-over:

In response to a vehicle roll-over, both the curtain air bags inflate.


In response to a vehicle roll-over, both the curtain air bags inflate.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light

If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the


If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or after the engine is
cranked. The warning light turns off after a specified period of time.

A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate 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:
Never tamper with the air bag/pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs: Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/pretensioner
could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Beep

If a malfunction is detected in both the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system and the
warning light, a warning beep sound will be heard for about 1 minute. After that, the oneminute
beep will be repeated every 30 minutes.

Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING:
Do not drive the vehicle with the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning
beep sounding:
Driving the vehicle with the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep
sounding is dangerous. In a collision, the air bags and the front seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy and this could result in death or serious injury.

Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

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