Essential Safety Equipment; Do not drive with either front seats reclined:; Do not place an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back:- Page 17

2–3

Essential Safety Equipment

Seats

Do not drive with either front seats reclined:

Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you do not 

get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide 

under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well 

back and upright.

Do not place an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back:

Putting an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back is dangerous 

because you will be unable to maintain a safe driving posture and the seat belt cannot 

function at its full capacity in a collision, which could result in a serious accident, injury or 

death.

Do not place objects under the seat:

The object could get stuck and cause the seat to not be fixed securely, and result in an 

accident.

Do not stack cargo higher than the seatbacks:

Stacking luggage or other cargo higher than the seatbacks is dangerous. During sudden 

braking or a collision, objects can fly around and become projectiles that may hit and 

injure passengers.

Make sure luggage and cargo is secured before driving:

Not securing cargo while driving is dangerous as it could move or be crushed during 

sudden braking or a collision and cause injury.

Never allow a passenger to sit or stand on the folded seatback while the vehicle is 

moving:

Driving with a passenger on the folded seatback is dangerous. Allowing a child to sit up 

on the folded seatback while the vehicle is moving is particularly dangerous. In a sudden 

stop or even a minor collision, a child not in a proper seat or child-restraint system and 

seat belt could be thrown forward, back or even out of the vehicle resulting in serious 

injuries or death. The child in the baggage area could be thrown into other occupants 

and cause serious injury.

Never give the car keys to children and do not allow them to play in the vehicle (4–

Door):

Playing with the folding rear seats is dangerous. Once the seatbacks are back up, a child 

in the trunk would not be able to get out the way they had entered. If you have small 

children, keep the seatbacks locked.

Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb   3

2015/05/11   14:00:00