Essential Safety Equipment; Seat Belt Systems; Seat Belt Precautions- Page 33

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Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

Seat Belt Systems

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.

All of the outboard 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 front passenger’s seat and rear outboard lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in 
two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.

The third-row center seat positions have a lap belt with manual adjustment.

Seat Belt Precautions

Not Wearing Seat Belts:
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. Always wear your seat 
belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.

Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
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.

Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn’t available 
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could 
break them or cause other serious injury or death. Don’t wear twisted seat belts.

One Belt, One Passenger:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used 
in this way can’t 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.

WARNING

J16L_EA.book  Page 25  Friday, February 22, 2002  11:34 AM