Essential Safety Equipment; Seat Belt Systems; Seat Belt Precautions- Page 38

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Essential Safety Equipment

Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

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 all rear outboard lap/shoulder belt retractors 
operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic 
locking mode. While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use 
the front passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and 
make sure the child-restraint system is secured properly.

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. Whether a front seat was occupied or not, if the front air bags deployed the 
seat belt pretensioners also deployed and both front seat belts must be replaced. 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 cause serious injury or death. Don’t wear twisted seat belts.

WARNING

J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book  Page 30  Wednesday, July 9, 2003  4:19 PM