Essential Safety Equipment; Seat Belt Systems; Expended Seat Belt Pretensioners:- Page 17

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Essential Safety Equipment

Seat Belt Systems

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Incorrect Positioning of the Driver 
and Passenger Seat Belts:
Incorrect positioning of the driver 
and passenger seat belts is dangerous. 
Without proper positioning, the 
pretensioner and load limiting 
systems cannot provide adequate 
protection in an accident and this 
could result in serious injury. Wear 
seat belts only as recommended in 
this owner’s manual.

Expended Seat Belt Pretensioners:
Use of front seat belts with the 
pretensioner system expended is 
dangerous.
The seat belt pretensioners will only 
function once. After they are 
expended, they will not work again 
and must be replaced immediately, 
even if there was no front seat 
occupant seated at the time.
If the seat belt pretensioners are not 
replaced, the risk of injury in a 
collision will increase.
Always have an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer inspect and replace the seat 
belt pretensioners after a collision.

Modification or Testing of the 
Pretensioner System:
Modifying the components or wiring 
of the pretensioner system, including 
the use of electronic testing devices is 
dangerous. You could accidentally 
activate it or make it inoperable which 
would prevent it from activating in an 
accident. The occupants could be 
seriously injured. Never modify the 
components or wiring, or use 
electronic testing devices on the 
pretensioner system.

WARNING

Pretensioner System Disposal:
Improper disposal of the pretensioner 
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is 
dangerous. Unless all safety 
procedures are followed, injury could 
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer how to safely dispose of the 
pretensioner system or how to scrap a 
pretensioner-equipped vehicle.

NOTE

•

The pretensioner system will only 
activate in a moderate or greater 
frontal or near-frontal collision. It 
will not activate in most rollovers, 
side or rear impacts.

•

Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be 
released when the air bags and 
pretensioners deploy. This does not 
indicate a fire. This gas normally 
has no effect on occupants, 
however, those with sensitive skin 
may experience light skin irritation. 
If residue from the deployment of 
the air bags or the pretensioner 
system gets on the skin or in the 
eyes, wash it off as soon as possible.

WARNING

J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book  Page 9  Monday, February 3, 2003  1:16 PM