Content .. 3 4 5 6 ..

Mazda MPV (2006 year). Instruction - part 5

Black plate (72,1)

Supplemental Restraint System Components

The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:

The air bag system with inflators and air bags.

The electrical system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.

The air bags are mounted in the following locations:

The steering wheel hub

The front passenger dashboard

The outboard sides of the front seatbacks

The air bags are out of sight until activated.

2-60

Some models.

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page72
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (73,1)

qFront Air Bag System Components

(1)

(6)

(10)

(7)

(6)

(5)

(4)

(3)

(2)

(8)

(9)

(1) Driver seat slide position sensor (page 2-63)
(2) Front seats
(3) Front dual stage inflators and air bags
(4) Front air bag sensor
(5) Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-63)
(6) Front seat belt pretensioner and load limiting systems (page 2-35)
(7) Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-63)
(8) Front passenger seat weight sensor control module
(9) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
(10) Driver and front passenger seat belt buckle switches (page 2-63)

SRS Air Bags

2-61

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page73
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (74,1)

qSide Air Bag System Components

(4)

(1)

(3)

(2)

(1) Side inflators and air bags
(2) Front seats
(3) Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
(4) Side crash sensor

2-62

Some models.

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page74
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (75,1)

How the Air Bags Work

qHow the Front Air Bags Work

When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the inflation, the front air bags
quickly deflate.
The front air bags will function only once. After that, the front air bags will not work
again and must be replaced.
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the system components.

The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during
more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may
differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver seat position,
front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, which allow for further controlling of the
system.

The front air bags will deploy only
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.

Driver seat slide position sensor

Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide sensor as a part of the supplemental
restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor determines whether
the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat position to the crash
sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit). The sensor is also designed to control the
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering
wheel.

The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a
possible malfunction (page 2-71).

SRS Air Bags

2-63

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page75
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (76,1)

Front passenger seat weight sensors

Your vehicle is also equipped with the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
(page 2-51). These sensors are located under both of the front passenger seat rails. These
sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. The sensors are also
designed to prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system from inflating if the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the
system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system when:

There is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)

The total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66
lb). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)

This system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the chart below.

The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible
malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt
pretensioner system will not deploy.

Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light

This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the front passenger front and side air
bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.

If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. After about 6 seconds it goes out.

2-64

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page76
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (77,1)

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates or is off under the following conditions:

Total seated weight on the

front passenger seat

Front passenger air bag

deactivation indicator light

Front passenger front and

side air bags

Front passenger seat

belt pretensioner

system

Empty (Not occupied)

OFF

Less than approx. 30 kg
(66 lb)

OFF

Approx. 42 kg (93 lb) or
more

OFF

* If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates,

however this does not indicate a malfunction.

If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position and does not illuminate as indicated in the
above chart, do not allow a child to sit in the front passenger seat and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work properly in an
accident.

WARNING

Decreasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:
When an adult or large child sits on the front passenger seat, decreasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) required for air bag deployment is dangerous. The front
passenger seat weight sensors will detect the reduced total seated weight condition and
the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy during an accident. The front passenger will not have the supplementary
protection of the air bag, which could result in serious injury. Decreasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 42 kg (93 lb) could result in an air bag not deploying under the
following conditions, for example:

A rear passenger pushes up on the front passenger seat with the feet.

Luggage or other items placed under the front passenger seat or between the front
passenger seat and driver seat that push up the front passenger seat bottom.

The front passenger seat occupant sits in a manner that does not place the entire
weight of the occupant on the seat such as by sitting too close to the door, grasping
the assist grip or the rim of the moonroof and sitting with the seatback reclined too
far.

Any accessories which might decrease the total seated weight on the front
passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.

The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will
deactivate if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat is close to 30 kg (66 lb)
and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lb).

SRS Air Bags

2-65

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page77
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (78,1)

WARNING

Increasing the Total Seated Weight on the Front Passenger Seat:
When an infant or small child sits on the front passenger seat, increasing the total
seated weight on the front passenger seat from the total seated weight of
approximately 30 kg (66 lb) is dangerous. The front passenger seat weight sensors will
detect the increased total seated weight, which could result in the unexpected
deployment of the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system in an accident and serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the
front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lb)
could result in the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system deployment in an accident under the following conditions, for example:

Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system.

A rear passenger or luggage push or pull down on the front passenger seatback.

A rear passenger steps on the front passenger seat rails with the feet.

Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the assist grip, head
restraint or armrest.

The seat is washed.

Liquids are spilled on the seat.

The front passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items
placed behind it.

The front passenger seatback contacts the second-row seat.

Luggage or other items are placed between the front passenger seat and driver seat.

Any accessories which might increase the total seated weight on the front passenger
seat are attached to the front passenger seat.

2-66

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page78
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (79,1)

CAUTION

To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensors
in the front seat bottoms:

Do not place sharp objects on the front seat bottoms or leave heavy luggage on
them.

Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.

To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following:

Adjust the front seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.

If you place your child on the front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-51).

NOTE

The system requires about 10 seconds to alternate between turning the front passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the
vehicle's interior changes suddenly.

The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may illuminate for 10 seconds
if the total seated weight on the front passenger seat changes.

If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate after
installing a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child-restraint
system on the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

Driver and front passenger buckle switches

The buckle switches on the front seat belts detect whether or not the front seat belts are
securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags.

SRS Air Bags

2-67

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page79
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (80,1)

qHow the Side Air Bags Work

When air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the side air bags and after the inflation, the side air bags
quickly deflate.
The side air bags will function only once. After that, the side air bags will not work again
and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.

The side air bag will deploy only
on the side the vehicle receives the
force of the impact.

WARNING

Damaged Side Air Bag Wiring under the Front Seats:
Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The side air bag
wiring could be damaged, and in the event of a side collision, the side air bags may
not deploy, which could result in death or serious injury. To prevent damage to the
side air bag wiring, do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats.

qAir Bag Activation/Deactivation

NOTE

If the front passenger seat weight sensors detect a total seated weight on the front
passenger seat is less than approximately 42 kg (93 lb), the front passenger front and side
air bags and seat belt pretensioner may not inflate (page 2-63).

2-68

Some models.

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page80
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (81,1)

Front air bag activation

A greater than moderate impact will cause
the front air bags to inflate in the
following cases:

Hitting a solid wall straight on at
greater than about 22 km/h (14 mph).

Hitting a curb, pavement edge or hard
object.

Landing hard or the vehicle falling.

Frontal impact within about a 30
degree range from head-on to the
vehicle.

Driving into a big hole or hitting the far
side of a hole.

Limitations to front air bag activation

Depending on the severity of impact, the
front air bags may not inflate in the
following cases:

Impacts involving trees or poles cause
severe cosmetic damage but may not
have enough stopping force to activate
the air bag.

Frontal offset impact to the vehicle
may not provide the stopping force
necessary for air bag deployment.

SRS Air Bags

2-69

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page81
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (82,1)

Rear-ending or running under a truck's
tail gate may not provide the stopping
force necessary for air bag deployment.

Non-activation of front air bags

Front air bags will not normally inflate in
the following cases:

Collision from the rear.

Impact to the side, but it may deploy
the side air bags.

Vehicle roll-over, may deploy the side
air bags but not the front air bags.

Side air bag activation

Greater than moderate impact to one side
of the vehicle (driver or passenger side
areas) will cause a side air bag on that side
to inflate, but it will not normally deploy
the front air bags.

Limitations to side air bag activation

Depending on the severity of impact, a
side air bag may not inflate in the
following cases:

Frontal offset impact may not provide
enough side impact to deploy the side
air bags.

Side impacts involving trees or poles
can cause severe cosmetic damage but
may not have enough impact force to
activate the side air bags.

2-70

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page82
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (83,1)

Vehicle roll-over may not provide
enough side force to deploy the side air
bags.

Side impacts with two-wheeled
vehicles may not provide enough force
to deploy the side air bags.

Non-activation of side air bag

A side air bag will not normally inflate in
the following cases:

Collision from the rear.

Collision from the front, but it may
deploy the front air bags.

qConstant Monitoring

The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:

SAS unit

Front air bag sensor

Air bag modules

Side crash sensors

Front seat belt pretensioners

Related wiring

Driver seat slide position sensor

Front passenger seat weight sensors

Driver and front passenger seat belt
buckle switches

The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.

qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt

Pretensioner System Warning Light

If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is normal, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position or after the
engine is cranked. After about 6 seconds
it goes out.

SRS Air Bags

2-71

Some models.

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page83
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (84,1)

A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes,
constantly illuminates or doesn't
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

Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.

qMaintenance

The air bag systems do not require regular
maintenance. But if any of the following
occurs, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:

The air bag system warning light
flashes.

The air bag system warning light
remains illuminated.

The air bag system warning light does
not illuminate when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position.

The air bags have deployed.

Front passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position or does not illuminate
as indicated in the chart. For more
details about this indicator light and
this chart, refer to

“Front passenger

seat weight sensors

” (page 2-63).

WARNING

Damaged Air Bag/Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Components:
Expended or damaged air bag or seat
belt pretensioner units must be
replaced after any collision which
caused them to deploy or damage
them. Only a trained Authorized
Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these
systems to see that they will work in
the next accident. Driving with an
expended or damaged air bag or
pretensioner units will provide you
reduced protection in the next accident
and you could be injured or killed.

Removing Interior Parts:
Removing any components such as the
front seats(if side air bags are
equipped), front dashboard, the
steering wheel or parts containing air
bag parts or sensors is dangerous.
These parts contain essential air bag
components. The air bag could
accidentally activate and cause serious
injuries. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer remove these parts.

2-72

SRS Air Bags

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page84
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (85,1)

WARNING

Air Bag Disposal:
Improper disposal of an air bag or a
vehicle with live air bags in it can be
extremely dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury can
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of an air
bag or how to scrap an air bag
equipped vehicle.

NOTE

If it becomes necessary to have the
components or wiring system for the
supplementary restraint system
modified to accommodate a person with
certain medical conditions in
accordance with a certified physician,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer,
refer to

“Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)”

(page 9-2).

SRS Air Bags

2-73

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page85
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (86,1)

2-74

Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page86
Tuesday, June 21 2005 9:32 AM

Black plate (87,1)

Knowing Your Mazda

Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.

Doors and Locks ........................................................................... 3-2