Installing Child-Restraint Systems

The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily be converted into the automatic locking mode, which must be done to hold the child-restraint system.

To check if your seats have side air bags:

Mazda vehicles equipped with side air bag will have an embossed "SRS AIRBAG" marking on the outboard shoulder of the seats.
Follow the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions carefully. Depending on the type of child-restraint system, it may not employ seat belts which are in automatic locking mode, however if it uses an upper tether, it may not be mounted properly in this vehicle as there is no safe way to anchor the tether. Confirm whether the child-restraint system can be used with seat belts by reading the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions.

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Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side air bags:

It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the passenger seat from which the side air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is used. The impact of inflation from a side air bag could cause serious injury or death to an out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the door could block the side air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air bag deploys from the outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.

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When moving the seats forward and rearward, make sure you hold onto the seatback with your hand while operating. If the seatback is not held, the seat will move suddenly and could cause injury.

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Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint System Installation (With Passenger Occupant Classification System)

Make sure the ignition is switched off.
Slide the seat as far back as possible.
Place the child-restraint system on the seat without putting your weight on the seat and secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's instructions on the child-restraint system for belt routing instructions.
To get the retractor into the automatic locking mode, pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt until the entire length of the belt is out of the retractor.
Push the child-restraint system firmly into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt retracts as snugly as possible. A clicking noise from the retractor will be heard during retraction if the system is in automatic locking mode. If the belt does not lock the seat down tight, repeat the previous step and also this one.
- Inspect this function before each use of the child-restraint system. You should not be able to pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor while the system is in the automatic locking mode. When you remove the child-restraint system, be sure the belt fully retracts to return the system to emergency locking mode before occupants use the seat belts.
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Seat your child safely in the child-restraint system and secure the child according to the instructions from the child-restraint system manufacturer.
Switch the ignition ON and make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates after installing a child-restraint system on the passenger seat.

If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate, remove the child-restraint system, switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-install the child-restraint system (Search).

Do not seat a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate (With Passenger Occupant Classification System):

Seating a child in a child-restraint system installed on the passenger seat with the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is dangerous. If this indicator light does not illuminate, this means that the passenger front and side air bags, and seat belt pretensioner are ready for deployment. If an accident were to deploy an air bag, a child in a child-restraint system sitting in the passenger seat could be seriously injured or killed. If the indicator light does not illuminate after seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

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