Child seats - precautions

Mazda recommends using child seats when transporting small children.

Mazda recommends using child seats that are part of the genuine accessories range or other seats that comply with ECE R44*1 regulations. To purchase a genuine Mazda child seat, contact an authorized Mazda service center.

Check local regulations for specific requirements on transporting children in vehicles.

*1 ECE is the abbreviation for Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE or ECE).

Regardless of the seat manufacturer, choose a model suited to the child's age and height, observe the law, and follow the instructions supplied with the child seat.

A child who is taller than the child seat's limits should ride in the rear seat secured with a seat belt.

The child seat should be installed on the rear seat of the vehicle.

Statistics confirm that the rear seat is the safest place for children up to 12 years old, especially when the vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbag system.

A rear-facing child seat must NEVER be placed on the front passenger seat when the airbag is active.

The front passenger seat is also not a recommended location for other types of child seats.

On some models, a front passenger airbag switch is available. Do not turn off the front passenger airbag without first reviewing the "Front Passenger Airbag Switch" section (page 2-50).

WARNING

Use a child seat sized for the child's height: To provide effective protection in a collision or sudden braking, the child must be properly secured in a child seat or with the seat belt, depending on age and height. Otherwise, in a collision the child may suffer serious injury or even death.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always use a properly installed child seat: An unsecured child seat is dangerous. In sudden braking or a collision, it may move and cause serious injury or even death to the child or other passengers. Check that the child seat is installed correctly, following the manufacturer's instructions. If the child seat is not in use, remove it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt, or attach it using BOTH ISOFIX anchors and secure it with the appropriate tether strap.

Always use a proper child seat when transporting a child: Holding a child on your lap while driving is extremely dangerous.

Regardless of the passenger's strength, in sudden braking or a collision, an adult cannot hold on to a child, which may lead to serious injury or even death of the child or other passengers. Even in a minor collision, the child may be exposed to the deploying airbag, which can cause serious injury or death. The child may also be thrown onto an adult, causing injuries to both the child and the adult.

Special danger! Never use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat without turning off the airbag: NEVER use a rear-facing child seat on a front seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG. Doing so may result in the DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY of the CHILD.

Vehicles equipped with a front passenger airbag have a warning label, shown in the illustration below. The label warns never to place a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

Even in a minor collision, the child seat may be struck by the deploying airbag and thrown violently backward, causing serious injury or death to the child. If the vehicle is equipped with a front passenger airbag switch, when installing a rear-facing child seat on the front seat, always set the switch to the OFF position.

Unless necessary, do not place a forward-facing child restraint for older children on the front passenger seat: In a crash, the deploying airbag can cause serious injury or death to the child. If it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint on the front passenger seat, move the seat as far back as possible and make sure the Passenger Front Airbag Off Switch is in the OFF position. See "Passenger Front Airbag Off Switch" (page 2-50).

Do not allow a child to lean out of or lean against the side window in a vehicle equipped with side airbags or curtain airbags: Leaning out of or against the side window, leaning toward the front passenger seat, or leaning against the front and side pillars or roof rail where the curtain airbags are installed is dangerous, even when a child restraint is used. If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags and curtain airbags, rapidly inflating airbags can cause serious injury or death to the child. In addition, leaning against or on the front doors may hinder or block the operation of the side airbags and curtain airbags and prevent them from protecting occupants. Even when the vehicle is equipped with a front airbag and a side airbag built into the front seatback, the rear seat is always the safest place for a child. Do not allow a child to lean out of or against the side windows, even if the child is secured in a child restraint.

Never secure more than one person with a single seat belt: Using the same seat belt for two people is dangerous.

A seat belt used in this way cannot properly absorb the forces involved, and both passengers may be crushed, which may result in serious injury or death. Never use the same seat belt for two people, and while driving, make sure each passenger has their seat belt properly fastened.

Use the child restraint tether strap and its anchor only to secure a child restraint: Child restraint anchors are designed to withstand only the loads imposed by a properly installed child restraint. Never use them as seat belts for adults, or as anchors for harnesses or other equipment or accessories.

Always remove the head restraint before installing a child restraint: Installing a child restraint without removing the head restraint is dangerous.

A child restraint may not be installed properly and may cause injury or death to the child in a collision.

CAUTION

In hot weather, the temperature of a seat belt or child restraint in a closed vehicle can become very high. To avoid burning yourself or your child, check the temperature before use.

CAUTION

Your Mazda is equipped with the ISOFIX system for installing ISOFIX-compatible child restraints on the rear seats. When using this type of system, follow the instructions in the section "ISOFIX Child Restraints" (page 2-39).