Seat belt pretensioners and load limiters

For optimum protection, the front seat belts and the outer rear seat belts* are equipped with pretensioners and load limiters.

Both systems require the seat belts to be correctly fastened in order to work properly.

Pretensioners: When a collision is detected, the seat belt pretensioners activate together with the airbags.

For more detailed information, see "SRS airbag deployment conditions" (page 2-59).

The seat belt retractors rapidly tighten the belts when the airbags deploy. After each deployment of the airbags and pretensioners, they must be replaced.

A special warning light indicates a malfunction of the system or its status.

See the section “Warning and Indicator Lights” on page 4-40.

See "Airbag/seat belt pretensioner system warning" on page 7-47.

(With front passenger airbag cut-off switch) The front passenger seat belt pretensioner, like the front passenger airbag, operates only when the airbag cut-off switch is set to ON.

For details, see the section on the front passenger airbag cut-off switch (page 2-50).

Load limiter: The load limiter releases the belt webbing in a controlled manner to reduce the force of the belt on the chest.

Because the force on the seat belt is greatest in a frontal collision, the load limiter operates automatically and may operate in any collision when the driver or passenger moves forward with sufficient force.

After every collision, including those in which the pretensioners did not deploy, the condition of the load limiters must be checked by a qualified service workshop; we recommend a Mazda Authorized Dealer.

WARNING

Use seat belts only as recommended in this manual: Incorrect positioning of seat belts is a safety hazard. If they are positioned incorrectly, the pretensioners and load limiters will not provide adequate protection in a collision, which may result in serious injury. For more information on fastening seat belts, see the section "Fastening the seat belt" (page 2-19).

Seat belt pretensioners and load limiters must be replaced immediately if the vehicle has been in an accident and the devices have activated: After every collision, the seat belt pretensioners and airbags must be inspected by a qualified service workshop.

We recommend using a Mazda Authorized Dealer. Like airbags, seat belt pretensioners and load limiters can only activate once.

After an accident they cannot be reused and must be replaced immediately.

Pretensioners and load limiters that are not replaced increase the risk of injury in a subsequent collision.

Do not modify the components or wiring, and do not use electronic testers on the pretensioner system: Modifying the components or wiring of the pretensioner system, including using electronic testers, is a safety hazard. It may cause accidental activation or damage to the pretensioner, which would prevent it from activating in an accident.

As a result, persons performing repairs or passengers may suffer serious injury.

Proper disposal of the pretensioner system: Improper disposal of pretensioners, or scrapping a vehicle with active pretensioners, is a safety hazard. Failure to follow safety precautions may result in personal injury.

Qualified service workshops can provide information on safe disposal of pretensioners or scrapping a vehicle fitted with a pretensioner system. We recommend contacting a Mazda Authorized Dealer.

CAUTION

• The seat belt pretensioner system will not activate in most cases of rollover and rear impacts.

• When the airbags and seat belt pretensioners deploy, a small amount of smoke (non-toxic) is released. This does not indicate a fire. The released gas usually has no effect on passengers, however people with sensitive skin may experience slight skin irritation. If dust left after airbag or pretensioner deployment gets on your skin or into your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.