Mazda Mazda6: How the Air BagsWork

Mazda Mazda6: How the Air BagsWork

How the Front Air BagsWork

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, all of which provide data from each sensor to the air bag system.

Driver seat slide position sensor

Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide position 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 diagnostic module (SAS unit). The SAS unit 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.

Front passenger seat weight sensors

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger seat weight sensors as a part of the supplemental restraint system. 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 SAS unit is designed to prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from deploying if the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lbs).

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 lbs). (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 following table.

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 working properly, the indicator light illuminates when the ignition is switched ON. After a specified period of time it goes out.

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

* If the front passenger seat belt is buckled, the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, however this does not indicate a malfunction.

The curtain air bag is always ready to inflate and is not deactivated like the front passenger front and side air bag.

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

WARNING:

Do not decrease 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 lbs) 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 lbs) 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 their 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 lbs) and they will reactivate before the weight exceeds 42 kg (93 lbs).

Do not increase 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 lbs) 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 may cause serious injury. Increasing the total seated weight on the front passenger seat beyond the total seated weight of approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) 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 their feet.

Luggage or other items are placed on the seatback or hung on the head restraint.

Heavy items are placed in the seatback map pocket.

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 rear 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.

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 less than approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) and they will reactivate when the weight exceeds approximately 42 kg (93 lbs).

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.

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.

How the Side and Curtain 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 and curtain air bags and after the inflation, the side and curtain air bags quickly deflate. However, the side air bag system for the front passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat, however the curtains are not deactivated.

The side and curtain air bags will function only once. After that, the side and curtain air bags will not work again and must be replaced. Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the systems.

Air 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 deploy, but the curtain air bags may deploy.

Front air bag activation

The front air bags will inflate if the severity of impact is above the designed threshold level.

- 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.

- 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 and curtain air bags.

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

Side and curtain air bag activation

The severity of impact above the designed threshold level to one side of the vehicle (driver or passenger side areas) will cause the side and curtain air bags on that side to inflate, but it will not normally deploy the front air bags.

Limitations to side and curtain air bag activation

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

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

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

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

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

Non-activation of side and curtain air bag

The side and curtain air bags will not normally inflate in the following cases:

- Collision from the rear.

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

Constant 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.

- Air bag/Front seat belt pretensioner system warning light.

- Front seat belt pretensioners.

- Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light.

- Related wiring.

- Driver seat slide position sensor.

- Front passenger seat weight sensors.

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

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light

If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system is working properly, the warning light illuminates when the ignition is switched ON or after the engine is cranked. The warning light turns off after a specified period of time.

A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work in an accident.

WARNING:

Never tamper with the air bag/ pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:

Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/ pretensioner could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.

Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Beep

If a malfunction is detected in both the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system and the warning light, a warning beep sound will be heard for about 1 minute.

After that, the one-minute beep will be repeated every 30 minutes.

Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING:

Do not drive the vehicle with the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep sounding:

Driving the vehicle with the air bag/ front seat belt pretensioner system warning beep sounding is dangerous.

In a collision, the air bags and the front seat belt pretensioner system will not deploy and this could result in death or serious injury.

Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Maintenance

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 is switched ON.

- The air bag system warning beep sound will be heard.

- The air bags have deployed.

- Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON 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”.

WARNING:

Do not operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components:

Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components 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 any subsequent accident. Driving with an expended or damaged air bag or pretensioner unit will not afford you the necessary protection in the event of any subsequent accident which could result in serious injury or death.

Do not remove interior air bag parts:

Removing any components such as the front seats, front dashboard, the steering wheel or parts on the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, 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.

Dispose of the air bag properly:

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.)”.