2007 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 31

Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition2 Page30 Friday, May 26 2006 10:53 AM Black plate (30,1) Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems WARNING Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been expended: One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may also deploy at the same time. While it is safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended, they will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will only limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the front seat belts inspected. Do not modify the components or wiring, or use electronic testing devices on the pretensioner system: Modifying the components or wiring of the pretensioner system, including the use of electronic testing devices is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable which would prevent it from activating in an accident. The occupants or repairers could be seriously injured. WARNING Properly dispose of the pretensioner system: Improper disposal of the pretensioner system or a vehicle with nondeactivated pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury could result. Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of the pretensioner system or how to scrap a pretensioner-equipped vehicle. NOTE l The pretensioner system will activate in a moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal collision. The pretensioner system for the front passenger is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. It will not activate in most rollovers, side or rear impacts. Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be released when the air bags and pretensioners deploy. This does not indicate a fire. This gas normally has no effect on occupants, however, those with sensitive skin may experience light skin irritation. If residue from the deployment of the air bags or the front pretensioner system gets on the skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as possible. l 2-16 Form No.8V66-EA-06F