Mazda 3 Owners Manual: How the SRS Air Bags Work

Your Mazda is equipped with the following types of SRS air bags. SRS air bags are designed to work together with the seat belts to help to reduce injuries during an accident.

The SRS air bags are designed to provide further protection for passengers in addition to the seat belt functions. Be sure to wear seat belts properly.

Front Seat Belt Pretensioners

The front seat belt pretensioners are designed to deploy in moderate or severe frontal, near frontal collisions.

In addition, the pretensioners operate when a side collision (only on the side in which the collision occurs) or a roll-over accident is detected. The pretensioners operate differently depending on what types of air bags are equipped. For details on the seat belt pretensioner operation, refer to the SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria .

Driver Air Bag

The driver's air bag is mounted in the steering wheel.

When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, the driver's air bag inflates quickly helping to reduce injury mainly to the driver's head or chest caused by directly hitting the steering wheel.

For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria" .

(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)

The driver's dual-stage air bag controls air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an impact of moderate severity, the driver's air bag deploys with lesser energy, whereas during more severe impacts, it deploys with more energy.

Front Passenger Air Bag

The front passenger air bag is mounted in the front passenger dashboard.

The inflation mechanism for the front passenger air bag is the same as the driver's air bag, as mentioned above.

For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria" .

(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)

In addition, the front passenger air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the front passenger occupant classification system .

Side Air Bags *

The side air bags are mounted in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks.

When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the system inflates the side air bag only on the side in which the vehicle was hit. The side air bag inflates quickly to reduce injury to the driver or front passenger's chest caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.

For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria" .

(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)

In addition, the front passenger side air bag is designed to only deploy in accordance with the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. For details, refer to the front passenger occupant classification system .

Curtain Air Bags *

The curtain air bags are mounted in the front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides.

When the air bag crash sensors detect a side impact of greater than moderate force, the curtain air bag inflates quickly and helps to reduce injury mainly to the rear outboard passenger's head caused by directly hitting interior parts such as a door or window.

For more details about air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria" .

In a side impact: Greater than moderate impact to one side of the vehicle will cause the curtain air bag on that side only to inflate.

(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)

In a roll-over: In response to a vehicle roll-over, both curtain air bags inflate.

(With Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)

In an angled collision: During a collision, the driver and front passenger's air bags will deploy. Depending on the nature of the impact, the side air bag and the curtain air bag may deploy.

Warning Light/Beep

A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.

Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on .

Refer to Warning Sound is Activated on .