2004 Mazda RX-8 Owners Manual - MyMazda

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 29 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PMEssential Safety EquipmentSRS Air BagsWARNINGSeating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags:Sitting too close to the side and curtain air bag storage compartments or placinghands on them is extremely dangerous. The side and curtain air bags inflate withgreat force and speed directly out of the outboard side of the front seat, and the frontand rear window pillars along the roof edge, expanding along the front and reardoors on the side the car is hit.Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaningagainst a window, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks.Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows in the vehiclecould block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages ofsupplemental protection. Give the side and curtain air bags room to work by sitting inthe center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.Front Air Bag Storage Areas:Attaching an object to a front air bag storage area or placing something in front of itis dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflationand injure the occupants.Always keep the front air bag storage areas free of objects.Side Air Bag Storage Areas:Attaching things to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of theseat in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the sideair bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the addedprotection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that isdangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open spewing exhaust.Do not hang net bags, map pouches or back pads with side straps on the front seats.Never use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag storage areas inyour front seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision.Curtain Air Bag Storage Areas:Attaching objects to the areas where the curtain air bag activates such as on thewindshield glass, side door glass, front and rear window pillars and along the roofedge and assist grips is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with thecurtain air bag, which inflates from the front and rear window pillars and along theroof edge, impeding the added protection of the curtain air bag system or redirectingthe air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut openspewing exhaust.Do not place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clothes,hang them on the coat hook directly. Always keep the curtain air bag storage areasfree to deploy in the event of a side collision.2-29Form No. 8R65-EA-03C