Mazda 3 Sedan 2020 Owner's Manual page 29

Do not drive with either front seats
reclined:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous because
you do not get the full protection from
seat belts. During sudden braking or a
collision, you can slide under the lap
belt and suffer serious internal injuries.
For maximum protection, sit well back
and upright.
Do not place an object such as a
cushion between the seatback and
your back:
Putting an object such as a cushion
between the seatback and your back is
dangerous because you will be unable
to maintain a safe driving posture and
the seat belt cannot function at its full
capacity in a collision, which could
result in a serious accident, injury or
death.
Do not place objects under the seat:
The object could get stuck and cause
the seat to not be fixed securely, and
result in an accident.
Do not stack cargo higher than the
seatbacks:
Stacking luggage or other cargo higher
than the seatbacks is dangerous.
During sudden braking or a collision,
objects can fly around and become
projectiles that may hit and injure
passengers.
Make sure luggage and cargo is
secured before driving:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as it could move or be
crushed during sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury.
Additionally, if the air bags deploy, the
cargo may scatter which could result in
serious injury or death.
Never allow a passenger to sit or
stand on the folded seatback while
the vehicle is moving:
Driving with a passenger on the folded
seatback is dangerous. Allowing a child
to sit up on the folded seatback while
the vehicle is moving is particularly
dangerous. In a sudden stop or even a
minor collision, a child not in a proper
seat or child-restraint system and seat
belt could be thrown forward, back or
even out of the vehicle resulting in
serious injuries or death. The child in
the baggage area could be thrown into
other occupants and cause serious
injury.
Never give the car keys to children
and do not allow them to play in the
vehicle (4–Door):
Playing with the folding rear seats is
dangerous. Once the seatbacks are
back up, a child in the trunk would not
be able to get out the way they had
entered. If you have small children,
keep the seatbacks locked.
Always leave your car locked and
keep the car keys safely away from
children (4–Door):
Leaving your car unlocked or the keys
in reach of children is dangerous.
Children who find their way into the
trunk through an unlocked rear
seatback or an open trunk can become
accidentally locked in the trunk. This
could result in death or brain damage
from heat prostration, particularly in
the summer. Always lock the doors and
the trunk, and as an added measure,
keep the rear seatbacks locked,
whether you have children in your
home or not.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
2-3