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Front Seat Removal, Installation and Leather Restoration

Sources:

:::warning Airbag Precaution Improper handling of the front seat (with side airbag) can cause accidental deployment of the side airbag, which may result in serious injury. Read all service warnings before handling the front seat. :::

Official Mazda Procedure​

Prerequisites​

  1. For vehicles equipped with airbags, remove the side airbag module. (Refer to the workshop manual section on side airbag module removal/installation.)
  2. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting work.

Removal​

  1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal
  2. Remove the electrical connectors located under the seat (accessible from behind, toward the center console):
    • White connector: press from underneath with a flat screwdriver, then pull gently
    • Yellow connector: press the white tab with your thumb, the connector comes out on its own
  3. Remove the 4 plastic trim covers concealing the seat mounting bolts
  4. Remove the 4 x 14 mm mounting bolts
  5. Carefully lift the seat out, tilting it to avoid scratching the interior plastics

Installation​

Reverse the removal procedure. Torque the mounting bolts to specification.

Parts Breakdown (Exploded View)​

Manual Seat — Driver Side​

#Part
1Recline button (button type) / recline lever (lever type)
2Outer height adjuster lever
3Inner height adjuster lever
4Side protector
5Cap reverse
6Front seat belt anchor
7Cap
8Seatback trim cover
9Seatback pad
10Seatback frame
11Side airbag cap
12Cushion trim cover
13Cushion pad
14Cushion frame
15Slide adjuster

Power Seat — Driver Side​

#Part
1Recline switch button
2Recline switch button
3Lumbar support switch button
4Side protector
5Cap reverse
6Front cap
7Power seat switch
8Front seat belt anchor
9Cap
10Seatback cap
11Seatback trim cover
12Seat heater unit
13Seatback pad
14Seatback frame
15Side airbag cap
16Lumbar support motor
17Seatback rigid plate
18Cushion trim cover
19Seat heater unit
20Cushion pad
21Cushion frame
22Slide adjuster

Manual Seat — Passenger Side​

#Part
1Recline lever
2Side protector
3Cap reverse
4Front seat belt anchor
5Cap
6Seatback trim cover
7Seatback pad
8Seatback frame
9Side airbag cap
10Cushion trim cover
11Cushion pad
12Cushion frame
13Slide adjuster

Tools Required​

  • 10 mm socket (battery terminal)
  • 14 mm socket (seat mounting bolts)
  • Small flat screwdriver (electrical connectors)

Two-Tone Leather Restoration (DIY)​

This procedure restores worn two-tone leather seats (black and red). It uses leather dye products to refresh the color on worn areas.

Source: Rx8France DIY by lapinxx

Products Used​

  • F024 (red) and F034 (black) leather dye — these are color-matched equivalents. A professional leather workshop can also create custom-matched colors.
  • The Mazda two-tone references are FF3 (red) and FF4 (black), specific to Mazda.
  • Dye application pad (typically included with the product)
  • Hair dryer

Preparation​

  1. Remove the seats (see procedure above)
  2. Clean the leather thoroughly using the following method:
    • Marseille soap and warm water
    • Scrub with a soft cloth or sponge
    • Rinse and let dry completely

For more details on leather cleaning, see the Rx8France leather cleaning tutorial.

:::tip Alternative Cleaning Products Glycerin soap (readily available and inexpensive at equestrian/sporting goods stores for saddle maintenance) works well. Equestrian shops also carry suitable leather oils and lotions at lower cost than dedicated automotive products. :::

Dye Application​

  1. Ensure the seats are completely clean and dry
  2. Apply the dye to the supplied pad
  3. Dab the product onto the worn area
  4. Spread in circular motions
  5. Dry with a hair dryer
  6. If the result is not pronounced enough, repeat the application

Aftercare​

  • Wait 24 hours before applying any leather conditioner or nourishing product
  • The dye is resistant once properly applied — it will not transfer under normal use

Reinstallation​

Reinstall the seats following the reverse of the removal procedure above.

Additional Resources​