Black plate (155,1)
WARNING
Always make sure the trailer hitch is securely attached before departure:
An unsecured trailer hitch is dangerous as it causes greater trailer sway from
crosswinds, rough roads or other causes, resulting in loss of control and a serious
accident.
Examine all trailer-hitch mounting bolts regularly and tighten any that are loose. If
the hitch is removed, seal any open mounting holes to prevent exhaust, dust, water,
dirt and other foreign elements from filtering in, possibly endangering personal
safety and damaging your vehicle.
Do not install a hitch that stiffens the bumper as it will reduce the bumper's
performance.
Make sure there are no exhaust gas leaks into the passenger compartment if any
mounting bolts are connected to the body:
Modifying your vehicle exhaust system is dangerous. Exhaust gas entering the
vehicle could cause loss of consciousness or even death.
When mounting the trailer hitch, make no modifications to the vehicle exhaust
system.
CAUTION
ØMake all hitch adjustments with actual loads. Don't load and unload vehicle while
adjusting hitch. This action will change the vehicle height.
ØDon't use an axle-mounted hitch. This may damage the axle and related parts.
qTires
When towing a trailer, make sure all tires are inflated to the recommended cold-tire
pressure, as indicated on the tire pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tire size,
load rating, and inflation pressures should conform to tire manufacturer specifications.
WARNING
Never use the temporary spare tire when towing:
Using the temporary spare tire on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as
it could result in tire failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-15
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (177,1)
qAWD Driving
WARNING
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvering of this vehicle is
dangerous as it could result in the
increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle roll-over, personal
injury or death.
This vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Vehicles with a higher center
of gravity such as utility and AWD
vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of
gravity.
Utility and AWD vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as
any more than low profile sports cars
are designed to perform satisfactorily
under off-road conditions. In
addition, utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
RSC might help if you get into
trouble, but then it might not be able
to allow you to fully recover, always
drive carefully with the vehicle's
height in mind.
Drive carefully when the vehicle is
loaded by lowering vehicle speed and
applying the brakes earlier:
Abrupt maneuvering and sudden
braking when driving a loaded
vehicle is dangerous as the driving
behavior of a vehicle with a high
center of gravity is different when it is
loaded compared to when it is not,
and could result in the loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
qAWD Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light will
illuminate or flash under the following
conditions:
lIlluminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.
lFlashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.
lFlashes when there are continually
large differences between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface.
If the AWD warning light illuminates:
If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If the AWD warning light flashes:
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments; if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-17
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (194,1)
lThe detectability of the radar sensors has its limitations. The BSM system may not operate
properly under the following conditions:
lIce, snow, or soil adheres to the rear bumper surface around the radar sensors.lDuring adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow, or under conditions where water is
sprayed.
lThe rear bumper area around the radar sensors is blocked by foreign material (such as
stickers or a bicycle carrier).
lThe radar sensors may not detect all types of vehicles around your vehicle, especially the
following types of vehicles:
lMotorcycleslVehicles with body shapes that radar may not reflect such as a flatbed trailer with no cargo.lVehicles with lower body height such as sports cars.lHave the radar sensors inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any shock is applied to the
rear bumper, even in a minor accident. If the vehicle is driven with a damaged radar sensor, the
system may not operate properly resulting in an accident.
lFor repairs or paintwork around the radar sensors, or replacement of the bumper, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe radar sensors of the BSM system may be regulated under the radio wave related laws of the
country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use in the U.S.A.
(including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with BSM system is driven in a country
other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned off using the BSM OFF
switch.
lThe detection area of the system has been determined based on the lane width of general
freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the system may detect vehicles on a
lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning light/beep. On a road with wider lane
width, the system may not detect vehicles on the adjacent lane and may not operate the warning
light/beep.
lOperation of the warning light/beep may be delayed or the system may not operate the warning
light/beep under the following conditions:
lThe vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.lA vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.lThe difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger when
passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short period of
time.
lOn a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.lImmediately after the system has been activated by pressing the BSM OFF switch again after it
has been turned off (BSM OFF indicator light in instrument panel illuminates) by pressing the
switch.
lAlthough the system may detect objects on the road side such as parked vehicles or guardrails and
operate the warning light/beep, it does not indicate a malfunction.
lIf the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors can
detect, the system may pause (The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument panel flashes).
However, it does not indicate a malfunction.
5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8Z28-EA-07J_Edition2 Page194
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (420,1)
CAUTION
ØDo not use your temporary spare
tire rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage
both tire and rim.
ØThe temporary spare tire has a
tread life of less than 5,000 km
(3,000 miles). The tread life may
be shorter depending on driving
conditions.
ØThe temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator
appears, replace the tire with the
same type of temporary spare
(page 8-34).
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used on the road. It is recommended
that tires generally be replaced when they are
6 years or older. Heat caused by hot climates
or frequent high loading conditions can
accelerate the aging process. You should
replace the spare tire when you replace the
other road tires due to the aging of the spare
tire. Regarding the manufacturing week and
year is indicated with 4 digit.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-24.
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
Always use wheels of the correct size
on your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.
CAUTION
ØA wrong-sized wheel may
adversely affect:
ØTire fit
ØWheel and bearing life
ØGround clearance
ØSnow-chain clearance
ØSpeedometer calibration
ØHeadlight aim
ØBumper height
ØTire Pressure Monitoring
System
ØLimited-Slip Differential System
Ø(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
ØWhen replacing/repairing the
tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be
damaged.
ØThe wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed
for installation of the tire
pressure sensors. Do not use
non-genuine wheels, otherwise
it may not be possible to install
the tire pressure sensors.
NOTE
Be sure to install the tire pressure sensors
whenever tires or wheels are replaced. Refer to
Tires and Wheels on page 5-31.
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (466,1)
Tire Labeling
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of
all tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire
and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of
a recall.
qInformation on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the diagram below.
1. TIN: U.S. DOT tire identification number
2. Passenger car tire
3. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
4. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
5. Radial
6. Rim diameter code
7. Load index & speed symbol
8. Severe snow conditions
9. Tire ply composition and materials used
10. Max. load rating
9-24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
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11. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
12. Max. permissible inflation pressure
13. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing Association).
215
“215”is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“65”is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R”is the tire construction symbol. R indicates“Radial ply construction”.
15
“15”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
9-25
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (470,1)
qInformation on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the diagram below.
1. Temporary tires
2. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
3. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
4. Diagonal
5. Rim diameter code
6. Load index&speed symbol
T115/70D 16 90M is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
T
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
11 5
“115”is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
9-28
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
CX-9_8Z28-EA-07J_Edition2 Page470
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J
Black plate (471,1)
70
“70”is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
D
“D”is the tire construction symbol. D indicates“diagonal ply construction”.
16
“16”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
90
“90”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
M
“M”is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum speed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
M 81 mph
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
9-29
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Form No.8Z28-EA-07J