Black plate (52,1)
WARNING
Use the tether and tether anchor only
for a child-restraint system:
Using the tether or tether anchor to
secure anything but a child-restraint
system is dangerous. This could
weaken or damage the tether or
tether anchor and result in injury.
Always route the tether strap between
the head restraint and the seatback:
Routing the tether strap on top of the
head restraint is dangerous. In a
collision the tether strap could slide
off the head restraint and loosen the
child-restraint system. The child-
restraint system could move which
may result in death or injury to the
child.
Always attach the tether strap to the
correct tether anchor position:
Attaching the tether strap to the
incorrect tether anchor position is
dangerous. In a collision, the tether
strap could come off and loosen the
child-restraint system. If the child-
restraint system moves it could result
in death or injury to the child.
qThird-Row Seats Child-Restraint
System Installation
The third-row seats cannot accommodate
LATCH-type child-restraint systems or
tethers, therefore these systems must be
installed on the other seat positions such
as the second-row seat. If this not
possible, LATCH-type child-restraint
systems should be installed to a third-row
seat using the seat belt depending on
whether the child-restraint manufacturer
allows their use without LATCH
attachments and tether anchors.
Follow these manufacturer's instructions
when using a child-restraint system.
NOTE
Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Depending on the type of child-restraint
system, it may not employ seat belts which are
in automatic locking mode.
1. Secure the child-restraint system with
the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
See the manufacturer's instructions on
the child-restraint system for belt
routing instructions.
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page52
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:50 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (53,1)
2. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
3. Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking
from the retractor will be heard during
retraction if the system is in the
automatic locking mode. If the belt
does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat this step.
NOTE
Inspect this function before each use of the
child-restraint system. You should not be able
to pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor
while the system is in the automatic locking
mode. When you remove the child-restraint
system, be sure the belt fully retracts to return
the system to emergency locking mode before
occupants use the seat belts.
qIf You Must Use the Front Seat
for Children
If you cannot put all children in the rear
seats, at least put the smallest children in
the rear and be sure the largest child up
front uses the shoulder belt over the
shoulder.
NEVER put a rear-facing child-restraint
system on the front passenger seat, even
with a seat weight sensor equipped
vehicle.
This seat is also not set up for tethered
child-restraint systems, put them in one of
the rear seat positions set up with tether
anchors.
Likewise the LATCH child-restraint
system cannot be secured in the front
passenger's seat and should be used in the
second-row seats.
Do not allow anyone to sleep against the
side window if you have an optional side
and curtain air bag, it could cause serious
injuries to an out of position occupant. As
children more often sleep in cars, it is
better to put them in the rear seat. If
installing the child-restraint system on the
front seat is unavoidable, follow these
instructions when using a front-facing
child-restraint system in the front
passenger's seat.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-41
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page53
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:50 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (114,1)
2.(With power liftgate)
Push the liftgate while pressing the lever
down.
(Without power liftgate)
Turn the lever to the right to unlock the
liftgate
With power liftgateLever
Lever
Without power liftgate
After performing this emergency measure,
have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Manually closing the liftgate
Use both hands to push the liftgate down
until the lock snaps shut. Do not slam it.
Pull up on the liftgate to make sure it is
securely latched.
qPower Liftgateí
The power liftgate opens/closes
electrically by operating switches in the
vehicle or the buttons on the keyless entry
system transmitter.
Refer to Keyless Entry System on page
3-13.
WARNING
Be sure to watch the power liftgate as
it opens or closes, and make sure that
it closes completely:
Opening or closing the power liftgate
while not watching it move is
dangerous. Because of unseen
obstacles and the jam-safe feature, a
liftgate may not close completely
and, if left unnoticed, could result in
serious injury or death if an occupant
were to fall out of the vehicle.
Always be sure that the area around
the liftgate is clear before activating
it.
Always confirm the safety of the area
around the power liftgate before
operating it electrically.
Not checking the area around the
liftgate for people before operating it
using the power liftgate switch or the
button on the keyless entry system is
dangerous. A person could become
caught between the liftgate and an
obstruction while it is opening
electrically or between the liftgate
and vehicle while it is closing
electrically, resulting in an accident
and serious injury.
Always be sure the power liftgate
completely closes before shifting into
gear and driving the vehicle:
Shifting out of Park (P) while the
liftgate is moving is dangerous. The
liftgate will not close completely and
this could result in serious injury or
death if an occupant were to fall out
of the vehicle. Occupants in the
vehicle will also not have full
protection in a collision.
3-32
Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Doors and Locks
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page114
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:51 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (137,1)
NOTElIf the security indicator light illuminates
and stays on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position, the engine will
not start.
lSignals from a TV or radio station, or from
a transceiver or a mobile telephone, could
interfere with your immobilizer system. If
you are using the proper key and your
engine fails to start, check the security
indicator light. If it is flashing, remove the
ignition key and wait 2 seconds or more,
then reinsert it and try starting the engine
again. If it does not start after 3 or more
tries, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do not
shut off the engine. Go to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and have it checked. If you
shut off the engine while the light is
flashing you will not be able to restart it.
lSince the electronic codes are reset when
repairing the immobilizer system, the keys
are needed. Bring all the existing keys to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qModification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
system's operation if the system has been
modified or if any add-on equipment has
been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to the immobilizer
system or the vehicle.
Theft-Deterrent Systemí
If the theft deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
Refer to Operation on page 3-55.
NOTE
lThe theft-deterrent system operates with the
advanced keyless function, keyless entry
system or the auxiliary key.
The system operates only when the driver is
in the vehicle or within operational range
while the advanced key is being carried.
lThe system will not function unless it is
properly armed. To properly secure the
vehicle, always make sure all windows are
completely closed and all doors and the
liftgate are locked before leaving the
vehicle. Remember to take your advanced
key.
qOperation
What turns it on:
lForcing open a door, the hood or the
liftgate.
lOpening a door or the hood by
operating an inside door-lock knob or
the hood release handle.
What it does:
lThe horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash.
lThe alarm continues for about 30
seconds, then stops.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door or the
liftgate is unlocked with the key or with
the transmitter.
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
3-55íSome models. CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page137
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:51 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (180,1)
Manually Shifting down
(M6→M5→M4→M3→M2→
M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the gear may
not shift down depending on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Second gear fixed mode
When the shift lever is tapped back (
)
while the vehicle is stopped, the transaxle
is set in the second gear fixed mode. The
gear is fixed in second while in this mode
for easier starting and driving on slippery
roads. If the shift lever is tapped back (
)
or forward (
) while in the second gear
fixed mode, the mode will be canceled.
Shifting specification
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→M2You can shift up to M2 whether the
vehicle is stopped or moving.
M2→M3 15 km/h (10 mph)
M3→M4 29 km/h (19 mph)
M4→M5 40 km/h (25 mph)
M5→M6 50 km/h (32 mph)
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted to a lower gear so as to
protect the transaxle.
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 230 km/h (142 mph)
M5→M4 201 km/h (124 mph)
M4→M3 150 km/h (93 mph)
M3→M2 96 km/h (59 mph)
M2→M1 49 km/h (30 mph)
5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page180
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (181,1)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 47 km/h (29 mph)
M5→M4 37 km/h (22 mph)
M4→M3 26 km/h (16 mph)
M3 or M2→M1 9 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear fixed
mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 230 km/h (142 mph)
M5→M4 90 km/h (55 mph)
M4→M3 65 km/h (40 mph)
M3→M2 40 km/h (24 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page181
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (182,1)
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power
steering system.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Operation
í
AWD provides excellent driveability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page182
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F
Black plate (193,1)
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the pressure for each tire.
If tire pressure is too low in one or more tires, the system will inform the driver via the
warning light in the instrument panel and by the warning beep sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each wheel send tire pressure data by radio signal to
the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
NOTE
When the ambient temperature is low due to seasonal changes, tire temperatures are also lower.
When the tire temperature decreases, the air pressure decreases as well. The TPMS warning light
may illuminate more frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily before driving, and check tire
pressures monthly with a tire pressure gauge. When checking tire pressures, use of a digital tire
pressure gauge is recommended.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to check the pressure and condition of all four tires
regularly.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-27íSome models. CX-9_8Z66-EA-08F_Edition3 Page193
Tuesday, March 31 2009 1:52 PM
Form No.8Z66-EA-08F