Black plate (167,1)
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
lHave your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.lBefore starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all vehicle-
to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving a short
distance.
Driving
lYour Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing,
and stopping in a traffic-free area.
lTake time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.lAllow more room between your vehicle and the one in front because braking distance
increases with a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle
and trailer length between your Mazda and the vehicle ahead.
lAvoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.lAvoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially
so on wet or slippery roads.
lShift the shift lever to the D position when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when
heavily loaded.
The D position will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden turns, and tight turns. Slow down before turning to
avoid the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns that
are larger than normal.
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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Form No.8AU2-EA-09G
Black plate (183,1)
qActive Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transaxle shift
points to best suit the road conditions and
driver input. This optimizes engine
performance and improves driving
comfort. When cornering the vehicle,
AAS mode will hold the transaxle in the
gear the vehicle was in before entering the
curve, allowing the vehicle to be
accelerated from the same gear after
exiting the curve.
If the driver accelerates rapidly, or
accelerates and decelerates rapidly by
operating the accelerator and brake pedal
for a certain period of time while the
selector lever is in the D position, AAS
mode could activate. When this occurs,
AAS mode will maintain the transaxle in
the optimum gear and the driver may
sense that the transaxle is not shifting,
however this does not indicate an
abnormality.
qShift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.NOTE
lWhen the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position, the shift lever cannot be shifted
from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,the
ignition key cannot be removed unless the
shift lever is in P.
l(With Advanced Key)
The ignition switch cannot be turned from
the ACC to the LOCK position when the
shift lever is not in P.
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while driving
will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-13
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Form No.8AU2-EA-09G
Black plate (208,1)
qSafety Certification
Radiation Hazard
This BSM (blind spot monitoring) device
emits intentional electromagnetic
radiation in the 24 GHz to 25 GHz
frequency range. The total radiated
average power over the entire bandwidth
is below_
14 dBm (40 µW). The active
emitting antenna surface is 72 cm
2;
therefore the radiated power density in
front of the BSM device is 0.55 µW/cm
2.
This value is far below the legal human
exposure protection limit of 1 mW/
cm
2(MPE) in Europe and US.
Declaration of compliance for 24 GHz
blind spot radar
(U.S.A)
FCC ID: KR5SV2008BSD
This vehicle is equipped with a 24 GHz
blind spot monitoring (BSM) radar
system, which complies with part 15 of
the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
3. This device may only work when the
vehicle is in operation pursuant to
§15.252 (a) (4).(CANADA)
ICDCE2008075 (temporary permission
until RSS·220 is in force)
This vehicle is equipped with a 24 GHz
blind spot monitoring (BSM) radar
system, which complies with the (actually
draft) RSS·220 standard of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
3. This device may only work when the
vehicle is in operation pursuant to
RSS·220 5.2 (b)
NOTE
During printing time of this user manual the
approvals listed below are granted. Further
countries may become available or actual
certification identifiers may be subject to
change or update.
WARNING
Changes or modifications not
expressively approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void
the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8AU2-EA-09G
Black plate (226,1)
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the start knob has
not been returned to the LOCK
position to notify the driver that the
advanced key has been removed from
the vehicle. It will stop flashing when
the advanced key is back inside the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position, the driver's
door is open, and the advanced key
is removed from the vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position and all the
doors are closed after removing the
advanced key from the vehicle.
NOTE
The flashing KEY warning light (red) and the
beep sound operate simultaneously (page
3-22).
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the start knob is pushed in from the
LOCK position, the system confirms that
the correct advanced key is inside the
vehicle, the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates, and the start knob can be
turned to the ACC position (page 3-10).
When flashing
When the advanced key battery power is
low, the KEY indicator light flashes for 30
seconds after the start knob is turned from
the ON position to the ACC or LOCK
position. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable (page 3-7).NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Setting Change (Function
Customization)(page 3-21).
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
from the ON to the ACC position and the
immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then turns off.
If the engine does not start with the
correct ignition key, and the security
indicator light keeps illuminating or
flashing, the system may have a
malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-56
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8AU2-EA-09G
Black plate (233,1)
NOTElThe headlights, other exterior lights and
dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if the surrounding area
becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is nighttime if the
surrounding area is continuously dark for
several minutes such as inside long tunnels,
traffic jams inside tunnels, or in indoor
parking lots.
In this case, the light turns off if the light
switch is turned to the OFF position.
lThe dashboard illumination can be
adjusted by rotating the knob in the
instrument cluster. Also, the day/night mode
can be changed by pressing the knob. To
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
illumination: Refer to Dashboard
Illumination on page 5-42.
lThe sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be
changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement
is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flicker, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted and a
replacement is necessary. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qLights-On Reminderí
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is used
and the start knob is in the ACC position, the
Start Knob Not in Lock Warning Beep (page
3-19) overrides the lights-on reminder.
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Press the lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to its original position
for the low beams.
Type A
High beam
Low beam
Type B
High beam
Low beam
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-63íSome models. CX-9_8AU2-EA-09G_Edition5 Page233
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qFlashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does
not need to be on). The lever will return to
the normal position when released.
Type A
OFF
Flashing
Type B
OFF
Flashing
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The headlight leveling switch adjusts this
angle.
Select the proper setting from the following chart.
Front seat Rear seat
LoadSwitch
Position
Driver
PassengerSecond-
rowThird-
row
×――――0
××―― ―0
××―×―1
××××―1
××××× 2
×―――×3
×: Yes
―:No
qDaytime Running Lights (Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
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Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off when the
parking brake is applied.Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
qTurn Signal
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
(Type A)
Right turn
Left turn Right lane change
Left lane changeOFF
(Type B)
Right turn
Left turn Right lane change
Left lane changeOFF
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8AU2-EA-09G
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Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the fan control dial on for a long
period of time with the ignition switch in the
ON position when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along with the
heater to dehumidify the air.
qOutside/Recirculated Air Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
should be used only when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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