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qSafety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.
WARNING
Make sure the safety chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle
prior to departure:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer
and the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision.
qTrailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer
as required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your
Mazda. This may damage your vehicle's electrical system and lighting systems. Have
a recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect
the brake lights and turn signals yourself before each trip.
qTrailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WARNING
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
qTrailer Towing Tips
lVerify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is connected. Do not drive if it has an abnormal front-up or front-down position.
Inspect for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading.
lMake sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
lMake sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
Before Driving
Towing
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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.
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Towing
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Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WARNING
Always use lower gears to reduce speed:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a
serious accident. Use lower gears to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and allow
brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-18).
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
lIf the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
lIf it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
Before Driving
Towing
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3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks.
Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 6-4).
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Before Driving
Towing
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4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine .................................... 4-2
Ignition Switch .................................... 4-2
Starting the Engine
í........................... 4-3
Turning the Engine Off ....................... 4-8
Instrument Cluster and Display ............. 4-9
Meters and Gauges .............................. 4-9
Warning/Indicator Lights .................. 4-15
Transaxle ................................................ 4-31
Manual Transaxle Operation ............. 4-31
Automatic Transaxle Controls .......... 4-33
Switches and Controls ........................... 4-40
Lighting Control ............................... 4-40
Fog Lights
í...................................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 4-46
Windshield Wipers and Washer ........ 4-47
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ...... 4-51
Rear Window Defroster ..................... 4-51
Horn .................................................. 4-52
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 4-53
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
í............................................ 4-53
Brake ...................................................... 4-57
Brake System .................................... 4-57
ABS/TCS/DSC ....................................... 4-62
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .......... 4-62
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 4-63
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 4-64
AWD ....................................................... 4-65
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation... 4-65Power Steering ....................................... 4-67
Power Steering .................................. 4-67
Cruise Control ....................................... 4-68
Cruise Control ................................... 4-68
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ........ 4-71
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 4-71
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System .................................................... 4-75
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System
í............................................ 4-75
Rear View Monitor ................................ 4-79
Rear View Monitor
í........................ 4-79
4-1íSome models.
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Ignition Switch
qPush Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the driver
is in the vehicle or within operational
range while the key is being carried.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTElThe engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake
pedal (automatic transaxle). To switch the
ignition position, press the push button start
without depressing the pedal.
lDo not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing so
could result in the battery going dead. If the
ignition is left in ACC (For automatic
transaxle, the shift lever is in the P position,
and the ignition is in ACC), the ignition
switches off automatically after about 25
minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turn off.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the shift lever is
in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear
or R (manual transaxle):
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the shift
lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to
1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to
leave the vehicle for even a short
period, it is important to switch the
ignition off, as leaving it in another
position will disable some of the
vehicle's security systems and run the
battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber)
illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been pressed to
ACC, and the doors will not lock/unlock even
if they have been locked manually.
4-2
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
(amber) illuminates when the ignition is
switched ON and the engine is not
running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights
should be inspected before the engine is
started (page 4-15).
NOTE
When the push button start is pressed to ON,
the sound of the fuel pump motor operating
near the fuel tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engineí
WARNING
Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who
use medical devices, ask the medical
device manufacturer or your
physician if radio waves from the key
will affect the device.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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NOTElThe key must be carried because the key
carries an immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine controls at
short range.
lThe engine can be started when the push
button start is pressed from off, ACC, or
ON.
lThe advanced keyless entry system
functions can be deactivated to prevent any
possible adverse effect on a user wearing a
pacemaker or other medical device. If the
system is deactivated, you will be unable to
start the engine by carrying the key.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for
details. If the advanced keyless entry system
has been deactivated, you can start the
engine by following the procedure indicated
when the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead on page 4-6.
lAfter starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound from
the engine compartment can be heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate defect of
the parts.
lEngine-starting is controlled by the spark
ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Standard
requirements regulating the impulse
electrical field strength of radio noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.5.(Manual transaxle)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal
is not depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N and the brake pedal is not
depressed sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate. Refer to Warning/
Indicator Lights on page 4-15. If the
push button start indicator light (green)
flashes, make sure that the key is being
carried. If the push button start
indicator light (green) flashes with the
key being carried, touch the key to the
push button start and start the engine.
Refer to Engine Start Function When
Key Battery is Dead on page 4-6.
4-4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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