Black plate (122,1)
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.
3-50
Before Driving
Towing
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (131,1)
2. Verify that the push button start
indicator light (green) flashes.
NOTE
The push button start indicator light (green)
will flash even if the push button start is
pressed before depressing the brake pedal
(automatic transaxle) or the clutch pedal
(manual transaxle). If the clutch pedal is
depressed (manual transaxle) or the brake
pedal is depressed (automatic transaxle) under
this condition, the engine can be started by
resuming the procedure following this.
3. Touch the push button start using the
backside of the key (as shown) while
the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes.
Key
Indicator light
Push button start
4. After the push button start indicator
light (green) changes to full
illumination, press the push button start
with your finger.NOTE
lThe engine cannot be started unless the
clutch pedal is fully depressed (manual
transaxle) or the brake pedal is fully
depressed (automatic transaxle).
lIf there is a malfunction with the push
button start function, the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes. In this case,
the engine may start, however, have the
vehicle checked at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
lIf the push button start indicator light
(green) does not illuminate, perform the
operation from the beginning again. If it
does not illuminate, have the vehicle
checked at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf you just want to change the ignition
position (with a dead key battery), after the
push button start indicator light (green)
changes to illumination, release the brake
pedal (automatic transaxle) or the clutch
pedal (manual transaxle), and press the
push button start. The ignition switches in
the order of ACC, ON, and OFF each time
it is pressed. Once the ignition switches off,
the ignition position can no longer be
switched. Therefore, if the engine starts,
perform the operation from the beginning
again.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (164,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
lTurn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination on or off.
lA system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-15.
NOTE
lIf the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off (if equipped) approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
lTo prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless safety
requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On On
Daytime running lights On Off On Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard illuminationOff Off On On On On
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
CX-5_8CA5-EA-11L_Edition3 Page164
Friday, June 22 2012 3:45 PM
Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (167,1)
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
position.l(Without auto headlight off function)
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched to ACC or the
ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination will turn
off.
lThe dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster. Also,
the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard. To adjust the
brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-11.
lThe sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
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.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-43íSome models. CX-5_8CA5-EA-11L_Edition3 Page167
Friday, June 22 2012 3:45 PM
Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (170,1)
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
NOTElIf an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one of
the turn signal bulbs may be burned out.
lA personalized function is available to
change the turn indicator sound volume.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
qTurn Signals
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.
Right turn
Left turn Right lane change
Left lane changeOFF
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
qLane-Change Signals
(Without Smart Turn)
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change―until the
indicator flashes―and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
(With Smart Turn)
To signal a lane change, press the turn
signal lever up or down halfway and
release. After releasing the lever, the turn
signal indicator flashes three times.
NOTE
A personalized function is available to change
the number of flashes.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
4-46
When Driving
Switches and Controls
CX-5_8CA5-EA-11L_Edition3 Page170
Friday, June 22 2012 3:45 PM
Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (179,1)
NOTE
If the HomeLink indicator light does not
change to a rapidly blinking light, contact
HomeLink atwww.homelink.comor call1-
800-355-3515for assistance.
4. Firmly press and hold the programmed
HomeLink button for five seconds, and
then release it. Perform this operation
two times to activate the door. If the
door does not activate, press and hold
the just-trained HomeLink button and
observe the indicator light.
If the indicator lightstays on constantly,
programming is completeand your
device should activate when the
HomeLink button is pressed and released.
NOTE
To program the remaining two HomeLink
buttons, begin with“Programming”―step 1.
If the indicator light blinksrapidly for
two seconds and then turns to a
constant light, continue with
“Programming”steps 5―7to complete
the programming of a rolling code
equipped device (most commonly a
garage door opener).
5. At the garage door opener receiver
(motor-head unit) in the garage, locate
the“learn”or“smart”button. This can
usually be found where the hanging
antenna wire is attached to the motor-
head unit.
6. Firmly press and release the“learn”or
“smart”button. (The name and color of
the button may vary by manufacturer.)
NOTE
There are 30 seconds in which to initiate step
7.
7. Return to the vehicle and firmlypress,
hold for two seconds and releasethe
programmed HomeLink button. Repeat
the“press/hold/release”sequence a
second time, and, depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or
other rolling code equipped device),
repeat this sequence a third time to
complete the programming process.
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
NOTE
To program the remaining two HomeLink
buttons, begin with“Programming”―step 1.
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink atwww.homelink.comor1-
800-355-3515.
qGate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to“time-out”(or quit)
after several seconds of transmission―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to“time-out”in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the“Programming”procedures
(regardless of where you live),replace
“Programming HomeLink”step 2with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device
during the“cycling”process to prevent
possible overheating.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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Friday, June 22 2012 3:45 PM
Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (194,1)
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed. Press the SET
or
SET - switch and release it immediately.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up temporarily
when the cruise control is on. Greater speed
will not interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to return to
the set speed.
qTo Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET - switch and hold it. The
vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Press the SET- switch and release it
immediately to adjust the preset speed.
Multiple operations will decrease the
preset speed according to the number of
times it is operated.
Decreasing speed with a single SET-
operation
Meter display for vehicle speed indicated
in km/h: 1 km/h (0.6 mph)
Meter display for vehicle speed indicated
in mph: 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
qTo Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 25 km/h (16 mph)
If some other method besides the OFF
switch was used to cancel cruising speed
(such as applying the brake pedal) and the
system is still activated, the most recent
set speed will automatically resume when
the RES switch is pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 25 km/h (16
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 25
km/h (16 mph) or more and press the RES
switch.
qTo Temporarily Cancel
To temporarily cancel the system, use one
of these methods:
lPress the OFF switch.lSlightly depress the brake pedal.lDepress the clutch pedal (Manual
transaxle only).
lPress the CANCEL switch.
If the RESUME switch is pressed when
the vehicle speed is 25 km/h or higher, the
system reverts to the previously set speed.
qTo Deactivate
To deactivate the system, press the OFF
switch.
4-70
When Driving
Cruise Control
CX-5_8CA5-EA-11L_Edition3 Page194
Friday, June 22 2012 3:45 PM
Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (229,1)
Multipath noise
Since FM signals can be reflected by
obstructions, it is possible to receive both
the direct signal and the reflected signal at
the same time. This causes a slight delay
in reception and may be heard as a broken
sound or a distortion. This problem may
also be encountered when in close
proximity to the transmitter.
Reflected wave
Direct
Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in
straight lines and become weak in valleys
between tall buildings, mountains, and
other obstacles. When a vehicle passes
through such an area, the reception
conditions may change suddenly, resulting
in annoying noise.
Weak signal noise
In suburban areas, broadcast signals
become weak because of distance from
the transmitter. Reception in such fringe
areas is characterized by sound breakup.
Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter
tower. The broadcast signals are
extremely strong, so the result is noise and
sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two
strong stations broadcasting at similar
frequencies, the original station may be
temporarily lost and the second station
picked up. At this time there will be some
noise from this disturbance.
Station 2
88.3 MHz Station 1
88.1 MHz
Interior Features
Audio System
5-15
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L