Black plate (100,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qSteering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down
the lock release lever under the steering
column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, and then push the lever up to
lock the column.
3. Attempt to push the steering wheel up
and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.
3-26
Before Driving
Steering Wheel
CX-5_8CT5-EA-12K_Edition1 Page100
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Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (114,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces 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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-82.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the front wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.
3-40
Before Driving
Driving Tips
CX-5_8CT5-EA-12K_Edition1 Page114
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Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (124,1)
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.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (129,1)
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine .................................... 4-2
Ignition Switch .................................... 4-2
Starting the Engine .............................. 4-3
Turning the Engine Off ....................... 4-8
Instrument Cluster and Display ........... 4-10
Meters and Gauges ............................ 4-10
Warning/Indicator Lights .................. 4-22
Transaxle ................................................ 4-44
Manual Transaxle Operation ............. 4-44
Automatic Transaxle Controls .......... 4-46
Switches and Controls ........................... 4-55
Lighting Control ............................... 4-55
Fog Lights
í...................................... 4-60
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 4-60
Windshield Wipers and Washer ........ 4-61
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ...... 4-65
Rear Window Defroster ..................... 4-66
Horn .................................................. 4-67
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 4-67
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
í............................................ 4-68
Brake ...................................................... 4-71
Brake System .................................... 4-71
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ................. 4-74
Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS)
í........................................... 4-76
ABS/TCS/DSC ....................................... 4-82
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .......... 4-82
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 4-83
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 4-84AWD ....................................................... 4-86
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation... 4-86
Power Steering ....................................... 4-88
Power Steering .................................. 4-88
Cruise Control ....................................... 4-89
Cruise Control ................................... 4-89
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ........ 4-92
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 4-92
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System .................................................... 4-96
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System
í............................................ 4-96
Rear View Monitor .............................. 4-100
Rear View Monitor
í...................... 4-100
4-1íSome models.
CX-5_8CT5-EA-12K_Edition1 Page129
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Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (177,1)
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.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode when
the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to
M1.
lIf you change to manual shift mode without
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 5th gear/6th gear, the
gear will shift to M4/M5.
Indicators
Manual shift mode indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Manual shift mode indicator
Gear position indicator
NOTElIf the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down (to protect the
transaxle).
lIf the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF)
temperature becomes too high, there is the
possibility that the transaxle will switch to
automatic shift mode, canceling manual
shift mode and turning off the gear position
indicator illumination. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indicator illumination turns back
on and driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
When Driving
Transaxle
4-49
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Friday, October 19 2012 3:11 PM
Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (187,1)
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-22.
qAdaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)í
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight beams
to the left or right in conjunction with the
operation of the steering wheel after the
headlights have been turned on and the
vehicle speed is about 2 km/h (2 mph) or
higher.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-22.
AFS OFF switch
Pressing the AFS OFF switch turns off the
AFS. The AFS OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Pressing the AFS OFF switch again turns
off the switch illumination and turns on
the AFS operation. The AFS OFF
indicator light turns off.
qDaytime Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles
to have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
Daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the ignition is
switched ON.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to the
P position (automatic transaxle vehicle).
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-10.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-59íSome models. CX-5_8CT5-EA-12K_Edition1 Page187
Friday, October 19 2012 3:11 PM
Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (205,1)
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system:
ØThe Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is only designed to reduce damage in
the event of a collision. Over reliance on the system leading to the accelerator
pedal or brake pedal being mistakenly operated could result in an accident.
ØThe Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) is a system which operates in response to a
vehicle ahead. It does not apply to 2-wheeled vehicles or pedestrians.
ØThe laser sensor for the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is installed near
the rearview mirror. To assure the correct operation of the Smart City Brake
Support (SCBS), heed the following cautions.
ØDo not apply stickers to the surface of the windshield near the laser sensor
(including transparent stickers). Otherwise, the laser sensor may not be able to
detect vehicles or obstructions ahead which could result in an accident.
ØDo not disassemble the laser sensor.
ØIf cracks or damage caused by flying gravel or debris is visible near the laser
sensor, stop using the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system immediately
and have your vehicle inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If the vehicle
continues to be driven with cracks or scratch marks left on the windshield near
the laser sensor, the system may operate unnecessarily and cause an
unexpected accident.
Refer to Stopping The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) System Operation on
page 4-81.
ØWhen replacing the windshield wipers or windshield, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Do not modify the suspension:
If the vehicle height or inclination is changed, the system will not be able to correctly
detect vehicles or obstructions ahead. This will result in the Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS) system not operating normally or mistakenly operating, which could cause a
serious accident.
Turn off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) when the vehicle is running on a chassis
roller:
ØTurn off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system to prevent mistaken
operation when the vehicle is running on a chassis roller.
Refer to Stopping The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) System Operation on page
4-81.
When Driving
Brake
4-77
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Form No.8CT5-EA-12K
Black plate (213,1)
CAUTION
ØThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
ØUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
ØUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
ØDo not mix worn tires.
ØThe DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
4-85
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Form No.8CT5-EA-12K