2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK trailer

3–67
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Hitch
When towing a trailer, use an appropriate trailer hitch. We recommend using a genuine
Mazda trailer hitch. Use the original holes drilled by the vehicle manufacture for securing
the trailer hitch. Contact your Authorised Mazda Dealer for more information.
C
Unit:mm(in)
A
BCA:350—420 (13.8—16.5)
B:1049.3 (41.311)
C:1046.9 (41.217) Trailer hitch installation area (Saloon)
MAX 75 Kg (165 lb)
Hitch coupling point
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3–68
Before Driving
Towing
C
Unit:mm(in)
A
BCA:350—420 (13.8—16.5)
B:931.3 (36.67)
C:1046.9 (41.217) Trailer hitch installation area (Hatchback)
MAX 75 Kg (165 lb)
Hitch coupling point
Ty r e s
When towing a trailer, make sure all tyres are infl ated to the recommended cold-tyre
pressure, as indicated on the tyre pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tyre size,
load rating, and infl ation pressures should conform to tyre manufacturer specifi cations.
WARNING
Never use the temporary spare tyre when towing:
Using the temporary spare tyre on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as it
could result in tyre failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
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3–69
Before Driving
Towing
Safety 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.
Trailer Lights
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. To connect the
lighting system, consult an Authorised Mazda Dealer.
Trailer Brakes
Check the Maximum trailer towing-load table in Weight Limits (page 3-61 ), and if your
trailer weight exceeds the value in the TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT (Trailer without brake),
trailer brakes are required.
If your trailer has brakes, make sure they meet 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.
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3–70
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing Tips
Before driving
 




 Verify 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 nose weight, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading. Have the vehicle
inspected by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
 


 Make sure the trailer cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.



 Make sure the mirrors meet all government regulations. Inspect them.



 Before 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
 




 Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and
stopping in a traffi c-free area.




 Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.



 Do not exceed 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow. If the local legal maximum speed
with a trailer in tow is less than 100 km/h (62 mph), do not exceed the legal speed.
CAUTION
If the vehicle exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow, the vehicle could be
damaged.
 


 When ascending a hill, shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or
overheating the engine, or both.
 


 When descending a hill, shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking
effect. Pay constant attention to speed and use the brakes only as needed. Holding the
brake pedal down for a prolonged period may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
power.
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3–71
Before Driving
Towing
Parking
Avoid parking on an incline with a trailer. If this must be done, follow these instructions.
Parking on an Incline
1. Set the parking brake and the brakes.
2. Have someone block the wheels of the vehicle and trailer while you apply the brakes.
3. After the wheels are blocked, release the parking brake and the brakes slowly, allowing
the blocks to bear the load.
4. Set the parking brake fi rmly.
5. If the vehicle has an automatic transaxle, put the selector lever in P. If it has a manual
transaxle, place the gear shift in 1 or R.
Starting on an Incline
1. Start the engine (page 4-5 ).
2. Release the parking brake and slowly pull away a short distance from the wheel blocks.
3. Stop on the nearest level ground, set the parking brake, and pick up the wheel blocks.
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4–116
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  It might be impossible or diffi cult for the radar sensors (rear) to detect the following:




 Small, two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and stationary objects on or at
the edge of the road.
 


 Vehicles with body shapes off of which radar may not refl ect such as unloaded
trailers with a low vehicle height and sports cars.
 


 A vehicle is in the detection area in an adjacent lane to the rear but it is not
approaching. The system makes determinations based on the radar detection data
from approaching vehicles.
 


 Another vehicle is travelling at the same speed alongside the vehicle for extended
periods.
 


 Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.



 Another vehicle which your vehicle is attempting to pass is in an adjacent lane.



 A vehicle is in an adjacent lane which is extremely wide. The radar sensors (rear)
detection area is set according to the lane width of general freeways.
 
 In the following cases, the RVM warning indicator light and the warning chime may
not activate or they may be delayed:
 


 Another vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.



 When driving on a steep incline.



 When going over a mountain pass.



 When the turning radius is small (cornering around sharp curves, roundabouts, or
intersections).
 


 There is a difference in height between vehicle lanes.



 Immediately after this system is turned on. 

 If the lane width is extremely narrow, a vehicle in an adjacent lane two lanes over may
be detected. The radar sensors (rear) detection area is set according to the lane width of
general freeways.
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4–117
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  The RVM warning indicator light may illuminate for stationary objects in or on the
edge of the road, such as guardrails, tunnels, and side walls.

Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle.Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.
  If a trailer is being towed or a vehicle carrier is equipped to the rear of the vehicle, the
rear vehicle monitoring system may not operate correctly because radar emission could
be obstructed. Turn off the rear vehicle monitoring system.
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4–152
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  In the following cases, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles ahead
or obstructions.
 


 The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not refl ect radio waves effectively, such as
an unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
 


 Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for refl ecting radio waves.



 Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tyres and onto your windscreen.
 


 The boot/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger
seats are occupied.
 


 Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.



 During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.



 When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves. 

 In the following cases, the radar sensor (front) may detect vehicles in the opposite
lane or surrounding obstructions, or it may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or
obstructions.
 


 The beginning and end of a curve.



 Roads with continuous curves.



 Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.



 The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.



 The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage. 



 Roads with repeated up and down slopes



 Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads.



 The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.



 A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane. 

 To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tyres of the same specifi ed size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use
tyres with signifi cantly different wear patterns or tyre pressures on the same vehicle.
(Including the temporary spare tyre)
  If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly. 
 When driving on roads with little traffi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the
radar sensor (front) to detect, Smart Brake Support/Smart City Brake Support (SBS/
SCBS) warning light (amber) temporarily illuminates, however, this does not indicate
a problem.
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