Black plate (131,1)
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
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.
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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).
Before Driving
Towing
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lIn the following cases, the activation of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the
warning beep may not occur or they may be delayed.
lA vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.lDriving on steep slopes.lCrossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.lThe turning radius is small (making a sharp curve, turning at intersections).lWhen there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent lane.lDirectly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system becomes
operable.
lIf the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The detection area
of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of expressways.
lThe Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights may turn on in reaction to stationary objects on
the road or the roadside such as guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles.
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.
lA Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may flash or the warning beep may be activated
several times when making a turn at a city intersection.
lTurn off the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory
such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves
will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
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lUnder the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be
difficult to detect them.
lThe vehicle speed when reversing is about 12 km/h (7 mph) or faster.lThe radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked vehicle.
Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no longer
obstructed.)
Your vehicle
lA vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
lThe vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
lDirectly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system becomes
operable.
lIn the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
lSnow or ice adheres to the door mirrors.lThe front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.lTurn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory
such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted
by the radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
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NOTElUnder the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles ahead
or obstructions correctly and each system may not operate normally.
lThe rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not reflect 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.
lVehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for reflecting radio waves.lVisibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its tires and
onto your windshield.
lThe trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are
occupied.
lIce, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.lDuring inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.lWhen driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.lUnder the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles ahead
or obstructions.
lThe beginning and end of a curve.lRoads with continuous curves.lNarrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.lThe vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.lThe vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage.lRoads with repeated up and down slopeslDriving on poor roads or unpaved roads.lThe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.lA vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.lTo prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specified size, manufacturer,
brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires with significantly
different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle (Including the temporary spare tire).
lIf the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.lWhen driving on roads with little traffic and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the radar
sensor (front) to detect,“Radar blocked”may be temporarily displayed, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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NOTElThe detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases, the
detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally.
lThe rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed.lSnow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper.lUnder bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.lUnder the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be
difficult to detect them.
lStationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles,
pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts.
lVehicle shapes which do not reflect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low vehicle
height and sports cars.
lVehicles are shipped with the direction of the radar sensors (rear) adjusted for each vehicle to a
loaded vehicle condition so that the radar sensors (rear) detect approaching vehicles correctly. If
the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some reason, have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lFor repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork, and
replacement near the radar sensors, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lTurn off the system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will be
blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
lThe radar sensors are regulated by the relevant radio wave laws of the country in which the
vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is driven abroad, authorization from the country in which the
vehicle is driven may be required.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 km 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128
×1000 miles 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
Cabin air filterReplace when any equivalent timing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval:24 months/48,000 km (30,000 miles))
Chart symbols:
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
T:Tighten
Remarks:
*1 The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year or within 16,000 km (10,000 miles) since last
engine oil and filter change. The system must be reset whenever replacing the engine oil regardless of the
message/wrench indicator light display.
*2 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Using engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*3 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*4 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*5 If the vehicle is operated primarily under any of the following conditions, replace the rear differential oil at
every 48,000 km (30,000 miles).
a) Towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier
b) Driving in dusty, sandy or wet conditions
c) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation
d) Repeated short trips of less than 16 km (10 miles)
*6 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
6-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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