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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Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-20) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-21) and
carefully follow the instructions.
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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 .................. 4-20
Transaxle ................................................ 4-47
Manual Transaxle Operation ............. 4-47
Automatic Transaxle Controls .......... 4-49
Switches and Controls ........................... 4-58
Lighting Control ............................... 4-58
Fog Lights
í...................................... 4-63
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 4-63
Windshield Wipers and Washer ........ 4-64
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ...... 4-68
Rear Window Defogger .................... 4-69
Horn .................................................. 4-70
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 4-70
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
í............................................ 4-71
Brake ...................................................... 4-74
Brake System .................................... 4-74
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ................. 4-78
ABS/TCS/DSC ....................................... 4-80
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .......... 4-80
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 4-81
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 4-82
Fuel Economy Monitor ......................... 4-84
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-84Drive Selection ....................................... 4-86
Drive Selection (Automatic
Transaxle) ......................................... 4-86
AWD ....................................................... 4-87
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation... 4-87
Power Steering ....................................... 4-89
Power Steering .................................. 4-89
i-ACTIVSENSE ..................................... 4-90
i-ACTIVSENSE
í............................. 4-90
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)í... 4-92
High Beam Control System (HBC)í... 4-93
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
í......................................... 4-96
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Systemí... 4-102
Distance Recognition Support System
(DRSS)
í......................................... 4-108
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)í... 4-111
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)í... 4-116
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)í... 4-126
Smart Brake Support (SBS)í......... 4-131
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)í... 4-134
Radar Sensor (Front)í.................... 4-137
Laser Sensor (Front)í..................... 4-140
Radar Sensors (Rear)í................... 4-142
Cruise Control ..................................... 4-144
Cruise Control
í.............................. 4-144
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 4-148
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .... 4-148
Rear View Monitor .............................. 4-152
Rear View Monitor
í...................... 4-152
4-1íSome models.
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WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qElectric Parking Brake Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The warning light illuminates when the
system has a malfunction. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
qBrake Pedal Operation Demand
Indicator Light (Type B)
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The light turns on when the electric
parking brake is released using the electric
parking brake switch without depressing
the brake pedal.
qCharging System Warning
Indication/Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If the warning light/indication illuminates
while driving, it indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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qLane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) OFF Indication/
Indicator Light
í
Type A
Press the LDWS switch to cancel the
LDWS. The LDWS OFF indication is
displayed.
If the indication remains displayed even
though the LDWS switch has been
operated, it indicates a problem in the
system. Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Type B
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
A problem in the system may be indicated
under the following conditions. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lThe light does not turn on when the
ignition is switched ON.
lIt remains illuminated even though the
LDWS switch has been switched off.
CAUTION
ØAlways use tires for all wheels that
are of the specified size, and the
same manufacture, brand, and
tread pattern. In addition, do not
use tires with significantly
different wear patterns on the
same vehicle. If such improper
tires are used, the LDWS may not
operate normally.
ØWhen an emergency spare tire is
used, the system may not operate
normally.
qAWD Warning Indication/
Warning Lightí
Type A
The warning indication will display under
the following conditions;
lThere is an abnormality with the AWD
system.
lThere is too much difference in tire
radius between the front and rear
wheels.
lThe differential oil temperature is
abnormally high.
lThere is a continuous large difference
between front and rear wheel rotation,
such as when trying to pull away from
an icy surface or when trying to
remove the vehicle from mud, sand or
similar conditions.
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When Driving
íSome models.
Instrument Cluster and Display
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When“4WD system malfunction”is
indicated
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
When“4WD system high-load”is
indicated
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments, if the indication disappears,
you can resume driving. If the indication
does not disappear, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Type B
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The warning light will illuminate or flash
under the following conditions:
lIlluminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.
lIlluminates if there is too much
difference in tire radius between the
front and rear wheels.
lFlashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.
lFlashes when there is a continuous
large difference between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface or when
trying to remove the vehicle from mud,
sand or similar conditions.
When illuminated
If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
When flashing
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments, if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qAutomatic Transaxle Warning
Indication/Warning Light
Type B
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
Type A/Type B
The light/indication illuminates when the
transaxle has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transaxle warning
light/warning indication illuminates,
the transaxle has an electrical
problem. Continuing to drive your
Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transaxle. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Warning Indication/Indicator Light
Type B
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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