Page 139 of 711
3–61
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.
Trailer hitch installation area
Unit: mm (in)
MAX. 50 Kg (110 lb)
Hitch coupling point
A
BA:350—420 (13.8—16.5)
B:746.3 (29.382)
C:1017.9 (40.075)
C
C
Ty r e s
When towing a trailer, make sure all tyres are in À 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 in À ation pressures should conform to tyre manufacturer speci ¿ 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.
Page 140 of 711
3–62
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 3-56 ), 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.
Page 141 of 711
3–63
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 traf ¿ 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.
Page 142 of 711
3–64
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 ¿ 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.
Page 165 of 711
4–23
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the vehicle roll prevention function.
The vehicle roll prevention function is a supplementary function which operates
for a maximum of four seconds after releasing the brake pedal and accelerating the
vehicle from an engine idling stop condition. Over reliance on the system may result
in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly accelerate. Before starting
to drive the vehicle, always con ¿ rm the safety of the surroundings and operate the
selector lever, brake pedal, and accelerator pedal appropriately. Note that the vehicle
may move suddenly depending on the grade of the road, the vehicle's load, or if it is
towing something.
Note that the vehicle may move suddenly after the vehicle roll prevention function is
released while the vehicle is under the following conditions:
The selector lever is in the N position.
If the selector lever is shifted to the N position and the brake pedal is released
while the i-stop function is operating, the brake force is gradually released. To
accelerate the vehicle, release the brake pedal after the engine restarts and shift
the selector lever to a position other than the N position.
NOTE
When the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade, the vehicle roll prevention function does
not operate because engine idling is not stopped.
The brake pedal response may change, sound may occur from the brakes, or the
brake pedal could vibrate from the operation of the vehicle roll prevention function.
However, this does not indicate a malfunction.
Page 197 of 711
4–55
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
*Some models.
NOTE
The gear shift indicator turns off when
the following operations are performed.
The vehicle is stopped.
Manual shift mode is cancelled.
Manually Shifting Up
You can shift gears up by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches
* .
M 1 : M2 : M3 : M4 : M5 : M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back
once.
Using steering shift switch *
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
¿ ngers.
UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using ¿ ngers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver's air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be impacted
causing injury.
Page 198 of 711
4–56
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
*Some models.
NOTE
When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In
addition, manual shift mode switches
to automatic shift mode while the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed.
This function is cancelled while
the DSC is turned off. However,
if the vehicle is continuously
driven at a high rpm, the gears may
automatically shift up to protect the
engine.
The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever
is in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
)
is pulled rearward for a suf ¿ cient
amount of time.
Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches
* .
M 6 : M5 : M4 : M3 : M2: M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.
Using steering shift switch
*
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
¿ ngers.
DOWN switch (-)
Page 208 of 711
4–66
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.
High beam
Low beam
When the headlight high-beams are on,
the headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.
Flashing the Headlights
Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
T o À ash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).
OFF
Headlight
flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light
in the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to the
normal position when released.
