2017 MAZDA MODEL CX-5 trailer

3–61
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing Tips
  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 tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloadin\
g.
   Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.  Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do \
not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
   Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.  Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer li\
ghts and all vehicle-
to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections a\
fter driving a short
distance.

Driving
   Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and
stopping in a traf fi c-free area.
   Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.  Allow more room between your vehicle and the one in front because brakin\
g 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.
   Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.  Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackkni fi ng, especially so
on wet or slippery roads.
   Shift the shift lever to the D position when towing a trailer in hilly t\
errain or when heavily
loaded.

The D position will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shiftin\
g.
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. Compensat\
e with turns that are
larger than normal.
CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 612016/12/12 10:05:39

3–62
Before Driving
Towing
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room befor\
e changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads will
affect handling.
If swaying occurs, fi rmly 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 fi rm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back sl\
owly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accid\
ent.
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 prev\
ent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or over\
heating 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 on page 7-18 .
CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 622016/12/12 10:05:39

3–63
Before Driving
Towing
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocke\
d while parked.
Apply the parking brake fi rmly 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.
 If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of t\
he front tires face the curb.
 If 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.
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 ).
CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 632016/12/12 10:05:40

4–101
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
  In the following case, the fl ashing of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator
light, and the activation of the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display
may not occur or they may be delayed.
   A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.  Driving on steep slopes.  Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.  When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
  Directly after the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system becomes operable by\
changing
the setting.
  If 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.
  The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light may turn on an\
d the vehicle
detection screen may be displayed in the display in reaction to stationary objects
(guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles) on the road or the roadside.

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
and turnouts.
   A Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light may fl ash or the warning beep
may be activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection\
.
   Turn off the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) while pulling a trailer or whi\
le 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.
  In the following cases, it may be dif fi cult to view the illumination/ fl ashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights equipped on the door mi\
rrors.
   Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.  The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 1012016/12/12 10:06:05

4–120
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
  Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be dif fi cult to detect them.
   The vehicle speed when reversing is about 15 km/h (9 mph) or faster.  The 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
  A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.

Your vehicle
  The vehicle is parked on a slant.

Your vehicle
  Directly after the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system becomes operable.  Radio wave interference from a radar sensor equipped on a nearby parked vehicle.   In the following cases, it may be dif fi cult to view the illumination/ fl ashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights equipped on the door mi\
rrors.
   Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors.  The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.   Turn off the Rear Cross Traffi c 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.

CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 1202016/12/12 10:06:09

4–16 4
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  Under 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.
  The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not re fl 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 re fl ecting radio waves.   Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield.
  The 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.   Under the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) 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 damag\
e.  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 tires of the same speci fi ed size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with signifi cantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle (Including
the temporary spare tire).
   If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.  When driving on roads with little traf fi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for
the radar sensor (front) to detect, “Front Radar Sensor Blocked” may be temporarily
displayed, however, this does not indicate a problem.

CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 1642016/12/12 10:06:18

4–16 6
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  The 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.
  The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed.  Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper.  Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.   Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be dif fi cult to detect them.
   Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts.
  Vehicle shapes which do not re fl ect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low
vehicle height and sports cars.
   Vehicles 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.
  For repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork,
and replacement near the radar sensors, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
  Turn 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.
  The 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.

CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 1662016/12/12 10:06:18

8–36
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Loading
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or\
trailer, to keep your
loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer. Properly
loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design perfo\
rmance. Before
loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for \
determining your
vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Safety Certifi cation
Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle: Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding infl ation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certifi cation and Tire and Load Information labels.

Base Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all\

standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.

Vehicle Curb Weight is the weight of your new vehicle when you picked it up from your
dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.


PAYLOAD
CX-5_8FN1-EA-16L_Edition1.indb 362016/12/12 10:07:34