2018 MAZDA MODEL CX-5 Owners Manual (in English)

High-altitude operation
CAUTION
Be aware of the towing load weight differences when towing at high altitudes. For altitudes
exceeding 1,000 meter (3,280 ft 10 in), always reduce the towing load by 10 % for every 1,000
meter (3,280 ft 10 in) increase in altitude from the load indicated under the maximum GCWR
heading in the trailer towing-load table. If the determined maximum total towing load
weight is exceeded, the engine and ot her power-train parts may be damaged.
TRAILER TOWING-LOAD TABLE
Because vehicle weights vary, adjustments must be made to meet the requirements in this
table.
Item Model
2WD AWD
MAX. FRON-
TA L A R E A
2.97 m2 (32 ft2)
MAX. TTW
907.2 kg (2,000 lb)
MAX.
GCWR
2,725 kg (6,007.5 lb) 2,784 kg (6,137.6 lb)
MAX. GAWR
Front 1,069 kg (2,357 lb) 1,089 kg (2,401 lb)
Rear 992 kg (2,187 lb) 1,029 kg (2,269 lb)
MAX.
GVWR
2,061 kg (4,544 lb) 2,118 kg (4,669 lb)
TRAIL-
ER-TONGUE
LOAD Tongue load
Tongue load/Trailer load × 100 = 10 % to 15 %
Trailer load
DISTRIBU-
TION OF
TRAILER
LOADFront 60 %
Rear 40 %
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WA R N I N G
Always keep tow loads within specified limits as indicated in the Trailer Towing-Load Table:
Attempting to tow loads greater than those sp ecified is dangerous as it may cause serious
handling and performance problems that could res ult in personal injury or vehicle damage,
or both.
Load your trailer with the weight about 60 % toward the front and 40 % toward the rear:
Loading the trailer with more weight in the rear than in the front is dangerous. Doing so could
cause you to lose control. The tr ailer tongue load must be 10 %―15 % of the total trailer load
(sum of the weights of the trailer and cargo).
Always have the total trailer weight and tongue load determined prior to departure:
Attempting to tow loads without determining the total trailer weight and tongue load is
dangerous. Trailer sway from crosswinds, rough roads or other causes could result in loss of
control and a serious accident.
CAUTION
The total trailer weight and tongue load ca n be determined by weighing the trailer on
platform scales at a highway weight station or a trucking company.
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▼Trailer Hitch
Use only a hitch ball recommended by the trailer manufacturer that conforms to the gross
trailer weight requirement.
When not towing a trailer, remove
the trailer hitch (if detachable) to reduce the possibility of
damage as a result of the vehicle being rear-ended.
WA R N I N G
Always make sure the trailer hitch is securely attached before departure:
An unsecured trailer hitch is dangerous as it causes greater trailer sway from crosswinds,
rough roads or other causes, resulting in loss of control and a serious accident.
Examine all trailer-hitch mounting bolts regularly and tighten any that are loose. If the hitch
is removed, seal any open mounting holes to prevent exhaust, dust, water, dirt and other
foreign elements from filtering in, possibly en dangering personal safety and damaging your
vehicle.
Do not install a hitch that stiffens the bumper as it will reduce the bumper's performance.
Make sure there are no exhaust gas leaks into the passenger compartment if any mounting
bolts are connected to the body:
Modifying your vehicle exhaust system is dangerous. Exhaust gas entering the vehicle could
cause loss of consciousness or even death.
When mounting the trailer hitch, make no modifications to the vehicle exhaust system.
CAUTION
 Make all hitch adjustments with actual load s. Do not load and unload vehicle while
adjusting hitch. This action w ill change the vehicle height.
 Do not use an axle-mounted hitch. This may damage the axle and related parts.
▼Tires
When towing a trailer, make sure all tires are inflated to the
recommended cold-tire
pressure, as indicated on the tire pressure chart on the driver 's door frame. Trailer tire size,
load rating, and inflation pressu res should conform to tire manufacturer specifications.
WA R N I N G
Never use the temporary spare tire when towing:
Using the temporary spare tire on your vehicle wh en towing a trailer is dangerous as it could
result in tire failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
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▼Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should th
e 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 publ ished by your trailer or hitch
manufacturer for more details.
WA R N I N G
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
Trailer lights must comply with
all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer as
required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system directl y to the lighting system of your Mazda. This
may damage your vehicle's electrical system an d lighting systems. Have a recreational vehicle
dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the brake lights and turn
signals yourself before each trip.
▼ Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight ex
ceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your trailer
has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WA R N I N G
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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▼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 abn ormal front-up or front-down position. Inspect
for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer o verloading.
•Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secur e to prevent it from shifting.
•Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appr opriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver e rror, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
•Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized M azda Dealer.
•Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all
vehicle-to-trailer connections. S top and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving
a short distance.
Driving
•Your Mazda will handle differe ntly with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and
stopping in a traffic-free area.
•Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
•Allow more room between your vehicle and the one in front becau se braking distance
increases with a trailer. For eac h 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, a llow 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 cau se loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially so
on wet or slippery roads.
•Shift the selector lever to the D position when towing a traile r in hilly terrain or when
heavily loaded.
The D position will allow opera ting the vehicle without frequen t shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden turns, and tight turns. Slow d own before turning to avoid
the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tigh ter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns that are
larger than normal.
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Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of r oom before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and t he effects of rough roads will
affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce sp eed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extr eme correction of steering or b raking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stab ility.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a traile r requires practice and patience . Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of th e trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your ha nd at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movement s to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to redu ce the possibility of overloadin g or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WA R N I N G
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 th e 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 ai r conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for en gine to cool. Refer to
Overheating on page 7-18.
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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 a ll 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 the front tires face
the curb.
•If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply th e 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).
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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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