Trailer Towing
Your Mazda was designed and built primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
If you tow a trailer, follow these instructions because driver and passenger safety depends
on proper equipment and safe driving habits. Towing a trailer w ill affect handling, braking,
durability, performance , and fuel economy.
Never overload your vehicle or trailer. Consult an Authorized M azda Dealer if you need
further details.
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km (6 00 miles) of your new Mazda. If you do, you
may damage the engine, transaxle, differenti al, wheel bearings, and other power-train
components.
▼ Weight Limits
TTW and GCWR
The total trailer weight (TTW),
gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross axle
weight rating (GAWR), trailer l oad, and trailer tongue load mus t be within the
prescribed limits.
•The total trailer weight (TTW) i s the sum of the weights of the trailer load (trailer
weight plus cargo), trailer hitc h, 2 passengers, and vehicle load (baggage, food, camp
gear, etc.). Never allow the total trailer weight (TTW) to exceed specifications in the
Trailer Towing-Load Table.
•The maximum GCWR is the combinat ion weight of the trailer and load plus the
towing vehicle (includ ing trailer hitch, vehicle passengers, and load). It must not
exceed the specifications in the load table.
GAWR and GVWR
Do not exceed front and rear GAWR (gross axle weight rating) an d GVWR (gross vehicle
weight rating). If you do, vehicle handling, braking, and perfo rmance will be affected. These
values are also on the Motor Vehi cle Safety Certification Label posted on the driver's door
frame.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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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 %
Before Driving
To w i n g
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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.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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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).
Before Driving
To w i n g
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4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4 Ignition Switch........ ..................... 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display............
........................................................... 4-11 Meters and Gauges..................... 4-11
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
*....................................... 4-19
Active Driving Display
*............. 4-27
Warning/Indicator Lights............4-30
Automatic Transaxle....................... 4-37 Automatic Transaxle
Controls...................................... 4-37
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-38
Transaxle Ranges........................4-38
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-40
Driving Tips................................4-45
Switches and Controls..................... 4-46
Lighting Control......................... 4-46
Fog Lights
*................................. 4-51
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-52
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-53
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer........................................ 4-56
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-57
Horn............................................ 4-59
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-59
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-60
Brake................................................ 4-64 Brake System.............................. 4-64
AUTOHOLD.............................. 4-69
Hill Launch Assist (HLA).......... 4-73
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-75 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-75
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-76
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-78
Fuel Economy Monitor................... 4-79 Fuel Economy Monitor
*............. 4-79
Drive Selection................................. 4-82 Drive Selection........................... 4-82
*Some models.4-1
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Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches
in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
Push button start
NOTE
•The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the brake
pedal. To switch the ignition position,
press the push button start without
depressing the pedal.
•Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the selector lever is in the P
position, and the ignition is in ACC, the
ignition switches off automatically after
about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turns off.
WA R N I N G
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever is in
P:
Leaving the driver's seat without switching
the ignition off, setting the parking brake,
and shifting the selector lever to P is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle movement
could occur which could result in an
accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave the
vehicle for even a short period, it is
important to switch the ignition off, as
leaving it in another position will disable
some of the vehicle's security systems and
run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
(amber) illuminates when the ignition is
switched ON and the engine is not
running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights
should be inspected before the engine is
started (page 4-30).
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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NOTE
When the push button start is pressed to
ON, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard.
This does not indicate an abnormality.Starting the Engine
WA R N I N G
Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who use
medical devices, ask the medical device
manufacturer or your physician if radio
waves from the key w ill affect the device.
NOTE
•The key must be carried because the key
carries an immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine controls at
short range.
•The engine can be started when the push
button start is pressed from off, ACC, or
ON.
•The push button start system functions
(function which can start the engine by
only carrying the key) can be
deactivated to prevent any possible
adverse effect on a user wearing a
pacemaker or other medical device. If
the system is deactivated, you will be
unable to start the engine by carrying
the key. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for details. If the push button
start system functions have been
deactivated, you can start the engine by
following the procedure indicated when
the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When
Key Battery is Dead on page 4-8.
•After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound
from the engine compartment can be
heard.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate any
parts defect.
•Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the
selector lever is not in P or N and the
brake pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light(green) (if equipped ) in the instrument
cluster and the push button start
indicator light (green) illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
NOTE
•If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes, make sure that
the key is being carried.
•If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes with the key
being carried, touch the key to the
push button start and start the
engine. Refer to Engine Start
Function When Key Battery is Dead
on page 4-8.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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