2020 MAZDA MODEL CX-5 trailer

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 ch ecked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all
vehicle-to-trailer connections. Stop and re-ins pect 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 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 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.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of c ontrol and result in jackknifing, especially so
on wet or slippery roads.
Shift the selector lever to the D position wh en towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when
heavily loaded.
The D position will allow operating th e 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 th e 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 correc tion of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
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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.
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.
WA R N I N G
Always use lower gears to reduce speed:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too f requently 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.
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.
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.
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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).
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When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
Directly after the 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 BSM warning indicator light may turn on and 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 BSM warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several
times when making a turn at a city intersection.
Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwis
e, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked
causing the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM
warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
The radar sensors (rear) of the BSM may be regulated under the radio wave related laws
of the country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use
in the U.S.A. (including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with a BSM is
driven in a country other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned
off by changing the setting on the center display.
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function when the shift lever
(manual transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R)
position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-143.
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Turn off the 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.
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The surroundings are dark such as during the night, early evening, or early morning, or
in a tunnel or indoor parking lot.
The illumination brightness of the headlights is reduced or the headlight illumination is
weakened due to dirt or a deviated optical axis.
The target object enters the blind spot of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
A person or object bursts onto the road from the shoulder or cuts right in front of you.
You change lanes and approach a vehicle ahead.
When driving extremely close to the target object.
Tire chains or a temporary spare tire is installed.
The vehicle ahead has a special shape. For example, a vehicle towing a trailer house or
a boat, or a vehicle carrier carrying a vehicle with its front pointed rearward.
If the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot operate normally due to backlight or fog,
the system functions related to the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) are temporarily
stopped and the following warn ing lights turn on. However, this does not indicate a
malfunction.
High Beam Control System (HBC) warning light (amber)
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) warning
indication
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function) warning indication
Smart Brake Support/Smart City Brake Support (SBS/SCBS) warning indication/
warning light (amber)
If the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot operate normally due to high temperatures,
the system functions related to the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) are temporarily
stopped and the following warn ing lights turn on. However, this does not indicate a
malfunction. Cool down the area around the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) such as by
turning on the air conditioner.
High Beam Control System (HBC) warning light (amber)
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) warning
indication
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function) warning indication
Smart Brake Support/Smart City Brake Support (SBS/SCBS) warning indication/
warning light (amber)
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Do not use the front bumper to push other vehicles or obstructions such as when pulling
out of a parking space. Otherwise, the radar sensor (front) could be hit and its position
deviated.
 Do not remove, disassemble, or mo dify the radar sensor (front).
 For repairs, replacement or paint work ar ound the radar sensor (front), consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 Do not modify the suspension. If the suspensi on are modified, the vehicle's posture could
change and the radar sensor (front) may not be able to correctly detect a vehicle ahead or
an obstruction.
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 reflect 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 reflecting 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 damage.
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 specified size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with significantly 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.
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Vehicle shapes which do not reflect 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.
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