2020 MAZDA MODEL CX-9 trailer

Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control 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.
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 bott om 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 redu ce 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.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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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 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 7-23.
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.
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.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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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....................... 4-6
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ............
........................................................... 4-12 Instrument Cluster and
Display........................................4-12
Instrument Cluster (Type A)....... 4-13
Instrument Cluster (Type B)....... 4-30
Instrument Cluster (Type C)....... 4-45
Active Driving Display
*............. 4-56
Automatic Transaxle....................... 4-59 Automatic Transaxle
Controls...................................... 4-59
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-60
Transaxle Ranges........................4-60
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-62
Driving Tips................................4-67
Switches and Controls..................... 4-68
Lighting Control......................... 4-68
Fog Lights
*................................. 4-73
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-73
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-74
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer........................................ 4-78
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-78
Horn............................................ 4-80
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-80
HomeLink Wireless Control System
(Type A)
*.................................... 4-81
HomeLink Wireless Control System
(Type B)...................................... 4-84
Brake................................................ 4-89 Brake System.............................. 4-89
AUTOHOLD.............................. 4-93
Hill Launch Assist (HLA).......... 4-97
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability
Control (TSC)/Off-Road Traction
Assist................................................. 4-99 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-99
Traction Control System
(TCS)........................................ 4-100
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)........................................4-102
Trailer Stability Control
(TSC)........................................ 4-103
Off-Road Traction Assist
*........ 4-104
*Some models.4-1
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.

The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brake pedal without
pumping the brakes.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for safe
driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle too
closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Control (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
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Traction Control System(TCS)
The Traction Cont rol System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.

This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on the Traction Control System
(TCS) as a substitute for safe driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS) cannot
compensate for unsafe and reckless
driving, excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices on
snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control System
(TCS) alone cannot provide adequate
traction and you could still have an
accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the TCS OFF
switch (page 4-101).
▼ TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
If the TCS, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Control (TSC) is operating, the indicator
light flashes.

If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or the
brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Cont
rol (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
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▼TCS OFF Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 4-101.

If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The DSC
may have a malfunction.
▼TCS OFF Switch*
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster and TCS OFF switch
indicator light turn on.
Indicator light
Press the switch agai
n to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light and
TCS OFF switch indicator light will turn
off.
NOTE
When TCS is on and you attempt to free
the vehicle when it is stuck, or drive it
out of freshly fallen snow, the TCS (part
of the DSC system) will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS.
If the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
Leaving the TCS on will provide the best
traction.
If the TCS OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or longer, the TCS
can no longer be turned off even if the
TCS OFF switch is pressed.
In this case, the TCS OFF switch will
operate normally when the ignition is
switched ON again after being switched
OFF.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Control (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
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Dynamic Stability Control(DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such as
ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.

Refer to ABS (page 4-99) and TCS (page
4-100).

DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and reckless
driving, excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
 The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
 Use tires of the correct size specified for
your Mazda on all 4 wheels.
 Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all 4
wheels.
 Do not mix worn tires.
 The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire diameter
changes.
▼ TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
If the TCS, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Control (TSC) is operating, the indicator
light flashes.

If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or the
brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Cont
rol (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
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