2021 MAZDA MODEL CX-9 bumper

Hands-free liftgate*
When the hands-free liftgate sensor on the
center bottom of the rear bumper detects
foot movement (kick-activated liftgate),
the liftgate opens/closes automatically.
The liftgate can be opened/closed even
with both hands full, such as when
carrying baggage.
Operation conditions
Do the kicking motion with your foot
when all of the following conditions are
met while the vehicle is stopped.
(When ignition is switched OFF)
You are carrying the transmitter.
The hands-free liftgate is on.
(When ignition is switched ON)
You are carrying the transmitter.
The hands-free liftgate is on.
The selector lever is in the P position.
How to do the kicking motion
A: About 30 cm (12 in) B: About 10 cm (3.9 in)
A
B
1. Stand at the position about 30 cm (12 in) behind the center of the rear
bumper.
2. Move your foot to the position about 10 cm (3.9 in) from the center bottom
of the rear bumper.
3. Move your foot away from under the bumper within about 1 second after
moving it under the bumper.
When the kicking motion is done
correctly, the hazard warning lights flash 2
times, a beep sound is activated, and the
liftgate opens/closes automatically. Be
careful not to contact the liftgate.

If the kicking motion is done while the
liftgate is opening/closing automatically,
the liftgate will stop. If the kicking motion
is done again, the liftgate moves in the
direction opposite to the direction it was
moving before it stopped.
CAUTION
 Do not do the kicking motion while
wearing footwear such as sandals, or
with your bare foot. If your foot contacts
the hot exhaust pipe, it could cause
serious burns.
 Do not do the kicking motion while the
area where you are standing is unstable
such as a slope or icy road. Otherwise,
you could fall down, resulting in injury.
 Do not paint the rear bumper or install
any add-on equipment to it. Otherwise,
the hands-free liftgate sensor may not
operate normally.
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
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If you are carrying the transmitter
around the liftgate or there is another
person around the liftgate who is
carrying a transmitter, do not allow the
following to occur. Otherwise, the
hands-free liftgate sensor will operate
and the liftgate may open/close
unexpectedly resulting in an accident.
 A person not carrying a transmitter
does the kicking motion.
 While the liftgate is open, a person
sitting on the edge of the luggage
compartment swings his or her legs.
 Installing/removing the body cover or
removing snow around the rear
bumper.
 Picking up something which was
dropped under the rear bumper.
 Spraying water on the rear bumper
using a high water pressure car
washer.
 Pushing a shopping cart close to the
rear bumper.
 A moving object such as an animal or
a ball approaches the rear bumper.
To prevent an unintended operation,
place the transmitte r outside of its
operation range or turn off the
hands-free liftgate.
NOTE
The hands-free liftgate sensor detects in
a range of about 30 cm (12 in) on both
the left and right sides from the center of
the rear bumper.
The hands-free liftgate sensor may not
operate normally under the following
conditions.
Your foot remains placed within the
detection area.
You move your foot left and right
within the detection area.
The kicking motion is too fast or too
slow.
Your foot contacts the rear bumper
when doing the kicking motion.
You are wearing shoes such as rubber
boots which do not conduct electricity
well.
There is equipment emitting strong
radio waves near the vehicle.
The detection area of the hands-free
liftgate sensor is dirty.
When the detection area of the
hands-free liftgate sensor is dirty, wipe
it off with a clean cloth. Place the
transmitter outside of its operation
range or wipe off the area around the
sensor with a clean cloth after turning
off the hands-free liftgate.
If the operation using the hands-free
liftgate sensor is not possible even
though the operation conditions are met,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Hands-free liftgate ON/OFF switching
The hands-free liftgate can be switched
on/off.
To prevent an unintended operation, turn
off the function.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
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Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.

Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle
Ascending or descending a driveway or trai ler ramp with a sharp transition angle

This vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tire s are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on ro ugh/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on ro ugh/uneven roads or through potholes.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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WARNING
Always keep tow loads within specified limits as indicated in the Trailer Towing-Load Table:
Attempting to tow loads great er than those specified is dangerous as it may cause serious
handling and performance problems that could result 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 trailer 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 withou t determining the total trailer weight and tongue load is
dangerous. Trailer sway from crosswinds, roug h 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.
▼ Trailer Hitch
Use only a hitch ball recommended by the traile
r manufacturer that conforms to the gross
trailer weight requirement.
When not towing a trailer, remove the trailer hi tch (if detachable) to reduce the possibility of
damage as a result of the vehicle being rear-ended.
WARNING
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.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-235.
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle ahead
sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go function)
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The radar sensor (front) is mounted behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) on page 4-240.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside th e rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) on page 4-243.
Ultrasonic sensors (rear)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) function by de tecting the ultrasonic waves reflected off
obstructions at the rear sent from the ultrason ic sensors. The following systems also use the
ultrasonic sensors (rear).
Smart City Brake Support [Reverse] (SCBS R)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) are mounted in the rear bumper.
Refer to Ultrasonic Sensors (Rear) on page 4-245.
Front camera/side cameras/rear view camera
The front camera, side cameras, and rear camera shoot images of the area surrounding the
vehicle. The 360° View Monitor uses each camera.
Cameras are installed to the front bumper, door mirrors, and liftgate.
Refer to Front Camera/Side Cameras/Rear Camera on page 4-246.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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NOTE
The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the BSM OFF
switch indicator light is turned off.
The selector lever is shifted to R position and the vehicle is reversing.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
In the following cases, the BSM OFF indicator light turns on and operation of the system
is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light re mains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the BSM warning indicator lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for
long periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The BSM determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
In the following case, the flashing of the BS M 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 2 lanes over to an adjacent lane.
Driving on steep slopes.
Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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The RCTA warning indication in the 360° view monitor also synchronizes with the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light on the door mirrors.
Mazda Connect
(Type A)Mazda Connect
(Type B)
WA R N I N G
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in ch
ecking for vehicles at the rear when putting the
vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations wi th the operation of this system, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights may not
flash or it might be delayed even though
a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the
rear.
NOTE
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF Indicator Light turns on
and operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF Indicator
Light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights has occurred.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear).
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Smart City Brake Support [Reverse] (SCBS R)*
The SCBS R is a system which is designed to reduce damage in the event of a collision by
operating the brake control (SCBS brake) when the system’s ultrasonic sensors detect an
obstruction at the rear of the vehicle while driving at a speed of about 2 to 8 km/h (2 to 4
mph) and the system determines that a collision is unavoidable.
Reverse Ultrasonic sensor (rear)
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the SCBS R system:

The SCBS R system is only designed to red uce damage in the event of a collision. Over
reliance on the system leading to the accele rator pedal or brake pedal being mistakenly
operated could result in an accident.
 To assure the correct operation of the SCBS R, heed the following cautions.
 Do not apply a sticker to an ultrasonic sens or (rear) (including transparent stickers).
Otherwise, the ultrasonic sensor (rear) may no t be able to detect vehicles or obstructions
which could result in an accident.
 Do not disassemble an ultrasonic sensor (rear).
 If cracks or damage caused by flying gravel or debris is visible around an ultrasonic
sensor (rear), stop using the SCBS R system immediately and have your vehicle inspected
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If the vehi cle continues to be driven with cracks or
scratch marks left around an ultrasonic sensor, the system may operate unnecessarily
and cause an unexpected accident.
Refer to Stopping the Smart City Brake Supp ort [Reverse] (SCBS R) System Operation on
page 4-178.
 Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for rear bumper replacement.
Do not modify the suspension:
If the vehicle height or inclination is changed, the SCBS R system may not operate correctly
because it cannot detect obstructions correctly.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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