2023 MAZDA CX5 tow

▼Tra i l e r H i tc h
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.
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 fil
tering in, possibly endangering 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 loads. Do not load and unload vehicle
while adjusting hitch. This action will 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 pressures should conform to tire manufacturer
specifications.
WARNING
Never use the temporary spare tire when towing:
Using the temporary spare tire on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as
it could result in tire failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-56
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new 2022-1-6 14:55:18

▼Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the 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 published by your
trailer or hitch manufacturer for more details.
WARNING
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.
▼ Tra i l e r L i g h t s
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 dire
ctly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle's electrical system and 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.
▼ Tra i l e r B ra ke s
If the total trailer weight exceeds 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.
WARNING
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.
Before Driving
Towing
3-57
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new
2022-1-6 14:55:18

▼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 abnormal front-up or
front-down position. Inspect for incorrec
t tongue load, worn suspension parts,
and trailer overloading.
Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
Make sure the mirrors conform to all govern ment 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 checked 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-inspect 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 control and result in jackknifing ,
especially so on wet or slippery roads.
Shift the selector lever to the D position when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or
when heavily loaded.
The D position will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, su dden turns, and tight turns. Slow down before turning
to avoid the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns
that are larger than normal.
Pa s s i n g
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.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-58
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new 2022-1-6 14:55:18

Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction 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 trai ler 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.
WARNING
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 7-15.
Pa r k i n g
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while
parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transmission 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.
Before Driving
Towing
3-59
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new 2022-1-6 14:55:18

4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transmission in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold thebrake 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
3-60
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new 2022-1-6 14:55:18

Recreational Towing
▼Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page 7-17)
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-18)
and carefully follow the instructions.
Before Driving
Towing
3-61
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new
2022-1-6 14:55:18

WARNING
Do not rely completely on the vehicle
roll prevention function.
The vehicle roll prevention function
is a supplementary function which
operates for a maximum of 2
seconds after releasing the brake
pedal and accelerating the vehicle
from an engine idling stop condition.
Over reliance on the system may
result in an unexpected accident if
the vehicle were to suddenly
accelerate. Before starting to drive
the vehicle, always confirm the safety
of the surroundings and operate the
selector lever, brake pedal, and
accelerator pedal appropriately.
Note that the vehicle may move
suddenly depending on the vehicle's
load or if it is towing something.
 Note that the vehicle may move
suddenly after the vehicle roll
prevention function is released while
the vehicle is under the following
conditions:
 The selector lever is in the N
position.
 If the selector lever is shifted to the
N position and the brake pedal is
released while the i-stop function
is operating, the brake force is
gradually released. To accelerate
the vehicle, release the brake pedal
after the engine restarts and shift
the selector lever to a position
other than the N position.
NOTE
When the vehicle is stopped on a
steep grade, the vehicle roll
prevention function does not
operate because engine idling is not
stopped.
The brake pedal response may
change, sound may occur from the
brakes, or the brake pedal could
vibrate from the operation of the
vehicle roll prevention function.
However, this does not indicate a
malfunction.
▼ i-stop Warning Light (Amber)/
i-stop Indicator Light (Green)
The i-stop system constantly monitors
the driver's operations, the vehicle's
interior and exterior environment, and
the operational status of the vehicle,
and uses the i-stop warning light
(amber) and i-stop indicator light
(green) to inform the driver of various
cautions and warnings.
NOTE
On vehicles equipped with the center
display, the i-stop operation status is
displayed in the fuel efficiency monitor
display.
Refer to the Fuel Efficiency Monitor
section in the Mazda Connect
Owner's Manual.
i-stop warning light (amber)
When the light is turned on
The light turns on when the ignition
is switched ON and turns off when
the engine is started.
If the i-stop warning light (amber)
remains on while the engine is
running , the battery performance
may have decreased. Have your
vehicle inspected by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-16
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new
2022-1-6 14:55:18

▼Manually Shifting Up
You can shift gears up by operating the
selector lever or the steering shift
switches
*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back + once.

Using steering shift switch*
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP
switch (+/OFF) toward you once with
your fingers.

1. UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering
wheel rim when using fingers on the
steering shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver's air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In
addition, manual shift mode
switches to automatic shift mode
while the accelerator pedal is
completely depressed.
This function is canceled while the
TCS is turned off. However, if the
vehicle is continuously driven at a
high rpm, the gears may
automatically shift up to protect the
engine.
The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever
is in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (+/OFF)
is pulled rearward for a sufficient
amount of time.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-42*Some models.
CX-50_8KB8-EA-22A_Edition2_new 2022-1-6 14:55:18