2023 MAZDA CX5 towing

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
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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
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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
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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
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AUTOHOLD
▼AUTOHOLD
The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped, even if you take
your foot
off the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in
traffic
or at a traffic light. The brakes are released when you start driving the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function:
The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the
vehicle is stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the
AUTOHOLD system is dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the
vehicle were to suddenly move. Operate the brakes appropriately in accordance
with the road and surrounding conditions.
Note that the vehicle may move suddenly de
pending on the vehicle's load or if it is
towing something.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a
steep grade:
Because there is a possibility of the vehicl e not being held in the stopped position by
the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an
accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or
snow-covered roads, or unpaved roads:
Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped position by the AUTOHOLD function, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator
pedal, brakes, or steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases:
Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly and result in an accident.
 “Depress Brake Pedal. Brake Hold Disabled” is displayed in the multi-information
display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
Always apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when parking the vehicle is dangerous as the vehicle
may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. When parking the vehicle, shift
the selector lever to the P position and apply the parking brake.
When Driving
Brake
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Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
▼Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
The HLA functions to assist in
accelerating the vehicle from a stop on
slopes. When releasing the brake pedal
and depressing the accelerator pedal
to accelerate the vehicle from a stop
while on a slope, the function prevents
the vehicle from rolling. The HLA also
operates when reversing on a slope.
The braking force is maintained
automatically after releasing the brake
pedal on a steep slope.
The HLA operates when the vehicle is
tilted rearward with the selector lever
in a forward gear, and operates when
the vehicle is tilted forward with the
selector lever in the R position.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on
HLA:
HLA is an auxiliary device for
accelerating from a stop on a slope.
The system only operates for about 2
seconds and therefore, relying only on
the system, when accelerating from a
stop is dangerous because the vehicle
may move (roll) unexpectedly and
cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on
the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.
NOTE
HLA does not operate on a gentle
slope. In addition, the gradient of
the slope on which the system will
operate changes depending on the
vehicle's load.
HLA does not operate if the parking
brake is applied, or if the vehicle has
not stopped completely.
While HLA is operating, the brake
pedal may feel stiff and vibrate,
however, this does not indicate a
malfunction.
HLA does not operate while the
TCS/DSC indicator light is
illuminated.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indication/
Indicator Light (Turns on) on page
7-25.
HLA does not turn off even if the TCS
OFF switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS.
When Driving
Brake
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NOTE
If the Mi-Drive cannot be switched to
sport mode, the select mode indicator
light flashes to notify the driver.Mazda intelligent Drive
Select (Mi-Drive) (AWD)
*
▼ Mazda intelligent Drive Select
(Mi-Drive)
Mi-drive is a system that switches the
drive modes depending on the driving
conditions, road conditions and
vehicle conditions.
The mode can be switched from
normal to sport, off-road or towing.
Sport mode
This mode enhances vehicle
responsiveness when the accelerator
pedal is depressed.
This provides additional quick
acceleration which may be needed to
safely make maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or
passing other vehicles.
Off-road mode
This mode helps prevent drive-wheel
spinning during off-road driving and
improves driving performance.
Use this mode to drive the vehicle on
slippery roads such as muddy, sandy,
or deep-snowy roads.
Towing mode (SKYACTIV-G 2.5T)
This mode suppresses the reduction of
driving performance due to increased
weight during trailer towing and
promotes vehicle stability.
Use this mode when towing a trailer.
Warnings and cautions when using
Mi-Drive
WARNING

Do not rely completely on the
Mi-Drive system.
When Driving
Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive)
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When the drive mode is set, the
display in the instrument cluster
changes.
Refer to Mazda intelligent Drive
Select (Mi-Drive) Display on page
4-20.
NOTE
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the
vehicle may perform shift-down or
slightly accelerate.
When the sport mode is selected,
driving at higher engine speeds
increases and it may increase fuel
consumption. Mazda recommends
that you cancel the sport mode on
normal driving.
Towing mode can be selected only
when a trailer is connected.
The driving mode in which the
display in the instrument cluster is
grayed out cannot be selected.
Towing mode can be selected only
when electrically connected to the
trailer using a Mazda genuine trailer
hitch. In addition, it may take some
time until the connection is detected
and towing mode is displayed.
When towing mode is selectable,
sport mode cannot be selected.
When the ignition is switched OFF,
the mode returns to normal mode.
However, towing mode before
switching the ignition OFF is
maintained only when the trailer is
connected in towing mode.
When Driving
Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive)
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