2023 MAZDA CX9 trailer

WA R N I N G
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.
▼ Trailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with a
ll federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer as
required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda. This
may damage your vehicle's electrical system an d 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.
▼ Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exc
eeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your trailer
has brakes, make sure they compl y with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WA R N I N G
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system direc tly to the vehicle brake system is dangerous
and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
▼ Trailer Towing Tips
Verify that your Mazda
maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is connected. Do not d rive if it has an abnormal front-up or fr ont-down position. Inspect
for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer o verloading.
Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secur e to prevent it from shifting.
Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appr opriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver e rror, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-59
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

Before driving
Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized M azda Dealer.
Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and t railer 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 differentl y 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 becau se braking distance
increases with a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, a llow at least one vehicle
and trailer length between your M azda and the vehicle ahead.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result i n 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 frequen t shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden turns, and tight turns. Slow d own 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.
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other v ehicles, and provide plenty of r oom before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and t he effects of rough roads will
affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce sp eed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extr eme correction of steering or b raking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stab ility.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a traile r requires practice and patience . Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of th e trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-60
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

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 overloadin g 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 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 da ys and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the ai r conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off t he right-of-way and wait for en gine to cool. Refer to
Overheating on page 7-23.
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle a re 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 a ll 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 th e parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-61
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

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).
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-62
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

4When Driving
Information concerning safer driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4 Ignition Switch........ ..................... 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ............
........................................................... 4-11 Instrument Cluster and
Display........................................ 4-11
Instrument Cluster (Type A)....... 4-12
Instrument Cluster (Type B)....... 4-29
Instrument Cluster (Type C)....... 4-45
Active Driving Display
*............. 4-57
Automatic Transaxle....................... 4-59 Automatic Transaxle
Controls...................................... 4-59
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-60
Transaxle Ranges........................4-60
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-62
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-69
Driving Tips................................4-70
Switches and Controls..................... 4-71 Lighting Control......................... 4-71
Fog Lights
*................................. 4-77
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-78
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-79
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer........................................ 4-82
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-83
Horn............................................ 4-84
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-85
HomeLink Wireless Control System
(Type A)
*.................................... 4-85
HomeLink Wireless Control System
(Type B)
*.................................... 4-89
Brake................................................ 4-94 Brake System.............................. 4-94
AUTOHOLD.............................. 4-98
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)........ 4-102
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability
Control (TSC)/Off-Road Traction
Assist............................................... 4-104 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)........................................4-104
Traction Control System
(TCS)........................................ 4-105
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)........................................4-107
Trailer Stability Control
(TSC)........................................ 4-108
Off-Road Traction Assist
*........ 4-109
Drive Selection............................... 4-111 Drive Selection......................... 4-111
i-ACTIV AWD............................... 4-113 i-ACTIV AWD Operation
*....... 4-113
Power Steering............................... 4-115 Power Steering..........................4-115
*Some models.4-1
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed o f 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 brak e pedal without
pumping the brakes.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Contact an 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 wi ll 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 Co ntrol (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-104
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

Traction Control System(TCS)
The Traction Control 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.
Contact an 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 4-106).
▼ 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 ope
rating, 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 Control (TSC)/Off-Road Traction A ssist
4-105
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08

▼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 4-106.

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 sw
itch 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 indica tor 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 aut omatically 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 Co ntrol (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-106*Some models.
CX-9_8LJ2-EA-22H_Edition1_old 2022-6-9 13:33:08