2023 MAZDA CX9 stop start

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P position.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P position.
▼ Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
Cover
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
Transaxle Ranges
The shift position indication in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Refer to Indication/Indicator Lights on
page 4-25, 4-41.
The selector lever must be in P or N
position to operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WA R N I N G
Always set the selector lever to P position
and set the parking brake:
Only setting the selector lever to the P
position without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P fails to
hold, the vehicle could move and cause an
accident.
CAUTION
 Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transaxle.
 Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transaxle.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-49).
NOTE
(With parking sensor system)
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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Ignition PositionACC or OFF ON
Switch Position OFF
*1AUTOOFF*1AUTO
Headlights Off Off Off Off
Auto
*2*4Auto*3*4
On
Daytime running
lights Off Off Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
On
*5OnOn*5On
*1 The light switch returns to t he AUTO position automatically.*2 During the daytime, the daytime running lights turn on automatically. During the nighttime, the headlights,
parking lights, taillights, and th e license plate lights turn on automatically.
*3 During the daytime, the dayti me running lights, parking lights, taillights, and the licen se plate lights turn on
automatically. During the nighttim e, the headlights, parking lights, taillights, and the license plate lights turn
on automatically.
*4 When the light switch is switche d to the OFF position while the vehicle is stopped, all of the lights that are
turned on turn off. When the lig ht switch is switched from a position other than
to the position
while the vehicle is stopped, the daytime running lights or the headlights turn off. When starting to drive the
vehicle, the lights that are turned off turn on again.
*5 The lights are turned on con tinuously if the ignition is switched from ON to any other position with the lights
turned on. The lights are turned off when the driver's door is opened or 30 seconds have elapsed since the
lights turned on.
Auto-light control*
(Except Canada)
When the headlight switch is in t he AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the
headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
(Canada)
When the headlight switch is in a position other than
and the ignition is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the
headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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To turn on the lights
When the ignition switch and the headlight
switch are in the following conditions, the
headlights will illuminate when the
transmitter unlock button is pressed and
the vehicle receives the transmitter signal.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).
Ignition switch: off
Headlight switch: AUTO, , or
Unlock
button Lock button
NOTE
Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off.
When the headlight switch is turned to
the OFF position, the headlights turn
off.
▼ Headlight Leveling
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.

The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
▼Daytime Running Lights
Some countries requir
e moving vehicles to
have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
Except Canada
The daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the vehicle starts
moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the selector lever is shifted to
the P position.
NOTE
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
Canada
The daytime running lights continuously
turn on when t he ignition is switched ON.
When the light switch is switched to the
OFF or
position while the vehicle is
stopped, the daytime running lights turns
off. When you start driving the vehicle,
they turn on again.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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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 vehic le.
WA R N I N G
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 a ccident if the vehicle were to suddenly move.
Operate the brakes appropriatel y in accordance with the road and surrounding conditions.
Note that the vehicle may move suddenly depending 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 vehicle not being held in the stopped position by the
AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move un expectedly 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 posi tion by the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident . Operate the accelerator pedal, brakes, or
steering wheel approp riately 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.
 The brake pedal operation demand warning light (red)
flashes and the warning sound is
activated at the same time.
(Red)
 [Brake Hold Unavailable Depress Brake to Hold Position] is displayed in the
multi-information display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
When Driving
Brake
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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.
CAUTION
If you stop operating the accelerator pedal befo re the vehicle starts moving, the force holding
the vehicle in the stopped position may weaken. Firmly depress the brake pedal or depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, a problem with the AUTOHOLD is occurring. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
The brake pedal operation demand warning light (red) in the instrument cluster flashes
and the warning sound is activated for about 5 seconds while the AUTOHOLD is
operating or when you press the AUTOHOLD switch.
A message is indicated on the multi-information display and a warning sound is
activated for about 5 seconds while the AUTOHOLD is operating or when your press
the AUTOHOLD switch.
If you switch the ignition OFF while the AUTOHOLD is operating, the parking brake is
applied automatically to assist you with parking the vehicle.
The AUTOHOLD is canceled when the selector lever is shifted to R position while the
vehicle is on level ground, or facing up a hill or grade (as shown below).
Level ground
: Driving in reverse (selector lever in R)
Vehicle tilts forward Vehicle tilts rearward
AUTOHOLD :
Operates AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
When Driving
Brake
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If the AUTOHOLD switch is pressed
without depressing the brake pedal
while the AUTOHOLD is operating
(AUTOHOLD active indicator light is
turned on), the brake pedal operation
demand indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster turns on to notify the
driver that it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal.
(Green)
If any of the following conditions occurs
while the AUTOHOLD function is
operating (AUTOHOLD active indicator
light is turned on), the parking brake is
applied automatically and the
AUTOHOLD function turns off. For the
Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
operation, refer to the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) on page 4-95.
The ignition is switched OFF.
There is a problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
HLA is a function which assists the driver
in accelerating from a stop while on a
slope. When the driver releases the brake
pedal and depresses the accelerator pedal
while on a slope, the f unction prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
HLA operates on a downward slope when
the selector lever i s in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when the
selector lever is in a forward gear.
WA R N I N G
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.
HLA is operating, the brake pedal may
feel stiff and vibrate, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
When Driving
Brake
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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
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▼Off-Road Traction Assist Switch
When the switch is pressed after stopping
the vehicle, the Off-Road Traction Assist
becomes operational.
The Off-Road Traction Assist indicator
light in the instrument cluster and the
Off-Road Traction Assi
st switch indicator
light turn on.
Indicator light
If the switch is pressed again, the
Off-Road Traction Assist is stopped and
the Off-Road Tracti on Assist indicator
light and the Off-Road Traction Assist
switch indicator light turn off.

NOTE
If the engine is stopped with the Off-Road
Traction Assist operational, the Off-Road
Traction Assist is stopped when the engine
is started the next time.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Co ntrol (TSC)/Off-Road Traction Assist
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