traction control MAZDA MODEL CX-9 2012 Owners Manual (in English)
Page 163 of 604
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Hazardous Driving
qDriving on Slippery Surface
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
Do not rely on ABS or RSC as a
substitute for safe driving:
The ABS and RSC 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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
lDo not perform abrupt maneuvers
when the road surface changes (such as
from a paved road to gravel) because
the reaction of the vehicle against the
driving operation changes.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the front wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
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5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning the Engine Off ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-11
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-17
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation
í..................................... 5-17
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-20
Traction Control System (TCS) .............................................. 5-23
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)/Roll Stability Control
(RSC) ...................................................................................... 5-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
í......................................... 5-28
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Systemí................................. 5-34
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-39
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-39
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-44
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-44
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-58
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-60
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-60
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-66
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-67
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-68
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-72
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-73
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-74
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-75
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-75
5-1íSome models.
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lPress the CANCEL switch.
The system turns off when the ignition is
switched off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15 km/h (9
mph) below the preset speed (such as may
happen when climbing a long, steep grade).
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.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-23
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Audio Control Switch
Operation
When the audio unit is turned on,
operation of the audio unit from the
steering wheel is possible.
NOTE
Because the audio unit will be turned off under
the following conditions, the switches will be
inoperable.
lWhen the ignition is switched off.lWhen the power button on the audio unit is
pressed and the audio unit is turned off.
lWhen the CD being played is ejected and
the audio unit is turned off.
Without Bluetooth Hands-Free and
navigation system
With Bluetooth Hands-Free only/
Bluetooth Hands-Free and navigation
system
Use the talk button, pick-up button, and
hang-up button for navigation system
sound operation.
For details, refer to the separate manual
“NAVIGATION SYSTEM Owner's
Manual”.
Talk button
Pick-up buttonTalk button
Hang-up button Pick-up button
NOTElThe talk button, pick-up button, and hang-
up button are operable with the audio unit
turned off.
lMazda has installed this system to prevent
distraction while driving the vehicle and
using audio controls on the dashboard.
Always make safe driving your first priority.
qAdjusting the Volume
To increase the volume, press up the
volume switch.
To decrease the volume, press down the
volume switch.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-65
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During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressurelImproper wheel alignmentlOut-of-balance wheellSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-6) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to
rear, not from side to side. Tire
performance will be reduced if
rotated from side to side.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one tire is dangerous.
It could cause poor handling and
poor braking resulting in loss of
vehicle control. Mazda strongly
recommends that you replace all four
tires at the same time.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)lWhen tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls are used, the system may not
function correctly even with a genuine
wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on page
5-32.
lBe sure to install the tire pressure sensors
whenever tires or wheels are replaced.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page 5-32.
8-34
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
qTread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
qTraction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
qTemperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
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Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear:The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels.
Make sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other
tires on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
lEXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-
MATCH TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa)
TO SEAT BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT
TIRES.
lTIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.
9-28
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
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S
SRS Air Bags
Driver and front passenger occupant
classification system .................. 2-69
How the SRS air bags work ....... 2-62
Limitations to SRS air bag ......... 2-67
Monitoring and maintenance ..... 2-74
SRS air bag deployment
criteria ........................................ 2-66
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) precautions ...................... 2-55
Supplemental restraint system
components ................................ 2-61
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-65
Horn ........................................... 5-74
Storage Compartments .................... 6-193
Armrest box ............................. 6-194
Cargo securing loops ................ 6-194
Cargo sub-compartment ........... 6-195
Center console .......................... 6-194
Coin box ................................... 6-194
Glove compartment .................. 6-194
Overhead console ..................... 6-193
Rear coat hooks ........................ 6-196
Shopping bag hook .................. 6-195
Sunshade ........................................... 3-53
Sunvisors ........................................ 6-183
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-41
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-35
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-62
Third-Row Seat ................................. 2-13
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-22
Tire Information ................................ 9-25
T
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-28
System error activation .............. 5-32
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-30
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-32
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-32
Replacement ............................... 8-34
Rotation ...................................... 8-33
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-11
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-23
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-21
Emergency towing ..................... 7-21
Recreational towing ................... 7-24
Trailer Towing
(U.S.A. and Canada) .................. 4-14
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-23
TCS OFF indicator light ............ 5-24
TCS OFF switch ........................ 5-25
TCS/DSC/RSC indicator light .... 5-24
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-14
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-40
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-66
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................. 6-183
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
Index
11-7
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