towing MAZDA MODEL MPV 2005 (in English) User Guide

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qTrailer Towing Tips
lVerify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is connected. Don't drive if it has an abnormal front-up or front-down position.
Inspect for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading.
lMake sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
lMake sure the mirrors conform to all government 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
lHave your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lBefore 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
lYour Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing,
and stopping in a traffic-free area.
lTake time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
lAllow 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.
lAvoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
lAvoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially
so on wet or slippery roads.
lUse the following positions when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when heavily
loaded.
lOD (overdrive) offlShift lever in D
These positions will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden 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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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Passing
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.
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 trailer 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
Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
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 (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use
lower gears to reduce speed.
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 (page 7-16).
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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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.
lIf the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
lIf it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
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 8-3).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Changing a Flat Tire ................................................................. 7-9
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-16
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-16
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-18
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-18
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-19
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-22
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-23
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-23
Tiedown Hooks ....................................................................... 7-24
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-24
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Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
front wheels off the ground. If excessive
damage or other conditions prevent this,
use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Don't tow the vehicle pointed backward
with driving wheels on the ground. This
may cause internal damage to the
transaxle.
CAUTION
Don't tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
Don't use the tiedown hooks under the
front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using them for towing will
damage the bumper.
qTiedown Hooks-Front
qTiedown Hook-Rear
Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-23) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-24) and
carefully follow the instructions.
7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
lRepeated short-distance driving
lDriving in dusty conditions
lDriving with extended use of brakes
lDriving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
lDriving on rough or muddy roads
lExtended periods of idling or low-speed operation
lDriving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
lTowing a trailer
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000
miles5 1015202530354045505560
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakes I I
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L L L L L
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)
Cabin air filter (if equipped) Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
Remarks
*1 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark plugs every 96,000 km
(60,000 miles) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
d) Towing a trailer
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Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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D
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-34
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-37
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ......................................... 3-8
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-10
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-12
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-10
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
E
Easy Closure ..................................... 3-12
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-18
Flooded engine ........................... 7-18
Jump-starting .............................. 7-19
Push-starting .............................. 7-22
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-23
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-13
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-23
Oil .............................................. 8-10
Overheating ................................ 7-16
Starting ......................................... 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview .......... 8-9
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-16
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-22
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-44
E
Eyeglass Holder ................................ 6-54
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-38
Headlights .................................. 5-33
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Changing ...................................... 7-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-7
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-35
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-4
Front Console ................................... 6-54
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-8
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-3
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-22
Gauge ......................................... 5-23
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-4
Fuses ................................................. 8-36
Panel description ........................ 8-38
Replacement ............................... 8-36
G
Glove Box ......................................... 6-54
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-38
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-8
Index
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P
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-10
Power Sliding Doors ......................... 3-12
Power Steering .................................. 5-13
Fluid ........................................... 8-16
Power Windows ................................ 3-18
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-22
R
Rear Console ..................................... 6-55
Rear Door Child Safety Locks .......... 3-11
Rear Quarter Windows ..................... 3-21
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-37
Rear Window Washer ....................... 5-37
Rear Window Wiper .......................... 5-37
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-32
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-24
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-12
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-8
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-17
Seat Belt System
2-point type ................................ 2-37
3-point type ................................ 2-33
Automatic locking ...................... 2-32
Emergency locking .................... 2-32
Extender ..................................... 2-38
Pregnant women ........................ 2-32
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-35
Seat belt precautions .................. 2-30
Warning beep ............................. 2-40
Warning light ............................. 2-39
S
Seats
Flat folding ................................. 2-28
Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-8
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-3
Second-row seats ....................... 2-12
Third-Row Seat .......................... 2-20
Second-row seats .............................. 2-12
Security System
Immobilizer system .................... 3-27
Theft-deterrent system ............... 3-29
Service Publications .......................... 9-18
Shopping Bag Hooks ........................ 6-56
Side Extention Sunvisors .................. 6-45
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speedometer ...................................... 5-21
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-63
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-56
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-3
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-31
Horn ........................................... 5-38
Storage Box ...................................... 6-55
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-53
Cargo securing loops .................. 6-56
Eyeglass holder .......................... 6-54
Front console .............................. 6-54
Glove box ................................... 6-54
Overhead console ....................... 6-53
Rear console ............................... 6-55
Shopping bag hooks ................... 6-56
Storage box ................................ 6-55
Under seat tray ........................... 6-55
Sunshade ........................................... 3-26
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-45
Index
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