tow MAZDA MODEL CX-9 2014 (in English) User Guide

Black plate (172,1)
qSafety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.
WARNING
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.
qTrailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all 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 and 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.
qTrailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WARNING
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
qTrailer Towing Tips
lVerify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is connected. Do not 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.
4-18
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page172
Monday, September 9 2013 4:7 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (173,1)
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.
lShift the shift 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 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.
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-19
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page173
Monday, September 9 2013 4:7 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (174,1)
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 (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.
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.
4-20
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page174
Monday, September 9 2013 4:7 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (175,1)
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 8-4).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-21
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page175
Monday, September 9 2013 4:7 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (185,1)
NOTElBraking 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 will build up a
wedge of surface layer when the wheels
skid.
lThe 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.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
lThe brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-9
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page185
Monday, September 9 2013 4:7 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (196,1)
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is off the
ground:Spinning a wheel that is off the
ground as a result of the vehicle
being stuck or in a ditch is
dangerous. The drive assembly could
be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even
lead to overheating, oil leakage, and
a fire.
qTires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to
the drive assembly, please note the
following:
Tires
lWhen replacing tires, always replace
all front and rear tires at the same time.
lAll tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when
equipping snow or other types of
winter tires.
lDo not mix tread-worn tires with
normal tires.
lInspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods and adjust to the
specified pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label attached
to driver's door frame for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lMake sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specified size,
on all wheels. With AWD, the system
is calibrated for all four wheels being
of the same dimensions.
Tire chains
lInstall tire chains to the front tires.lDo not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
lDo not drive the vehicle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
lDo not drive the vehicle with tire
chains on road conditions other than
snow or ice.
q Towing
If the vehicle requires towing, all four
wheels MUST be completely off the
ground. Never tow the vehicle with only
the front or rear wheels raised (page
7-21).
5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page196
Monday, September 9 2013 4:8 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (214,1)
NOTElThe Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) does not operate when the vehicle speed is lower than about 10
km/h (6.2 mph).
lThe detection area of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) has been determined based on the lane
width of general freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the system may detect
vehicles on a lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning light/beep. On a road with
wider lane width, the system may not detect vehicles on the adjacent lane and may not operate the
warning light/beep.
lUnder the following conditions, the system may be unable to detect vehicles, or detection may be
delayed.
lThe vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.lA vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.lThe difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger when
passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short period of
time.
lOn a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.lImmediately after the system has been activated by pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
OFF switch again after it has been turned off (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator
light in instrument panel illuminates) by pressing the switch.
lThe selector lever is shifted to the R position, or directly after being shifted from the R position.lThe system may not operate normally when towing a trailer. Turn off the system by operating the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch when towing a trailer.
lThe system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the selector lever is shifted to
the R position.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page214
Monday, September 9 2013 4:8 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (219,1)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors
can detect, the system may pause (The BSM
OFF indicator light in the instrument panel
flashes). However, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
qBSM OFF Switch
When the BSM switch is pressed, the
BSM system turns off and the BSM OFF
indicator light illuminates.
Press the BSM OFF switch again to turn
on the BSM system. The BSM OFF
indicator light turns off.
NOTE
lThe system may not operate normally when
towing a trailer. Turn off the system by
operating the BSM OFF switch when
towing a trailer.
lIf the ignition is switched off with the BSM
system turned off, the system becomes
operable automatically when the ignition is
switched ON.
qCare of Radar Sensors
The radar sensors are equipped inside the
rear bumper.
Radar sensors
Always keep the bumper surface near the
radar sensor area clean so that the BSM
system operates normally. Refer to the
Exterior Care (page 8-56).
NOTE
lThe BSM OFF indicator light flashes if the
radar sensors cannot operate normally. If
the light remains flashing after cleaning the
bumper surface near the radar sensor area,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lFor repairs or paintwork around the radar
sensors, or replacement of the bumper,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-43
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page219
Monday, September 9 2013 4:8 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (223,1)
NOTElDo not install any accessories within the detection ranges of the sensors. It may affect the system
operation.
lDepending on the type of obstruction and the surrounding conditions, the detection range of a
sensor may narrow, or the sensors may not be able to detect obstructions.
lThe system may not operate normally under the following conditions:lMud, ice, or snow is adhering to the sensor area (Returns to normal operation when removed).lThe sensor area is frozen (Returns to normal operation when the ice is thawed).lThe sensor is covered by a hand.lThe sensor is excessively shocked.lThe vehicle is excessively tilted.lUnder extremely hot or cold weather conditions.lThe vehicle is driven on bumps, inclines, gravel, or grass covered roads.lAnything which generates ultrasound is near the vehicle, such as another vehicle's horn, the
engine sound of a motorcycle, the air brake sound of a large-sized vehicle, or another vehicle's
sensors.
lThe vehicle is driven in heavy rain or in road conditions causing water-splash.lA commercially-available fender pole or an antenna for a radio transmitter is installed to the
vehicle.
lThe vehicle is moving towards a tall or square curbstone.lAn obstruction is too close to the sensor.lObstructions under the bumper may not be detected. Obstructions that are lower than the bumper
or thin which may have been initially detected but are no longer detected as the vehicle
approaches more closely.
lThe following types obstructions may not be detected:lThin objects such as wire or ropelThings which absorb sonic waves easily such as cotton or snowlAngular shaped objectslVery tall objects, and those which are wide at the toplSmall, short objectslAlways have the system inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any shock is applied to the
bumpers, even in a minor accident. If the sensors are deviated, they cannot detect obstructions.
lThe system may have a malfunction if the beep does not operate or the indicator light does not
illuminate when the park assist sensors switch is turned on. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe system may have a malfunction if the beep sound which indicates a system malfunction is
heard and the indicator light flashes. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe beeper which indicates a system malfunction may not be heard if the ambient temperature is
extremely cold, or mud, ice, or snow adheres to the sensor area. Remove any foreign material
from the sensor area.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-47
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page223
Monday, September 9 2013 4:8 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G

Black plate (235,1)
If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The malfunction warning light may
illuminate in the following cases:
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe brake switch has a problem.
If the malfunction warning light remains
on, do not drive at high speeds and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
q ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. NOTE
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
lThe brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
q
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-59
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page235
Monday, September 9 2013 4:8 PM
Form No.8DA3-EA-13G