MAZDA MODEL CX-9 2017 Owners Manual (in English)
Manufacturer: MAZDA, Model Year: 2017, Model line: MODEL CX-9, Model: MAZDA MODEL CX-9 2017Pages: 612
Page 131 of 612

3–49
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the fi rst 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Do not tow a trailer.
Saving Fuel and
Protection
of the Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule
(page 6-4 ) and have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly infl ated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going down
a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
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3–50
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving
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.
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvering of this vehicle
are dangerous as it could result in the
increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle roll-over, personal injury or
death.
This vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Vehicles with a higher center of
gravity such as utility vehicles handle
diff erently than vehicles with a lower
center of gravity.
Utility vehicles are not designed for
cornering at high speeds any more
than low profi le sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily
under off -road conditions.
In addition, utility vehicles have a
signifi cantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is signifi cantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-72 .
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
For 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.
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3–51
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda fl oor mats.
WARNING
Make sure the fl oor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a fl oor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two fl oor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two fl oor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one fl oor mat from sliding
forward.
Loose fl oor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter
use always remove the original fl oor
mat.
When setting a fl oor mat, position the fl oor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever
from D to R.
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3–52
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, fl ares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-29 .
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-26 ).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fl uid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fl uid (page 6-31 ).
NOTE
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Infl ate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2 , 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates you
may fi nd it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires diff erent in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly aff ected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
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3–53
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
Chains may aff ect handling.
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Do not use chains on a temporary spare
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.
Use of tire chains on a vehicle equipped
with P255/50R20 specifi cation tires
could cause interference with the
vehicle body and scratching. If tire
chains are to be used, replace both front
and rear tires with P255/60R18 tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).
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3–54
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been aff ected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on fl ooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from
water absorption. If the vehicle has
been immersed in water, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of the vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of the load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle.
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3–55
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffl er(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle
Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
This vehicle is equipped with low profi le tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
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3–56
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Turbocharger Information
CAUTION
After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds before
stopping it. Otherwise, the turbocharger could be damaged.
Racing or over-revving the engine, particularly after it's just been started, can damage the
turbocharger.
To protect the engine from damage, the engine is designed so that it cannot be raced just
after starting it in extremely cold weather.
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved
operation and requires minimum maintenance.
To get the most from it, observe the following.
1. Change engine oil and fi lter according to Scheduled Maintenance (page 6-4 ).
2. Use only recommended engine oil (page 6-26 ). Extra additives are NOT
recommended.
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3–57
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing (U.S.A. and Canada)
Your Mazda was designed and built primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
If you tow a trailer, follow these instructions because driver and passenger safety depends
on proper equipment and safe driving habits. Towing a trailer will affect handling, braking,
durability, performance, and fuel economy.
Never overload your vehicle or trailer. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if you need
further details.
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer during the fi rst 1,000 km (600 miles) of your new Mazda. If you do,
you may damage the engine, transaxle, diff erential, wheel bearings, and other power-
train components.
NOTE
Your vehicle is equipped with a Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) mechanism, which enhances
vehicle stability when towing a trailer.
Refer to Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on page 4-76 .
Weight Limits
TTW and GCWR
The total trailer weight (TTW), gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross
axle weight rating (GAWR), trailer load, and trailer tongue load must be within the
prescribed limits.
The total trailer weight (TTW) is the sum of the weights of the trailer load (trailer
weight plus cargo), trailer hitch, 2 passengers, and vehicle load (baggage, food, camp
gear, etc.). Never allow the total trailer weight (TTW) to exceed specifi cations in the
Trailer Towing-Load Table.
The maximum GCWR is the combination weight of the trailer and load plus the
towing vehicle (including trailer hitch, vehicle passengers, and load). It must not
exceed specifi cations in the load table.
GAWR and GVWR
Do not exceed front and rear GAWR (gross axle weight rating) and GVWR (gross vehicle
weight rating). If you do, vehicle handling, braking, and performance will be affected. These
values are also on the Motor Vehicle Safety Certifi cation Label posted on the driver's door
frame.
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3–58
Before Driving
Towing
High-altitude operation
CAUTION
Be aware of the towing load weight diff erences when towing at high altitudes. For altitudes
exceeding 1,000 meter (3,280 ft 10 in), always reduce the towing load by 10 % for every
1,000 meter (3,280 ft 10 in) increase in altitude from the load indicated under the maximum
GCWR heading in the trailer towing-load table. If the determined maximum total towing
load weight is exceeded, the engine and other power-train parts may be damaged.
TRAILER TOWING-LOAD TABLE
Because vehicle weights vary, adjustments must be made to meet the requirements in this
table.
Item Model
2WD AWD
MAX. FRONTAL
AREA
2.97 m
2 (32 ft 2 )
MAX. TTW
1,587.5 kg (3,500 lb)
MAX. GCWR
3,629 kg
(8,000.4 lb) 3,782 kg
(8,337.7 lb)
MAX. GAWR
Front 1,217 kg
(2,683 lb) 1,241 kg
(2,736 lb)
Rear 1,386 kg
(3,056 lb) 1,433 kg
(3,159 lb)
MAX. GVWR
2,568 kg
(5,661 lb) 2,638 kg
(5,816 lb)
TRAILER-
TONGUE LOAD Tongue load
Tongue load/Trailer load × 100
= 10 % to 15 %
Trailer load
DISTRIBUTION
OF TRAILER
LOAD
Front
60 %
Rear
40 %
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