MAZDA MODEL CX-9 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these sh
ift points:
Gear
Vehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1 Always observe local speed limit regulations.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the
engine starts to overwork. This gives better acceleration when you need more speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed an d prolongs brake life.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
4-47
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

Driving Tips
WA R N I N G
Do not let the vehicle move in a direction
opposite to the direction selected by the
selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward with
the selector lever in a forward position, or
do not let the vehicle move forward with
the selector lever in the reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine may stop, causing
the loss of the power brake and power
steering functions, and make it difficult to
control the vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
•The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how much
the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
•While the selector lever is in the M
position and the TCS is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep gra des from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
4-48
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

Lighting Control
▼Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn
the headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
When the lights are turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

NOTE
•If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-11.
•To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On
On
*2
Daytime running lights
On*1OffOn*1Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off Off On
On
*2OnOn*2
*1 The lights are turned on wh ile the vehicle is driven.*2 The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-49
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

With auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition PositionONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF
Headlights Off Off
Auto
*2Auto*4Off Off On On*5
Daytime running lights On*1OffOn*3OffOn*1Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off Off
Auto
*2Auto*4OnOn*5OnOn*5
*1 The lights are turned on wh ile the vehicle is driven.*2 The lights are turned on by the auto light function.*3 The lights are turned on while t he vehicle is driven, and turned off when the headlights are turned on by the
auto light function.
*4 The lights are turned on continuously if the ignition is switc hed from ON to any other position with the lights
turned on. The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.
*5 The lights are turned on for th e specified period by the auto headlight off function.
Auto-light control*
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automat ically turns the headlights
and other exterior lights on or off.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-50*Some models.
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

CAUTION
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a st icker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly.
 The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition
is switched ON as fingers could be pinche d or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activa te automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is partic
ularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
•The headlights and other exterior lights may not turn off immediately even if the
surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor determines that it is night time
if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several minute s such as inside long
tunnels, traffic jams inside tunn els, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the
position.
•If the headlight switch and the windshield wiper switch are in , and the wipers are
operated at low or high speed by the auto wi per control for several seconds, bad weather
conditions are determined and the headlights may be turned on.
•The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-11.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-51
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

▼Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.

High beam
Low beam
When the headlight high-beams are on, the
headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.

▼Flashing the Headlights
Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
To flash the headlights
, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).

OFF
Headlight
flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to
the normal position when released.

▼ Coming Home Light
The coming home light turns on the
headlights (low beam
s) when the lever is
operated.
To turn on the lights
When the lever is pulled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn o ff after a certain
period of time has elapsed after the doors
are closed.
NOTE
•The time until the headlights turn off
after all of the doors are closed can be
changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-11.
•If no operations are done for 3 minutes
after the lever is pu lled, the headlights
turn off.
•The headlights turn off if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are
illuminated.
▼ Leaving Home Light
The leaving home light
turns on the lights
when the transmitter unlock button is
pressed while away from the vehicle.
The following lights turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License plate lights.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-52
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

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: , , or
Lock button
Unlock
button
NOTE
•Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-11.
•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
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 require moving vehicles to
have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.

The daytime running lights turn on when
the vehicle is driven and turn off when the
parking brake is operated or the selector
lever is shifted to
the P position.
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-11.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-53
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

Fog Lights*
The fog lights can be turned on with the
ignition switched ON and the headlights
turned on.
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
The fog lights will i mprove visibility at
night and during foggy conditions.
The fog lights turn on when the fog light
switch is tu rned to the
position and turn
off when the switch is turned to the
position.
Fo g light switch
NOTE
•The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beams.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the turn and lane-change signals.
▼Tu r n S i g n a l s
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.

If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, ma
nually return th e lever to its
original position.
Right turn
Left turn
Right lane change
Left lane change OFF
The turn signal indicators in the
instrument cluster
flash according to the
operation of the turn signal lever to show
which signal is working.

NOTE
•If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one
of the turn signal bulbs may be burned
out.
•A personalized function is available to
change the turn indicator sound volume.
(page 9-11)
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-54*Some models.
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

▼Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change―until the
indicator flashes― and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
▼Three-Flash Turn Signal
After releasing the turn signal lever, the
turn signal indicator flashes three times.
The operation can be cancelled by moving
the lever in the direction opposite to which
it was operated.
NOTE
The three-flash turn signal function can be
switched to operable/inoperable using the
personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-11.
Windshield Wipers and
Wa s h e r
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WA R N I N G
Use only windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is
dangerous. If sprayed on the windshield, it
will dirty the windshield, affect your
visibility, and could result in an accident.
Only use windshield washer fluid mixed
with anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing weather
conditions is dangerous as it could freeze
on the windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident. In addition,
make sure the windshield is sufficiently
warmed using the defroster before
spraying the washer fluid.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-55
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1 2017-5-29 10:13:38

NOTE
If the windshield wipers are operated
under cold weather conditions or during
snowfall, they could stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield. If
the windshield wipers stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield, park
the vehicle in a safe place, turn the wiper
switch off, and then remove the
accumulated snow. If the wiper switch is
turned to another position other than OFF,
the wipers will operate. If the wipers do
not operate even though the wiper switch
is turned to a position other than OFF,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
▼ Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pressing the lever
up or down.
With intermittent wiper

Switch Posi-
tion Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Intermittent
Low speed
High speed
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.

INT ring
With auto-wiper control

Switch Posi-
tion Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Auto control
Low speed
High speed
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-56
CX-9_8GC3-EA-17G_Edition1
2017-5-29 10:13:38