Towing
Weight Limits
Safety 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.
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.
Trailer Towing Tips
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Verify 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.
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Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.
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Make 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
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Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Before 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
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Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and stopping in a traffic-free area.
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Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
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Allow 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.
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Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
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Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially so on wet or slippery roads.
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Shift the selector 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.
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.
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 (Search).
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:
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Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
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Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
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Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
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If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face the curb.
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If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
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Firmly apply the parking brake.
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Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
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With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
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Shift into gear.
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Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks. Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
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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 (Search).
