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.

Do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km (600 miles) of your new Mazda. If you do, you may damage the engine, transaxle, differential, wheel bearings, and other power-train components.

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When towing, use of gasoline with a octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Trailer Stability Control (TSC) mechanism, which enhances vehicle stability when towing a trailer.

Refer to Trailer Stability Control (TSC) (Search).

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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 specifications 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 specifications 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 Certification Label posted on the driver's door frame.

High-altitude operation

Be aware of the towing load weight differences 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.

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TRAILER TOWING-LOAD TABLE

Because vehicle weights vary, adjustments must be made to meet the requirements in this table.

Item			Model
Item			2WD	AWD
MAX. FRONTAL AREA			2.97 m² (32 ft²)
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	1,225 kg (2,701 lb)	1,241 kg (2,736 lb)
MAX. GAWR		Rear	1,386 kg (3,056 lb)	1,433 kg (3,159 lb)
MAX. GVWR			2,572 kg (5,670 lb)	2,638 kg (5,816 lb)
TRAILER-TONGUE LOAD	Tongue load		Tongue load/Trailer load × 100 = 10 % to 15 %
TRAILER-TONGUE LOAD	Trailer load		Tongue load/Trailer load × 100 = 10 % to 15 %
DISTRIBUTION OF TRAILER LOAD		Front	60 %
DISTRIBUTION OF TRAILER LOAD		Rear	40 %

Always keep tow loads within specified limits as indicated in the Trailer Towing-Load Table:

Attempting to tow loads greater than those specified is dangerous as it may cause serious handling and performance problems that could result in personal injury or vehicle damage, or both.

Load your trailer with the weight about 60 % toward the front and 40 % toward the rear:

Loading the trailer with more weight in the rear than in the front is dangerous. Doing so could cause you to lose control. The trailer tongue load must be 10 %―15 % of the total trailer load (sum of the weights of the trailer and cargo).

Always have the total trailer weight and tongue load determined prior to departure:

Attempting to tow loads without determining the total trailer weight and tongue load is dangerous. Trailer sway from crosswinds, rough roads or other causes could result in loss of control and a serious accident.

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The total trailer weight and tongue load can be determined by weighing the trailer on platform scales at a highway weight station or a trucking company.

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Trailer Towing Tips

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.
Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.
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

Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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

Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and stopping in a traffic-free area.
Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
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.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially so on wet or slippery roads.
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.

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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:

Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
- If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face the curb.
- If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
Firmly apply the parking brake.
Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.

To restart after parking on an incline:

With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
Shift into gear.
Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks. Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
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).

Recreational Towing