Towing

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 economy.

Never overload vehicle or trailer. Consult an expert repairer (we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer) if you need further details.

 

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• 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, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, and other power train components.

• Damage caused by towing a trailer/caravan in Turkey is not covered by the vehicle's warranty.

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• When towing a trailer, do not use the following safety systems (If a Mazda genuine trailer hitch is used, these systems are automatically turned off):

  • Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)

  • Smart Brake Support [Rear] (SBS-R)

  • Smart Brake Support [Rear Crossing] (SBS-RC)

  • Parking Sensor System (Rear)

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When towing a trailer, use an appropriate trailer hitch. We recommend using a genuine Mazda trailer hitch. Use the original holes drilled by the vehicle manufacturer for securing the trailer hitch. Consult an expert repairer (we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer) for more information.

Trailer hitch installation area

1. 350 ― 420 mm (13.8 ― 16.5 in)

2. 912.0 mm (35.91 in)

3. 1022.2 mm (40.244 in)

4. MAX. 80 kg (176.3 lb)

5. Hitch coupling point

When towing a trailer, make sure all tyres are inflated to the recommended cold-tyre pressure, as indicated on the tyre pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tyre size, load rating, and inflation pressures should conform to tyre manufacturer specifications.

 

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Never use the temporary spare tyre when towing:

Using the temporary spare tyre on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as it could result in tyre failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.

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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.

 

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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.

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Check the Maximum trailer towing-load table in Weight Limits (Search), and if your trailer weight exceeds the value in the TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT (Trailer without brake), trailer brakes are required.

If your trailer has brakes, make sure they meet regulations.

 

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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.

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Before driving

• 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 nose weight, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading. Have the vehicle inspected by an expert repairer (we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer).

• Make sure the trailer cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.

• Make sure the mirrors meet all government regulations. Inspect them.

• 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.

• Do not exceed 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow. If the local legal maximum speed with a trailer in tow is less than 100 km/h (62 mph), do not exceed the legal speed.

   

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  If the vehicle exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow, the vehicle could be damaged.

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• When ascending a hill, shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or both.

• When descending a hill, shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect. Pay constant attention to speed and use the brakes only as needed. Holding the brake pedal down for a prolonged period may cause the brakes to overheat and lose power.

Parking

Avoid parking on an incline with a trailer. If this must be done, follow these instructions.

Parking on an Incline

1. Set the parking brake and the brakes.

2. Have someone block the wheels of the vehicle and trailer while you apply the brakes.

3. After the wheels are blocked, release the parking brake and the brakes slowly, allowing the blocks to bear the load.

4. Set the parking brake firmly.

5. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, put the selector lever in P position. If it has a manual transmission, place the gear shift in 1 or R position.

Starting on an Incline

1. Start the engine (Search).

2. Release the parking brake and slowly pull away a short distance from the wheel blocks.

3. Stop on the nearest level ground, set the parking brake, and pick up the wheel blocks.