Mazda CX-9 Owners Manual: Driving Tips

Break-In Period

No special break-in is necessary, but a few precautions in the first 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 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 inflated.
• 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.

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.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly 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.
• 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.

Floor Mat

We recommend the use of Genuine Mazda floor mats.

WARNING

Make sure the floor mats are hooked on the retention pins to prevent them from bunching up under the foot pedals: Using a floor mat that is not secured is dangerous as it will interfere with the accelerator and brake pedal operation, which could result in an accident.

If using an all-weather mat for winter use always remove the original floor mat.

When setting a floor mat, position the floor 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 selector lever from D to R position.

Winter Driving

Carry emergency gear, including tire chains, window scraper, flares, 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.
• 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.
• Inspect the ignition system for damage and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with antifreeze―but do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washer fluid.

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. Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 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 find 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 different in size or type is dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could be greatly affected and result in an accident.

CAUTION

Check local regulations before using studded tires.

NOTE If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system, the system may not function correctly when using tires with steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls.

Tire Chains

Check local regulations before using tire chains.

CAUTION

• Chains may affect 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 specification 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).

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 affected.

CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle on flooded 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.

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 muffler(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 profile 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.

Turbocharger Information

CAUTION

• After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, trailer towing for a long time, 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 filter according to Scheduled Maintenance.

2. Use only recommended engine oil. Extra additives are NOT recommended.