The Mazda CX-5 redefines luxury. It offers a good drive, agile handling, and technology that satisfies your driving experience. But can this vehicle be flat towed? If you're on the hunt for answers, then you came to the right place as we researched all the answers to bring them to you!
If the CX-5 has a standard front-wheel drive, you can flat tow the vehicle by placing it in neutral gear. However, if it has AWD, it's recommended to tow with all four wheels off the ground (trailer towing).
There's still so much to discover with Mazda CX-5's features and performance. Keep reading if you want to learn more about towing with the Mazda CX-5.
How To Flat Tow Mazda CX-5 With FWD
Flat towing is a process that tows vehicles with all four wheels on the ground behind trucks or motorhomes. One of the advantages that come with flat towing is that you will only need smaller sets of equipment to hitch your SUV to an RV or another vehicle.
Aside from that, the process only takes minimal time and effort. Flat towing is also the fastest and simplest way to connect and disconnect a vehicle. So this is definitely a big relief for trips with a lot of stops.
You can do two kinds of flat towing activities with the Mazda CX-5, which we will discuss further along with their methods.
Emergency Towing
If your Mazda CX-5 is rendered undrivable because of car problems, it can be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground regardless of the powertrain and transmission configuration under the following conditions:
- The vehicle should always face forward. Therefore, it should be towed in a forward direction.
- Place the transmission in a Neutral (N) position. If you can't move the transmission into N, you need to override your vehicle to stay in neutral mode. Failure to do so can cause damage to your transmission.
- You should run with a maximum speed of 35 mph and a maximum distance of 50 mi.
Here are some of the steps you might want to follow to shift-lock override your Mazda CX-5:
- Engage the emergency brake and insert the ignition key to start the ignition. You don't have to start the engine.
- Locate the shift lock override slot on the shifter console near the lever.
- Remove the cover with a flat head screwdriver. Push it down and hold.
- Press the brake pedal while pushing down on the override.
- Shift the gears as you normally would.
Recreational Towing
This towing refers to flat towing a vehicle behind an RV or motorhome. This is popular for car enthusiasts that are bringing along an off-road vehicle.
Your Mazda CX-5 can be towed with all four wheels on the ground only with the standard front-wheel drive and by putting it in neutral.
Here are the guidelines you might want to follow to properly tow your vehicle:
- Remember to always tow in the forward direction.
- Release the parking brake.
- Place the vehicle in neutral mode.
- To put your Mazda CX-5 in neutral mode, select the neutral option in the information display. Once done, press the brake pedal and selected Neutral in the transmission. Ensure the parking brakes are off. A confirmation message should appear on the screen display and the N on the transmission should slowly blink.
- You should set with a speed of 70 mph
- Start the engine and let it run for 1 minute at the beginning of each day. While the engine is running and your foot on the brake, shift into D position, then into R position before shifting back to N position.
- If possible, put your CX-5's climate control system in recirculated air mode. Doing this prevents extra fumes from entering inside your vehicle.
Following the steps provided above ensures safety and protection to your Mazda CX-5's transmission. For the best result, you can consult the nearest Mazda manufacturer near your area or refer to the owner's manual for towing concerns.
How To Tow Mazda CX-5 With AWD
If your Mazda CX-5 has a standard all-wheel drive, the safest way to tow this is using a flatbed truck or a dolly tow.
Most AWDs have a drivetrain connected through the driveshaft that provides power to all four wheels of the vehicle. So, when you flat tow, it will cause damage to both the wheels and the transmission.
To prevent problems from escalating, a flatbed truck or trailer would be the best life-saver for your Mazda CX-5. All you need is to simply load the vehicle and secure it with car-tie-down straps to ensure its safety when transporting.
Another thing you can do is request tow trucks to bring a set of dollies. These dollies should be placed under a set of wheels, while the other set should be placed on top of the truck's wrecker to guarantee that all the wheels are lifted off the ground.
For more information on the Mazda CX-5 AWD, you can check out this post: Does Mazda CX-5 Have All Wheel Drive? [Models And Trims Explored]
Which Mazdas Can Be Flat Towed?
The Mazda CX-5 is the only Mazda model car that can be flat towed with its front-wheel-drive (FWD, placed into neutral gear).
The reason why the Mazda CX-5 is flat towable is because of customer demands to shape the new models. Manufacturers knew consumers wanted this feature on their car, and so they made front-wheel drive available to some trim levels.
Below are 2022 Mazda CX-5's specs with trim levels available in FWD:
Mazda CX-5 2.5 S
- Engine: 2.5 Inline-4 Gas
- Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in AWD/FWD
- MSRP: $25,900
Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Select
- Engine: 2.5 Inline-4 Gas
- Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in AWD/FWD
- MSRP: $27, 900
Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Preferred
- Engine: 2.5L Inline-4 Gas
- Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in AWD/FWD
- MSRP: $29, 600
Prices may vary according to this car review.
For the 2021 Mazda CX-5, these are the different trim levels that offer an FWD:
Mazda CX-5 Sport
- Engine: 1-4, 187 horsepower, 2.5-liter
- Transmission: Autom-manual with overdrive 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- MSRP: $24, 350
Mazda CX-5 Touring
- Engine: 1-4, 187 horsepower, 2.5 liter
- Transmission: Auto-manual with overdrive of 6-speed Automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- MSRP: $26, 615
Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring
- Engine: 1-4, 187 horsepower, 2.5-liter
- Transmission: Auto-manual with overdrive 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- MSRP: 526, 615
Mazda CX-5s ranging from 2020 below have a standard front-wheel drive, while AWD is optional to some models.
The Mazda3 Sedan and the Mazda3 Hatchback also include front-wheel drive. If you want to know whether these vehicles are flat towable or not, you can read this post: Can You Flat Tow A Mazda 3? [And How To]
Can The Mazda CX-5 Be Hitched To A Trailer?
Mazda CX-5's towing capacity is right around 2,000 pounds. Therefore, the vehicle can safely pull trailers within that specific range without causing damage to the vehicle.
The CX-5 also has a payload capacity that rates 1,033 pounds. This covers all the possible weight of all passengers, cargo, and trailers that should be under this range.
With its limited towing and payload capacity, you should be very mindful in choosing trailers. As much as possible, opt for lightweight trailers like The Ranger 12 by Aliner. It weighs 1,459 pounds and offers enough room to add gear that would still reach the maximum towing capacity.
Another trailer you can check out is the Expedition Series by Turtleback. Although small in appearance, this trailer can accommodate 2-6 people.
If you want to learn more about towing a trailer with the Mazda CX-5, watch this YouTube video by The Camping and Caravanning Club:
You can also read through this other post: Can A Mazda CX-5 Tow A Trailer?
How Do You Protect Your Mazda CX-5 When Flat Towing?
Aside from purchasing the right equipment such as a hitch, towbar, and base plate kits for flat towing, you should also need to secure a car tow shield.
A car tow shield is a protective covering. Its main purpose is to protect your Mazda CX-5 from flying debris on the road like rocks, gravel, and small flying objects.
It also protects your windshield from cracks, scratches, chips, and dings and prevents exhaust residue from gathering in the front of your SUV.
See this car tow shield on Amazon.
In Closing
The Mazda CX-5 is flat towable on the standard front-wheel drive in certain conditions.
Applying the guidelines and tips in this post should make you confident enough to drive slowly and tow safely with the Mazda CX-5. Enjoy and have a good ride!