My wife and I were excited to test drive a CX-90 as a potential replacement for our 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then I read the owners manual regarding towing….it basically says you risk major damage of the powertrain if you tow at speeds greater than 62 mph. What’s up with that?? I never speed when towing but generally stick to 68-70 in 70 mph speed limit zones. This is a non starter for me as I tow a 4000 lb bass boat frequently. Do I think towing my boat with a CX-90 would really cause any issues? No. Do I think Mazda would look to void my warranty if they somehow could see I towed my boat at 68-70 mph? Yes. I just don’t get it. Mazda touts the max towing capacity of the CX-90 and then states in the manual you shouldn’t tow over 62 mph. I’m not aware of any other manufacturer that has a speed limit when towing. Disappointed, because I really liked the vehicle and looked forward to checking it out.
62 mph max for towing in the CX-90???
- Thread starter bman5150
- Start date
N7turbo
2023 CX-5 2.5T ... 2024 MX-5 RF GT
The car will spontaneously self-destruct at 63mph.
But seriously, it's not only Mazda.
www.ridgelineownersclub.com
Check to see if your tires have a speed limit when towing.
Interestingly, 100 kmh = 62 mph
But seriously, it's not only Mazda.
Max Tow Speed Question
Check to see if your tires have a speed limit when towing.
Interestingly, 100 kmh = 62 mph
Good point, and thanks for sharing.
My trailer tires are D load rated and M speed rated / 81 mph (which I of course never do while towing.)
My Jeep owners manual makes zero mention about maximum towing speed. I also pulled up the 2025 Honda Pilot manual and don’t recall seeing anything regarding maximum towing speed (it’s another vehicle we are considering.) I’ll have to double check given that the Ridgeline owners manual includes the 62 mph warning.
Interesting to see the Ford Ranger manual includes the 62 mph warning. That truck is a solid tow vehicle from all accounts.
My trailer tires are D load rated and M speed rated / 81 mph (which I of course never do while towing.)
My Jeep owners manual makes zero mention about maximum towing speed. I also pulled up the 2025 Honda Pilot manual and don’t recall seeing anything regarding maximum towing speed (it’s another vehicle we are considering.) I’ll have to double check given that the Ridgeline owners manual includes the 62 mph warning.
Interesting to see the Ford Ranger manual includes the 62 mph warning. That truck is a solid tow vehicle from all accounts.
- :
- CX-5 Sport 16.5 6M
I would guess it is a limitation of the transmission.
I can't find any warning like this for my CX5, however the towing chart has a lot of limitations, included the maximum amount of frontal area of the trailer (32 sqft).
My Saturn VUE had a limit of 1500 lbs towing ( less than the 2000 lbs my CX5 allows) and a limit of 55 mph in 4th gear ( it was a 5M). Presumeably the clutch wouldn't be as stressed by staying in 4th gear.
Realistically, I have to think that an important consideration is how far, the altitude and terrain, etc., which could affect the transmission temperature.
I can't find any warning like this for my CX5, however the towing chart has a lot of limitations, included the maximum amount of frontal area of the trailer (32 sqft).
My Saturn VUE had a limit of 1500 lbs towing ( less than the 2000 lbs my CX5 allows) and a limit of 55 mph in 4th gear ( it was a 5M). Presumeably the clutch wouldn't be as stressed by staying in 4th gear.
Realistically, I have to think that an important consideration is how far, the altitude and terrain, etc., which could affect the transmission temperature.
You have to take into account the weight of the vehicle combined with what you are dragging behind it and not just the drive train. When pulling a trailer the back of the car is being influenced by the weight of the trailer.This is physics. The drive train may be able to pull the trailer but the addition of a trailer changes the center of inertia. At excessive speeds the whole mechanical system can become a pendulum that will swing side to side out of control. The engineers at Mazda have calculated the maximum save speed and usually add little margin so as not to come close to speed at which the car could become uncontrollable. Here is a video which goes over the factors overlooked when towing. Jon is Australian so his numbers are metric so you may have to do some conversions but the message is the same. There is a lot more to towing than what the drive train can pull without damage.
Responsible spokesmen with apposing viewpoints are welcome to chime in.
Responsible spokesmen with apposing viewpoints are welcome to chime in.
I understand the limitations of a chassis as far as payload, trailer weight, tongue weight, etc. But my comment was not about towing at excessive speeds-it was being able to tow at the speed limit on 70 mph. A speed limit that is extremely common throughout our US interstate system. I think it’s very odd that they designed a vehicle with a tow speed limit of 62 mph.
hsdejong
Mazda CX-5 2023 Exclusive-Line Black Comfort Pack
In the Netherlands, the maximum permitted speed for cars towing trailers are as follows:
Trailer up to and including 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) is 90 kilometers per hour (approximately 56 miles per hour).
Trailer over 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) is 80 kilometers per hour (approximately 50 miles per hour).
For the Netherlands 62 mph is more than enough ;-)
Trailer up to and including 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) is 90 kilometers per hour (approximately 56 miles per hour).
Trailer over 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) is 80 kilometers per hour (approximately 50 miles per hour).
For the Netherlands 62 mph is more than enough ;-)
