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- 2018 CX-5 Sport
As per this video, the narrator explains that the 'tow bar' access areas through the bumpers are not to be used. Ever. They were used for securing the cars while transporting them to the USA.
That thing in the middle just keeps spinning around...I can't get it to play.
notice i added spaces so the forum doesn't auto translate it into embedded video - remove those.https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=23-voe33x90
As per this video, the narrator explains that the 'tow bar' access areas through the bumpers are not to be used. Ever. They were used for securing the cars while transporting them to the USA.
Please stop calling them "tow/recovery access points." They are not meant for pulling a vehicle out of a ditch, or anything similar. It's right in the manual:
"Do not use the front and rear tiedown eyelets for towing the vehicle. They have been designed only for securing the vehicle to a transport vessel during shipping. Using the eyelets for any other purpose could result in the vehicle being damaged"
And no, they are not being cute with the language by implying that there separate tiedown eyelets and towing/recover eyelets. It is where the eyelets screw into that is the weak point for towing. A real tow truck will use straps or chains to attach to the axle of the vehicle in a recovery situation
Both links you posted are not for CX-5. Mazda uses “Towing Eyelet” and “Towing Hook” alternatively in CX-9’s owner’s manual; but uses “Tiedown Eyelet” and “Tiedown Hook” alternatively in CX-5’s owner’s manual. Noticed that in Emergency Towing section of CX-9 owner’s manual, all the towing with supplied towing eyelet / hook if applicable is for Mexico only, not for USA and Canada.I can quote the manual too:
Notice the difference in verbiage (tiedown vs. towing)? This is part of the reason I'm so adamant in stating that there are two different hooks. Also, note that the screw point remains the same in your manual excerpt and mine, the only thing that could possibly be different is the eyelet.
If they are, in fact, the same hook, then I would admit my error and come to the conclusion that Mazda needs to revise it's manuals (as well as the part descriptions on the many sites that sell the eyelet).
Both links you posted are not for CX-5.
Mazda uses “Towing Eyelet” and “Towing Hook” alternatively in CX-9’s owner’s manual; but uses “Tiedown Eyelet” and “Tiedown Hook” alternatively in CX-5’s owner’s manual.
Noticed that in Emergency Towing section of CX-9 owner’s manual, all the towing with supplied towing eyelet / hook if applicable is for Mexico only, not for USA and Canada.
I’ve seen both supplied tiedown eyelets in the brand new 2015 CX-5 and so called towing hooks sold at Mazda parts side by side in person, and they’re exactly the same.
Mazda really needs to be consistent on this eyelet/hook naming among all documents including the name in parts list.
And if there were some true towing hooks available for CX-5, the owner’s manual should said so preventing owners use the supplied tiedown eyelets for emergency towing accidentally which “could result in the vehicle being damaged”!
sm1ke, you seem a bit spun up about this.
It's clear that Mazda could have been more thorough in how they've documented this. But I expect to find some inconsistencies and generalities that don't' get corrected in further revs. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they maintained the same part number for a part but changed its "name" or "description" and then failed to find every instance in their documentation to update.
From what I can tell, Mazda hasn't elaborated on what damage may occur if people thread in an eyelet to their bumper and tug. Nor is it likely in their interest to. They've made a blanket statement discouraging end users for doing that, probably to limit their liability.
It's possible that they've done it for reasons that would apply equally to older models than to new, or it may be because of something unique to later model CX-5s.
Some plausible reasons are:
1) In some test during R&D damage occurred while tugging on the eyelet.
2) There have been warranty or other field claims from damage due to using the eyelet.
3) They can save money by re-using the shipping eyelets and not including them with the car
4) The 2nd gen CX-5 houses the eyelet in a painted section of the bumper. Perhaps tow strap at an angle can damage the delicate and difficult to match paint on the bumper.
5) The body colored eyelet covers are expensive to replace and are not available pre-painted. If people aren't removing them they are less likely to get lost or damaged.
Could probably think of several more plausible reasons why they may have made the change to recommending against customers touching these things.
None of those reasons require them to change the design of the parts, nor the part number under which they manufacture, distribute or procure them. It may be a difficult and or messy process to try and find the places the part is referred to by number or name. Some of which may be outside of their control (databases by 3rd parties and such).
That's pretty much general car knowledge.. when you do that you are pulling the car by the bumper, and it's off center. Why would you risk fatiguing your actual bumper (which is specifically designed to crumple) instead of using the real hardened tow points, which are big eyelets on the frame rails just behind the front tire. The bumper eyelet is a last ditch or wrecked car item. Any tow truck driver who dives for the bumper tow hook first is either a noob, or doesn't care about the integrity of your vehicle. That being said, it's no surprise that the cars don't include them anymore as it's just something for someone to use incorrectly.
Remember the general driver has little to no mechanical inclination about their vehicle. A while back a guy was crying here/on the fb page about how the spare tire didn't fit.. come to find out he was putting it on the front (where it wont fit), which is never recommended, and specifically against the manual.
I don't see why he would bother popping a painted part of a new car he is trying to sell lol. Nor why he would show the proper tow points to a layman, as the tow truck driver typically knows. I've never once seen a tow truck driver try to winch my car up using anything other than the frame rail hole (they would have got an earful). The only other place I would allow is control arms.
I didn't know there were tow points behind the front tires. Thanks.That's pretty much general car knowledge.. when you do that you are pulling the car by the bumper, and it's off center. Why would you risk fatiguing your actual bumper (which is specifically designed to crumple) instead of using the real hardened tow points, which are big eyelets on the frame rails just behind the front tire. The bumper eyelet is a last ditch or wrecked car item. Any tow truck driver who dives for the bumper tow hook first is either a noob, or doesn't care about the integrity of your vehicle. That being said, it's no surprise that the cars don't include them anymore as it's just something for someone to use incorrectly.
Remember the general driver has little to no mechanical inclination about their vehicle. A while back a guy was crying here/on the fb page about how the spare tire didn't fit.. come to find out he was putting it on the front (where it wont fit), which is never recommended, and specifically against the manual.
I don't see why he would bother popping a painted part of a new car he is trying to sell lol. Nor why he would show the proper tow points to a layman, as the tow truck driver typically knows. I've never once seen a tow truck driver try to winch my car up using anything other than the frame rail hole (they would have got an earful). The only other place I would allow is control arms.