Wait, so our car doesn't have a towing eyelet included as standard?
Nope, it's a ~$20 USD "optional" part available from the dealer. This is one thing Mazda should have included, instead of leaving it out to cut costs.
So what's the part number?
I went through this with my 2018 CX-9. After dealing with Mazda directly, they informed me that all 2014+ Mazda vehicles are not sold with the towing eyelets or the shipping eyelets. Shipping eyelets I understand, but not including the tow hook for recovery purposes is stupid, IMO.
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123865561-Missing-towing-eyelet
Part number is KD53-50-EJ1B (can be used for the front or rear on the 2014+ CX-5). Cost me about $23 USD from a local dealer.
So I checked USA 2013 and 2018 owner's manuals as well as 2017 (latest available on line) Canada manual and they all read exactly the same, admonishing the owner not to use the "tie down" eyelets for anything onther than just that. Here's the exact verbiage:No, they are for emergency towing. Straight out of the Owner's Manual, in the section titled Emergency Towing:
"The towing eyelet should be used in an emergency (to get the vehicle out of a ditch or a snow bank, for example).
When using the towing eyelets, always pull the cable or chain in a straight direction with respect to the eyelet. Never apply a sideways force."
View attachment 219755
The equipment that is used to tie the vehicle down on the ship deck is different from the towing eyelet that you can purchase from the dealer (shown in the picture). The tie downs and the towing eyelets use the same attachment points (one on the front and two on the rear), but the tie downs are not suitable for towing (which is why Mazda no longer leaves them in the vehicle).
No, they are for emergency towing. Straight out of the Owner's Manual, in the section titled Emergency Towing:
"The towing eyelet should be used in an emergency (to get the vehicle out of a ditch or a snow bank, for example).
When using the towing eyelets, always pull the cable or chain in a straight direction with respect to the eyelet. Never apply a sideways force."
View attachment 219755
The equipment that is used to tie the vehicle down on the ship deck is different from the towing eyelet that you can purchase from the dealer (shown in the picture). The tie downs and the towing eyelets use the same attachment points (one on the front and two on the rear), but the tie downs are not suitable for towing (which is why Mazda no longer leaves them in the vehicle).
Mazda should have included the towing eyelet as OE, instead of making it an optional part.
So I checked USA 2013 and 2018 owner's manuals as well as 2017 (latest available on line) Canada manual and they all read exactly the same, admonishing the owner not to use the "tie down" eyelets for anything onther than just that. Here's the exact verbiage:
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.
So unless they changed all that on the 2018 Canadian model only, I have no idea where your drawings and instructions came from. Also, the part number you give is the exact same unit that came packed in the spare tire well of my 2013, so there would appear to be no difference between a "tow" hook and a "tie-down" hook in Mazda-speak.
FWIW, my US 2018 cx 5 touring came with the towing eyelet.
It's the towing eyelet; is pretty burly, and fits in a slot directly behind spare tire (not slots on right), as shown in the on line manual.
Maybe they figured us Denver folk are more likely to get stuck in the mountain snow (?!)