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My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:44 am
by maryem
I am a first-time Mazda owner of a 25-plate CX60 2.5 hybrid Skyactiv.
Tow mode is not shown on my disc. A towbar with specific wiring and a detachable ball was just installed by towbar express. Please tell me how to enable the towing mode.


I contacted Mazda, and they informed me that the electric Mazda towbar is the only one that will function. Is this true?

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:44 am
by maryem

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:45 am
by maryem

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:45 am
by Megan_Wilson88
To disable features like the reverse sensors while towing, among other things, the wire harness must be compatible with the Mazda ECU; however, an OEM towbar is not required. Return to the installer and request that they inspect the wiring.

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:46 am
by Megan_Wilson88

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:47 am
by maryem
Your reply is really appreciated. I don't have my van till Saturday, so I won't be able to check until then if towing mode appears immediately after installation or if I need to wait until I plug in my caravan. Hopefully everything is OK, because towbar express installed my towbar and they said it requires specific wiring.
My sincere appreciation once more

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:47 am
by Megan_Wilson88
As far as I can remember, it should be visible the moment you switch drive modes, however it will remain greyed out until you attach a trailer.
Towing a caravan without it could be risky because the car's sensors will respond to its presence. Plugging in the electrics allows me to back my caravan a few meters, but without them, the brakes jam up all the time. although moving at a leisurely stroll, with all parking sensors and such devices disabled.

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:48 am
by maryem
Thank you, but I'm not holding my breath for it to show up. I get it now, but until I get everything functioning properly, I'll have to disable a few safety features.
Towbar Express and Mazda may go in both directions.
Many thanks

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:48 am
by generic_user2
In the absence of a trailer brake controller configuration for the Mazda, it is quite unlikely that it will ever materialise. Manually disabling the automated braking is an option; I use it whenever I go into reverse.

Re: My drive does not have towing mode.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 8:49 am
by maryem
I appreciate your response. Tomorrow I will pick up my caravan. I have a list of safety features that, according to other people's advice, I should disable. Auto braking is one of them. Clearly, there is some software or ECU programming involved for this to be available, thus I will need to see Mazda to get this resolved so that towing mode displays. The trick is to describe the issue clearly so they don't try to divert my attention by claiming the problem has nothing to do with the vehicle and instead is related to the towbar. Simply said, I had no access to it prior to having the towbar installed.