I have tried reading the manual and fiddling with it while driving, but we cannot figure out if we can turn off the adaptive mode on the cruise control? Will reducing the proximate distance to the minimum do that ?

 

I think if you turn on the cruise control, and then click the on button again and hold it for a few seconds it should turn off the adaptive option and just run the cruise control the old fashioned way. It could also be just clicking and holding it for a few seconds too. It's been a while since I've done it so I apologize if I'm mistaken.

 

Thanks. I'll try that. Funny the manual does not appear to mention that. On the other hand, for some reason I find the manual very difficult to read and understand!

 

I realize that it’s different strokes for different folks but, for me, adaptive cruise is one of the most useful things available. I would never turn off the adaptive function though, depending on traffic, grade, etc., I’ll temporarily turn it off and resume. But I agree with you about the Mazda manual. Bloated and often confusing. Some illustrations don’t match what I see in my 22 PremPlus. (I’m not talking optional features I don’t have.)

 

So you do switch it off by holding in the ON button, as indicated above.? I should point out that one of us likes the adaptive feature. The other was surprised when it turns the cruise off on twisty roads. They probably need more practice! Thanks!

 

Like Jabiro, I never switch off the adaptive part of the cruise control. I see no reason to—it’s also a safety feature.

"The other was surprised when it turns the cruise off on twisty roads."
It? Do you mean the car?
As far as I know, the car doesn't deactivate adaptive cruise control by itself. But maybe you accidentally touched the brake pedal? That would cause it to switch off.

 

If the road is twisty, a car coming towards you, can be in the same position as a car straight in front of you that you are following. And no it does not actually switch off, just slows you down.

 

In that case, the road conditions are not suitable for cruise control, whether adaptive or standard.
Cruise control is intended for use on highways, not on winding country roads.
This is also stated in the user manual:

Do not use the MRCC system in the following locations, using the MRCC system at the following locations may result in an unexpected accident:

• General roads other than highways (Driving under these conditions using the MRCC system is not possible.)
• Roads with sharp curves and where vehicle traffic is heavy and there is insufficient space between vehicles.
• Roads where frequent and repetitive acceleration and deceleration occur (Driving under these conditions using the MRCC system is not possible).
• When entering and exiting interchanges, service areas, and parking areas of highways (If you exit a highway while headway control is in use, the vehicle ahead will no longer be tracked and your vehicle may accelerate to the set speed).
• Slippery roads such as ice or snow-bound roads (Tyres could spin causing you to lose vehicle control, or the stop hold control may not operate.)
• Long, descending slopes (to maintain distance between vehicles, the system automatically and continuously applies the brakes which could result in the loss of brake power.)
• Slopes with a steep gradient (The vehicle ahead may not be detected correctly, your vehicle may slide while stopped by the stop hold control, and it may accelerate suddenly after it starts moving.)

 

The problem is that we cannot figure out how to switch the adaptive off. We have used cruise control for many years and know its limitations . Most of this trip was on highway and as far as I remember, even the curves would fool it. I believe the distance setting was at the maximum, and that may not have helped.

 

I use adaptive cruise control a lot, and whenever it's useful. Even in curves, I get the feeling that it takes that into account.
I have the distance set at medium (three lines).
Like Alexmed2002 already mentioned and from the (CX-5 2022) owners manual:

Switching to cruise control function
Steering wheel (Type A)
When the MODE switch is pressed until the system switches to the cruise main indication (white) while the MRCC system is turned on, the system switches to the cruise control function.
Steering wheel (Type B/Type C)
Use Mazda Connect to switch to the cruise control function. Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.

When the system switches to the cruise control function, the indicator and multi-information display notify the driver as follows:

• The MRCC set indication (green) or the MRCC main indication (white) is turned off, and the cruise main indication (white) is turned on.
• A message is displayed in the multi-information display.