Page 126 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-2
042-1CE
Ignition Switch PositionsWithout immobilizer
system
J94A4001A
ON
This is the normal running position
after the engine is started. The warning
lights (except brakes) should be
inspected before the engine is started
(page 5-35).
With immobilizer
system
J94S5001
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key;
then it returns to the ON position. The
brake warning light can be checked
after the engine is started (page 5-35).
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can
the key be removed.
Page 128 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-4
Q042-6EE
WARNING
!
Not Setting the Parking Brake:Leaving the driver ’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the
parking brake is not set. This
could cause an accident. Before
leaving the driver ’s seat, always
set the parking brake and make
sure the shift lever is at P with an
automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
042-7A1E
NOTEIf the ignition switch is in the
LOCK or ACC position, a beep
will sound when any door is
opened.
Q043-8AE
Starting the Engine1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
Page 129 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-5
043-9B1E
4. (Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal all the
way and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)
Place the shift lever in P. If you
must restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift the lever to
N.
043-10BE
NOTEThe starter will not operate...
• If the shift lever is not in P or N
(automatic), or
• If the clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the way
(manual).
043-4HE
5. Turn the ignition switch to the
START position and hold (up to 10
seconds at a time) until the engine
starts.
043-5AE
CAUTION
!
Don’t try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10
seconds before trying again.
Otherwise, you may damage the
starter and drain the battery.
Page 130 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-66. After starting the engine, let it idlefor about 10 seconds.NOTEIn extremely cold weather, below
–18 °C (0° F), or after the vehicle
has stood idle several days, let the
engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.
043-2EE
NOTEWhether cold or warm, the engine
should be started without use of
the accelerator.If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and hold it there. 2. Turn the ignition switch to the
START position and hold it
there—for up to 10 seconds. If the
engine starts, release the key and
accelerator immediately because
the engine will suddenly rev up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it without using the accelerator—for
up to 10 seconds.
Page 132 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-8
044-3AE
Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we
recommend these shift points.
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
1 to 2
26 km/h
(16 mph)
27 km/h
(17 mph)
2 to 3
45 km/h
(28 mph)
48 km/h
(30 mph)
3 to 4
53 km/h
(33 mph)
56 km/h
(35 mph)
4 to 5
63 km/h
(39 mph)
63 km/h
(39 mph)
For cruising, we recommend these
shift points.
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
1 to 2
13 km/h
( 8 mph)
13 km/h
( 8 mph)
2 to 3
32 km/h
(20 mph)
34 km/h
(21 mph)
3 to 4
50 km/h
(31 mph)
52 km/h
(32 mph)
4 to 5
68 km/h
(42 mph)
66 km/h
(41 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade,
downshift before the engine starts to
overwork. This reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration
when you need more speed.
On a steep downgrade,
downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and
prolongs brake life.
Page 134 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-10
045-2AE
Transaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be at P or N to
operate the starter.
Q045-3A4E
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WARNING
!
Holding the Vehicle with P:Setting the shift lever at the P
position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle could be
dangerous. If P fails to hold, the
vehicle could move and cause an
accident. To hold the vehicle, set
the shift lever at P AND set the
parking brake.
CAUTION
!
• Shifting into P or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage
your transaxle.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is
running faster than idle can
damage the transaxle.
Page 135 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-11
045-4AE
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-11).
Q045-5AE
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
!
Shifting from N or P:It’ s dangerous to shift from N or
P into a driving gear when the
engine is running faster than idle.
If this is done, the vehicle could
move suddenly, causing an
accident or serious injury. If the
engine is running faster than idle,
don’ t shift from N or P into a
driving gear. D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From
a stop, the transaxle will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
045-14A1E
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving
in heavy, slow-moving traffic and
climbing hills; for braking assist when
going down hills; or for starting on
slick surfaces and other situations
where gentle acceleration may be
necessary. Do not exceed 116 km/h
(72 mph)
*1 or 104 km/h (65 mph)
*2 in
the 2 position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine
Page 136 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-121 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum
power in hard-pulling situations, or for
climbing and descending very steep
grades. Do not exceed 63 km/h (39
mph)
*1 or 60 km/h (38 mph)
*2 in the 1
position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine
045-15BE
Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a
stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal. 2. Shift to D or 1 depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to 2 or 1, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.