2004 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK engine

5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
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.
Various Lockouts:
1 to 2 26 km/h (16 mph)
2 to 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 to 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 to 5 73 km/h (45 mph)
1 to 2 16 km/h (10 mph)
2 to 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 to 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Automatic Transaxle
Controls
Indicates that you must depress
the brake pedal to shift (The
ignition switch must be in the
ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Transaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-9).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.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence.
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Only setting the shift lever to the P
position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is
dangerous. If P fails to hold, the
vehicle could move and cause an
accident. To hold the vehicle, set the
shift lever to P AND set the parking
brake.
•Shifting into P, N 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.
WARNING
CAUTION
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.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-13).

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.

Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won’t move from P using
the proper shift procedure, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
with a screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Take the vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the shift
lever cannot be shifted from P.
•To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Manual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the front wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.IndicatorsShift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the "M" of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
NOTE
•If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the
gear will shift to M1.
•If you shift up once when the
vehicle is stopped and the gear is at
M1, the gear will shift to M2. M2 is
helpful for starting on slippery
surfaces.
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indicator will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position indicator
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM

5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1
→M2
→M3
→M4)

To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once.Manually Shifting down
(M4
→M3
→M2
→M1)

To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
NOTE
•When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
•In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
•When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
WARNING
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5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Shifting specification (2.0-liter engine
model)
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Shifting specification (2.3-liter engine
model)
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
NOTE
•When driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
•During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
•When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→
M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2→
M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→
M4 43 km/h (27 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 180 km/h (112 mph)
M3→
M2 119 km/h (74 mph)
M2→
M1 47 km/h (17 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 41 km/h (25 mph)
M3 or M2→
M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 170 km/h (106 mph)
M3→
M2 72 km/h (45 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→
M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2→
M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→
M4 40 km/h (25 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 142 km/h (88 mph)
M3→
M2 100 km/h (62 mph)
M2→
M1 40 km/h (25 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2→
M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.

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 M1, 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
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 135 km/h (84 mph)
M3→
M2 64 km/h (40 mph)
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Power Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
The light illuminates to indicate that the
power steering is inoperable. If the light
illuminates, turn off the engine and restart
it.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
NOTE
The power steering system is
inoperable when the power steering
malfunction indicator light illuminates.
Steering is possible, but requires more
physical effort.
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