2005 MAZDA MODEL 6 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

NOTE
lWhen driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
lIn 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.
lGears may not be shifted from M1 to
M2 right after shifting the lever from
D to M. Wait a few seconds and then
shift up to M2.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Manually Shifting down
(M6
*→ M5*→M4 →M3 →M2 →M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
* 3.0-liter engine model
WARNING
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.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Shifting specification (2.3-liter enginemodel)
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.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 →M2 You can shift up to M2 whether
the vehicle is stopped or moving.
M2 →M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3 →M4 35 km/h (22 mph)
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-13

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.Gear Vehicle speed
M4 →M3 147 km/h (91 mph)
M3 →M2 104 km/h (64 mph)
M2 →M1 44 km/h (27 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following: Gear Vehicle speed
M4 →M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2 →M1 12 km/h (7 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.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds
or lower, the gears shift down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M4 →M3 140 km/h (86 mph)
M3 →M2 56 km/h (34 mph)
Shifting specification (3.0-liter enginemodel)
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.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 →M2 You can shift up to M2 whether
the vehicle is stopped or moving.
M2 →M3 10 km/h (6 mph)
M3 →M4 23 km/h (14 mph)
M4 →M5 39 km/h (24 mph)
M5 →M6 49 km/h (30 mph) 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.
Gear Vehicle speed
M5 →M4 175 km/h (109 mph)
M4 →M3 130 km/h (81 mph)
M3 →M2 83 km/h (52 mph)
M2 →M1 43 km/h (27 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following: Gear Vehicle speed
M6 →M5 Between 50 and 212 km/h
(31 and 131 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M5 →M4 Between 38 and 161 km/h
(23 and 100 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M4 →M3 Between 23 and 70 km/h
(14 and 44 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M3 →M2 Between 10 and 46 km/h
(6 and 28 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M2 →M1 10 km/h (6 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.
5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving

If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds
or lower, the gears shift down automatically:Gear Vehicle speed
M6 →M5 212 km/h (131 mph)
M6 →M4 161 km/h (100 mph)
M5 →M4 161 km/h (100 mph)
M5 →M3 70 km/h (44 mph)
M4 →M3 70 km/h (44 mph)
M4 →M2 46 km/h (28 mph)
M3 →M2 46 km/h (28 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend
these shift points.
(2.3-liter engine)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
(3.0-liter engine)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 mph)
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.
q 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15

Power Steering
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.
CAUTION
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.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don't use cruise control in these
situations.
q Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving

qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qActivation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not in
use.
q To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).
3. Press the SET/COAST button and release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don't continue to hold in the button. Until
you release it, speed will continue to drop
(unless you continue to accelerate) and
you'll miss the desired speed.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-17

NOTE
lThe SET function can't be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
lOn a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
qTo Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
lPress the RES/ACCEL button and hold
it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current speed
in increments of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the RES/ACCEL
button. Multiple taps will increase your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
lAccelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere with
it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving

qTo Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/COAST button and hold it.
The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the button at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET/COAST
button. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
q To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 30 km/h (19 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RES/ACCEL button is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h (19
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 30
km/h (19 mph) and press the RES/
ACCEL button.
qTo Cancel
To turn off the system, use oneof these
methods:
lPress the ON/OFF switch.
lSlightly depress the brake pedal.
lDepress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transaxle only)
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-19

lPress the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed or
below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
WARNING
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident. So
don't rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires and drive at reduced speeds when
roads are covered with ice and/or
snow.
5-20
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving