Black plate (137,1)
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→M2You 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
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page137
Monday, November 15 2004 4:33 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (148,1)
qSpeedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.
qOdometer, Trip Meter and Trip
Meter Selector
The display mode can be changed
between trip meter A and trip meter B by
pressing the selector while one of them is
displayed. The selected mode will be
displayed.
Trip meterOdometer
Selector
Trip meter B
Press the selector Press the selector Trip meter AOdometer
Odometer
NOTE
(Standard meter)
The odometer and trip meter can be
displayed as follows even when the
ignition switch is in the ACC or LOCK
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
orposition to see the display.
lDisplays for 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the ACC
or LOCK position from the ON
position.
lDisplays for 10 minutes after any
door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page148
Monday, November 15 2004 4:33 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (157,1)
Condition Result
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the vehicle
speed reaches 8 km/h
(5 mph) and about 1 minute
has elapsed since the
ignition switch was turned
to the ON position.The warning light
flashes and the beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds
every 30 seconds, for
a period of about 5
minutes.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated.The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position.The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated by
the following methods.
l(Temporary deactivation)
To temporarily deactivate the belt
minder, turn the ignition switch to
the ON position, fasten the driver's
seat belt for about 2 seconds or
longer, and then unfasten it within 20
seconds. The belt minder will be
deactivated until the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position again.
l(Long-term deactivation)
To deactivate the belt minder over
the long term, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. If the belt minder is
long-term deactivated, the belt
minder will not activate until it is
restored at the Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn't securely closed.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-20).
qAutomatic Transaxle Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-33íSome models. Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page157
Monday, November 15 2004 4:33 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (159,1)
Gear position indicator
When the shift lever is in the D or M
position, the numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
qTCS Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS is operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
qTCS OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator light
will go out.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-35íSome models. Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page159
Monday, November 15 2004 4:33 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (179,1)
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
A/C switch
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. The indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan control dial is set
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 °C (32 °F).
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the
andpositions. The indicator
light for the selected mode will illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.
Outside air position (
)
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position (
)
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page179
Monday, November 15 2004 4:34 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (192,1)
qOperating Tips for Mini Disc
(MD) Player
The following precautions should be
observed.
lDo not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
lDo not insert any objects, other than
MDs, into the slot.
lThe MD player has been designed to
play MDs bearing the identification
logo as shown. No other MDs can be
played.
lThe MD player can also play MDLPs
that have been recorded in MDLP
mode. (MDLPs bearing the
identification logo as shown below).
lWhen inserting the MD, make sure the
MD label is facing up, and the MD is
oriented to the insertion slot in the
direction of the arrow. If not inserted
correctly, the MD will be ejected, or
may remain stuck in the MD deck.
lDo not touch the internal part of the
MD. If the MD shutter is slid open for
no reason, it may be broken.
lStore MDs in their cases and away
from direct sunlight.
6-20
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page192
Monday, November 15 2004 4:34 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (197,1)
BOSE Sound System-
equipped model
*
* Depending on the mode selected, the
indication changes.
2. Turn the audio control dial to adjust the
selected functions as follows:
Standard audio-equipped model
Indication Turn Left Turn Right
Decrease
bassIncrease
bass
Decrease
mid-rangeIncrease
mid-range
Decrease
trebleIncrease
treble
Shift the
sound to the
frontShift the
sound to the
rear
Shift the
sound to the
leftShift the
sound to the
right
Select mode
BOSE Sound System-equipped model
Indication Turn Left Turn Right
Decrease
bassIncrease
bass
Decrease
trebleIncrease
treble
Shift the
sound to the
frontShift the
sound to the
rear
Shift the
sound to the
leftShift the
sound to the
right
Select mode
NOTE
About 5 seconds after selecting any
mode, the volume function will be
automatically selected. To reset bass,
mid-range, treble, fade, and balance,
press the audio control dial for 2
seconds. The unit will beep and
“CLEAR”will be displayed.
Automatic Level Control (ALC)
The automatic level control is a feature
that automatically adjusts audio volume
and sound quality according to the vehicle
speed.
The volume increases in accordance with
the increase in vehicle speed, and
decreases as vehicle speed decreases.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-25
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page197
Monday, November 15 2004 4:34 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G
Black plate (200,1)
qOperating the Radio
Seek tuning
buttonScan button
Channel preset buttonsManual tuning dial
Satellite button* Band selector buttons
*For reception of optional SIRIUS digital satellite radio.
Used on vehicles equipped with the separately sold SIRIUS digital satellite radio unit.
For information on use, read the manual accompanying the SIRIUS unit.
Subscription of SIRIUS digital satellite radio service is available in the U.S. (Except Alaska and Hawaii).Auto memory
button/Electric
serial number
button*
Radio ON
Press a band selector button (
,)
to turn the radio on.
Band selection
Choose AM by pressing the AM button
(
) and FM by pressing the FM1/2
button ().
The selected mode will be indicated. If
FM stereo is being received,“ST”will be
displayed.
NOTE
If the FM broadcast signal becomes
weak, reception automatically changes
from STEREO to MONO for reduced
noise, and the“ST”indicator will go
out.
Tuning
The radio has the following tuning
methods: Manual, Seek, Scan, Preset
channel, and Auto memory tuning. The
easiest way to tune stations is to set them
on preset channels.
NOTE
If the power supply is interrupted (fuse
blows or the battery is disconnected),
the preset channels will be canceled.
Manual tuning
Turning the manual tuning dial will
change the frequency higher or lower.
6-28
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Mazda6_8T56-EC-04G_Edition2 Page200
Monday, November 15 2004 4:34 PM
Form No.8T56-EC-04G