Page 143 of 384

Black plate (143,1)
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ACC or ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position.
Various Lockouts:
qTransaxle 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.
WARNING
Always set the shift lever to P AND setthe parking brake:
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.
CAUTION
lShifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transaxle.
lShifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transaxle.
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).
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-11
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page143
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 144 of 384

Black plate (144,1)
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
If the engine is running faster thanidle, do not shift from N or P into adriving gear:
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.
Do not shift into N when driving thevehicle:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the
brake pedal before moving the shift
lever from N to prevent the vehicle
from moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 5-gear/6-gear
*sequence.
* 3.0-liter engine model
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).
qShift-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.
NOTE
lWhen the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the shift lever
cannot be shifted from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,the
ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in P.
5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page144
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 147 of 384

Black plate (147,1)
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
Do not use sudden engine braking onslippery road surfaces or at highspeeds:
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.
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
33 km/h (21 mph)
M4→M5
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 195 km/h (121 mph)
M4→M3 140 km/h (87 mph)
M3→M2 94 km/h (59 mph)
M2→M1 47 km/h (30 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5 or M4→M3 30 km/h (18 mph)
M3 or M2→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page147
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 150 of 384

Black plate (150,1)
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
Do not use the cruise control underthe following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page150
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 151 of 384

Black plate (151,1)
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
Keep the ON/OFF switch off whencruise control is not in use:
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.
qTo Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the ON/OFF switch.
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.
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-19
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page151
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 154 of 384

Black plate (154,1)
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
Do not rely on the traction controlsystem as a substitute for safe 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.
Use snow tires and drive at reducedspeeds when roads are covered withice and/or snow:
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.
qTCS Indicator Light
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 Light
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.
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page154
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 159 of 384

Black plate (159,1)
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel
warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the thumb wheel to adjust the
brightness of the instrument cluster and
other illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard
illuminations (except instrument
cluster) can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in the
orposition.
l(Black-out meter)
The brightness of the instrument
cluster illumination can be adjusted
when the headlight switch is in any
position.
Dim Bright
Canceling the illumination dimmer(Black-out meter and dashboardilluminations)
When the headlight switch is in the
orposition, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-27
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page159
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 161 of 384
Black plate (161,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-31
Charging System Warning Light 5-32
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-33
Check Engine Light 5-33
ABS Warning Light 5-31
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-34
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-29
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page161
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K