2008 MAZDA MODEL 6 Owners Manual (in English)

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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 50 km/h (31 mph)
M5 →M4 38 km/h (23 mph)
M4 →M3 27 km/h (16 mph)
M3 or M2 →M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
NOTEIf 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
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 model)
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)
(3.0-liter engine model) 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.
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2. Shift to D or M1, depending on theload weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal 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.
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 stiffer than usual
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.
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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 under the
following conditions:Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous
and could result in loss of vehicle
control.
ØHilly terrain
Ø Steep inclines
Ø Heavy or unsteady traffic
Ø Slippery or winding roads
Ø Similar 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.
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 when
cruise control is not in use:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as you may hit one of the
other buttons and put the vehicle in
cruise control unexpectedly. 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).
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3. Press the SET/COAST button andrelease 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.
lCruise control will turn off if vehicle speed
drops below 30 km/h (19 mph) when cruise
is activated, such as when climbing a steep
grade.
qTo Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
To increase speed using cruise controlswitch
Press 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.
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To increase speed using acceleratorpedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and release
it immediately.
NOTEAccelerate if you want to speed up temporarily
when the cruise control is on. Greater speed
will not interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to return to
the set speed.
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.
qTo 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 (such as applying the brake pedal)
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 cancel the system, use oneof these
methods:
lPress the ON/OFF switch.lSlightly depress the brake pedal.lDepress the clutch pedal (Manual
transaxle only).
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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 (such as may
happen when climbing a long, steep grade) 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
Do not rely on the traction control
system 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 reduced
speeds when roads are covered with ice
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.
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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. 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
(3.0-liter engine model)
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.
q
TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
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NOTElWhen TCS is on and you attempt to free the
vehicle when it is stuck, or drive it out of
freshly fallen snow, the TCS will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult. When this happens,
turn off the TCS.
lIf the TCS is off when the engine is turned
off, it automatically activates when the
ignition switch is turned on.
lLeaving the TCS on will provide the best
traction.
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