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Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted to a lower gear so as to
protect the transaxle.
GearVehicle speed
2.5-liter engine
model2.3-liter engine
model
M6→M5―230 km/h
(143 mph)
M5→M4216 km/h
(135 mph)182 km/h
(113 mph)
M4→M3 150 km/h (93 mph) 135 km/h (83 mph)
M3→M2 99 km/h (62 mph) 86 km/h (53 mph)
M2→M1 50 km/h (31 mph) 45 km/h (28 mph)
NOTE
Regarding the vehicle speed at the highest
gear indicated above, achieving this speed
may not actually be possible depending on
various driving conditions such as the wind,
upslope, and road surface.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
GearVehicle speed
2.5-liter engine
model2.3-liter engine
model
M6→M5―52 km/h (32 mph)
M5→M4
34 km/h (21 mph)34 km/h (21 mph)
M4→M3 25 km/h (15 mph)
M3 or
M2→M111 km/h (7 mph) 8 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear fixed
mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
GearVehicle speed
2.5-liter engine
model2.3-liter engine
model
M6→M5―220 km/h
(136 mph)
M5→M4202 km/h
(126 mph)50 km/h (31 mph)
M4→M3 140 km/h (87 mph) 30 km/h (18 mph)
M3→M2 54 km/h (34 mph)
8 km/h (5 mph)
M2→M1―
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
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)
* 2.3-liter engine model
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
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qDriving Tips
WARNING
Do not allow the vehicle to move in
reverse on an up-slope while the
selector lever is in a forward gear
position, or move forward on a down-
slope while the selector lever is in the
reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine will stop,
causing the loss of the power brake
and power steering functions, and
make it difficult to control the vehicle
which could result in an accident.
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 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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All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Operation
í
AWD provides excellent driveability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
qAWD Driving
WARNING
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvering of this vehicle is
dangerous as it could result in the
increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle roll-over, personal
injury or death.
This vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Vehicles with a higher center
of gravity such as utility and AWD
vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of
gravity.
Utility and AWD vehicles are not
designed for cornering at high speeds
any more than low profile sports cars
are designed to perform satisfactorily
under off-road conditions. In
addition, utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
Drive carefully when the vehicle is
loaded by lowering vehicle speed and
applying the brakes earlier:
Abrupt maneuvering and sudden
braking when driving a loaded
vehicle is dangerous as the driving
behavior of a vehicle with a high
center of gravity is different when it is
loaded compared to when it is not,
and could result in the loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
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qAWD Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
Thereafter, the warning light will
illuminate or flash under the following
conditions:
lIlluminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.
lFlashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.
lFlashes when there are continually
large differences between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface, or when
trying to extricate the vehicle from
mud, sand or similar conditions.
If the AWD warning light illuminates:
If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If the AWD warning light flashes:
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments, if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is off the
ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the
ground as a result of the vehicle
being stuck or in a ditch is
dangerous. The drive assembly could
be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even
lead to overheating, oil leakage, and
a fire.
qTires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to
the drive assembly, please note the
following:
Tires
lWhen replacing tires, always replace
all front and rear tires at the same time.
lAll tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when
equipping snow or other types of
winter tires.
lDo not mix tread-worn tires with
normal tires.
lInspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods and adjust to the
specified pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label attached
to driver's door frame for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lMake sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specified size,
on all wheels. With AWD, the system
is calibrated for all four wheels being
of the same dimensions.
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Tire chains
lInstall tire chains to the front tires.lDo not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
lDo not drive the vehicle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
lDo not drive the vehicle with tire
chains on road conditions other than
snow or ice.
qTowing
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all four wheels completely off
the ground(page 7-19).
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
ØSteep inclines
ØHeavy or unsteady traffic
ØSlippery or winding roads
ØSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the CRUISE ON switch is pressed
and the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
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qActivation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the CRUISE
ON switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
WARNING
Always turn off the cruise control
system when it is not in use:
Leaving the cruise control system in
an activation-ready state while the
cruise control is not in use is
dangerous as the cruise control could
unexpectedly activate if the
activation button is accidentally
pressed, and result in loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
qTo Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE ON switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).3. Set the cruise control by pressing the
SET
or SET - switch at the desired
speed. The cruise control is set at the
moment the SET
or SET - switch is
pressed. Release the accelerator pedal
simultaneously.
NOTElRelease the SETor SET - switch at the
desired speed, otherwise the speed will
continue increasing while the SET
switch is pressed and held, and continue
decreasing while the SET - switch is pressed
and held (except when the accelerator
pedal is depressed).
lOn a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while ascending,
or speed up while descending.
lCruise control will turn off if the vehicle
speed decreases below 23 km/h (14 mph)
when cruise is activated, such as when
climbing a steep grade.
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qTo Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
To increase speed using cruise control
switch
Press the SET
switch and hold it. Your
vehicle will accelerate.
Release the switch 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 SET
switch.
Multiple taps will increase your vehicle
speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each tap.
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed. Press the SET
or
SET - switch 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 or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to return to
the set speed.
qTo Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET - switch and hold it. The
vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
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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- switch.
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 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 switch is pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h (19
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 30
km/h (19 mph) or more and press the RES
switch.
qTo Cancel
To cancel the system, useoneof these
methods:
lPress the OFF switch.lSlightly depress the brake pedal.
lPress the CANCEL switch.
The system turns off when the ignition is
switched 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).
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