Black plate (175,1)
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition
must be switched to ACC or ON).
Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position.
Various Lockouts:
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transaxle giving the
driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leaving it to the transaxle to shift gears. Even if
you intend to use the automatic transaxle functions as a traditional automatic, you should also be
aware that you can inadvertently shift into manual shift mode and an inappropriate gear may be
retained as the vehicle speed increases. If you notice the engine speed going higher or hear the
engine racing, confirm you have not accidentally slipped into manual shift mode (page 5-16).
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (177,1)
qActive Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transaxle shift
points to best suit the road conditions and
driver input. This improves driving
comfort.
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
The transaxle may switch to AAS mode
when driving up and down slopes,
cornering, or depressing the accelerator
pedal quickly while the shift lever is in the
D position.
Depending on the driving conditions and
vehicle operations, it may not be possible
to shift gears, however, this does not
indicate a problem because the AAS
mode will maintain the optimum gear
position.
(Except SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
If the driver accelerates rapidly, or
accelerates and decelerates rapidly by
operating the accelerator and brake pedal
for a certain period of time while the shift
lever is in the D position, AAS mode
could activate.
When cornering the vehicle, AAS mode
will hold the transaxle in the gear the
vehicle was in before entering the curve,
allowing the vehicle to be accelerated
from the same gear after exiting the curve.
AAS mode will maintain the transaxle in
the optimum gear and the driver may
sense that the transaxle is not shifting,
however this does not indicate an
abnormality.
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 is switched off, 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.
l(With Advanced Key)
The ignition cannot be switched from ACC
to OFF when the shift lever is not in P.
q Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
Cover
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (179,1)
NOTElIf the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down (to protect the
transaxle).
lIf the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF)
temperature becomes too high, there is the
possibility that the transaxle will switch to
automatic shift mode, canceling manual
shift mode and turning off the gear position
indicator illumination. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indicator illumination turns back
on and driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2 →M3 →M4 →M5 →
M6
í)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
NOTElWhen driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not shift up
automatically. Do not 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.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed (Except M2 →
M1).
Manually Shifting down
(M6
í→ M5 →M4 →M3 →M2 →
M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-17íSome models.
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page179
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (183,1)
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 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.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started. If the light remains illuminated after the
engine is started, or illuminates while
driving, turn off the engine after parking
in a safe place, and then start the engine
again.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lThe power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical effort.
lRepeatedly jerking the steering wheel left
and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving at slow speeds will cause the power
steering system to go into protective mode
which will make the steering feel heavy, but
this does not indicate a malfunction. If this
occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait a
few minutes for the system to return to
normal.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (184,1)
Cruise Controlí
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 32 km/h (20 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
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the 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.
qActivation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON
switch.
To deactivate the system, press the OFF
switch.
(Type A)
(Type B)
5-22
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (185,1)
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
Type A
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the ON switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which must be more than 32 km/h (20 mph).
3. Set the cruise control by pressing the cruise control SET
/SET - switch up
or down at the desired speed. The
cruise control is set at the moment the
cruise control SET
/SET - switch is
pressed up or down. Release the
accelerator pedal simultaneously.
Cruise control
switch
NOTElRelease the cruise control switch at the
desired speed, otherwise the speed will
continue increasing while the switch is
pressed up, and continue decreasing while
it is pressed down (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 27 km/h (17 mph)
when cruise is activated, such as when
climbing a steep grade.
Type B
1. Activate the cruise control system by pressing the CRUISE ON switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which must be more than 32 km/h (20 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.
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (186,1)
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 27 km/h (17 mph)
when cruise is activated, such as when
climbing a steep grade.
q To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
To increase speed using cruise control
switch
Type A
Press up the cruise control SET
switch
and hold it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Cruise control
switch
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 cruise control SET
switch. Multiple taps will increase
your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for
each tap.
Type B
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.
5-24
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H
Black plate (187,1)
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Type A
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed.
Press down or press up on the cruise
control SET
/SET - switch and release
it immediately.
Cruise control
switch
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.
Type B
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.
q To Decrease Cruising Speed
Type A
Press down the cruise control SET -
switch and hold it. The vehicle will
gradually slow.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Cruise control
switch
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 cruise control SET -
switch. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8CV6-EA-12H