Black plate (152,1)
qTCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 4-63.
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The DSC
may have a malfunction.
qAFS OFF Indicator Lightí
When illuminated
This indicator light illuminates briefly
when the ignition is switched ON, and
then turns off.
Pressing the AFS OFF switch cancels the
AFS function and illuminates the
indicator light.
When flashing
The indicator light flashes continuously if
the system is malfunctioning. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.NOTE
lEven if the AFS is not operating due to
some malfunction, the normal headlight
function is still operable.
lIf there is a malfunction with the headlight
auto-leveling function, the indicator light
flashes.
qLow Engine Coolant Temperature
Indicator Light (Blue)
The light illuminates continuously when
the engine coolant temperature is low and
turns off after the engine is warm.
If the low engine coolant temperature
indicator light remains illuminated after
the engine has been sufficiently warmed
up, the temperature sensor could have a
malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qShift Position Indicator Light
This indicates the selected shift position.
Gear position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear displays.
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When Driving
íSome models.
Instrument Cluster and Display
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (153,1)
qHeadlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:lThe high-beam headlights are on.lThe turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
qTurn Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 4-46).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn signal indicator lights
flash (page 4-53).
If an indicator light remains illuminated
(does not flash) or if it flashes abnormally,
one of the turn signal bulbs may be
burned out. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition is switched
from ON to OFF and the immobilizer
system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then turns off.
If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (155,1)
Manual Transaxle Operation
qManual Transaxle Shift Pattern
Neutral position
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device to
prevent shifting to R (reverse) by mistake.
Push the shift lever downward and shift to
R.
WARNING
Do not use sudden engine braking on
slippery road surfaces or at high
speeds:
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.
Be sure to leave the shift lever in 1 or R
position and set the parking brake
when leaving the vehicle unattended:
Otherwise the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
ØKeep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
do not use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the
clutch will cause needless clutch
wear and damage.
ØDo not apply any excessive lateral
force to the gear lever when
changing from 5th to 4th gear.
This could lead to the accidental
selection of 2nd gear, which can
result in damage to the transaxle.
ØMake sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is
still moving may damage the
transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again.
When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (156,1)
qRecommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
(U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph)
3 to 4 60 km/h (37 mph)
4 to 5 75 km/h (46 mph)
5 to 6 79 km/h (49 mph)
(Mexico)
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 15 km/h (9 mph)
2 to 3 35 km/h (22 mph)
3 to 4 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 70 km/h (43 mph)
5 to 6 100 km/h (62 mph)
For cruising (U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph)
3 to 4 49 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
5 to 6 70 km/h (43 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
reduces the chance of stalling and gives
better acceleration when you need more
speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
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When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (157,1)
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition
must be switched to 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 4-36).
When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (158,1)
qWarning Light
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-15.
qTransaxle Ranges
lThe shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-15.
lThe 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 set
the 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
ØShifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage
your transaxle.
ØShifting 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 3-41).
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 than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
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 the
vehicle:
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.
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When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (159,1)
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence.
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 4-36).
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.
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.
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 to ACC or the
ignition is switched off, the shift lever
cannot be shifted from P.
lThe ignition cannot be switched to OFF if
the shift lever is not in P.
qShift-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
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Take the vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.
When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L
Black plate (160,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while driving
will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode when
the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to
M1.
lIf you change to manual shift mode without
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 5th gear/6th gear, the
gear will shift to M4/M5.
Indicators
Manual shift mode indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Manual shift mode indicator
Gear position indicator
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.
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When Driving
Transaxle
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Form No.8CA5-EA-11L