Page 177 of 532

Black plate (177,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
selector 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.
When Driving
Transaxle
4-49
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page177
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 178 of 532

Black plate (178,1)
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2 →M3 →M4 →M5 →M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, move the
selector lever back (
) once.
NOTElWhen driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
lIn manual shift mode, do not run the engine
with the tachometer needle in the RED
ZONE. When the engine rpm is high, a gear
may shift up automatically to protect the
engine.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed (Except M2 →
M1).
Manually Shifting down
(M6 →M5 →M4 →M3 →M2 →M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, move the
selector lever forward (
) once.
WARNING
Do not use 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.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the gear may
not shift down.
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 (Except M2 →
M1).
4-50
When Driving
Transaxle
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page178
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 179 of 532
Black plate (179,1)
Second gear fixed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
(
) while the vehicle speed is about 10
km/h (6 mph) or less, the transaxle is set
in the second gear fixed mode. The gear is
fixed in second while in this mode for
easier acceleration from a stop and driving
on slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back (
)or
forward (
) while in the second gear
fixed mode, the mode will be canceled.
When Driving
Transaxle
4-51
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page179
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 180 of 532

Black plate (180,1)
Shift gear (shifting) speed limit
For each gear position while in the manual mode, the speed limit is set as follows: When
the selector lever is operated within the range of the speed limit, the gear is shifted.
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the vehicle speed is lower than the speed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit and the gear does not shift down, the gear
position indication flashes 2 times to notify the driver that the gear cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fully while driving, the gear shifts down.
NOTE
The gear also shifts down using kickdown while in the second gear fixed mode.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically depending on the vehicle speed during deceleration.
NOTE
If the vehicle comes to a stop while in the second gear fixed mode, the gear remains in second.
4-52
When Driving
Transaxle
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page180
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 181 of 532

Black plate (181,1)
Recommendations for shifting (U.S.A. and Canada)
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 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 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1: Always observe local speed limit regulations.
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.
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. NOTE
The accelerator pedal feels heavy as it is being
depressed, but then lightens as it is fully
depressed. This change in pedal force aids the
engine control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not kickdown
should be performed.
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.
When Driving
Transaxle
4-53
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page181
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 182 of 532
Black plate (182,1)
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.
4-54
When Driving
Transaxle
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page182
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 183 of 532

Black plate (183,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
lTurn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination on or off.
lFor vehicles with the type A instrument cluster, check the vehicle condition or have the
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer according to the indication.
lA system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-22.
NOTE
lIf the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off (if equipped) approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-10.
lTo prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless safety
requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On On
Daytime running lights On Off On Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard illumination Off Off On On On On
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-55
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page183
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A
Page 184 of 532
Black plate (184,1)
With auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition PositionON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF
Headlights Off Off Auto*Off Off Off On On
Daytime running lights On Off Auto*Off On Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard illumination Off Off Auto
*OffOnOnOnOn
* The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on the surrounding brightness detected by the sensor.
4-56
When Driving
Switches and Controls
CX-5_8DR2-EA-14A_Edition1 Page184
Thursday, November 21 2013 8:48 AM
Form No.8DR2-EA-14A