Black plate (168,1)
qSelect Mode Indication
When the sport mode is selected, the
select mode Indication turns on in the
instrument cluster.
NOTE
If the mode cannot be switched to drive mode,
the select mode indication flashes to notify the
driver.
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 4-63).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn signal indicator lights
flash (page 4-70).
If an indicator light 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
two 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 three seconds and then turns off.
4-44
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page168
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (172,1)
qGear Shift Indicator
The gear shift indicator supports you to
obtain optimum fuel economy and smooth
driving. It displays the selected gear
position in the instrument cluster as well
as notifies the driver to change to the most
suitable gear position corresponding to the
actual driving condition.
Selected gear position Suitable gear position
Indication Action
NumeralThe selected gear position is
displayed.
and numeralShift up or down to the indicated
gear position is recommended.
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving
situation might require shift
operations different from indication.
To avoid the risk of accidents, the
road and traffic conditions have to be
judged correctly by the driver before
shifting.NOTE
The gear shift indicator turns off when the
following operations are performed.
lThe vehicle is stopped.lThe vehicle is put in neutral.lThe vehicle is driven in reverse.lThe clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop.
lThe clutch pedal remains depressed for 2
seconds or longer while driving.
qRecommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
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)
For cruising
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.
4-48
When Driving
Transaxle
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page172
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (174,1)
qDisplay Indication
For 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.
qWarning Light
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-22.
qTransaxle Ranges
lThe shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-22.
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 3-45).
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.
4-50
When Driving
Transaxle
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page174
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (175,1)
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.
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 on page
4-52.
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 feel.
The transaxle may switch to AAS mode
when driving up and down slopes,
cornering, driving at high elevations, or
depressing the accelerator pedal quickly
while the shift lever is in the D position.
Depending on the road and driving
conditions/vehicle operations, gear
shifting could be delayed or not occur,
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. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
lWhen the ignition is switched to ACC or the
ignition is switched off, the selector lever
cannot be shifted from P.
lThe ignition cannot be switched to OFF if
the selector lever is not in P.
qShift-Lock Override
If the selector 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. Press and hold the lock-release button.
When Driving
Transaxle
4-51
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page175
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (180,1)
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 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 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1: Always observe local speed limit regulations.
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.
qDirect Mode
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indicator lights illuminate and the gear
position in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
lThe UP switch (/OFF) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time
or longer.
lThe vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
lThe vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Gear position indicator
Direct mode indicator
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode may
not be possible depending on the vehicle
speed. In addition, because direct mode is
canceled (released) depending on the rate of
acceleration or if the accelerator is fully
depressed, use of the manual shift mode is
recommended if you need to drive the vehicle
in a particular gear for long periods.
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.
4-56
When Driving
Transaxle
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page180
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (203,1)
WARNING
Do not rely completely on Hill Launch
Assist (HLA):
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is an
auxiliary device for accelerating from
a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about two seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system,
when accelerating from a stop is
dangerous because the vehicle may
move (roll) unexpectedly and cause
an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on
the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something. In addition, for vehicles
with a manual transaxle, the vehicle
could still roll depending on how the
clutch pedal or the accelerator pedal
is operated.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.NOTE
lHill Launch Assist (HLA) does not operate
on a gentle slope. In addition, the gradient
of the slope on which the system will
operate changes depending on the vehicle's
load.
lHill Launch Assist (HLA) does not operate
if the parking brake is applied, the vehicle
has not stopped completely, or the clutch
pedal is released.
lWhile Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel stiff
and vibrate, however, this does not indicate
a malfunction.
lHill Launch Assist (HLA) does not operate
while the TCS/DSC indicator light is
illuminated.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-22.
lHill Launch Assist (HLA) does not turn off
even if the DSC OFF switch is pressed to
turn off the TCS/DSC.
When Driving
Brake
4-79
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page203
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (204,1)
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brake pedal without
pumping the brakes.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-22.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.NOTE
lBraking distances may be longer on loose
surfaces (snow or gravel, for example)
which usually have a hard foundation. A
vehicle with a normal braking system may
require less distance to stop under these
conditions because the tires will build up a
wedge of surface layer when the wheels
skid.
lThe sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a malfunction.
4-80
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page204
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (210,1)
qi-ELOOP Charging Display
If the engine is started after the vehicle
has not been driven for a long period of
time, an“i-ELOOP charging”message
may be indicated in the display.
Leave the engine idling and wait until the
message disappears.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven while the message is
displayed, a beep sound is heard.
If you turn the steering wheel while the
message is displayed, it will feel heavier than
normal, but this does not indicate an
abnormality. Stop the vehicle in a safe location
with the engine running and do not attempt to
turn the steering wheel. The steering operation
will return to normal after the message is no
longer displayed.
4-86
When Driving
i-ELOOP
Mazda6_8EA2-EA-14K_Edition2 Page210
Saturday, January 10 2015 3:25 PM
Form No.8EA2-EA-14K