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4–28
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Manually shifting up
You can shift gears up by operating the
shift lever or the steering shift switches*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back once.
Using steering shift switch*
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
() toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up. In 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. When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed. The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch () is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
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4–29
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Manually shifting down
You can shift gears down by operating the
shift lever or the steering shift switches*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward once.
Using steering shift switch*
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch toward you once with your
fingers.
DOWN switch (-)
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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down. During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed. When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
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4–46
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and
all the turn signals will flash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster flash simultaneously.
NOTE
The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on. Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
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4–61
When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.
Drive Selection*
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode
is selected, vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhance\
d. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely make maneuve\
rs such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery roads such as wet or snow-covered
roads. It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE
When the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on normal
driving. Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions:
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating Cruise control is operating. Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
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4–63
When Driving
Power Steering
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 or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. The warning light notifies the driver
of system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
Refer to Warning Lights on page
4-16.
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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4–65
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the hea\
dlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel af\
ter the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-16.
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inopera\
ble
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
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4–69
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)*
The LDWS system notifies the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffic lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep.
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow li\
nes.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-84.
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
LD WS warning light
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves. Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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4–70
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension. If the vehicle height or the damping force of the
suspensions is changed, the LDWS may not operate correctly.
NOTE
If your vehicle deviates from its traffic lane, the LDWS operates (warning sound and
indicator light). Steer the vehicle adequately to drive the vehicle to \
the center of the lane. When the turn signal lever is operated for a lane change, the LDWS warni\
ng is
automatically canceled. The LDWS warning becomes operable when the turn \
signal lever
is returned and the system detects the white or yellow lines. If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abr\
uptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines tha\
t the driver is
making a lane change and the LDWS warning is automatically canceled. The LDWS may not operate during the period immediately after the vehicle\
has deviated
from its lane and the LDWS has operated, or the vehicle deviates from its lane repeatedly
within a short period of time. The LDWS does not operate if it does not detect the white or yellow lines of the traffic
lane.
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