2017 MAZDA MODEL 6 parking brake

4–39
When Driving
Manual Transaxle Operation
Manual 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.
Always 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
 Keep 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.
 Do not apply any excessive lateral force
to the shift lever when changing from
5th to 4th gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of 2nd gear, which
could result in damage to the transaxle.
 Make 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.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 392016/07/07 13:44:50

4–44
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Transaxle Ranges
 The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer
to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-32.
 The selector 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 selector lever to P and set
the parking brake: Only setting the selector 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
 Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transaxle.
 Shifting 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 3-46).
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 selector
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
selector lever. Refer to Manual Shift Mode
on page 4-45.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 442016/07/07 13:44:51

4–58
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.
Headlight Leveling*
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
Daytime Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles
to have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
The daytime running lights turn on when
the vehicle is driven and turn off when the
parking brake is operated or the selector
lever is shifted to the P position (automatic
vehicle).
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-10.
Fog Lights*
The fog lights can be turned on with the
ignition switched ON and the headlights
turned on.
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
The fog lights will improve visibility at
night and during foggy conditions.
The fog lights turn on when the fog light
switch is turned to the
position and turn
off when the switch is turned to the

position.
Fog light switch
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beams.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 582016/07/07 13:44:55

4–71
When Driving
Brake
Electric Parking Brake
The electric parking brake equipment
applies the parking brake using an electric
motor. When the electric parking brake is
applied, the electric parking brake switch
indicator light turns on.
Indicator light
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the electric
parking brake applied:
If the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake applied, the brake parts may
generate heat and the brake system
may not operate, leading to an
accident.
Before driving, release the electric
parking brake and verify that the brake
system warning light is turned off.
NOTE
 The electric parking brake cannot be
applied or released while the vehicle
battery is dead.
 An operation sound occurs when
applying or releasing the electric
parking brake, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction.
 If the electric parking brake is not
used for long periods, an automatic
inspection of the system is performed
while the vehicle is parked. An
operation sound can be heard, however,
this does not indicate a problem.
 When the electric parking brake is
applied and the ignition is switched
OFF, an operation sound can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
 The brake pedal may move while the
electric parking brake is being applied
or released, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
 If the electric parking brake switch is
continually pulled while driving the
vehicle, the electric parking brake will
be applied and the electric parking
brake warning beep will be activated.
When the switch is released, the electric
parking brake is released and the beep
stops.
 If the electric parking brake is applied
with the ignition switched off or in ACC,
the brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster and the indicator
light in the switch may turn on for 15
seconds.
 When running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, it may be necessary
to switch the ignition off with the
parking brake released depending on
the type of automatic car wash.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 712016/07/07 13:45:00

4–72
When Driving
Brake
When applying the electric parking
brake
The electric parking brake can be applied
regardless of the ignition switch position.
Securely depress the brake pedal and pull
up the electric parking brake switch.
The electric parking brake is applied and
the brake system warning light and the
electric parking brake switch indicator
light turn on.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-32.
When releasing the electric parking
brake
The electric parking brake can be released
while the ignition is switched ON or
the engine is running. When the electric
parking brake is released, the brake system
warning light and the electric parking
brake switch indicator light turn off.Electric parking brake manual release
Securely depress the brake pedal and press
down the electric parking brake switch.
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the electric parking brake switch.
If the electric parking brake switch is
pressed without depressing the brake
pedal, the display or indicator light in the
instrument cluster notifies the driver that
the brake is not depressed.
(Type A instrument cluster)
A message is displayed on the multi-
information display in the instrument
cluster.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-
information Display on page 7-35.
(Type B instrument cluster)
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light in the instrument cluster
turns on.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 722016/07/07 13:45:00

4–73
When Driving
Brake
Electric parking brake automatic
release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the electric parking brake applied and
all of the following conditions met, the
parking brake is released automatically.
 The engine is running. The driver's door is closed. The driver's seat belt is fastened.
(Manual transaxle)
 The change lever is in a position other
than neutral.
 The clutch pedal is depressed halfway
(Automatic transaxle)
 Selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position
NOTE
If something such as the driver's foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the electric parking
brake applied, the parking brake may
be released automatically. If you do not
intend to drive immediately, shift the
change lever (manual transaxle) to the
neutral position, or shift the selector
lever (automatic transaxle) to the P or N
position.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-33.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 732016/07/07 13:45:00

4–75
When Driving
Brake
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
 Hill 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.
 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate if the parking brake is applied,
the vehicle has not stopped completely,
or the clutch pedal is released.
 While Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel
stiff and vibrate, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction.
 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate while the TCS/DSC indicator
light is illuminated.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-32.
 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch is
pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 752016/07/07 13:45:00

4–115
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)*
The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system is designed to maintain headway control*1
according to the vehicle speed using a radar sensor (front) to detect \
the distance to a vehicle
ahead, and by presetting the vehicle speed between 30 km/h (19 mph) an\
d 145 km/h (90
mph), the driver is freed from having to constantly use the accelerator\
or brake pedals.
*1 Headway Control: Control of the distance between your vehicle and the ve\
hicle ahead
detected by the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system.
Additionally, if your vehicle starts closing in on the vehicle ahead because, for ex\
ample, the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, a warning sound and a warning indication in the display are
activated simultaneously to alert you to maintain a sufficient distance between the vehicles.
Use the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system on expressways and other highways
which do not require a lot of repeated acceleration and deceleration.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system and always
drive carefully:
The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system is designed to reduce load on the driver,
and although it maintains a constant vehicle speed, or specifically, it maintains a constant
distance between your vehicle and the detected vehicle ahead according to the vehicle
speed, the system has detection limitations depending on the type of vehicle ahead and its
conditions, the weather conditions, and the road conditions. Additionally, the system may
be unable to decelerate sufficiently to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead if the vehicle ahead
applies the brakes suddenly or another vehicle cuts into the driving lane, which could result in
an accident. Always verify the safety of the surrounding area and depress the brake pedal or
accelerator pedal while keeping a safer distance from vehicles ahead or on-coming vehicles.
Do not use the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system in the following locations.
Otherwise, it could lead to an accident:
 Roads with sharp curves and where vehicle traffic is heavy and there is insufficient
space between vehicles. Roads where frequent and repetitive acceleration and
deceleration occur (Driving under these conditions using the Mazda Radar Cruise
Control (MRCC) system is not possible).
 When entering and exiting interchanges, service areas, and parking areas of highways
(If you exit a highway while headway control is in use, the vehicle ahead will no longer
be tracked and your vehicle may accelerate to the set speed).
 Slippery roads such as ice or snow-bound roads (The tires could spin causing you to
lose vehicle control).
 Long descending slopes (to maintain distance between vehicles, the system automatically
and continuously applies the brakes which could result in the loss of brake power).
For the purposes of safety, switch the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system off
when it is not being used.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 1152016/07/07 13:45:11