3–32
Before Driving
Steering Wheel
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. Moving
it can very easily cause the driver
to abruptly turn to the left or right.
This can lead to loss of control or an
accident.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down
the lock release lever under the steering
column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, then push the lever up to lock
the column.
3. Attempt to push the steering wheel
up and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.
NOTE
Make sure that the steering wheel is
locked ¿ rmly in place. If it is dif ¿ cult to
raise the lever, lightly move the steering
wheel forward and back to pull up the
lever.
3–51
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary
to downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tyre
speed could cause the tyres to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control and
an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
manoeuvring.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-84 .
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda À oor mats.
WARNING
Make sure the À oor mats are secured
with the grommets or the retainers to
prevent them from bunching up under
the foot pedals (Driver's side):
Using a À oor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation
(driver's side), which could result in an
accident.
Only use a À oor mat which conforms
to the shape of the À oor on the driver's
side and make sure it is oriented
correctly.
Secure the À oor mat using the
grommets or retainers.
There are various ways to secure À oor
mats depending on the type used,
therefore secure the mat according to
the type.
After installing the À oor mat, make
sure that it does not slide from side
to side or back and forth, and that
there is suf ¿ cient clearance with the
accelerator and brake pedals on the
driver's side.
After removing the À oor mat for
cleaning or some other reason, always
securely reinstall it while paying
attention to the precautions just
mentioned.
4–51
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by
allowing you to operate the selector lever
manually. This 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
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
If 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 indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Ty p e A
Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
Ty p e B
Gear position indication
Manual shift mode indication
4–54
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
*Some models.
Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches
* .
M 6 : 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
¿ ngers.
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 tyre speed could
cause the tyres to skid. This could
lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using ¿ ngers 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 transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed. However, the gears do not
kickdown while the TCS is turned
off.
4–87
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive manoeuvring,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-84 ) and TCS
(page 4-85 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-36 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
CAUTION
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tyres of the correct size
speci ¿ ed for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
Use tyres of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
Do not mix worn tyres.
The DSC may not operate correctly
when tyre chains are used or a
temporary spare tyre is installed
because the tyre diameter changes.
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light À ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
4–96
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 enhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely make manoeuvres 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 tyre 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
Steering wheel is being operated abruptly