Page 186 of 612
4–38
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Lock-release button
Indicates the selector lever can be shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release button to shift.
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal and hold in the lock-release
button to shift (The ignition must be switched ON).
Various Lockouts:
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transaxle that
gives the driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leaving it to the transaxle to
shift gears. Even if you intend to use the automatic transaxle functions as a traditional
automatic, you should also be aware that you can inadvertently shift into manual shift mode
and an inappropriate gear may be retained as the vehicle speed increases. If you notice the
engine speed going higher or hear the engine racing, confi rm you have not accidentally
slipped into manual shift mode (page 4-42 ).
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When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Shift-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
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped fl at head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
Cover
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
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When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Transaxle Ranges
The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer
to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-31 .
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 3-51 ).
NOTE
(With parking sensor system)
When the selector lever is shifted to the R
position with the ignition switched ON, the
parking sensor system is activated and a
beep sound is heard.
Refer to Parking Sensor System on page
4-163 .
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.
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When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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 4-42 .
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Active 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 selector 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.
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
Lighting Control
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
When the lights are turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.
NOTE
If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-11 .
To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON ACC or
OFF ON ACC or
OFF ON ACC or
OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On On
*2
Daytime running lights On *1 Off On *1 Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off Off On On
*2 On On *2
*1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.
*2 The lights are turned on for the specifi ed period by the auto headlight off function.
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
With auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON ACC
or OFF ON ACC
or OFF ON ACC
or OFF ON ACC
or OFF
Headlights Off Off Auto
*2 Auto *4 Off Off On On *5
Daytime running lights On *1 Off On *3 Off On *1 Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off Off Auto
*2 Auto *4 On On *5 On On *5
*1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.
*2 The lights are turned on by the auto light function.
*3 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven, and turned off when the headlights are turned on by the auto
light function.
*4 The lights are turned on continuously if the ignition is switched from ON to any other position with the lights
turned on. The lights are turned on for the specifi ed period by the auto headlight off function.
*5 The lights are turned on for the specifi ed period by the auto headlight off function.
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.
Auto-light control *
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights
and other exterior lights on or off.
CAUTION
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly.
The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the
ignition is switched ON as fi ngers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
The headlights and other exterior lights may not turn off immediately even if the
surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor determines that it is night
time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several minutes such as inside long
tunnels, traffi c jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position.
If the headlight switch and the windshield wiper switch are in , and the wipers are
operated at low or high speed by the auto wiper control for several seconds, bad weather
conditions are determined and the headlights may be turned on.
The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-11 .
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