2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF brake

4–52
When Driving
Transmission
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
NOTE
If one of the following actions is
performed, the selector position is
displayed for 5 minutes even if the
ignition switch is in a position other than
ON.
 
 The ignition is switched OFF. 
 The driver's door is opened.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
Transmission Ranges
 












 The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer
to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-42 .
 


 The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear 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
transmission.
  Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
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 3-62 ).
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–53
When Driving
Transmission
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
4-148 .
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission 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
transmission 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 transmission 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 4-55 .
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transmission
shift points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This improves driving
feel. The transmission 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.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–54
When Driving
Transmission
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.
Ty p e A
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped À 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 expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer
to have the system checked.
Ty p e B
1. Press the lock-release button with the
button pressed.
Lock-release button
button
2. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer
to have the system checked.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–61
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Direct 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
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is cancelled (released) under
the following conditions.
 


 The UP switch ( ) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
 


 The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
 


 The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct
mode may not be possible depending on
the vehicle speed. In addition, because
direct mode is cancelled (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.
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle move
forward with the selector lever in the
reverse position. Otherwise, the engine
may stop, causing the loss of the power
brake and power steering functions,
and make it dif¿ cult to control the
vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–62
When Driving
Transmission
NOTE
  The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being depressed,
then feel lighter as it is depressed
further. This change in pedal force
aids the engine control system
in determining how much the
accelerator pedal has been depressed
for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
 
 While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch
to automatic shift mode even if
the accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–70
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.
Headlight Levelling
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.
Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles to
have their lights on (running lights) during
the daytime.
The running lights turn on automatically
when the vehicle starts moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the selector lever is shifted
to the P position (automatic transmission
vehicle).
NOTE
(Except countries prohibited by law)
The running lights can be deactivated.
Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-10 .
Rear Fog Light *
The rear fog light can be used when the
ignition is switched ON.
The rear fog light helps your vehicle to be
seen.
The headlights must be turned on to turn
on the rear fog light.
To turn the rear fog light on, rotate the fog
light switch to the
position (the fog
light switch returns to its original position
automatically).
Fog light switch
The rear fog light indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates while the
rear fog light is on.
To turn the rear fog light off, do any of the
following:
 


 Rotate the fog light switch to the
position again (the fog light switch
returns to its original position
automatically).
 


 Turn the headlight switch to the
position.
The rear fog light indicator light in the
instrument cluster goes off when the rear
fog light is turned off.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–80
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  The direction indicators 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.
  If the brake pedal is depressed
while driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all the turn and lane
change signals to À ash. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
  While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all the direction
indicators automatically À ash rapidly
to caution the driver of a vehicle
following behind your vehicle of a
sudden braking situation. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–81
When Driving
Brake
B r a k e S y s t e m
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, ¿ nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying the
brakes for long distances is dangerous.
This causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances
or even total brake failure. This could
cause loss of vehicle control and a
serious accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
/:A(.'',A'FKVKQPKPFD