2020 MAZDA MODEL 6 steering

▼Warning/Indicator Lights
Instrument Cluster varies depending on model and specifications
.
Front Center of Headliner
Warning lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Instrument Cluster
▼
Warning Indication/Warning Lights
These lights turn on or flash to notify the user of the system
operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Page
Brake System Warning Light*1*27-25
ABS Warning Light*1
Electronic Brake
Force Distribu‐ tion System
Wa r n i n g
7-25
ABS warning 7-28
Charging System Warning Light*17-25
Engine Oil Warning Light*17-25
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light*17-25
Master Warning Light*17-28
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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▼Manually Shifting Up
You can shift gears up by operating the
selector lever or
the steering shift
switches
*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the
selector 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)
WA R N I N G
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.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In addition,
manual shift mode switches to automatic
shift mode while the accelerator pedal is
completely depressed.
This function is canceled while the DSC
is turned off. Howeve r, if the vehicle is
continuously driven at a high rpm, the
gears may automatically shift up to
protect the engine.
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.
▼ Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating the
selector lever or the steering shift
switches
*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
4-72*Some models.
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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 (-)
WA R N I N G
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 th e accelerator fully,
the transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed. However,
the gears do not kickdown while the
DSC is turned off.
▼ Second Gear Fixed Mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the t
ransaxle is set in the
second gear fixed mode. The gear is fixed
in second while in this mode for easier
acceleration from a stop and driving on
slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear fixed
mode, the mode will be canceled.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
*Some models.4-73
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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
position.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate a nd the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (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.

Direct mode
indicationGear position
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 canceled (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
WA R N I N G
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 difficult 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 transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
The accelerator peda l 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.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
4-76*Some models.
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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.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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AUTOHOLD
The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped, even if you take your
foot off the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in traffic or at a traffic
light. The brakes are released w hen you resume driving the vehi cle such as by releasing the
clutch pedal with the shift lever shifted to a position other than the neutral position (manual
transaxle vehicle) or depressing the accelerator pedal (automatic transaxle vehicle).
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function:
The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the vehicle is
stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the AUTOHOLD system is
dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly move.
Operate the brakes appr opriately in accordance with the road and surrounding conditions.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade:
Because there is a possibility of the vehicle no t being held in the stopped position by the
AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or snow-covered roads, or
unpaved roads:
Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped posi tion by the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator pedal, brakes, or
steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases:
Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly
and result in an accident.
 The brake pedal operation demand warning light (red) flashes and the warning sound is
activated at the same time.
(Red)
[Brake Hold Unavailable Depress Brake to Hold Position] is displayed in the
multi-information display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
When Driving
Brake
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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 e nhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slip pery 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
The Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function) System/cruise control is operating.
Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
▼ Drive Selection Switch
Press the drive sele
ction switch forward
(“
”) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(“
”) to cancel the sport mode.

NOTE
In the following cases, the drive
selection is canceled.
The ignition is switched OFF.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with
Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop
& Go function) System/cruise control
is set.
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.
When Driving
Drive Selection
4-116*Some models.
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i-ACTIV AWD Operation*
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
WA R N I N G
Never spin a wheel that is off the ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground as a
result of the vehicle being stuck or in a
ditch is dangerous. The drive assembly
could be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.
▼ AWD Driving
This vehicle has not been designed for the
purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do
not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky
surfaces, or across rivers.
Although this vehicle is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and braking
operations should be conducted in the
same manner as with a non-AWD vehicle,
with the emphasis placed on safe driving.
▼Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large role
in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires
at the same time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
Inspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods adjust to the specified
pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine tires of the specified size, on all
wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all 4 wheels being of the
same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.
Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the veh icle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.
▼ To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all 4 wheels completely off the
ground.
Refer to Towing Description on page
7-22.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
4-118*Some models.
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