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 au tomatic transaxle functions as a traditional
automatic, you should also be aw are 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 engi ne racing, confirm you have not accidentally
slipped into manual shift mode (page 4-63).
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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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 switch ed off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P position.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P position.
▼ 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 flat 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.
Transaxle Ranges
The shift position indication in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Refer to Indication/Indicator Lights on
page 4-25, 4-42, 4-55.
The selector lever must be in P or N
position to operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WA R N I N G
Always set the selector lever to P position
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 3-47).
NOTE
(With parking sensor system)
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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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
4-293.
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.
WA R N I N G
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 position 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 4-63.
▼ Shift Position Indication
Instrument Cluster (Type A)
Instrument Cluster (Type B/C)
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 th
e road conditions and
driver input. This im proves 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
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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▼Leaving Home Light
The leaving home light turns on the lights
when the transmitter unlock button is
pressed while away from the vehicle.
The following lights
turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License plate lights.
To turn on the lights
When the ignition switc h and the headlight
switch are in the following conditions, the
headlights will illu minate when the
transmitter unlock bu tton is pressed and
the vehicle receives the transmitter signal.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).
Ignition switch: off
Headlight switch: AUTO, , or
Unlock
button Lock button
NOTE
Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off.
When the headlight switch is turned to
the OFF position, the headlights turn
off.
▼ Headlight Leveling
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
Auto type
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Mazda Dealer and Have
Vehicle Inspected on page 7-25.
Manual type
The headlight leveling switch is used to
adjust the angle of the headlights
manually.
Select the proper headlight angle from the
following chart.
Front seat
Rear
seat LoadSwitch
Posi ‐
tion
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
▼Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever ha
lfway toward the
direction of the lane change ―until the
indicator flashes ― and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
▼ Three-Flash Turn Signal
After releasing the turn signal lever, the
turn signal indicator flashes 3 times. The
operation can be canceled by moving the
lever in the direction opposite to which it
was operated.
NOTE
The three-flash turn signal function can be
switched to operable/inoperable using the
personalization function.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
Windshield Wipers and
Wa s h e r
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WA R N I N G
Use only windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is
dangerous. If sprayed on the windshield, it
will dirty the windshield, affect your
visibility, and could result in an accident.
Only use windshield washer fluid mixed
with anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing weather
conditions is dangerous as it could freeze
on the windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident. In addition,
make sure the windshield is sufficiently
warmed using the defroster before
spraying the washer fluid.
CAUTION
When the wipers are not used during
freezing temperatures or for a long time,
the wiper rubber may adhere to the
glass. If the wipers are operated while
adhered to the glass, it could damage
the wiper rubber and motor.
If the wipers are operated while the glass
is dry, the glass could be scratched and
the wiper rubber damaged. When the
glass is dry, spray washer fluid before
operating the wipers.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brake pedal without
pumping the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer and
Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-25.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for safe
driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle too
closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
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When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting.
If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways.
The BSM warning indicator light may turn on and the vehicle detection screen may be
displayed in the display in reaction to stationary objects (guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls,
and parked vehicles) on the road or the roadside.
Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle. Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels
and turnouts.
A BSM warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several
times when making a turn at a city intersection.
Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwis
e, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked
causing the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM
warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
The radar sensors (rear) of the BSM may be regulated under the radio wave related laws
of the country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use
in the U.S.A. (including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with a BSM is
driven in a country other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned
off by changing the setting on the center display.
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traf fic Alert (RCTA) function when the selector
lever is shifted to th e reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-141.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Turn off the RCTA system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle
carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the
radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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