2023 MAZDA MAZDA automatic transmission

▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these shift points:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear
Vehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1 Always observe local speed limit regulations.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before
the engine starts to overwork. This give s better acceleration when you need more
speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Direct Mode*
▼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 and the gear
position in use is illuminated.
1. Direct mode indication
2. Gear position indication

Direct mode is canceled (released)
under the following conditions.
The UP switch (+/OFF) 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.

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.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Driving Tips
▼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 difficult to
control the vehicle which could result
in an accident.
Pa s s i n g
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.
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.
The manual shift mode does not
switch to automatic shift mode while
the DSC is turned off when the
selector lever is in the M position.
Shift 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.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Manual operation
Applying the parking brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed and the EPB switch is pulled
up, the parking brake is applied
regardless of the ignition position.
When the parking brake is applied, the
EPB indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the EPB switch indicator
light turn on.
Releasing the parking brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed and the EPB switch is
pressed while the ignition is switched
ON or the engine is running, the
parking brake is released. When the
parking brake is released, the EPB
indicator light in the instrument cluster
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
off.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, a message
is displayed on the multi-information
display to notify the driver to depress
the brake pedal.
Refer to Message Indicated on
Multi-information Display on page
7-40.
Auto operation
Applying the parking brake
automatically
When the ignition is switched from ON
to ACC or OFF, the parking brake will
be applied automatically. When the
parking brake is applied, the EPB
indicator light in the instrument cluster
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
on.
NOTE
To release the parking brake when the
ignition is switched OFF, it is necessary
to cancel the parking brake auto
operation. For details, refer to
Canceling the parking brake automatic
operation.
Releasing the parking brake
automatically
(Shift interlock release (Automatic
transmission vehicle))
CAUTION
Firmly depress the brake pedal and
perform the shift operation.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly.
If the selector lever is shifted from the
P position to a position other than P
with the parking brake applied and all
of the following conditions met, the
parking brake is released automatically.
When the parking brake is released,
the EPB indicator light in the
instrument cluster and the EPB switch
indicator light turn off.
When Driving
Brake
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The engine is running.The driver's door is closed.Shift interlock release is enabled.The brake pedal is being depressed.
When performing the following
operations, shift interlock release can
be enabled/disabled.
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Pull the EPB switch continuously for 4 seconds or longer.
3. Release the EPB switch once and then pull it again continuously for 4
seconds or longer within 3 seconds.
(Switching from disable to enable
shift interlock release)
When shift interlock release is
enabled, a sound is activated 2
times and the EPB switch indicator
changes to fast flashing , and flashes
for 3 seconds.
(Switching from enable to disable
shift interlock release)
When shift interlock release is
disabled, a sound is activated 2
times and the EPB switch indicator
light changes to slow flashing, and
flashes for 4 seconds.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched OFF,
the system setting before it was
turned off is maintained.
(Accelerator interlock release)
If the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the parking brake applied and all
of the following conditions met, the
parking brake is released automatically.
When the parking brake is released,
the EPB indicator light in the
instrument cluster and the EPB switch
indicator light turn off.
The engine is running.The driver's door is closed.The driver's seat belt is fastened.(Manual transmission vehicle)
The shift lever is in a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed
halfway.
(Automatic transmission vehicle)
The selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position.
CAUTION
If something such as the driver’s foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the parking brake
applied, the parking brake may be
released automatically and the vehicle
may move unexpectedly. If you do not
intend to start driving the vehicle
immediately, shift the shift lever to the
neutral position for a manual
transmission, or shif t the selector lever
to the P or N position for an automatic
transmission.
Canceling the parking brake
automatic operation
The parking brake automatic operation
can be canceled by doing any of the
following after switching the ignition
from ON to OFF.
Auto operation cancel method 1
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Release the parking brake manually.
3. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.
4. Press the EPB switch continuously for 2 seconds or longer (until a
sound is activated).
5. Release the EPB switch and switch
the ignition OFF within 5 seconds
after the sound was activated.
After the auto operation is
canceled, a sound is activated one
time, and the EPB switch indicator
light switches from illumination to
flashing , and then turns off after 3
seconds.
When Driving
Brake
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Auto operation cancel method 2
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Release the parking brake manually.
3. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.
4. Switch the ignition OFF with theEPB switch pressed while the brake
pedal is not depressed.
When the auto operation is
canceled, a sound is activated one
time, and the EPB switch indicator
light goes from normal flashing to
faster flashing, and then turns
off
after 3 seconds.
NOTE
When canceling the parking brake
auto operation and parking the
vehicle, shift the shift lever to the 1st
gear or the R position for a manual
transmission, or shift the selector
lever to the P position for an
automatic transmission, and then
use wheel blocks.
The auto operation may not cancel if
the vehicle is parked on a steep
slope.
When the ignition is switched ON, the
parking brake auto operation is
restored.
How to use Emergency Brake
If there is a problem with the brake
system (foot brake) while driving the
vehicle or in an emergency situation
where the driver cannot step on the
brake pedal, continually pulling up the
EPB switch will apply the brakes and
decelerate or stop the vehicle. The
parking brake on-reminder sound is
activated while the brake is applied. In
addition, when releasing the switch,
the brake is released and the sound
stops.
WARNING
Use Emergency Brake only in an
emergency situation:
Excessive use may cause the brake
parts to wear quickly or the brakes to
heat up and become less effective.
▼Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Brake System Warning
Indication/Warning Light on page
7-27.
▼
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the disc plates. This causes a
screeching noise to warn that the pads
should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
When Driving
Brake
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AUTOHOLD
▼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 when you start driving the vehicle.
WARNING
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 appropriately in accordance
with the road and surrounding conditions.
Note that the vehicle may move suddenly depending on the vehicle's load or if it is
towing something.
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 not 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 position 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.

“Depress Brake Pedal. Brake Hold Disabled” is displayed in the multi-information
display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
Always apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when parking the vehicle is dangerous as the vehicle
may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. When parking the vehicle, shift
the selector lever to the P position (autom atic transmission vehicle) and apply the
parking brake.
When Driving
Brake
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3. The vehicle is held in its stoppedposition even with the brake pedal
released.
NOTE
When all of the following conditions
are met, the AUTOHOLD operates and
the brakes are held.
The ignition is switched ON (engine
is running or stopped by i-stop).
The vehicle is stopped.The brake pedal is being depressed.The AUTOHOLD active indicator
light turns on.
The accelerator pedal is not
depressed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.The driver's door is closed.There is no problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
The parking brake is released.There is no problem with the Electric
Pa r k i n g B ra ke ( E P B ) f u n c t i o n .
(Automatic transmission vehicle)
The selector lever is in a position
other than R position or the vehicle
tilts forward with the selector lever in
the R position.
To release AUTOHOLD and start
driving the vehicle
If you try to resume driving the vehicle,
the brakes will be released
automatically and the AUTOHOLD
active indicator light turns off.
NOTE
If the Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is pulled while the
AUTOHOLD is operating, the
parking brake is applied and the
AUTOHOLD is released. In addition,
if the parking brake is released under
this condition, the AUTOHOLD
operates to hold the brakes.
Under the following conditions, the
parking brake is automatically
applied and the AUTOHOLD is
released. The AUTOHOLD is
re-enabled when the conditions
before the AUTOHOLD is released
are restored.
The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.The driver’s door is opened.When about 10 minutes or longer
have passed since the AUTOHOLD
operation started, the parking brake
is automatically applied. Because the
AUTOHOLD is restored when
releasing the parking brake, the hold
on the brakes by AUTOHOLD
function resumes.
(Manual transmission vehicle)
When starting to drive the vehicle
forward or in reverse on a down
slope, depress the clutch pedal and
shift the shift lever to the appropriate
position for driving in the desired
direction, and then depress the
accelerator pedal to release the
AUTOHOLD.
The AUTOHOLD can be canceled
forcibly by fully depressing the
accelerator pedal for 1 second or
longer while the AUTOHOLD is
operating. Forcibly cancel the
AUTOHOLD only when the
AUTOHOLD cannot be canceled due
to a system malfunction or it is
necessary to cancel the AUTOHOLD
in an emergency.
When Driving
Brake
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