Shift Lever
Warning and Cautions for Using the Shift Lever
Do not use sudden 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.
Always leave the shift lever in 1 or R position and set the parking brake when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Otherwise the vehicle could move and cause an accident.
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Keep your foot off the clutch pedal except when shifting gears. Also, do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the clutch will cause needless clutch wear and damage.
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Do not apply any excessive lateral force to the shift lever when changing from 5th to 4th gear. This could lead to the accidental selection of 2nd gear, which could result in damage to the transmission.
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Make sure the vehicle comes to a complete stop before shifting to R. Shifting to R while the vehicle is still moving may damage the transmission.
How to Use the Shift Lever
Operating the Shift Lever
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Depress the clutch pedal.
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(Position other than R)
Operate the shift lever.
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Neutral position
(R position)
Operate the shift lever while pushing it down.
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Release the clutch pedal.
The Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Refer to Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) (Search).
Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, Mazda recommends these shift points:
|
Gear |
Vehicle speed |
|---|---|
|
1 to 2 |
23 km/h (14 mph) |
|
2 to 3 |
39 km/h (24 mph) |
|
3 to 4 |
53 km/h (33 mph) |
|
4 to 5 |
61 km/h (38 mph) |
|
5 to 6 |
77 km/h (48 mph) |
For cruising, Mazda recommends these shift points:
|
Gear |
Vehicle speed |
|---|---|
|
1 to 2 |
11 km/h (7 mph) |
|
2 to 3 |
31 km/h (19 mph) |
|
3 to 4 |
42 km/h (26 mph) |
|
4 to 5 |
55 km/h (34 mph) |
|
5 to 6 |
66 km/h (41 mph) |
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the engine starts to overwork. This reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration when you need more speed. On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.
