MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owners Manual

5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
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.
Sudden Engine-Braking:
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. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
• Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don’
t use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. This will
avoid needless clutch wear and
damage.
• Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to
reverse.
Shifting to reverse while the vehicle
is still moving may damage the
transmission.
NOTE
If shifting to reverse is difficult, shift
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
WARNING
CAUTION
5-speed
transmission 6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph) 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph) 37 km/h (23 mph)
3 to 4 55 km/h (34 mph) 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —66 km/h (41 mph)
5-speed
transmission 6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 15 km/h (9 mph) 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph) 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 to 4 47 km/h (29 mph) 44 km/h (27 mph)
4 to 5 61 km/h (38 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —68 km/h (42 mph)
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 9 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Various Lockouts:

Transmission Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
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.
Automatic Transmission
Controls
Indicates that you must depress the
brake pedal and hold in the lock-
release button to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the
lock-release button to shift.
Lock-release button

To prevent unsafe
shifting
Shift pattern
indicator
Shows shift lever
position
Overdrive button
For turning the
overdrive off or on
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift 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. To hold the
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND
set the parking brake.
•
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.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2
position.
1 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum power in
hard-pulling situations, or for climbing
and descending very steep grades.
Do not exceed 59 km/h (36 mph) in the 1
position.

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. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
Shifting from N or P:
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. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
WARNING
Sudden Engine-Braking:
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. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
NOTE
• When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
transmission cannot be shifted from
P.
• If the brake is pumped with the shift
lever in P, a chattering near the shift
lever may be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
WARNING
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5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won
’t move from P with
the brake pedal depressed, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover with a screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
5. Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.

Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transmission automatically shifts
to overdrive, which improves fuel
economy and reduces noise. To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don
’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transmission will then shift through a
3-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
Shift lever
Overdrive button
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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.

Driving Tips
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.
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 1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 2 or 1,
depending on load weight and grade steepness.
Descend slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from overheating.
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
To deactivate the system, push the switch
again.
Cruise Control
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•
Heavy or unsteady traffic
• Slippery or winding roads
• Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don ’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the CRUISE MAIN switch
on when not using the cruise control
is dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the CRUISE
MAIN switch off when cruise control
is not in use.
Indicator light
WARNING
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5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 40 km/h (25 mph).
3. Turn the control knob to SET/COAST and release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don ’t continue to hold the knob. Until
you release it, speed will continue to
drop (unless you continue to
accelerate) and you ’ll miss the desired
speed.

To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
• Turn the control knob to RESUME/
ACCEL and hold it. Your vehicle will
accelerate.
Release the knob at the speed you
want.
• Accelerate to the desired speed.
Turn the control knob to SET/COAST
and release it immediately.
NOTE
•The SET function can
’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the
CRUISE MAIN switch has been
engaged.
• On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
Control knob
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
Control knob
Control knob
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Turn the control knob to SET/COAST and
hold it. The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the knob at the speed you want.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the CRUISE
MAIN switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the control knob is turned to
RESUME/ACCEL.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and turn the control knob
to RESUME/ACCEL.

To C a n c e l
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
• Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• (Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
Control knob
Control knob
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer .............................................................................................................5-18
2 Odometer and Trip Meter .........................................................................................5-18
3 Tachometer ...............................................................................................................5-19
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .........................................................................5-19
5 Fuel Gauge ................................................................................................................5-20
6 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge .......................................................................................5-20
Meters and Gauges
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5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.

Odometer and Trip Meter
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector. The selected mode will be
displayed. Odometer
When this mode is selected, ODO will be
displayed.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter A Press the selector
Press the selector
Press the selector
Trip meter B
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