MAZDA MODEL 6 2004 Owners Manual (in English)

5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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. Move the shift lever.

Manual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by tapping the
shift lever forward and back while in this
mode.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.

Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the "M" of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
In manual shift mode, the numeral for the
selected gear illuminates below the shift
position indicator.
NOTE
•
When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
•
To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
NOTE
•
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the
gear will shift to M1.
•
If you tap the shift lever back when
the vehicle is stopped and the gear
is at M1, the gear will shift to M2.
M2 is helpful for starting on
slippery surfaces.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Shifting
Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5*)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
Shifting down
(M5*→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indicator will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (page 5-14).
NOTE
•
When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed (page 5-14).
•
In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
•
Gears may not be shifted from M1
to M2 right after shifting the lever
from D to M. Wait a few seconds
and then shift up to M2.
•
When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Shifting Specification
2.3-liter engine model
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
At kickdown, shifting up to each gear is
only possible at the following speeds or
higher:
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically: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 driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed (page 5-14).
•
During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed (page 5-14).
•
When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
WARNING
Gear Vehicle speed
M1
→M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2
→M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3
→M4 35 km/h (22 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M2
→M3 61 km/h (37 mph)
M3
→M4 154 km/h (95 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4
→M3 157 km/h (98 mph)
M3
→M2 111 km/h (64 mph)
M2
→M1 45 km/h (28 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4
→M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2
→M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4
→M3 149 km/h (92 mph)
M3
→M2 56 km/h (34 mph)
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5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
3.0-liter engine model
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
At kickdown, shifting up to each gear is
only possible at the following speeds or
higher:
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
2.3-liter engine
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
3.0-liter engine
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1
→M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2
→M3 10 km/h (6 mph)
M3
→M4Between 25 and 63
km/h (15 and 39 mph),
depending on how
much the accelerator
pedal is depressed.
M4
→M5Between 44 and 86
km/h (27 and 53 mph),
depending on how
much the accelerator
pedal is depressed.
Gear Vehicle speed
M2
→M3 45 km/h (27 mph)
M3
→M4 69 km/h (42 mph)
M4
→M5 177 km/h (109 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5
→M4 194 km/h (120 mph)
M4
→M3 133 km/h (82 mph)
M3
→M2 87 km/h (53 mph)
M2
→M1 46 km/h (28 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5
→M4Between 44 and 86
km/h (27 and 53 mph),
depending on how
much the accelerator
pedal is released.
M4
→M3Between 25 and 63
km/h (15 and 39 mph),
depending on how
much the accelerator
pedal is released.
M3 or M2
→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5
→M4 177 km/h (109 mph)
M5
→M3 69 km/h (42 mph)
M4
→M3 69 km/h (42 mph)
M4
→M2 45 km/h (27 mph)
M3
→M2 45 km/h (27 mph)
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M1 to M2 24 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)
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.

Driving Tips
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.
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 all brakes 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.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.
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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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.

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

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.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 ON/OFF 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 ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not
in use.
WARNING
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5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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. Press the SET/COAST button and
release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don’t continue to hold in the button.
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.
•
Press the RESUME/ACCEL button
and hold it. Your vehicle will
accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current
speed in increments of 1.6 km/h (1
mph) by a momentary tap of the
RESUME/ACCEL button. Multiple
taps will increase your vehicle speed
1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each tap.
•
Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
NOTE
•
The SET function can’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
•
On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/COAST button and hold it.
The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the button at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET/COAST
button. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RESUME/ACCEL
button is pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and press the RESUME/
ACCEL button.
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.
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

To C a n c e l
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•
Press the ON/OFF switch.
•
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•
Press the CANCEL button.
•(Manual transaxle)

Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is off.The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque. When the TCS detects
driving wheel slippage, it lowers engine
torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
TCS and Unsafe Driving:The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

TCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
•
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator
light will go out.
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