MAZDA MODEL 6 2007 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (141,1)
Manual Transaxle Operation
qManual Transaxle Shift Pattern
Neutral position
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
A safety feature prevents accidental
shifting from 5 to R (reverse). The shift
lever must be put in neutral before being
shifted to R.
WARNING
Do not use sudden engine braking onslippery road surfaces or at highspeeds:
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.
Be sure to leave the shift lever in 1 orR position and set the parking brakewhen leaving the vehicle unattended:
Otherwise the vehicle could move and
cause an accident.
CAUTION
lKeep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don't use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the
clutch will cause needless clutch
wear and damage.
lMake sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is still
moving may damage the transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
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Black plate (142,1)
qRecommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
2.3-liter engine
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 26 km/h (16 mph)
2 to 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 to 4 53 km/h (33 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
For cruising
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 to 4 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 68 km/h (42 mph)
3.0-liter engine
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 27 km/h (17 mph)
2 to 3 48 km/h (30 mph)
3 to 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
For cruising
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 34 km/h (21 mph)
3 to 4 52 km/h (32 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, 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.
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Black plate (143,1)
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ACC or ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position.
Various Lockouts:
qTransaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the shift lever to P AND setthe parking brake:
Only 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.
CAUTION
lShifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transaxle.
lShifting 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 4-9).
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Black plate (144,1)
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.
WARNING
If the engine is running faster thanidle, do not shift from N or P into adriving 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 thevehicle:
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 shift
lever from N 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 5-gear/6-gear
*sequence.
* 3.0-liter engine model
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-13).
qShift-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.
NOTE
lWhen the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the shift lever
cannot be shifted from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,the
ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in P.
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Black plate (145,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the front wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
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.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
lIf you shift up once 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.
l(2.3-liter engine model)
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear, the gear will shift to M4.
(3.0-liter engine model)
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, the
gear will shift to a lower gear (Ex;
the gear changes from D range, 5th
to M4).
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
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Black plate (146,1)
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
lIf 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.
l(2.3-liter engine model)
If the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF)
temperature becomes too high, there
is the possibility that the transaxle
will switch to automatic shift mode,
canceling manual shift mode and
turning off the gear position indicator
illumination. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the
ATF temperature has decreased, the
gear position indicator illumination
turns back on and driving in manual
shift mode is restored.
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5→M6
*)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
* 3.0-liter engine model
NOTE
lWhen driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
lIn 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.
lGears 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.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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Black plate (147,1)
Manually Shifting down
(M6*→M5→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
* 3.0-liter engine model
WARNING
Do not use sudden engine braking onslippery road surfaces or at highspeeds:
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.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Shifting specification (2.3-liter enginemodel)
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.
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
33 km/h (21 mph)
M4→M5
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.
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 195 km/h (121 mph)
M4→M3 140 km/h (87 mph)
M3→M2 94 km/h (59 mph)
M2→M1 47 km/h (30 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5 or M4→M3 30 km/h (18 mph)
M3 or M2→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
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Black plate (148,1)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear will not shift down to M1
automatically until the shift lever is
tapped back (
) or forward ().
If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds
or lower, the gears shift down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 182 km/h (113 mph)
M4→M3 133 km/h (82 mph)
M3→M2 48 km/h (30 mph)
M2→M1 12 km/h (7 mph)
Shifting specification (3.0-liter enginemodel)
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.
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→M4 23 km/h (14 mph)
M4→M5 39 km/h (24 mph)
M5→M6 49 km/h (30 mph)
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.
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 175 km/h (109 mph)
M4→M3 130 km/h (81 mph)
M3→M2 83 km/h (52 mph)
M2→M1 43 km/h (27 mph)During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 50 km/h (31 mph)
M5→M4 38 km/h (23 mph)
M4→M3 27 km/h (16 mph)
M3 or M2→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds
or lower, the gears shift down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 212 km/h (131 mph)
M6→M4 161 km/h (100 mph)
M5→M4 161 km/h (100 mph)
M5→M3 70 km/h (44 mph)
M4→M3 70 km/h (44 mph)
M4→M2 46 km/h (28 mph)
M3→M2 46 km/h (28 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend
these shift points.
(2.3-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
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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Black plate (149,1)
(3.0-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
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)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving 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 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.
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Black plate (150,1)
Power Steering
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.
CAUTION
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.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control underthe following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
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